Graphic Novels in Libraries:
An Expert's Opinion
The following a speech delivered to a committee of librarians formed to decide whether or not to include graphic novels in library collections.
About the Speaker (please read first).
“
Legend
tells of a caped crusader, Batman, guardian of Gotham, and his diabolical
counterparts, the Joker, the Riddler, and Catwoman. Theirs was a struggle for
dominance. Who would rule Gotham’s nights, the darkness where few others even
knew they existed? Gotham's later champions, the Birds of Prey, the Black Canary
and Oracle, also patrolled the streets to keep the city safe. Elsewhere in the
world, heroes such as Spider-Man, Superman, the X-Men, and Daredevil,
participate in a similar struggle against the forces of evil. Their true
identities kept secret, these heroes fight for truth, justice, and the American
way. My name is Barbara Gordon, and this is our story.
“Superheroes,
crime fighters, metahumans, genetic mutants, and others like
myself, exist in a
universe separate from traditional literature. Ours is a world filled with
action, adventure, fantasy, and struggle. The struggle between good and evil
rages constantly, while we fight to maintain balance. Our universe comes to life
in both comic books and graphic novels. It should be noted that superheroes such
as myself do not exist alone in the world encompassed by graphic art. There are
other, less fantastic, inhabitants in our universe. Comic book characters such
as Archie, Betty, and Veronica, Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, and others also exist
within our genre. Though our worlds rarely intersect, it is on their behalf, as
well as ours, that I speak today. The freedom of our universe has been called
into question. Our very existence has been threatened. The genre which we
inhabit, introduced into library collections not so long ago, has come under
fire. We implore you; help us continue to fight the good fight, to inspire in
thousands of children, adolescents, and teenagers a love of reading, regardless
of literary format.
“Stories told in both pictorial and word form are considered comics. Comic books are episodic stories. Each volume builds upon the previous, and continues into the following volume. Trade paperbacks are a compilation of comic books, combined to tell a complete story. Trade paperbacks are the cousin of the graphic novel. Graphic novels have been defined as “a sophisticated story told between two covers, usually a 64-, 128, or 176-page book, as opposed to a collection of comic strips in book form [trade paperback] or classic comic books” (Weiner).
“There are six basic types of graphic novels. The stories told about me, and those like me, are called “Superhero Stories.” These stories involve a character, or characters, familiar to most readers. Popular Superhero Stories include those about Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Birds of Prey. A second type of graphic novel is the “Human Interest Story.” These stories can cover a broad range of subjects, but are similar to traditional fiction stories. “Manga” is a form of graphic novel that has stemmed from Japanese comics as an outgrowth of anime. “Adaptations or Spinoffs” are graphic novels about a well-known character, whether from film, classic literature, or popular culture, adapted into graphic form. The graphic novel form know as “Satire” questions political systems or social mores. The final kind of graphic novel is not actually a novel. Nonfiction graphic novels, though not technically novels, are still narrative in nature, and told in pictorial form. Therefore, these stories are also classified as graphic novels (Weiner).
“In recent years there have been a great deal of renewed interest in the world of comic books and graphic novels. The four major comic book companies have all reported increasing sales of both comic books and graphic novels. Marvel Comics experienced a sales increase of 400% from 1999 to 2002 (McDonald), and a 208% increase in 2001 alone (Flores). DC Comics also reported a large sales increase, with sales expanding by 25% a year, and an even larger overall growth. Imagine Comics reported a 15% rise of profits in 2002 and rates are still increasing. Dark Horse Comics testified to the increase in comic book and graphic novel sales by saying that sales in the book store market are growing, now totaling between 35% and 40% of all total sales (McDonald).
“Perhaps
some of the recent interest in comic books and graphic novels can be
attributed
to the success of major motion pictures depicting comic book heroes. The
success of movie blockbusters such as Spider-Man, Daredevil, and
X-Men, have undoubtedly renewed interest in our genre. Classic movie
franchises such as Batman and Superman remain popular, and future releases such as Hulk, X-Men 2, and The League of Extraordinary
Gentlemen promise similar success. Even the small screen has sought to
capitalize on the popularity of comic book characters. Superman’s exploits as a
teenager have been brought to life in the WB’s Smallville and Sabrina
the Teenage Witch, based on a character from Archie Comics, has been
successful for several years. Even the exploits of my crime fighting team were
brought to life in the short-lived series Birds of Prey.
