The main difference between graphic novel and comic is that graphic novels are longer than comics.
Both graphic novels and comics use pictures to narrate a story, just like a film or television series. While graphic novels have the same format as comics, there are some differences between graphic novels and comics. Comics are usually a part of large, specialized narratives published regularly. In contrast, graphic novels contain a complete narrative.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Graphic Novel
– Definition, Examples
2. What is a Comic
– Definition, Features, Examples
3. Difference Between Graphic Novel and Comic
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Comic, Comics, Graphic Novel
What is a Graphic Novel
A graphic novel is a novel that has the format of a comic. Although it uses graphic arts, it’s in a narrative form. In other words, it uses pictures to narrate a story, just like a film or TV series does. In fact, many popular graphic novels have been recently converted into films and TV series. At its heart, graphic novels are novels – they are lengthy and have complex storylines similar to novels. Graphic novels have many features of traditional novels. They have a clear beginning, middle, and end, a central narrative supported by side narratives, character development, well-thought dialogues and narration, and thematic messaging. Moreover, their audience is usually adults.
When compared to comics, graphic novel books are bound and have durable formats. They are sold in bookstores and speciality comic book stores. Furthermore, we can categorize graphic novels into many genres and sub-genres. Some of these include manga, superhero stories, and personal narratives.
Some Popular Graphic Novels
- “Maus” by Art Spiegelman
- “Through the Woods” by Emily Carroll
- “Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
- “100 Bullets” by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
What is a Comic
A comic is a medium that artists use to express ideas with images, combining them with text and other visual information. Comics usually have the form of a sequence of image panels. In addition to images, comics also include textual devices like captions, speech balloons, and onomatopoeia to show dialogues, thoughts, narration, and sound effects.
Comic books are a part of large, specialized narratives. Some popular comic books include Batman, the Incredible Hulk, Superman, The X men, Wonder Woman, and the Fantastic Four. These comics are parts of long-running narratives that last for years, sometimes even decades. Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Archie Comics are a few popular comic book publishers. The earliest comics can be traced back to the 1920s when newspaper strips containing comics were collected and reprinted. But by the 1930s, they started to feature original materials resembling the comics we know today.
Difference Between Graphic Novel and Comic
Definition
A graphic novel is a novel that has the format of a comic, while a comic is a medium used to express ideas with images combined with text and other visual information.
Length
Graphic novels are longer than comics.
Narratives
While graphic novels have complete narratives, comics have excerpts of serialized narratives. You might find it difficult to read a comic if you haven’t read the comics that came before it.
Conclusion
Both graphic novels and comics use pictures to narrate a story. However, they are not the same. Comics are usually a part of large, specialized narratives, published regularly. In contrast, graphic novels contain a complete narrative. The main difference between graphic novel and comic is that graphic novels are longer than comics.
Reference:
1. “Comics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
2. “Graphic Novel.” New World Encyclopedia.
3. “What Is a Graphic Novel?” Buffalolib.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Watchmen, issue 1” By Alan Moore – Comic Vine (Fair use) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Batman-comic-con-comics-books” (CC0) via Pixabay
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