GRAPHIC NOVEL: CHARACTERISTICS, ELEMENTS, EXAMPLES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The graphic novel is a type of publication that fuses the formats of the comic and the traditional novel, taking elements from both genres. It tells a story through vignettes that contain illustrations and texts but, unlike traditional comics, it is aimed at a more adult audience and the story has literary overtones.

In most cases, it is presented in book format and is the work of a single author. The plot is usually long and covers deep themes, with a particular atmosphere and a psychological development of the characters.

The Eternauta is considered the first graphic novel in history. Lino Pérez

El Eternauta (1957), created by the screenwriter Héctor Germán Oesterheld and the cartoonist Francisco Solano López, is considered the first graphic novel in history. However, it was with Contract with God (1978), by Will Eisner, that the term became popular and began to be used to define works of this genre.

Since then, this format continued to evolve and took a strong commercial impulse, differentiating itself from comics aimed at a younger audience.

General characteristics

The main characteristic of this genre is that it is aimed at an adult audience, so it deals with complex issues.

Although the story is told through vignettes, the writing uses literary resources typical of the traditional novel, such as autobiographical subjectivism and the deep development of the characters.

Furthermore, the facts presented, which can be both real and fictitious, are credible.

It is considered that there are two types of graphic novels: independent and commercial.

Independent graphic novel

This branch usually touches on autobiographical and historical themes, both fiction and non-fiction. Its main exponent is the work Maus: Story of a Survivor (1980-1991), by Art Spiegelman, which became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Commercial graphic novel

Although it is also aimed at an adult audience, its main theme is superheroes. However, unlike traditional comics, in this case the stories have a darker approach in which social criticism abounds.

Among the most iconic exponents of this genre are Watchman (1986-1987), created by screenwriter Alan Moore and cartoonist Dave Gibbons, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986) by Frank Miller.

Elements of the graphic novel

Characters

They are the actors who generate the story and the actions that are told. In some cases they can also function as storytellers. During the course of the graphic novel they usually go through a process of development and evolution.

The vignette

It is the name given to each of the boxes composed of drawing and text that make up the novel. It is generally rectangular in shape and is read from left to right and top to bottom.

The framing

It is the real space where the action of the cartoon takes place. It can include different planes and viewing angles, as in film and television.

The snacks

They are used to place dialogue or thoughts on the characters. It is made up of the balloon where the text goes, and the corner, which indicates who is speaking.

Cartouche

It is the part of the story that the narrator tells. It is usually boxed at the top of the panel.

Gestural codes

They are elements that, together with the dialogues, allow to express the feelings of the characters. For example, high eyebrows and wide eyes indicate surprise and bristling hair fear or terror.

Movement resources

These elements, such as lines and clouds of dust, make it possible to give a sense of movement to the actions of the characters.

The environment

It is the space where the story unfolds and can vary as it unfolds.

Difference with the comic

The public

The graphic novel is aimed at an adult audience, while the comic is intended for children and adolescents.

The presentation

The graphic novel is usually in a hardcover book format, while the comic has a paper cover and magazine design.

The history

The graphic novel tells a complete story that requires a significant number of pages. The comic, for its part, only includes a small part of it, which continues on a weekly or monthly basis, depending on the periodicity of its publication.

The plot

The graphic novel deals with complex and mature subjects, whereas the comics are usually of the genre of comedy or adventure.

Examples of graphic novels

Frank Miller signing a promotional poster for his graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns. Luigi novi

The Eternauta

Created by scriptwriter Héctor Germán Oesterheld and cartoonist Francisco Solano López, it is considered the first graphic novel in history. The plot tells of an alien invasion that occurs with a toxic snowstorm and wipes out most of the Earth's population. In the city of Buenos Aires the survivors unite to try a resistance.

Contract with God

Written and drawn by Will Eisner, it is comprised of 4 independent stories about poor Jews living in a New York City boarding house during the Great Depression.

Maus: Tale of a Survivor

From Art Spiegelman, it tells the experience of a Polish Jew who survived the Holocaust. Human races are presented as animals: Jews as mice, Germans as cats, and non-Jewish Poles as pigs.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Written and illustrated by Frank Miller, it tells the return of an old Batman to try to cleanse Gotham City of criminals.

300

Also created by Frank Miller, it chronicles the Battle of Thermopylae in which 300 Spartan warriors led by King Leonidas fought a gigantic Persian army.

v for Vendetta

Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. After a nuclear war, England is dominated by a totalitarian regime. A terrorist named "V" tries to fight against the regime.

From hell

Also written by Alan Moore, it tells a version of the Jack the Ripper story and his possible motivations.

References

1. Murray, Christopher. Graphic novel. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Available at: britannica.com
2. Editors of University Libraries. What is a graphic novel? University of Maryland. Available at: lib.guides.umd.edu
3. García, Luis (2000). From the comic to the graphic novel. Supplement. Literatures Magazine.
4. García, Santiago (2010). The graphic novel. Astiberri Editions. Bilbao. Spain.
5. Karasawas, Theodoros. The 20 most important graphic novels of all time. American Express Essentials. Available at: amexessentials.com
6. Graphic novel, Wikipedia. Available at: Wikipedia.org