A long running debate between the reader community is whether or not graphic novels (comic books and manga) are real novels. Team Graphic Novel believes that manga and comic books are legitimate forms of literature. The definition of a novel is a fictitious story told in sequential order. Nowhere in the definition of novel does it state that pictures are a disqualifier.

Team Traditional Novel holds the belief that graphic novels don’t qualify. People have argued that graphic novels are “for lazy people who couldn’t be bothered to read a ‘real’ book,” university law librarian Stefanie Hollmichel said in her blog “The Passive Voice”. Hollmichel also stated “one person said that a nephew who has ADD and dyslexia couldn’t read until someone introduced him to graphic novels. Another person mentioned that graphic novels were a complex form that required both textual and visual literacy”.

Neshaminy English teacher Glenn McKee gave his opinion on the matter, stating that graphic novels are “engaging just like regular novels”.

Recommended Graphic Novels:
“Fullmetal Alchemist” by Hiromu Arakawa
“Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” by Naoko Takeuchi
“Puella Magi Madoka Magica” by Hanokage
“Revolutionary Girl Utena” by Chiho Saito