A joint presentation at the 2013 SELA-SCLA joint conference.

1. Graphic Novels A-Z
(Action Comics to Zatanna)
Tammy Ivins & Bryson Kopf
© DC
Comics

2. Agenda
1. Introduction to the graphic novel format
2. Visual literacy and graphic novels
3. Reader’s advisory tips
4. Genre examples
5. Collection development challenges.

3. Introduction
to Graphic Novels

4. What are Graphic Novels?
a full-length... story published as a book in
comic-strip format. - OED
© Scott Adams and Dark Horse

5. What genre are graphic novels?

6. Lingo
Graphic Novel ≈ Trade ≈ Collection
Manga = Japanese Graphic Novels

7. Who creates graphic novels?

8. The
Process
© DC Comics

9. Color is not needed
© Kodansha & Image Comics

10. … but color is an
artform in itself.
© Marvel & DC Comics

11. Visual Literacy
& Graphic Novels

12. Visual Literacy =
An ALA Initiative
“Visual literacy is a set of abilities that
enables an individual to effectively find,
interpret, evaluate, use, and
create images and visual media.”

13. “Visual literacy skills equip a learner to
understand and analyze the
contextual, cultural, ethical, aesthetic,
intellectual, and technical components
involved in the production and use of visual
materials.”
www.ala.org/acrl/standards/visualliteracy

14. Comics Are Ideal
Images "are the vocabulary of the
language called comics."
- McCloud, S. (1994). Understanding comics. HarperCollins. Chicago

15. 1
Example:
How to read a
Graphic Novel
2
3

16. 1
2
3
© DC Comics

17. 1
2
© DC Comics

18. 1
3
2
4
© DC Comics

19. Of course,
Manga
(Japanese graphic novels)
are read backwards.

20. Other Visual Literacy
Discussion Topics
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Juxtaposition of images
Iconic imagery
Backgrounds
Facial expression
Portrayal of movement & action
Implied events
Conflict between action & words
Mood & emotion
Implied sound
Passage of time

21. More Reading
Understanding
Comics
by Scott McCloud
© HarperCollins

22. A picture is worth a thousand words...
© DC Comics

23. … but a picture has 1000x the impact.
© Avatar Press
& Vintage Books

24. Reader’s Advisory
for Graphic Novels

25. Getting patrons interested
● Find out if a patron is interested in a “nontext narrative formats”
● Think about visual style and plot! It is
easier to connect readers by matching
narratives and subjects.
● Connect users to GNs via other formats.
Get feedback from the Patron!
● Repeat!

26. Reader’s Advisory: Art Styles
B&W
Color
© Fantagraphics & Pantheon

27. Wordy vs. Terse
© Marvel

28. Realistic vs abstract
© DC Comics

29. Detailed vs cartoony
© 2000 AD

30. Linear panel layouts...
© DC Comics

31. ...vs complicated layouts
© Jim Steranko

32. Simple
backgrounds...
© Dark Horse Comics

33. ...vs Lush backgrounds
© Barry
Windsor
Smith

34. Challenges
● Patrons/Staff not understanding format
● “Those are just for kids!”
● “They’re not ‘real’ reading!”

35. Genre Examples
for Graphic Novels
© Dark Horse, Kodansha Comics, Viz Media, Image

36. Genre Examples
•Adventure/Action
-The Adventures of Tintin (24 books) by Herge
-The Losers (5 vol) by Andy Diggle (writer) & Jock (artist)
•Mystery/Crime
-Whiteout (2 vol) by Greg Rucka (writer) & Steve Leiber (artist)
-Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter by Darwyn Cooke
•General Fiction
-Love and Rockets (series) by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez
-Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
-Contract with God by Will Eisner

37. Genre Examples
•Romance
-Blankets by Craig Thompson
-Nana (series) by Ai Yazawa
•Fantasy
-Sandman (10 vol) by Neil Gaiman (writer) and many artists
-Bone (series) by Jeff Smith
-Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNICLE (series) by CLAMP
-Oh My Goddess! (series) by Kosuke Fujishima

38. Genre Examples
•Science Fiction
-Y: The Last Man (10 vol) by Brian K. Vaughn (writer) & Pia Guerra (art)
-Akira by Otomo Kasuhiro
-The Manhattan Projects (2 vol) by Jonathan Hickman (writer) & Nick Pitarra (art)
•Horror
-Black Hole by Charles Burns
-The Walking Dead (17 vol) by Robert Kirkman (writer), Tony Moore & Charlie Adlard (art)
- Locke & Key (6 volumes) by Joe Hill (writer) & Gabriel Rodriguez (art)

39. Genre Examples
•Historical
-Maus (2 vol) by Art Spiegelman
-Buddha (8 vol) by Osamu Tezuka
-King by Ho Che Anderson
•Humor
-Tales Designed to Thrizzle by Michael Kupperman
-Ouran High School Host Club (series) by Bisco Hatori

40. Genre Examples
•Superheroes
-Watchmen by Alan Moore (writer) & Dave Gibbons (art)
-All-Star Superman (2 vol) by Grant Morrison (writer) & Frank Quitely (art)
-Wonder Woman, New 52 (3 vol) by Brian Azzarello (writer) & Cliff Chiang (art)
•Non-Fiction
-Palestine by Joe Sacco
-Manga Guide to Molecular Biology by Masahara Takemura
•Memoir
-Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
-Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and me by Ellen Forney

41. Shojo & Josei Manga
Ouran High Host Club
By Bisco Hatori
Nana by Ai Yazawa
© Viz Media

42. Shonen & Seinen Manga
Prince of Tennis by Takeshi Konomi
© Viz Media, Dark Horse
Chobits by CLAMP

43. Magical Girl & Mecha
Neon Genesis Evangelion
by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
© Kodansha Comics, Viz Media

44. Programming
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Art contest or classes
Comic artist visits
Costume party or contest
Partner with a comic book store
Discussion groups
Free Comic Day (first Saturday in May)
Movie/anime connections
Exciting displays!!!

45. Collection Development
of Graphic Novels

46. Arrangement Issues
● Age restrictions
○ Content
○ Reading Level
● Series are long
○ Expense
○ Space issues

47. Tech-Services Issues
● Cataloging / Discovery
○ Many creators
○ Often shelved by format, not topic
○ LC & recreational reading
● Binding
○ Manga can be bulky
○ Most graphic novels take up more shelf
space & height than other titles

48. Selection Resources
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Booklist
Publisher’s Weekly
Library Journal
NY Times Bestseller List
The Comics Journal
Online reviews and lists
Follow Major Publishers
Local comic book shops

49. 500 Essential
Graphic Novels
by Gene
Kannenberg
© HarperCollins

50. Major Awards
• Eisner Awards
• Harvey Awards
• Ignatz Awards
• Osamu Cultural Award
• Shogakukan Award
• Kodansha Award
© DC Comics

51. Slides & handout: tinyurl.com/scla13-gn
Contact us:
Tammy Ivins
tivins@fmarion.edu
Bryson Kopf
bkopf@cumberland.lib.nc.us
This presentation contains copyrighted materials used under the Multimedia
Guidelines and Fair Use exemptions of U.S. Copyright law. Further use is prohibited.