An Insight Into Graphic Novels – More than Just a Children’s Comic - How Graphic Novels Became T
To the untrained eye it would be easy to assume that graphic novels are nothing more than a slightly larger comic book. Although true to some extent, current book publishers will be keen to put the record straight. You could time the history of graphic novels back to cave man etchings on walls which told a story using pictures but the adult theme in graphic novels first appeared in 1941 when book publishers, the Elliot Publishing Company, published Classics Illustrated.
In 1950 book publishers St Johns Publications produced the €picture novel€ It Rhymes With Lust, a film-noir like digest sized publication. Popular European titles such as TinTin, who had a number of book publishers including Egmont Publishing, became popular as did the French Asterix books. In 1971 book publisher Bantam Books released Blackmark, which was known as America's first ever graphic novel. The 1970's also saw the United Kingdom enter the genre when book publishers release Raymond Briggs Father Christmas and The Snowman, aimed at children. He also released When The Wind Blows, a chilling war story.
The UK would also see collections of cartoon strips that were printed in popular daily newspapers. Book publishers would amalgamate these strips and release them as one collection, one of the more popular being Andy Capp. As we approached the modern age we saw graphic novels experimenting more. In 1987 book publishers DC comics unleashed the cult classic Watchmen, a tale of super heroes based in a gritty and realistic world. Other graphic novels would be released dealing with a number of adult themed subject matter, meaning the novels were not for sale to children.
This title provided a more mature setup for the comic book world and we saw alternate takes on characters that before now were seen as campy and child orientated. Batman was taken into a more adult themed world, whilst alternate universe dealt with €what if€ scenarios. Law changes also invited the world to Japanese comic books known as Manga. For the most part these were very adult themed, but they also offered a different insight into graphic novels. Offering influence from different cultures Manga became a hit, even influencing American comics to incorporate the style.I always find are less impressionistic than a good old fashioned rhetorical question.
Graphic novels hold a quiet respect and even when becoming the foundation for movies, directors are keen to stick to the original source material out of respect for the author.
In 1950 book publishers St Johns Publications produced the €picture novel€ It Rhymes With Lust, a film-noir like digest sized publication. Popular European titles such as TinTin, who had a number of book publishers including Egmont Publishing, became popular as did the French Asterix books. In 1971 book publisher Bantam Books released Blackmark, which was known as America's first ever graphic novel. The 1970's also saw the United Kingdom enter the genre when book publishers release Raymond Briggs Father Christmas and The Snowman, aimed at children. He also released When The Wind Blows, a chilling war story.
The UK would also see collections of cartoon strips that were printed in popular daily newspapers. Book publishers would amalgamate these strips and release them as one collection, one of the more popular being Andy Capp. As we approached the modern age we saw graphic novels experimenting more. In 1987 book publishers DC comics unleashed the cult classic Watchmen, a tale of super heroes based in a gritty and realistic world. Other graphic novels would be released dealing with a number of adult themed subject matter, meaning the novels were not for sale to children.
This title provided a more mature setup for the comic book world and we saw alternate takes on characters that before now were seen as campy and child orientated. Batman was taken into a more adult themed world, whilst alternate universe dealt with €what if€ scenarios. Law changes also invited the world to Japanese comic books known as Manga. For the most part these were very adult themed, but they also offered a different insight into graphic novels. Offering influence from different cultures Manga became a hit, even influencing American comics to incorporate the style.I always find are less impressionistic than a good old fashioned rhetorical question.
Graphic novels hold a quiet respect and even when becoming the foundation for movies, directors are keen to stick to the original source material out of respect for the author.
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