Sequential Opinions

Why Graphic Novels

I was going to put all this information in the about section, but the more I thought about it the more I realised that it’s actually pretty important to flesh these ideas out and present them in a more complete and coherent fashion. Therefore I created a new category which I’ll be peppering with opinions and thoughts regarding graphic novels and sequential storytelling.

These posts will help those that don’t get it, at least have a fighting chance of understanding it; while those that do get it with maybe an arguement or a thought that can be used in the real world to explain to people that don’t get it.

The first stigma that seriously needs to be shaken out of people’s heads (at least in the anglophone world) is the statement ‘comic are for kids’. That statement is completely ignorant of the state of graphic novels and what sequential storytelling actually means and where it is used.

Sequential storytelling has evolved past the superhero genre, it has evolved past the easy to understand, easy to consume 5 minute pop thrills. Sequential storytelling can be used to tell any kind of story. Some would argue that this has been the case since they first began, and it’s only the popularity of the superhero genre, the easy to consume and understand stories that gave the artform it’s stigma.

Whatever the reasons (and there are many) the graphic novel is experiencing a rennaisance. The quality of books on the shelf, and the number of different types of books on the shelf themselves are a tribute to what can be achieved using this method of storytelling. Ultimately graphic novels are not limited by anything but the creator’s imagination and skill to tell a story.

It’s a direct translation from the writer and artist to the eyes of the reader. There is very little between one person and the next. The road is not windy and curved by producers and idiots with cash. It’s untarnished.

Why not just a book? Because a picture paints a thousand words.

While most people have wild and vibrant imaginations, I still believe that many people have better imaginations than others. If those people are also gifted with the talent and drive to draw or write then you get a graphic novel.

And eventually it’s a sickness, it’s an addiction. Once you’ve seen just what an amazing world of books and imagination you’ve closed yourself from then you’re hooked forever but I’ll talk about that in another post.