Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are, simply defined, book-length comics. Sometimes they tell a single, continous narrative from first page to last; sometimes they are collections of shorter stories or individual comic strips. Comics are sequential visual art, emphasizing everything from drama, adventure, character development, striking visuals, politics, or romance over laugh-out-loud comedy.
Links
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Columbia University Libraries - Graphic Novel Page
A university website with a compilation of weblinks, including awards, publishers, conventions, and blogs. -
Comic Book Resources
Comic book news updated daily. -
Comics Timeline
The history of comics in America. -
Dark Horse Books
Home of Buffy, Conan, Hellboy, Frank Miller, Star Wars, and more. -
DC Comics
Home to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, The Flash, Green Lantern, The Watchmen and many other classic comic book superheroes. -
Drawn and Quarterly
Candian publisher of independent and alternative graphic novels from artists like Lisa Hanawalt, Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry, Kate Beaton, and Tove Jansson. -
Fantagraphics
Publisher of alternative comix, classic comics, and graphic novels from creators like Peter Bagge, Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, Ellen Forney, and Chris Ware to name just a few. -
Free Comic Book Day
The official website of Free Comic Book Day, the first Saturday in May when comic book stores give away free comics to their customers. -
Google Play
Enjoy millions of the latest Android apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines, and more. -
IDW
Home of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Locke and Key, Star Trek, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony. -
Image
Image is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by seven of Marvel Comics’ best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become the third largest comics publisher in the United States. -
iTunes App Store
Browse and download apps to your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch from the App Store, including the Overdrive Media Console app. -
Kindle App Store
Instant access to thousands of the most popular free and best-selling apps and games, including the Overdrive Media Console app. -
Marvel Comics
Home of Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and many other legendary comic book characters. Excelsior! -
Newsarama
Source for comic book news, reviews and all-things genre entertainment since 1998. -
NOOK Store
Your one-stop-shop for all things NOOK. -
Panels
A celebration of comics, the people who make them, and the people who love them. -
Rumic World
Rumiko Takahashi has been called "The Princess of Manga," and this site celebrates her life and works in both manga and anime. Includes news, history, series overviews, and character profiles from such popular works as Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, and InuYasha, among others. -
The Beat
News Blog of Comics Culture: Comic blog from Publisher Weekly, with extensive links. -
The Internet Public Library's Guide to Graphic Novels
Including the history of graphic novels, anime and manga, web comics, and more. -
The Mary Sue
Comic book and pop culture news site highlighting women in the geek world and providing a prominent place for their voices. -
The Otaku
Updated daily with news, fandom features, and a blog; free manga, art and wallpaper, an interactive art gallery for registered users, and loads of fun quizzes from favorite anime like, "What character are you?" -
Tokyopop
Lots of goodies from the leading manga magnet. -
Top Shelf
Publishes comics and graphic novels by authors and artists such as Alan Moore, Craig Thompson, Nate Powell, Alex Robinson, Jeff Lemire, and Matt Kindt. -
Vertigo
DC Comics imprint that publishes content for mature readers with horror and supernatural themes with titles like The Sandman, Hellblazer, Swamp Thing, V for Vendetta, and Preacher. -
VIZ Media
A treasure trove for manga fans.
Manga - Single Volumes and Short Series by FLPTeens
Manga series can stretch for dozens and dozens and volumes, but these ones are short and easy to finish quickly.
Manga - All the Big Hits by FLPTeens
These classic manga series have been popular for decades. Try these titles if you want to find out what all the hype is about!
Manga - New and Popular (37 items)
New hits and popular classics from a variety of genres.
Ghastly Graphic Novels (42 items)
Illustrated horror full of eerie images and scary stories.
Graphic Novel Memoirs (90 items)
Take a trip into someone else's life story shared in nontraditional graphic novel format.
Anime and Manga - Manga for You and Me (5 items)
Learn the techniques behind the creation of anime.
Anime and Manga - Hot Manga (14 items)
Get your hands on the newest manga we have.
Graphic Novels - Teen Manga (16 items)
Classic teen manga favorites.
Graphic Novels - Superheroes (83 items)
Biff! Bam! Pow!
Graphic Novels - Realistic stories for Teens (15 items)
Graphic novels that reflect real life.
Graphic Novels - Non-violent Stories for Tweens (6 items)
Suitable for middle schoolers.
Graphic Novels - for Tweens (14 items)
For the younger set.
Graphic Novels - Beginning Readers (8 items)
A first experience with comic books.
Graphic Novels - Girl Power (10 items)
Graphic novels that appeal to girls and women.
Graphic Novels - Books to Screen (13 items)
From graphic novels into movies.
Graphic Novels - Bestsellers (10 items)
Not sure where to start? How about with the most popular graphic novels?
Graphic Novels - Award Winners (6 items)
Find out more about the popular world of graphic novels.
Award Winning Graphic Novels (23 items)
Graphic novels which have won notable awards.
Electronic Resources
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ComicsPlus All Access
ComicsPlus All Access offers thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga for kids, teens, and adults. A Free Library of Philadelphia card and PIN is required for onsite and offsite use. Mobile app available: LibraryPass.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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ComicsPlus Children
ComicPlus Kids has Adventure Time, Bone series, Minecraft, and the Big Nate series and more. Simultaneous use will allow whole-class read-alongs. A Free Library card and PIN is required for onsite and offsite use. Mobile app available: LibraryPass.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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ComicsPlus Teens
ComicsPlus Teen offers thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga especially for teens. A Free Library of Philadelphia card and PIN is required for onsite and offsite use. Mobile app available: LibraryPass.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Upcoming Events
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Book Paper Scissors
Book Paper Scissors is an artists’ book fair, free and open to the public. 2023 marks… more details
Sat, December 2, 2023 10:00 AM
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Teen Space
Teen Space will continue throughout the school year (please be sure to pay attention to the calendar)! Teens at… more details
Thu, December 7, 2023 3:00 PM
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
125 South 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139-3408
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Teen Space
Teen Space will continue throughout the school year (please be sure to pay attention to the calendar)! Teens at… more details
Thu, December 14, 2023 3:00 PM
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
125 South 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139-3408
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Teen Space
Teen Space will continue throughout the school year (please be sure to pay attention to the calendar)! Teens at… more details
Thu, December 21, 2023 3:00 PM
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
125 South 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139-3408
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Manga 101: Sports
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Manga 101: Isekai
One way of classifying manga is by demographic categories like shonen and shojo (for more information, check out the previous Manga 101 blog post ). However, manga can also be divided into genres of similar subject matter. While…
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Manga 101: Demographic Categories
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Manga 101: Answering Common Questions
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The Philadelphia Comics Collection Debuts in the Art Department
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ComicsPlus is Here!
Like comics? You're going to love this! Our newest electronic resources from ComicsPlus bring thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers for kids,…
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Explore Creative Careers with Field Teen Center!
Throughout the month of July, Field Teen Center recorded interviews with a voice actor, four game designers, and a comic book writer. If you’re interested in creative jobs or if you just want to learn more about how your favorite…
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Early Black Comic Book Writers, Illustrators, and Newspaper Cartoonists
Are you a fan of comic book characters such as Marvel Comics' Black Panther or DC Comics' Black Lighting ? These Black superhero comics gained renewed popularity in recent years as a result of blockbuster movies and TV series.…
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21 Great Graphic Novels and Comics from 2021
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LGBTQ History Told Through Comics and Graphic Novels
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Comic Book Frights for October
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The Return of Free Comic Book Day!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day ! The all-ages event was founded in 2001 to encourage both curious, first-time comic book readers and seasoned comic book fans alike, offering a huge selection of free titles…
