GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR LIBRARIANS*(and other interested library types)

AzLA 2011 Preconference

•What are graphic novels?•Issues and FAQ•Graphic Novels in the Library

3 Sections

What is a graphic novel?

…a book length narrative, of any genre, for any audience , which uses sequential art either by itself for in combination with text elements, to tell a story.

… a format, not a genre.

…images placed in a specific order to convey meaning, such as the passage of time, a specific action, a moment or an event.

Passage of Time

From Return of the Dapper Men by Jim McCann and Janet Lee

Action

H2 by Mitsu

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Moment

Event

 Bone

#16 by Jeff

Smith.

Part

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page Panels

Gutters

Word Balloo

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Types of American Comics

Mainstrea

m Comi

cs

A comic put out by a major American publishing house.

They typically feature superheroes, action or are tied into media properties.

Marvel and DC dominate the Mainstream comics field. Other publishers include Boom! Studios, IDW, Archie Comics, Bongo and Devil’s Due.

Types of American Comics

Indie

A comic published by a smaller American publishing house.

Independent comics are usually owned by the creator, and cover a more diverse range of topics.

Oni, Image, Archaia, Dark Horse, and SLG are well known independent publishers.

Types of American Comics

Literary and Alternativ

e

Literary comic : A subgenre of independent comics, these comics have few genre elements, and often quieter, more human stories. Memoirs and travelogues are a popular literary comics genres.

Alternative comic : A subgenre of independent comics, these comics are more concerned with social issues and pushing boundaries. Alternative comics are a direct descendent of the underground comics of the 1960’s.

Fantagraphics, Drawn and Quarterly and Top Shelf are well known for their literary and alternative comics.

Intro to Manga

What is it? Differences

between American Comics and Manga

Major Publishers

Types of Manga

Shonen and

Shojo

Manga aimed at young teen boys that tend to focus on action.

Manga created for teenage girls, that tend to focus on relationships.

Types of Manga

Boys Love

A sub-genre of manga and anime that focuses on relationships of two males.

Josei, Seinen &

Gekiga Josei Sienen Gekiga

Issues with Graphic Novels

Age Ratings

“All Ages”

Digital Comics

“Day and Date”

Comics Piracy

The Graphic Novels FAQ

The quality of bindings vary widely from publisher to publisher.

Graphic novels tend to circulate more in a shorter period.

Processing makes a big difference.

Q: Why do they fall apart so quickly?

Answer: They don’t.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Most library vendors stock graphic novels.

Diamond Distributing has a special program for libraries.

Brick and mortar stores have a good idea of what’s popular in a specific area.

Worse comes to worse, there’s always online retailers.

Q: Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Answer: Anywhere you can.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Shelving by series is probably easiest for the patron.

However, most catalogers would prefer they be cataloged by author. Japanese names make

catalogers tear their hair out. If you have a small

collection, books might get lost in 741’s

Q: How should they be cataloged?

Answer: Do What works for your system.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: Why are Japanese names so hard to catalog?

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

A: Naming customs and translations

Q: What’s with all the weird manga titles?

A: Translations

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: Why do manga series run so long?

A: Not all manga series are long

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Most mainstream library journals review graphic materials.

Many library journals have blogs or columns devoted to GN’s

Many professional reviewers review for web-only publications.

Q: Where can I find professional reviews?

Answer: Lots of Places!

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: Why don’t the covers match the insides?

Answer: It’s Complicated…

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: Why isn’t manga in color?

A: Because of the nature of manga in Japan.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: Why do you read manga backwards?

Answer: Because it’s Japanese!

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: How do you pronounce…

Answer: Manga – mahn-gaAnime – Ahn-ee-mayYaoi - yah-oh-e

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: What is a universe?

Answer: A Universe is a shared continuity.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: Why do you call them graphic novels when they’re not fiction?

Answer: Because we don’t have a better word.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: What is a webcomic?

A: A webcomic is a comic designed to be published on the web.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Q: What the difference between a webcomic and a digital comic?

A: Digital comics are digitized versions of print comics. Webcomics are designed for the web.

Where Should I Buy Graphic Novels?

Graphic Novels In Libraries

Challenges

Challenges

YOUTH

TEEN

ADULT

Reader’s Advisory

Reader’s Advisory

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Displays

Programming

Programming

Programming

“A library without comics isn’t a real library” – Sofi, Age 8.

WWW.SLIDESHARENET/MERIDETHLIBRARIAN

HTTP://MERIDETHSAYS.BLOGSPOT.COM

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