Last Saturday (May 2nd) is Free Comic Book Day! In celebration of comics and graphic novels, some suggestions:
– Do you read graphic novels/comics? Why do/don’t you enjoy them?
No, I don’t read Graphic novels would be a wrong thing to say. In fact I’ve never tried reading a Graphic novel.
My library doesn’t stock them and buying them would be very expensive especially when I don’t know whether I would like them or not.
I used to read comics when I was young. Archie’s, Chacha Chaudhary, Tinkle, mostly Indian.
But I was never a fan. I didn’t “LOVE” reading comics. That’s the reason why I am not sure I would like Graphic novels either. But frankly I don’t know.
– How would you describe the difference between “graphic novel” and “comic”? Is there a difference at all?
hmmm…I think comics are like incidents or like short stories. I haven’t read an entire comic based on a single story yet.
Graphic novels are novels in Graphic form 🙂 Right?
– Say you have a friend who’s never encountered graphic novels. Recommend some titles you consider landmark/”canonical”.
Although I haven’t read Graphic novels, if a friend were to ask me I would definitely recommend Persepolis or Maus. I have heard and read so much about them that I am sure I would like them and so would my friend. Or may be I could suggest something by Neil Gaiman. What do you think?
Book-Shelved 
I’ve never tried reading a graphic novel, either! I think I will one of these days… I’ll keep the ones you listed in mind for when I get around to it!
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I am the same as you, I have never picked up a graphic novel and not really sure if I ever will! I read comics when I was younger too, so I think I still think of them as being quite childish.
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Oh yes! I’ve seen many readers recommended Persepolis or Maus so I think I’ve to add them onto my wishlist too!
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I don’t know what graphic novel is.
I read japanese comics, manga, that’s all…and I love manga as much as I love Novel
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I’ve never read one, but have heard of Maus!
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Great post! I have never read a graphic novel either. They were very popular at one time and did get children to read which is so important. I think I would like to read one now and see if I would enjoy it.
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I don’t read a ton of graphic novels but I loved Epileptic by David B. It is incredible.
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I’ve only recently given graphic novels a chance. It is a bit surprising to see the variety of topics, as well as the serious level of work done on them. I plan on reading Persopolis sometime in the near future.
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I didn’t include Maus in my list but it’s a good one. I particularly enjoyed the first one but not the second one as much. Persopolis I’ve only read the first book and I enjoyed it.
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Maus is a really big one, but I’d probably go with The Sandman (by Gaiman) or anything by Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc.).
I gave an answer to the graphic novel v. comic issue at my post here.
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I’ve heard a lot about watchmen too. I’ll have to look into V for Vendetta. Thanks for the suggestions.
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Your suggestions are great ones! I love those books, and also Neil Gaiman’s Sandman.
As for the comic vs graphic novels: like you said, the word “comic” refers to shorter, individual issues, normally monthly, and “graphic novels” are longer and published in book form. That’s all there is to it as far as I know. What upsets me is that sometimes the term “graphic novel” is used to make them sound more “respectable” or whatever, to pretend that this is not the exact same medium as that of Superman or Batman. That’s just so silly…as if the medium could ever define the content (and nothing against Batman and Superman, of course!)
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yes, I agree Nymeth, whatever the case, the medium is the same, whether Batman or Maus. I think it’s mostly because comics are read by children (most of the time) and as adults people feel funny saying that they are reading a comic. Graphic novel sounds grown up 🙂
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I’ve never tried Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels before. Only read Stardust (and that’s a novel). Thanks for the recommendation!
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I loved Persepolis but really need to read Maus. I’ve just recently started reading graphic novels but I really enjoy them and am so glad that they are everywhere now!
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I loved Archie growing up, too!
I second the recommendation for the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman- they are pretty amazing.
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I haven’t really started reading any graphic novels. They cost quite a bit and I’m reluctant to buy…
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