Comic Books Are Literature Too., Graphic Novels and Super Heroes. Options

[NoSex]

So, who here is a comic book or graphic novel reader?

I'm just finishing up Preacher, which is fantastic.
I'm halfway into The Watchmen, Black Hole, Tomie, and a few others.

[NoSex]

Preacher is outstanding. I'm so glad to be seeing you read that, Nate. How are you liking the Buffy series? Oh and have you read any Fray? Outstanding series about the future Buffy (like, post apocalyptic Buffy, but without a real apocalypse, so to speak).

Preacher is quite fantastic. Some lame-o took my last collection from my locker and I haven't been able to read it - it's killing me. Getting really antsy to finish it.

I've read the first collection of Season Eight, but that's it really. I have the rest of the released issues, I just need to read them. So far, It's very faithful to the style and heart of the show (or at least I think so), and it's really great because of that. It's awesome to see where they took it with the new medium, and I love the choices they've made both artistically and "plot-wise."

I hear in the original series they decided to include Dawn... I'm excited to see how they do that. I heard that received a lot of criticism for it, but I think it's a great idea.

As goes anything else, I've only heard of and browsed... when I get the time, I'll definitely be checking all of that out.

Where's the line?
What determines whether something is a 'comic book' versus a 'graphic novel'?

There is no line. The terms 'graphic novel' and 'comic book' are, in all practicality, synonymous. The only thing that 'graphic novel' has done for the world of comics is made them a bit more acceptable. The stigmatization and narrowly defined world of 'comics' is a sad misrepresentation of a beautiful and amazingly open art form.

Speaking of, who has read Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics? It's seriously amazing. I'm half way through it and it's definitely the most insightful, interesting, and consciousness-expanding piece of theoretical analysis of the (invisible) artistry of comic books. If you haven't picked up yet, do it! It's a must read for any comic fan.

Oh, and the best part? It's a comic itself! Not only does McCloud use the persuasion of written word, he also shows his audience exactly what he's talking about.