Graphic Novel Resources

Great Graphic Novels

Compiled by Nikole Wolfe, Children’s & Youth Services Consultant, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Annotated Online Resources

The following resources were compiled by James Gardner, reference librarian at Woodford County Library.

Book Wholesaler’s Incorporated
http://www.bwibooks.com
Leading vendor of graphic novels, includes collection resources to help the busy librarian

Brodart Company
http://www.graphicnovels.brodart.com/core_lists.htm
Brodart’s graphic novel resources, including various core collection lists.

Brenner, Robin. No Flying, No Tights.
http://www.noflyingnotights.com
The site’s divided up into age-specific categories (the Lair for adult and older teen graphic novels, The Original No Flying, No Tights for young adults and Sidekicks for children) which gather reviews from librarians all over the country on new and classic graphic novels.

Carlson, Joanna Draper. Comics Worth Reading
http://www.comicsworthreading.com
Contains quality graphic novel reviews from a respected comic book reviewer and pop culture scholar. It also has blogs featuring the latest news on graphic novels and series that may have went under the radar.

Comic Book Resources.
http://www.comicbookresources.com
Features information about the comics industry including columns from writers discussing the latest issues taking place in comics.

Diamond Comics
http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com/
Leading vendor of graphic novels which offers a 20% discount to libraries. Includes core collection lists.

Kyle, Cathy. Graphic Novels for Librarians Blog.
http://gnforlibraries.edublogs.org/
Cathy Kyle, a youth services librarian in New York, maintains this blog featuring resources and articles on graphic novels.

Lavin, Michael R. Comic Books for Young Adults.
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/lml/comics/pages
Created by an associate librarian at the Lockwood Memorial Library at the State University of New York at Buffalo, this is an extensive listing of not only information about everything from collection issues to manga, but it also has recommended lists of graphic novel based on genres and age groups as well as a listing of links that is exhaustive in its scope.

Miller, Steve. GNLIB: Graphic Novels in Libraries.
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/gnlib/index.html
An electronic discussion lists where librarians can come and discuss all sorts of issues related to comics and how they relate to their working lives.

Portrias, Giles. The Librarian’s Guide to Anime and Manga.
http://koyagi.com/Libguide.html
Goes beyond merely offering definitions and such and goes into the cultural differences between Japanese and American manga as well as issues librarians need to consider when making selection choices.

SelectioNotes
http://kdla.ky.gov/onlinepubs/selectionotes/AprJune2004/gn_wheretostart.htm
Got to mention where I’m putting my own two cents. Features a variety of graphic novel reviews from reviewers right here in Kentucky.

Silver Bullet Comics
http://www.silverbulletcomics.com
While not library focused, this website does offer reviews of trade paperbacks as well as manga, including many recent titles. Helpful if you have a diehard comic fan among your patrons.

Raiteri, Steve. Recommended Graphic Novels for Public Libraries.
http://my.voyager.net/~sraiteri/graphicnovels.htm
Though geared more toward the superhero enthusiast, this website does offer reviews of other selections and it gives age ratings for these books as well.

What Parents/Teens/Teachers/Librarians Want to Know about Comics and Graphic Novels
http://www.informationgoddess.ca/Comics&GraphicNovels/index.htm
Not only an informative resource for librarians, but a great resource that can be shared with parents, teachers, and even teen readers.

Additional Online Resources

Compiled by Eliza Dresang, Eliza Atkins Gleason Professor
College of Information Florida State University

Graphic Novels for Libraries:
Recommended Titles for Children and Teens
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailListBooks.asp?idBookLists=192

Graphic Novels
Includes information on reviews, recommended lists, vendors, publishers, and additional resources.
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/graphicnovels.asp

Graphic Novels: Links
Many useful websites that give additional information.
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/links/links.asp?idLinksCategory=15

Books

Goldsmith, Francisca. Graphic Novels Now: Building, Managing and Marketing a Dynamic Collection. American Library Association, 2005.
A straightforward, no-nonsense guide to determining quality graphic novels and how to market them within your library. .

Gorman, Michele. Getting Graphic! Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy with Preteens and Teens. Linworth Publishing, 2003.
Not only introduces graphic novels, but its focus on collection development and shelving issues makes it important to librarians wanting to sustain their individual collections.

Gravett, Paul. Graphic Novels : Everything You Need to Know. Collins Design, 2005
Provides a history of graphic novels as well as some of the themes and symbolism (sounds almost literary, doesn’t it?) elements in graphic novels.

Gravett, Paul. Manga: 60 Years of Japanese Comics. Collins Design, 2004.
A look at the history of Japanese comics beginning in 1945 and shows their far-reaching influence on the comic form.

McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Kitchen Sink Press, 1993.
An entertaining guide to how comics tell a story through their pictures.

Miller, Steve. Developing and Promoting Graphic Novel Collections.
Neal Schuman, 2005.
A volume in the Teens @ the Library Series that focuses on selection, purchasing, cataloging, maintenance and promoting.

Weiner, Stephen. The 101 Best Graphic Novels. NBM Publishing, 2005.
An extensive bibliography of some of the highest quality graphic novels. A true asset for librarians looking to build their collections or make them stand out from the rest.

Wizard Magazine.
Though it has some sophomoric humor and focuses mainly on superheroes (surprise!), it still has all the latest happenings in comics, including reviews of the indies and even a section devoted to trade paperbacks.

If you have questions for your Children's and Youth Services Consultants, please contact Nikole Wolfe at 502-564-8300 ext. 266 Nikole.Wolfe@ky.gov or Carol Baughman 502-564-8300 ext 264 Carol.Baughman@ky.gov.