“Comic book characters have made a place for ourselves in society. Does that mean that we will now find a place for ourselves on the shelves of the modern library? This question has been met with both affirmative and negative responses.
“Michelle Gorman is a young librarian in Austin,
Texas.
She feels that graphic novels do belong in libraries because of the interest
they spark in teens. “Libraries are good at bringing in two- and
three-year-olds with their parents, and we do a decent job of providing services
for adults,“ she says. “Between childhood and adulthood we miss the boat.”
Her initial response is to place the blame, not with books, but with the
librarians themselves. “I think that if we as librarians only use tools
that we understand, that we enjoy ourselves, then we’re going to miss a majority
of the kids whom we serve.” Part of the problem, she believes is that
librarians do not understand that the library “is not an extension of the
school” where one is expected to only do homework. Reading should be fun
and as such, kids should have the freedom to read things in which they have an
interest. Comic books make it their goal to entertain kids. In fact,
the publicity manager of DC Comics said that one reason children fail to learn
to read is because so much of children’s literature is boring. Graphic
novels are an exciting alterative (Graphic Attraction).
“Others, however, are not certain that graphic novels belong in libraries. These opponents claim that graphic novels are junk filled with nothing but violence. Still others profess that comic exist simply as a forum from male power fantasies. Lastly, many librarians negate the suggestions that comics be added to the library collection by stating that the books themselves are of poor quality, that the flimsy issues fall apart too easily. Comic books and graphic novels should not be added to the library collections.
“These arguments are all invalid reasons for keeping these materials out of libraries. Graphic novels and comic books are not junk. They are an invaluable literary form. Not only are they wildly appealing to readers of all ages and intensely popular with adolescents, but they have many other redeeming qualities as well. Educators have discovered that comic books have proven useful in getting reluctant readers to read. The combination of words and pictures aids readers who cannot visualize the action of the story themselves. These stories are not boring and the deep interest that they inspire causes readers to be willing to work to read them. Additionally, educators have found that graphic novels are able to teach readers about literary techniques such as plot, conflict, setting, character, and even foreshadowing and flashbacks. Most importantly, though, graphic novels are getting kids to read. The encouragement of reading should outweigh perceived “stylistic mediocrity” (Freeman).
“The arguments that comics
are violent and are forums for male power fantasies are equally invalid.
Although it is true that some graphic novels contain some aspects of violence,
they, like traditional literature, are designed for specific age and reading
levels. It should be understood that
not
all graphic novels are designed for children and that there are many non-violent
comic books and graphic novels
specifically designed for children of all ages. It is simply a matter of
selection. Additionally, although it is true that many comic book heroes are
male, there are many superheroines as well. My counterparts and I, members of
the Birds of Prey, are extremely powerful women. Three of the most powerful
members of the X-Men, Storm, Rogue, Shadowcat, and Dark Phoenix are also women.
Not all villains are male either. One of Batman’s greatest foes, Catwoman, held
her own against the Caped Crusader time and time again. These comic book
characters have proven countless times that we are every bit as powerful as men.
“The final argument against adding comic books and graphic novels to library collections has some merit, but not enough to exclude this genre from circulation. It is true that comic books are paperback and can be flimsy, but graphic novels are not. Graphic novels are bound in far more durable backing. For librarians who are interested in both appealing to young readers and providing long-term additions to their collections, graphic novels provide the best of both worlds. Should a graphic novel become damaged to the point where it can no longer be circulated, that volume should simply be removed from the collection, as any other material in poor condition would be weeded. Since libraries circulate paperback books and many circulate magazines, the durability rational for keeping graphic novels out of libraries is not an effective argument.
"Both
as an information professional and as a superhero, I appreciate the value of
graphic novels. By providing young people with material in which they will
be interested, and by providing them with a glimpse into our world, we, as
librarians, and we, as superheroes are inspiring them to read. Once again,
I implore you. Help us continue to fight the
good fight, to inspire in thousands of children, adolescents, and teenagers a
love of reading, regardless of literary format. Thank you for your time."
*Barbara Gordon is the property of DC Comic.
Works Cited
Flores, Marc. "Comics on a New Adventure." USA Today. 21 February 2003.
Freeman, Matt. "The Case for Comics." Reading Today. Dec97/Jan98, Vol. 15 Issue 3, 3-7.
"Graphic Attraction." Library Journal. 15 March 2003, Vol. 128, Issue 5: 54.
