About

Graphic Novels Display

by Ruth Monnier, Head of Research & Instructional Services

Will Eisner Week is an annual celebration of graphic novels the first week of March. To celebrate, the MSJ Library has a wide selection of graphic novels from our circulating collection on display. 

Graphic novels are a format comparable to comic books as they use sequential art to tell a story. There are graphic novels on nonfiction topics like They Called Us Enemy and Six Days in Cincinnati, superheroes like Watchmen and Hawkeye, personal stories like El Deafo and The Talk, children's like Dogman and Guts and so many more. These illustrated novels can help address big issues in a way that is accessible to readers of all ages whether talking about historical moments like internment camps to daily life of being deaf.

Graphic novels count as reading, too! The visual and textual storytelling can help reading comprehension as you have more information to decode complex narratives. Some graphic novels are adaptations of traditional novels to bridge literacy access and can increase language acquisition. There are even more benefits of reading graphic novels. 

Not sure which graphic novel to start with? Take the recommendation of current MSJ student, Destiny - “In English 276, we have read a lot of amazing comics. There are a couple of comics that have stuck with me. Fun Home by Alison Bedchel is one of them.  It is a fascinating read about self-discovery and familial secrets that is written as a “tradgi-comedy.” Though Fun Home is a very heavy read, both in content and in length, it is also captivating.” Fun Home by Alison Bechdel is available through the MSJ Library as a physical book or e-book.

Enjoyed reading the graphic novels on display at the library? Looking to extend your love of graphic novels and cartoons? Consider a day trip to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at The Ohio State University Libraries in Columbus!