Thursday, December 3, 2009

A customer is interested in graphic novels – where should I start?

Over the last decade or so, the interest in graphic novels has exploded, and there’s been an equal increase in the number of published titles. Graphic novels aren’t just for super heroes anymore; they have grown to cover as may genres as found in any literature. So, when you’re helping a customer look for graphic novels, or even someone just looking for a good read, remember the wide range of options. You can find science fiction, horror, westerns, war stories, as well as autobiographical and literary graphic novels that are as emotionally complex and satisfying as works in more traditional mediums. There are also many long running series of manga, the Japanese term for comics, that are very popular.

When doing reader’s advisory it’s also important to take into account the customer’s reading level. As more and more styles and subjects are covered, there's been an equal increase in works with mature themes and art. Getting to know the titles will help you give good recommendations.

There are a lot of great graphic novels beyond the familiar names published by Marvel (Spider-man, X Men, Fantastic Four), and DC (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman). ALA also has a yearly list of the best graphic novels for teens. Check out the list below to learn about some of the best works out there:
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