McDonald, Heidi. "The Year of the Graphic Novel." Publishers Weekly. 23 December 2002, Vol.
249, Issue 59: 21-24.
Weiner, Stephen. Library Journal. 1 Feb 2002, Vol. 127, Issue 2: 262-266.
Bibliography of Suggested Resources
Articles
Mooney, Maureen. "Graphic Novels: How They Can Work in Libraries." Book Report. Nov/Dec
2002, Vol. 21, Issue 3: 18-19.
This article, directed at librarians, focuses on the integration of graphic novels into library collections. The author provides librarians' perspectives of this genre, the categories thereof, and the potential benefits of these books.
Schwarz, Gretchen E. "Graphic Novels for Multiple Literacies." Journal of Adolescent & Adult
Literacy. Nov 2002, Vol. 46 Issue 3: 262-266.
This article details the assets that graphic novels can be in getting reluctant readers and students with a lack of interest in reading to read. It provides the advantages of graphic novels in the library and in the classroom, as well as a list of suggested titles.
Nilsen, Richard. "Libraries Lure Teens With Comics." 11 October 2002. The Arizona Republic.
10 April 2003. <http://www.azcentral.com/ent/arts/articles/1011graphic11.html>.
This informational article presents graphic novels as "long-form comic books" that are "extremely popular with teens, going in and out of public libraries at a rate twice that of traditional books." The author attempts to convince librarians that graphic novels are a good addition to their libraries because the so attract teens.
Books
Weiner, Stephen. The 101 Best Graphic Novels. Broomfield, CO: NBM Publishing,
2001.
Stephen Weiner, a librarian and former teacher, provides insight into the genre of graphic novels by providing exactly the information that librarians need to select good examples of these books. He offers a review of each of the 101 books he has chosen, gives its reading level, and explains why he has chosen each book. This is an excellent source for librarians who are unsure of how to order good graphic novels.
Rothschild,
D. Aviva. Graphic Novels : A Bibliographic Guide to Book-Length Comics.
Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 1995.
Though this is an older source, as the first of its kind, it remains one of the best sources in aiding librarians in ordering good graphic novels. It is an annotated bibliography of 400 graphic novels, and the authors annotations are excellent in explaining the merits of each volume.
Movies
X-Men the movie is a perfect example of the excitement and good versus evil conflict that is common to many graphic novels.
Spider-Man.
Los Angeles, CA: Columbia Pictures, 2002.
This motion picture dramatically increased the interest in and sales of Marvel Comics. It is an excellent source for demonstrating the deep interest in stories found in comic books and graphic novels.
Television Shows
Birds of Prey.
Los Angeles, CA: Warner Brothers Studios, 2002.
In this live action television series, the DC Comic book heroines the Birds of Prey are brought to life. This show is a good example of female power as represented in comic books and graphic novels, as well as the high level of entertainment that comic can provide.
Websites
Graphic Novels for Librarians. 26 March 2003. East Greenbush Community Library. 10 April 2003. <http://www.eastgreenbushlibrary.org/teen/yagn.htm>.
This site provides a definition of graphic novels and provides a list of resources for purchasing these books. It is an excellent source for librarians looking to expand their graphic novel collections.
Recommended Graphic Novels for Public Libraries. 18 February 2003. Steve Raiteri. 4 April
2003. <http://my.voyager.net/~sraiteri/graphicnovels.htm>.
Put together by a librarian in Ohio, this website provides great tips for librarians looking to add graphic novels to their collections. "Spotlighted titles" and reviews of each are also provided. This is a great source.
Teacher's Center: Graphic Novels and Comic Books. 20 January 2002. Mel Gibson and Write
Away! 4 April 2003. <http://improbability.ultralab.net/writeaway/comics.htm>.
This site discusses the value of including pictures in books. It cites graphic novels as an excellent source for increasing reading comprehension. Although the site is designed for teachers, it is an excellent resource for librarians as well.
Graphic Novel Information. 20 December 2002. Maureen Mooney. 7 April 2003.
<http://www.geocities.com/mmooney49/webliography.html>.
This website was designed to "help librarians get to know and understand the genre of Graphic Novels and the benefits of having them in the collection." It lists helpful links to websites, articles, and listservs, as well as providing information on book selections and where to buy graphic novels. This is a wonderful resource for librarians.
Images
The following links provide a look at various incarnations of comic book characters.
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This page was last updated: 02/06/2004