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?
– How would you describe the difference between “graphic novel” and “comic”? Is there a difference at all?
– Say you have a friend who’s never encountered graphic novels. Recommend some titles you consider landmark/”canonical”.
Yes, I read graphic novels regularly. It’s a relatively new genre for me but I’ve really gotten into it. I really lie them because it’s a different way of telling a story. The images in a graphic novel are just as important, if not as important, as the text found with this the little bubbles we associate with comics and graphic novels.
I’m finding there is little difference between comics and graphic novels. I say that because most books that are considered graphic novels started out as comics and have been compiled to form the graphic novel. That’s not to say that there aren’t books that were originally intended for this genre. The more important point to make here is that style or type doesn’t matter as much as the tale that is being told. If the story isn’t good it doesn’t matter if it’s comic/graphic novel/fiction.
I would definitely say that Fables is the must read series. I suggest that one because I’m still getting into the genre and learning more about it all the time. I really enjoyed Walking Dead as well, I’ve only read the first book but I’m really looking forward to getting the other ones. A great Canadian work would be Pyongyang about Guy Delisle’s trip to North Korea to work on an animated show. Yesterday I picked up the first book in the Sandman series and I’m really looking forward to reading that one, I’ve only heard good things about it.
That's the Book! 
I agree with a lot of what you said and touched on some of the same issues at my post, here.
Great response!
I haven’t read a ton of graphic novels, but I loved Epileptic by David B. It was just incredible.
I agree with your post and thank you for posting some great recommendations. I’ll have to check them out.
~ Popin
Ah…Fables and Sandman, I keep seeing these books on the internet all the time. I think I should read these sometime.
Sandman series. I forgot all about it!
My BTT post
My son is keeping a bunch of his graphic novels at my apartment. I should use this opportunity to delve into them.