A short article for the OYAN newsletter.

Graphic Novels on the Web

by Peyton Stafford

When I was a child, my parents bought me Classic Comics as a way of getting me interested in Greek and Roman mythology. As a young man, I subscribed to many of the Marvel Comics series and often ended up with two copies of each edition, since I would buy one copy at the local drugstore while waiting for my subscription copy to arrive by mail. The first graphic novel I read was Art Spiegelman's Maus, when he came to the old Looking Glass Bookstore in downtown Portland. Now, graphic novels are big business. We tend to think of them as hip and out of the mainstream, but a whole industry has grown up around publishing, marketing and distributing them. Here are some links to relevant web sites related to graphic novels, as they pertain to public libraries. If you use Delicious, you can also get them in the Graphic Novels bundle at http://del.icio.us/peytonstafford. The links below are only a few of the ones I have on Delicious, so you can get into the subject without becoming overwhelmed. Each link should open in a new browser window. If a link doesn't work, then just Google the link name.

Graphic Novels and Libraries

(good stuff if your boss doesn't think you should waste your budget on them) or if you are the boss and want a primer on what your YA librarians are talking about:

The Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga

Good overview of the formats, their conventions, reviews, etc. Best place I have found to start learning.

Graphic Novels Sources for Libraries:

Diamond Book Distributors

THE major distributor. John Shableski works here. If you don't know who he is, then read this for some interesting insights into the business from someone who seems to eat, sleep and breath graphic novels:

http://mjroseblog.typepad.com/buzz_balls_hype/the_graphic_novels_guy/index.html

Ingram and some other general distributors handle some graphic novels, but they tend to get buried under science fiction and fantasy. Diamond's web site lets you focus on graphic novels without struggling to identify them among other formats. Why mess around? Diamond makes ordering them easy.

Graphic Novel Reviews & Collection Development:

ALA | 2008 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

YALSA's newest hot list. Read what your youth librarian colleagues think are the best.

Graphic Novels Core Collection

H.W. Wilson core collection recommendations. Reminds me that my interest in graphic novels doesn't make me weird anymore. H.W. Wilson's imprimatur says they're legitimate library material.

Graphic Novels for Public Libraries

Written by a public librarian. Dated 2003 so a little old but includes recommended opening day collection.

Words Without Borders

International reviews of literary works. Tip: use Google Site Search for Graphic Novels, and you will find author interviews and title information from around the world. The graphic novel format is popular far beyond North America and Japan.

And Last, Readers Advisory and info for aspiring authors:

The Graphic Novel Archive: trade paperbacks, manga, comic strip collections, original graphic novels.

Current info of interest to graphic novel authors. For librarians, searchable database of graphic novels by series, publisher, etc. Great for reader's advisory work and for filling in missing numbers in series.

no flying, no tights

Original blog of graphic novels reviews for teens. Also good for collection development.