A graphic novel is a work in the medium of comics, which is long-form, and stands alone as a complete work (as opposed to comic books which are typically short serials). The term also implies that the book is published in a higher quality format than a traditional 'newsprint and staples' comic book. Some graphic novels have originally appeared in serial, comic book format. When bound together, they become a graphic novel if they tell a complete, stand-alone story. The high-quality binding alone done not make a graphic novel.
The term graphic novel is sometimes preferred by creators and readers who want to differentiate the work from lighter works intended for children.
Notable examples of graphic novels:
- Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
- Arkham Asylum by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean
- Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, artwork by Brian Bolland
- Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucelli
- Billi 99 by Sarah Byam and Tim Sale
- Black Hole by Charles Burns
- Cages by Dave McKean
- Cerebus the Aardvark by Dave Sim
- Creature Tech by Doug TenNapel
- David Boring by Dan Clowes
- The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
- Ed the Happy Clown by Chester Brown
- From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
- Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow
- Ghost World by Dan Clowes
- Give Me Liberty by Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons
- I Never Liked You by Chester Brown
- It's a Good Life, if You Don't Weaken by Seth
- Jaka's Story by Dave Sim and Gerhard
- Jimmy Corrigan by Chris Ware
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill
- Louis Riel by Chester Brown
- Maus by Art Spiegelman
- Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind by Miyazaki Hayao
- I Never Liked You by Chester Brown
- Oddjob by Ian and Ty Smith
- Palestine by Joe Sacco
- Poison River by Gilbert Hernandez
- Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon
- Safe Area Gorazde by Joe Sacco
- The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
- The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman
- Underwater by Chester Brown
- V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
- The Man Who Grew Young by Daniel Quinn