Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels

C.L.N.Prakash

          The essay graphic novels by C.L.N. Prakash gives basic information about the emerging genre of writing named graphic novels. Graphic novels are sometimes seen as long comic books, yet it differs. The basic differences between Graphic and Comic novels are (i) Graphic novels are longer (ii) they cover a story from the beginning till the end (iii) uses sequential illustrations. First graphic novel published in the U.S. in 1940’s was The Three Musketeers. It was written in the traditional method of comic book.

          At present Graphic novels are read by all age group people. Frank Miller’s, a famous graphic novelist from America, novels are known its violence. His famous work Sin City was later adopted into a film.

          Japanese Graphic novel form ‘Manga’ has influenced many graphic novelists and genres like comics and cartoons. Sometimes the term Manga is confused with the term Anime, which means animated. Disney’s work influenced Manga and its style was developed during World War II. This from can be used to constitute complex political and social satire.

          Manga characters have distinctive features: They have very large eyes, small nose and lined mouth. As Manga forms of Graphic novels are inappropriate for young children, they are not rated with the U.S. graphic novels. They often attract children due to illustrations and various themes like morals, history etc., are communicated. The first Indian Graphic Novel is Saranth Banerjee’s Corridor which is commercially successful. The novel portrays Indiabn lifestyle through four confused urban youngsters Jehangir Rangoon walla, owner of second hand book store, digital dutta, who confuses between Karl Marx and H1-B visa, Brighu, an explorer, Shintu, a newly married, D.V.D. Murthy, a pen chant of Keats.

          Success of Corridor paved way for many comic novels in the Indian market. Virgin comics with Gotham Chopra published many comic novels like Sadhu, Snake woman and so on. The common theme in all these novels is they all are based on Indian culture. Graphic novels by the way of telling stories and addressing issues make the readers to come back to them. In a multimedia world, graphic novels enable the young minds to focus upon reading. It also helps the students to improve the reading skills.

          Now the writers of graphic novels in India have the challenge to create their own ideas instead of simply following the Western mythology or their super heroes. The writer concludes the essay with the hope that the graphic novels will become a leading literary genre in future.