Colorful and eye-catching, graphic novels are a unique medium found in library collections. Graphic novels span genres from classical literature to science fiction to even nonfiction. The Panels with Purpose display showcases these unique works in our collection. The display includes graphic novels and graphic novels studies, all of which can be checked out at the Circulation Desk. If you have never read a graphic novel before, this is a perfect chance to pick one up!
Introduction to Graphic Novels
A graphic novel contains a combination text and images arranged in panels. The panels typically tell a story from left to right. While there may be a similarity to comic books, graphic novels are usually longer. Some graphic novels are unique works independent of any previously existing stories or text. Other graphic novels are adaptions of classical literature or other books and movies. Still others serve as a compilation of multiple comics or comic books in a contained volume.
Graphic novels are a relatively recent phenomenon in literature. While comic books have been around since the turn of the 20th century, graphic novels emerged as a unique format in the 1970s. A Contract with God by Will Eisner, published in 1978, is considered to be the first real graphic novel (Pinkley and Casey, 2013, p.2). Nowadays, you can find fiction graphic novels on a diverse range of genres including fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. Non-fiction graphic novels are also popular. Works on historical events, current events and scientific discovery have either been adapted to graphic novel format or are original creations.
Libraries and educational institutions acquire graphic novels in support of their respective long term goals. Given their fusion of images and text, readers who struggle reading a novel may find a graphic novel an alluring alternative. Grade school teachers have also incorporated graphic novels in their curriculum, which requires college libraries to acquire graphic novels in support of education degree programs (Finley, 2015, p.77). Whether required for a class assignment or just for a rainy fall afternoon, reading a graphic novel can be a fun and illuminating experience.
Examples of graphic novels from the Display
The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Graeth Hinds
Fresh from his triumphs in the Trojan War, Odysseus, King of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return home to his family. Instead, he offends the sea god, Poseidon, who dooms him to years of shipwreck and wandering. Battling man-eating monsters, violent storms, and the supernatural seductions of sirens and sorceresses, Odysseus will need all his strength and cunning—and a little help from Mount Olympus—to make his way home and seize his kingdom from the schemers who seek to wed his queen and usurp his throne. Award-winning graphic artist Gareth Hinds masterfully reinterprets a story of heroism, adventure, and high action that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years—though never quite like this. -Amazon
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
A tour-de-force by New York Times bestselling graphic novelist Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he’s the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny’s life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax.-Amazon
In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the coming-of-age story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.-Amazon
Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics
Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics presents an accessible, entertaining, and highly-illustrated introduction to the development and diversity of Japanese comics from 1945 to the present. Featuring striking graphics and extracts from a wide range of manga, the book covers such themes as the specific attributes of manga in contrast to American and European comics; the life and career of Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy and originator of story manga; boys’ comics from the 1960s to the present; the genres and genders of girls’ and women’s comics; the darker, more realistic themes of gekiga — violent samurai, disturbing horror and apocalyptic science fiction; issues of censorship and protest; and manga’s role as a major Japanese export and global influence. – Amazon
These titles are just a few of the works included in our display. Feel free to stop by and check out a title that interests you, you never know what you might find! For more information about the graphic novels on display, check out our accompanying research guide: Panels with Purpose.
Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at Catholic University of America Mullen Library.
References
Finley, W. (2015). Graphic Novels in Community and Junior College Libraries. Community & Junior College Libraries, 21(3–4), 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763915.2016.1165996.
Pinkley, J., & Casey, K. (2013). Graphic Novels: A Brief History and Overview for Library Managers. Library Leadership & Management, 27(3), 1. https://doi.org/10.5860/llm.v27i3.7018.
