The joy of graphic novels

The joy of graphic novels

Graphic novels and comics are a joy I’ve only recently discovered. As a teenager studying a GCSE in Japanese, I wanted desperately to be into manga, but I read them so fast, it wasn’t worth spending my precious pocket money on the slim books. Instead, I stood in the book shop, tearing through them, fascinated.

While I’ve never really come back to manga, this past year I’ve been discovering graphic novels. I couldn’t help but be pulled in by the artwork featured in a great display by the bookshop in my city’s main train station; that was the first big draw for me. So many graphic novels have incredible art in them, and there’s all kinds of different styles, so if the first one you pick up doesn’t jam well with you there’s always another one waiting. It’s as subjective as any kind of art form; my friends love some graphic novels that I just don’t get on with because the art doesn’t work for me. But like learning what writing styles you enjoy reading, it’s lots of fun to explore and learn more about your preferences for this medium.

While I’m on the subject of art, another reason I love graphic novels and comics so much is the way text is married with the artwork. It’s an artform in and of itself. Fight scene onomatopoeia like KAPOW and BAM is well known—in what other medium would that exist? A lot of graphic novels and comics are experimenting with what they can do with their text, from the fonts to the style and colours of the speech bubbles. Matching words to the art style and the scene creates a coherence, weaving the pictures with the text. It’s always a pleasure to see.

And, of course, the plots are great. No matter what kind of story you’re looking for you can find it. A princess rescuing another princess and having adventures together? Sure, check out Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill. You’re interested in roller derby and interpersonal relationships within a team? Slam! by Pamela Ribon and Veronica Fish is the book for you. The first boy witch in a family where boys can only be shapeshifters and girls can only be witches? The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag  is great and has a sequel coming out soon. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a graphic novel or comic series out there for you.

Finally, a big reason I was drawn to graphic novels is that so many featured women on their front covers. Since Ghostbusters (2016), I’ve found myself seeking content with women in lead roles, and graphic novels certainly deliver that. For me, that means reading graphic novels and comics with leads who are pirate queens out for vengeance (Raven Pirate Princess by Jeremy Whitley), ordinary humans turned gods (The Wicked and the Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie) and not entirely innocent seeming women caught up in something bigger than them (Crowded by Christopher Sebela). They all feature women, particularly women of colour and LGBTQ+ women, and—underrepresented of all underrepresented minorities—LGBTQ+ women of colour. The representation that graphic novels offer is wide ranging, and often offers representation not found in mainstream media.

Maybe one day I’ll finally get into manga like my teenage self wanted, but for now, I’m more than happy with my graphic novel and comic collection. It’s slowly growing, and I couldn’t be more thrilled every time I discover something new, where the art is beautiful, the plot fascinating and the characters are thoroughly engaging.