In Praise of the Children’s Graphic Novel
Comics books have always fought against stigma. As a medium, they are often dismissed as juvenile, violent and without literary merit. Titles like Contract with God, Maus and Watchmen can only do so much to counter popular icons like Batman and The Hulk.
At the same time, children’s books are also seen as less worthy of artistic appreciation. Because they are by definition for children, they aren’t given the same recognition as books for YA and older readers.
So if comics and children’s books are both targets of ridicule, then graphic novels for children must be at the bottom of the literary gene pool, right?
Wrong.
Charlotte Reber of Book Riot has noted several children's graphic novels that have won awards over the past two years including, El Defo, This One Summer and Roller Girl (Read more at http://bit.ly/2cPds4K) While children’s graphic novels haven’t reached the praise and recognition of a Harry Potter, there is a creative lesson to be learned from recent strides in this genre. If you have a good story and you get it to the right audience, then you can achieve literary and financial rewards outside the predominant comic book market. Not every good comic has to have guys running around in their underwear.
Have fun.
Gamal
Success in the comics industry requires an understanding of the business, creative, and legal aspects of the medium.
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