Graphic Novels Essay

902 Words2 Pages

Literature has learned to grow and progress over the years, but still till this day graphic novels are having trouble with being accepted as literature. Good literature is a piece of work that can incorporate writing and illustrations that pulls the reader in and leads them throughout the book. After reading a couple of graphic novels I have to disagree with the scholars who believe that they aren’t a piece of literature. Each graphic novel tells a story just like “regular” novels do. They each capture your imagination and keep you interested. They may look childish to some, but you should never judge a book by its cover. “Graphic novels that succeed as literature escape the norm and invite critical discussion, analysis, and, often, comparison with text-only books featuring similar situations, climactic crises, or aesthetics” (Goldsmith). Graphic novels tell a story, draw in a different audience, and expands a reader’s imagination, so with that said, they should be considered as literature.
Graphic novels never really stood out in literature until about 1978. People were against change and didn’t know how to accept a novel that has very little text and mostly illustrations to portray the story. Graphic novels are pretty much a book-length comic. They either tell a story from the beginning to the end or they consist of a collection of short stories within one book. Not all graphic novels are the same; some can illustrate history, drama, adventure, fantasy, even romance or comedy. Some can be nonfiction or fiction. Graphic novels are becoming more popular as time keeps ticking. Many people of all ages are becoming interested in this unique form of literature. The first graphic novel to get recognition was “A Contract with God” by W...

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...re to life.
Most people believe that graphic novels are just an art book with minimal text. They believe it is just for entertainment for kids or young adults. They think that graphic novels are just like comics. But to get to the point, graphic novels are just like all the other novels. They are a piece of literature that tells a story and pulls out the reader’s imagination, so that they feel that they are a part of the story or can even relate to the story. Graphic novels have changed and developed into such remarkable pieces of literature and should be accepted by all scholars to be placed in that category. According to John Ridley, “There are still some people out there who believe comic books are nothing more than, well, comic books. But the true cognoscenti know graphic novels are-at their best-an amazing blend of art, literature and the theater of the mind”.

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