Presented by Emily R. Brown at the 1/21/12 professional development day for Providence Public School librarians at Central High School, Providence, RI.
2. +
What are graphic novels?
Long comics
Gained popularity after Will Eisner put the term on A Contract
with God
Scott McCloud defines “sequential art” in Understanding
Comics
Books with panels
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Superhero Comics
Mostly published by DC (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman)
and Marvel (Spider-man, X-men).
Publishers own the characters.
Stories about different characters take place in the same
“universe.”
First published as “floppies” and then collected into trade
paperbacks (tpb).
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Superhero “Events”
Secret Invasion/Civil War/Death of Capt. America/The Seige
New Heroic Age
Ultimate Spider-Man’s new identity
New 52
Upcoming Films: Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Batman Dark
Knight
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Superhero Strategies
Avoid continuity issues: Invincible
Collect Origin Stories: Marvels, Mythos, Ralph Cosentino and
Marvel picture books
Identify standalone titles like All-Star Superman, the color
series, Batman Hush, Spider-Man Noir
Focus on important artists: The World’s Greatest Superheroes
Look for Teen characters: Spider-man loves Mary Jane, Teen
Titans, Superman: Earth One
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Manga/Manhwa
Reads right to left and usually black and white.
Targets different age groups (shojo, shonen, josei, seinen, etc.).
Series have a beginning and an end, unlike superhero comics
that are usually open-ended.
Characters are more stylized or cartoonish, and often distort to
show emotion.
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Recommended Manga/Manhwa
Shonen Jump Magazine
Naruto
DragonBall Z
Full Metal Alchemist
Death Note
Sailor Moon
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Manga Publishers
Tokyo Pop
VIZ Media
Yen Press (Hachette Group)
Kodansha (Del Ray/Random House
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Graphic Novels and Nonfiction
Aren’t necessarily serialized
Often the work of only one or two people
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Publishers I Like
TOON books
Blue Apple (Balloon Toons)
Stone Arch (Capstone)
Top Shelf
Boom! Studios
First Second (:01)
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What else is out there?
Picture books with panels
Hybrid novels
Light novels
Web Comics
Comic strips in newspapers
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Setting Goals
What are your reasons for collecting graphic novels?
How do graphic novels fit into your larger collection
development goals?
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Goal Ideas
Accessible versions of the classics, fairytales, and myths
Graphic biographies
American history and other social studies curriculum tie-ins
Beginning readers (follow them up the grades)
Teaching genre
Reluctant readers
Expand art section
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Popular Titles
Smile by RainaTelgemier
Babymouseby Jennifer Holm
Yummy by G. Neri
Amuletby KazuKibuishi
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Selection Criteria
Artistic merit
Durability of the format vs. cost of replacement
Availability of other volumes/replacements
Alternative review sources
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Selection Tools
YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Texas Maverick List
Diamond Book Shelf
ICv2
Wizard
No Flying No Tights
Good Comics for Kids on SLJ website
JLG
GNLIB
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Core Title Lists
Diamond Book Shelf
Good Comics for Kids
Graphic Novel Reporter
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Cataloging Questions
Separate section?
What about nonfiction?
By author, title, series title, publisher, or character?
What about comic-like books in picture book format?
23. +
Tools for teaching about graphic novels
Adventures in Cartooning
Lila and Ecco
Understanding Comics
ReadWriteThinkcomics creator
Drawing Words Writing Pictures
Graphic Classroom