2. Some Graphic Novel Basics Graphic novels use text and pictures to present information Graphic novels use the same format as comic books Graphic novels differ from comics in that they usually contain stand-alone stories with complex plots Graphic novel is a format, not a genre

3. Milestones in Graphic Novel World 1978-Will Eisner coins term “graphic novel” to distinguish his book A Contract With God from traditional comic books. (Although the term and others similar to it were used previously, this was the GN that facilitated adoption of the term on an “official” level).

4. Milestones in Graphic Novel World 1986- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns written by Frank Miller and published by DC Comics, is released. This reintroduced Batman to the general public in his more psychologically dark 1930s era conception. This new incarnation was “dark” and troubled and ushered in an era of “grim and gritty” superheroes.

5. Milestones in Graphic Novel World 1987- The Watchmen by Alan Moore (illustrated by Dave Gibbons), is published by DC Comics. One of the first superhero graphic novels to present itself as serious literature, it’s the only graphic novel to ever win the Hugo Award. It is also the only graphic novel to appear on Time Magazine’s 2005 list: The 100 Best English Language Novels from 1923 to the Present.

6. Milestones in Graphic Novel World 1992-Maus: A Survivor’s Tale written by Art Spielgelman, wins the Pulitzer Prize Special Award for Letters.

7. Milestones in Graphic Novel World 2005-“Graphix” Scholastic’s graphic novel imprint for children is launched.

8. Milestones in Graphic Novel World 2006-Gene Yang’s American Born Chinese is a National Book Award finalist in the category of Young People’s Literature and in 2007 it wins the Michael L. Printz award for excellence in Young Adult literature.

9. How to read a graphic novel…

10. A Graphic Novel Page Pages consist of a variety of elements Panels-squares or rectangles that contain a single scene Gutters-space between panels Dialogue Balloons-contain communication between/among characters Thought Balloons-contain a character’s thoughts Captions-contain information about a scene or character Sound Effects-visual sound clues i.e.. Wonk! Pow!

11. Thought Balloon Sound Effect Panel Gutter Dialogue Balloon Caption

12. How to Read a Graphic Novel Page Graphic novels are read left to right, just like traditional texts

13. Dialogue Balloons Dialogue balloons are read left to right or top to bottom as is appropriate. 1 2 3 5 4

14. Sometimes it can get a little more complicated…

15. 1 3 2 4 But the basic left to right rule still applies to panels

16. and dialogue balloons as well 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

17. Major Types

19. Humor

20. Non-Fiction

22. Fantasies

24. Adaptations Spin-offs or

27. Realistic Fiction

28. Personal Stories