July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month...

Comics – and their longer-form siblings, graphic novels – are much more than just books with pretty pictures. There may have panels instead of paragraphs and rely a lot more on visuals than descriptions but they actually share a lot in common with their prose (or text-only) counterparts. You can find graphic novels covering just about every conceivable genre and subject matter.

In recent decades, the art form has grown to include a wider variety of stories as well as more complex and diverse characters. It’s not just about superheroes! But even those have become more sophisticated. This Graphic Novels in Libraries Month, take another look at graphic novels. From superheroes to “slice of life,” from horror to humor and from biographies and historical non-fiction: there’s something for everyone and all ages.

Have Graphic Novels Really Changed That Much?

Storytellers from around the world have expanded upon and continue to experiment with the graphic novel format. With compelling stories that rival (and often inspire) Hollywood itself and top-notch art, graphic novels are now the subject of reviews, museum exhibits and academic study. If you look, you’ll still find plenty of sci-fi epics and superhero comics anthologies but these titles don’t dominate the bookshelves like they once did.

Today, you’re just as likely to find among the Library’s collection a good graphic memoir like Tomboy by Liz Prince or historical non-fiction like March by famed Congressman John Lewis (about the Civil Rights Movement). Art Speigelman’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning graphic memoir Maus is a great example of the potential that exists in this medium for serious storytelling. It illustrates (both literally and figuratively) conversations that the author had with his father, an Auschwitz survivor, about life in wartime Poland and the horrors of the Holocaust.

Benefits of Reading Comics and Graphic Novels

This sort of “serious” material is not just reserved for adult graphic novels, though. The format is often used to handle tough topics and other non-fiction stories for teen audiences. It can make the subject a little easier to handle and it feels a lot less intimidating.

For struggling young readers, graphic novels can act as a gateway into a world of reading; they build confidence, comprehension and vocabularies. Not only that, being able to see the characters’ reactions, facial expressions, and body language can help teach valuable social skills like empathy.

What Are You Waiting For?

With so many reasons to give graphic novels a try and with so many great titles to choose from… now is the perfect time to head on over to your local library, to the Library’s catalog, or our app. If you just can’t get enough comics and graphic novels, Hoopla from your Library is your new best friend. Actually, it’s great for streaming or downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, TV shows, music, and comics. If you’re using the mobile app, you can also download titles to your device for offline playback later (where WiFi might not be available).

If you're interested in making your own comics and graphic novels, be sure to scroll to the bottom of each of the booklists below that accompany this blog. We've included some how-to books for different age groups. Or, sign up for "Graphic Storytelling with James Greene" or one of our other fine comic-themed programs (listed below).