This document discusses graphic novels, including what they are, their history, how they are read, and their increasing popularity as source material for films. Graphic novels are complete stories bound as books, either as original works or collections of comic book issues. They grew out of comic books in the late 1970s/early 1980s seeking more sophisticated stories. Today, graphic novels are serious works of fiction seen as literature. Many popular films have been based on graphic novels by notable authors like Frank Miller, Alan Moore, and Stan Lee.

1. “That’s From A Comic??”
Graphic Novels in Films
Animusic's Heavy Light

2. What is a Graphic Novel?
A complete, book length story
that is bound in one volume.
Graphic novels can either be
original or reprinted material
from monthly comic books.

3. A Bit of History:
Graphic Novels grew in the late 1970’s
and early 1980’s and attempted to
create a sophisticated story, told in
comic book format, in one full-length
book.

4. Today’s graphic novels are serious works
of fiction that strive toward the status
of literature.

5. How do you read a graphic novel? All the
panes and panels are so confusing!

6. Stevenson High School handout
How To Read a Graphic Novel more detailed exam

7. This is a speech box.
Characters talk to each
other with these or others
that look a bit different.
Or even one
that looks
like this?

8. Okay. I get that. What’s the backward
deal with all the Manga?

9. Navigating Manga Panels

10. They really make movies From comic
books…err…um…Graphic Novels??
Come on!

11. Recognize any of these?

12. What about these?

14. Why is this genre so popular?
• I Need A Hero
• Why are we looking for
heroes?
• What is happening in the
world? Politically?
Economically?

16. Who are THESE guys??
• Warren Ellis (RED)
• John Wagner (A History
of Violence)
• Mark Millar (Wanted)
• Grant Morrison (Arkham
Asylum)
• Stan Lee (Avengers,
Daredevil, Iron Man,
Hulk, Thor)
• Max Allen Collins (Road
to Perdition)
• Alan Moore (From Hell, V
for Vendetta,
Watchmen)
• Frank Miller (Sin City,
300, The Spirit)
Kevin Grevioux (I, Frankenstein)

17. Do you know….
Erika Alexander Concrete Park
Fillbach Brothers Cadaver
Dogs of Winter, Captain
Freebird, Star Wars
Tim Fielder Matty’s Rocket

19. Types of Graphic novels
•All-Ages Titles: books are intended for
readers of all ages, but are produced with
children in mind. Examples – Alison Dare,
Little Miss Adventures, The Batman
Adventures and Simpsons.
•Mainstream Titles: comprise the majority of
titles. Often focused on superheroes, these
titles are suitable for older children and
teenagers, but may contain violence, strong
language, and provocative images of women.
Examples – Fantastic Four, Superman and
Wonder Woman.

20. Professional & Trade Journals
•The Shy Librarian – Stephen Weiner’s
column.
•Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) – has a
long-running column, “Graphically Speaking,”
appears in every issue.
•WIZARD Magazine – often described as the
People magazine of the comic book world.
•Reviews also appear in School Library
Journal, Booklist, and Publisher’s Weekly.

21. Websites about Comics &
Graphic Novels
• Comic books for young adults: a guide for librarians:
http://ulib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/lml/comics/pages/in
dex.html
• The comics get serious: http://
www.rationalmagic.com/comics/comics.html
• Librarians guide to anime and manga:
www.koyagi.com/Libguide.html