Different Kinds of Graphic Novels by Dr. Mira Reisberg

If you’re a picture book, early reader, chapter book, middle grade or YA writer or illustrator who’s open to consider broadening your publishing options, you might want to consider making the wildly popular form of graphic novels or hybrids. Hybrids are basically books that use some of the elements of graphic novels like voice bubbles and thought bubbles instead of attributions like, “he said,” or “she said,” with more stylized illustrations, while graphic novels also mostly use panels as well to make more layered story telling that can include more than one point of view and more than one timeline on the same spread. It’s a very exciting form, which is probably why kids love it so much.

Here’s a quick peek at the world of graphic novels as a vast, varied, and versatile medium that appeals to an incredibly wide range of audiences! Here are just some of the types of graphic novels that are popular:

1. Superhero comics: Superhero comics are one of the most popular types of graphic novels, and have been enjoyed by generations of readers. Examples include Marvel and DC comics.

2. Manga: Manga is a style of Japanese comics that has become popular around the world. Manga typically has a distinctive visual style and often tells stories that are geared towards young adult readers

3. Fantasy and science fiction: Many graphic novels are set in fantastical worlds or feature elements of science fiction. These types of graphic novels often explore complex themes and can appeal to readers of all ages.

4. Autobiographical comics: Autobiographical comics, also known as memoir comics or graphic memoirs, are a genre of graphic novels that tell the author’s own life story. These types of graphic novels can be a powerful way to explore personal experiences and emotions.

5. Slice-of-life comics: Slice-of-life novels depict everyday experiences and often focus on character development and relationships. These types of graphic novels can appeal to readers who enjoy stories that are grounded in reality.

6. LGBTQ+ comics: There are many graphic novels that explore LGBTQ+ themes and experiences, including romance, identity, and discrimination. These types of graphic novels can be an important tool for representation and education.

7. Graphic adaptations: Many classic books, plays, and other works have been adapted into graphic novels. Bringing in massive new audiences for them. These types of graphic novels can be a great way to introduce younger readers to classic literature.

8. Webcomics: Webcomics are comics that are published online, often by independent creators. Webcomics can cover a wide range of genres and styles and are often free to read.Clearly, there’s a wide variety of graphic novel and hybrid styles and themes to choose from. There are also many reasons why graphic novels are so appealing to readers of all ages including:

1. Visual storytelling: Graphic novels and hybrids combine words and images to tell a story, which can make them more engaging and easier to understand for younger readers. The use of visual elements can help readers to better understand complex ideas and emotions, and can also be more accessible for readers who struggle with traditional text-based books. Take a look at this panel from the Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton. Simple text and simple illustrations. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey is another great example of a young graphic novel.

Dav was one of the first hybrid graphic novelists with his brilliant Captain Underpants series. His first black and white hybrid came out in 1997. To date this series has sold over 80 million copies, plus two movies, and is still going strong.

Rachel Renee Russell’s Dork Diaries, also a hybrid, began in 2009 and is releasing book #15 in September.

2. Diverse representation: Graphic novels often feature diverse characters and themes, which can be especially appealing to younger readers who are looking for stories that reflect their own experiences and identities. This representation can help to foster empathy and understanding among readers and can also serve as a tool for education and social justice.

Novels, such as Hoops, by Matt Tavares and Jerry Craft’s School Trip, highlight a diversity of classmates in a sports and/or school setting. Their coming-of-age and forming relationships and friendships themes are always popular with middle grade readers.

Biographies and autobiographies also represent diversity with their variety of people highlighted in the many books found in this area. I Survived by Lauren Tarshis, is a great example of this.

3. Interactive experience: Graphic novels often have a more interactive reading experience than traditional books. Readers must engage with the visuals on the page as well as the text, which can make the reading experience more immersive and engaging.

Dav Pilkey’s Dogman is a great example of this with its “Flip-e-rama” pages.

Interactive graphic hybrids for the younger audience are often filled with humor, such as Chris Harris’ If you Laugh, I’m Starting This Book Over. Serge Bloch’s illustrations are guaranteed to make kids laugh, and grownups, too.

4. Flexibility: As you’ve seen from the examples presented so far, graphic novels can cover a wide range of topics and genres, from superheroes to realistic fiction, and can also vary in length and complexity. This flexibility allows readers to find graphic novels that appeal to their individual interests and reading levels.

5. Popularity in popular culture: With the rise of superhero movies and TV shows, graphic novels have become more popular and mainstream. This exposure in popular culture has made graphic novels more accessible and appealing to younger readers. Even successful chapter book and middle grade books, from The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne to The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien have been transformed into graphic novels.

GNs offer a fun, fabulous, and fascinating combination of visual storytelling, diverse representation, interactivity, flexibility, and popularity in popular culture that has made graphic novels a popular and appealing medium!

Are you ready to explore this exciting form of literature? The Children’s Book Academy would love to teach you how to adapt an existing story from the public domain or bring new life to a manuscript of your own that has been rejected or isn’t quite magical enough. We also want to teach illustrators and non-illustrators how to enter the wonderful world of writing and/or illustrating graphic novels and hybrids complete with fabulous submission opportunities. You’ll be getting a head start and taking advantage of the fact that it’s less competitive because most people are scared and don’t know how to create GNs. We’ll show you how in our Mastering Great Graphic Novels Course, where you’ll learn to write, and/or illustrate, format, and publish graphic novels!

Registration ends May 25, 2023!

Visit here for more information: https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/2023graphicnovels.html

Or here to register now using the GNLove discount code:

https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/2023-mastering-graphic-novels-registration.html

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Talk tomorrow,

Kathy