Is "graphic novel" just a fancy title for a "comic book?"?

Answer 1

No. A graphic novel has more content than a comic book. More pages, more pictures, and many more words. (Hence 'Graphic' 'Novel')

graph·ic
1. giving a clear and effective picture; vivid
2. of, pertaining to, or expressed by writing:
3. written, inscribed, or drawn.
4. depicted in a realistic or vivid manner:
5. of or pertaining to the graphic arts; a product of the graphic arts, as a drawing or print.

nov·el
1. a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes.

In essence, a graphic novel is a novel told using pictures, sounds and actions (on paper) having lots of dialog

Answer 2

In the same sense that a "feature length movie" is just a fancy title for a "TV show". There are commonalities, but there are differences as well.

There is a difference in format, presentation, and production values. Sometimes the content is just a collection of individual issues of a comic book, but usually it is a single (long) cohesive story which might never have supported being sold as a serialization. As such it can target smaller niches in the market, and thus you see more mature themed stories which could never be supported as a multi-issue title in a mass media market.

Graphic novels are books. They have ISBNs and get sold in book stores. they are printed on high quality paper and have real bindings (sometimes even leather bound with gold leaf edging).

The level of artwork in original graphic novels ("original" here meaning not a collection of comic books, but something made specifically for the graphic novel format) is often way beyond what you would see in a comic book - though still in the genre of serial storytelling.

Answer 3

Well, sort of, but they are different. Even if you agree that the content is identical, graphic novels are published in a much different format. Comic books typically are of a standard size, printed on cheap newsprint and stapled together. They are considered "serial" or "periodical" publications and come out on a regular schedule, and usually have ISSNs (international standard SERIAL numbers). Graphic novels, on the other hand, come in various sizes, are usually printed on better quality paper, are bound together using glue or even sewn binding, and are typically assigned ISBNs (international standard BOOK numbers). Graphic novels are typically longer stories, and of course there is the manga aspect to many of them, which physically forces their being read back to front.

But I'm sure you knew all this!

For those reasons, I'd have to answer your question with a "no, but..." My public library doesn't have comic books, but it does have graphic novels.

Answer 4

Fancy word for Very Long Comic Book

Answer 5

In a way yes but in another way no because it could be refered to as a more adult comic type of book with adult themes and dialogue but in a way no because it is an artform by itself that stands alone from the comic book line of writing and storytelling.

Graphic novels are more like regular novels in the sense of a beginning, middle, and an end in one book or series instead of how comic books tend to do things, countless number of editions and stories.

I prefer to leave these two concepts apart from one another, Graphic novel is a graphic novels and Comic books are comic books.

Answer 6

Graphic novels have far more in depth stories than that of a comic book. Plus they have a higher adult content.

Answer 7

In a way it is, because when people tend to think of comic books, they think of flimsy little papers stapled together and meant for kids. But it's so much more than that. A graphic novel makes it sound proffesional and more of a piece of literature as well as a work of art.

Answer 8

No. They tend to more literary and more complex than a comic book. Hence "graphic" novel.

Answer 9

comic for grown people that dont want to be seen as geeks. yes fancy word for comic.

Answer 10

No it is more like a grown up comic but still i have never heard that expression any way. It just hast to an American saying. a bit like politically correct its all böllöcks