| | Comics are, have always been, and always will be, for grown-ups as much as they are for kids. I dare you to point to any comic in the history of comics and say, “Here, this has absolutely nothing for grown-ups in it.”
Well, maybe you could do it. (see Tiny Titans)
But even then, cute and silly has always attracted some adults. I like to call them “females”.
What has spawned this little post? (I say little because I’m on lunch at work and will have only a half hour that most likely will be interrupted – oh! The phone just rang. I really need to write these posts somewhere other than my desk.)
There are several books out that discuss comics as a literary form, and even more books about creating your own comics. The burr in my shoe on this? Many of them say, “comics and graphic novels”.
Graphic novels are comics.
Let us try to differentiate the two, and see if I can’t blow down each of the Straw Men arguments.
Comics are about superheroes – Not all of them. And why can’t superheroes be literary? The truth, of course, is that they can. For examples, see Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986). Or, Mark Miller’s Superman: Red Son.
Graphic novels are literary – True, but what makes you think comics aren’t? Sandman and Watchmen both started as comics, then were compiled into large volumes. They are now almost exclusively referred to as graphic novels, stealing much deserved critical praise from the art form “comics”.
Graphic novels are cohesive – Graphic novels have a beginning, middle and end. What about collections of short stories that are told in sequential art but bound in hardback format?
Interesting idea, that the difference is cohesion. Is this then the difference between a television show and a movie? What about movies that have sequels? Trilogies?
This gets to the root of the matter. This analogy explains the true difference between a graphic novel and a comic book.
Marketing.
Graphic novels can be shelved in Barnes & Noble or Borders. They have their own BISAC category for buyers to look for. Comic books, while sometimes available at major bookstores, are still mostly relegated to the cozy dens and caves of comic book shops.
But a graphic novel, you can market that. It sounds grown-up. It sounds literary. (Do you see where I’m going with this?)
The difference between a comic and a graphic novel isn’t the art, and it isn’t the subject matter. It’s the marketing.
Graphic novels (even ones comprised of comics, like Sandman) can be advertised, can be sold to book clubs, can win Pulitzer Prizes.
Maus, by Art Spiegelman.
Which, by the way, started out as a comic strip for Funny Animals, and was then published serially in the infamous RAW magazine.
It wasn’t until 1986 (a breakthrough year for the comic book art form) that Maus was published as a book. In 1991 Volume II was published.
Graphic novels are long – This might be the truest statement of all the arguments. Graphic novels are longer stories. Sometimes they are lots of comic book stories packaged into one book (or a series of books). But, does this make them a separate beast than the comic? Worthy of more respect than the comic?
There are such fun things happening in comics right now; it seems a shame to keep people in Borders, only looking for graphic novels, missing all the wonderful stories available.
Marvel has graphic adaptations of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, and The Stand. Marvel is also doing an adaptation of The Wizard of OZ, with the precocious drawings of Skottie Young to enchant you.
DC has an amazing imprint of less-superhero oriented titles, Vertigo. I could go on and on and on about all the wonderful books they publish, but it would take way too long and I only have 7 minutes left of lunch. (4 interruptions so far, btw.)
Not to mention all the wonderful independent comic books out there. And online comics. The world is awash in color, and speech balloons.
Today is Wednesday. New comic book day. Do you know where your local comic book store is?
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| | Posted 12/10/2008 1:58 PM - 36 Views - 2 eProps - 2 comments
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