Melody

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Suggested by Vega:

Last Saturday (May 2nd) is Free Comic Book Day! In celebration of comics and graphic novels, some suggestions:

- Do you read graphic novels/comics? Why do/don’t you enjoy them?

- How would you describe the difference between “graphic novel” and “comic”? Is there a difference at all?

- Say you have a friend who’s never encountered graphic novels. Recommend some titles you consider landmark/”canonical”.

Yes, I do read graphic novels. Besides fictions, they are my other form of escapism even though I do not read as many as I do in the past. What do I like most about graphic novels? For starters, they are easy to read and some illustrations are so beautiful that they took my breath away! I always have high respect to the artists (the same way I do to authors) because this is definitely not an easy feat since not only do they have to create beautiful illustrations but having a story plot as well.

Honestly, I have no idea what is the difference between "graphic novel" and "comic" (and/or "manga") for all of them seems to be the same thing to me ~ illustrations. I would love to hear your views on this.

I cannot say I have any specific titles for recommendation since graphic novels have a wide variety. For me, my reading preference tend to lean towards romance or fantasy (translated versions of the Japanese mangas). I have seen many readers recommended Neil Gaiman's The Sandman series and Fables over the blogosphere so I think they should be great to start with.

What about you? Do you read graphic novels/comics?

24 Responses
  1. novroz Says:

    I love Manga but I never read comics, although Manga means japanese comics but I prefer to differeciate manga from other comics.


  2. Dot Says:

    Hi Melody, I have heard good things about Neil Gaiman too, I think that I am going to investigate him further!


  3. Julia Says:

    I haven't read any manga, but that doesn't mean I won't. I only read the old comic and the comic that is now from newspapers. But I really want to get those favorite comics that is not available in print collection books. Those would be keeper for me :)

    Happy BTTs!


  4. Sandy Nawrot Says:

    I've never read comics or graphic novels (ever!). And it isn't like I am adverse to them, I just...haven't tried! At my kids' school, they are nuts over the Bone series, which Beth Fish just read and loved it. This is one of those situations where I just need to get something and try. I might find a new beloved genre!


  5. Anonymous Says:

    I am going to add Sandman to my TBR, I have just heard way too much about them.


  6. JoAnn Says:

    I've never read graphic novels, but will make a list of titles today!


  7. Anonymous Says:

    Where can you get graphic novels? I would love to read one. I too enjoy seeing illustrations and art. Happy BTT!


  8. Yvonne Says:

    I've never read a graphic novel, but if one appealed to me, I'd give it a try.


  9. Jess Says:

    I don't read a ton of graphic novels but I loved Epileptic by David B. It is incredible.


  10. Beth F Says:

    I just discovered graphic novels this year. I've been wanting to read the Fables series. I'll have to see what the library has.


  11. Anonymous Says:

    I love Fables as well. And I just picked up the first book in the Sandman series and I'm looking forward to reading it.


  12. I had a similiar response in that you have to appreciate the artistry of the work (on an equal level with the writing), and the effort required to marry those two from two different people must be tough.

    You can check out my post here.


  13. Anonymous Says:

    Maggie, my youngest, dislikes the traditional manga because it opens backwards... back to front in western terms.

    As for me, I've been wanting The Sandman books for a while, having wishlisted them. Maybe the book fairy will flutter by and sprinkle them on me? hehehe....


  14. Ana S. Says:

    I think you know my answer to this question :D

    The difference is that "comics" are normally individual issues, published monthly or weekly, and "graphic novels" are published in book form - sometimes for the first time, sometimes collection previously published comics, like in the case of Watchmen or Fables and Sandman. A lot of people, myself included, use the terms interchangeably, though. And because "graphic novel" is sometimes used in an elitist sense, to pretend they're something worlds apart from "mere comics", I tend to prefer the original term.


  15. JessicaLeigh Says:

    I think I'll start with one of those two options if I ever try graphic novels. I've heard a lot about them, too!


  16. Melody Says:

    Novroz - I love anything as long as they entertain me! ;)

    Dot - I'm going to read Neil Gaiman's The Sandman series as well since I haven't got around to reading them yet!

    Julia - I enjoy the comics featuring on the papers but I notice there has been a decline in our local ones.

    Sandy - I'm not familiar with the Bone series initially, but now I do after reading Beth's lovely reviews on them! I hope you'll try this genre, and I think you might love it! :D

    Violet - Count me in too! ;)

    JoAnn - I hope you'll enjoy reading them! :)

    Charli - You may find graphic novels in the bookstores, or any other independent bookstores. I suggest you borrow them from the library first as a tryout. :)

    Yvonne - I hope you'll give graphic novels a try one of these days!

    Jess - I've not heard of Epileptic by David B; I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

    Beth - I've one of the Fables series in my pile, but I just haven't got around to reading it yet!

    Aaron - I'm glad you're enjoying Fables and that you'll be reading the first book in the Sandman series! I can't wait to hear what you think of it.

    Heather - Indeed! Thanks for sharing your views. :)

    Koolaidmom - I admit it took me some time to get used to the formats, and I'm glad I've overcome that now! ;) I too wish that the book fairy will flutter by and sprinkle some books on me!

    Nymeth - Yep! I know how much you love the Sandman and Fables series!! :P That reminds me I need more recommendations from you on the Fables series.

    Thanks so much for your explanations, Nymeth! Now I'm able to differentiate them and if next time anyone ask me the same question, I'll have the answer ready, hehe.

    Jessica - That's great! Let me know if you do get them so I can hear your thoughts. :)


  17. The Bookworm Says:

    I havent read any graphic novels. I need to read one. I've heard great things about The Sandman series and Fables.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/


  18. Melody Says:

    Naida - I hope you'll enjoy it if you get them. :)


  19. I think I gotta read Fables and Sandman series!

    My BTT post


  20. Jane Says:

    I haven't read any lately but I see them at the store and they look great! You are right that they are an escape and a very colorful one. I haven't heard about the Fables or Sandman series but I will be sure to look for them!


  21. Iliana Says:

    I do like graphic novels but my one magna attempt didn't go over too well. I honestly couldn't get in sync with the different reading direction! I mean, it's not that hard but it bothered me a lot. I don't know if I'll try another magna. Maybe I should though to see if it was just timing or what. Recommendations, well one of my favorite graphic novels is the Persepolis series. So good.


  22. I've really come to like graphic novels and can't wait to experience them more and more! Not sure what the difference between comic and grapic novel? Seems like "comic" is a negative term, at least when paired with graphic novel?


  23. Alice Says:

    Hi Melody, I would love to indulge in graphic novels one day. I guess the reason why I shy away from it is the cost of each book. No doubt, though, that the illustrations are beautiful!


  24. Melody Says:

    Gautami - Count me in too! ;)

    Jaimie - I haven't read any for some time. I guess I need to do so too.

    Iliana - When I first started reading manga, I wasn't used to the different reading direction but I got used to it after several attempts. I rarely read them now and I agree timing plays a part when it comes to reading them. I've to read the Persepolis series soon since I've heard a lot of good reviews on them. :)

    Trish - It seems to me "comic" is not as popular as "graphic novel", perhaps it's because the readers prefer reading a "long novel" as compared to comic?

    Alice - I admit graphic novels can be pretty expensive! Most of the times, I buy mangas (Taiwanese edition translated from the Japanese) at about $6/book which is not too bad to me.


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