I’m curled up on my couch, reading a new graphic novel I borrowed from the library. My daughter traipses over to me and asks, “Whatcha readin?” I tell her it is a graphic novel. Her confused face mirrors the same expression I had on my face the first time I heard the term “graphic novel”. I explain to her a graphic novel is it similar to a comic book. There is a flash of understanding in her eyes, and then she asks, “Which superhero is it about?” You have much to learn, young grasshopper.
My current addiction is The Walking Dead. It topped the list of Top 1000 Comics sold in 2013, and for good reason. The television show has one of the largest audiences in cable history. The comic is a far cry from the Betty and Veronica of my youth. It wasn’t until I started watching The Walking Dead that I realized the comic book world is expansive and vast. Soon after, I discovered the graphic novels section at my local library and plunged in headfirst. My daughter decided she wanted to give graphic novels a try. Imagine her delight when she came face to face with an entire bookshelf dedicated to juvenile graphic novels.
The comic craze continues to spread like the zombie virus of Kirkman’s masterpiece. A quick search of kickstarter.com revealed four active campaigns for comic book projects. The New York Times has a best sellers list dedicated to graphic novels (hard cover and paperback). I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count all of the movies produced that are based off of comic books. A genre first greeted with ridicule and jeers has become the go-to for many readers, young and old. The fan base is devout. Comics and graphic novels harness the same sales model as many book series. The consumer base grows exponentially as current readers buy the next installment, and more new readers are converted every day. Some graphic novels have already appeared on required reading lists for college courses. If my daughter is any indication of the enthusiasm of her generation in graphic novels, it is safe to say that they are here to stay.