Graphic novels are soaring in popularity now and have been a cherished medium for a long time. As more books are adapted into graphic novels, their presence on bookshelves and online will continue to grow. You may have always thought a graphic novel is a comic book that depicts superheroes, but that's not always true. There are many different types of graphic novels, the same way you would find any other type of book.

The world of graphic novels continues to grow as popular novels start becoming adapted to the graphic space. These books are growing in popularity without signs of slowing down.

Choosing the best graphic novels isn't always an easy decision. There are tons to pick from and more are being added to the zeitgeist every day. They also cover a wide range of topics, genres, and illustration styles. Here we have rounded up the best graphic novels on the market to make your search a bit easier. Since there are so many options, we decided to give you a leg up on the search.

Look at this roundup and pick out your next read. We've included some pros & cons of each of these graphic novels for you to review. Once you've read through this guide and considered the unique appeal of each novel, use it to find the next graphic novel on your to-read list! Graphic novels have been prevalent for many years. These types of novels have been riveting audiences going back to even your grandparents' times. If you are on the fence about jumping onto the graphic novel bandwagon, then there are a few things you should know about them.

On the brink of the Arab Spring, Anna, an American girl living with her ex-pat family, and Layla, and Egyptian girl, are best friends. Anna’s mother’s cancer has returned and she struggles with fitting in, worries about the future, and even fears if she’s inherited the same cancer-causing gene. Meanwhile, Layla’s family is facing a health crisis and hard medical decisions of their own. Their friendship is tested when their cultural perspectives around family and medicine don’t align, but a crisis at the Tahrir Square demonstration shows them both what’s really important.

From the get-go, the human elements of their friendship that can survive cultural traditions and assumptions are there. You’ll fall in love with the relatable characters and root for them to overcome their struggles. The book borrows a lot from anthropology and can cover tough subjects, but the comic makes these difficult subjects easy to understand for all audiences.

Furthermore, if you have decided that you want to get a graphic novel but aren't sure how to choose one, you are in the right place.

Tilda is the main character and rightful heir to her father's throne. She wants to make life better for everyone. However, her younger brother challenges her, and as a man in this time period, he gets the throne and exiles Tilda. Tilda and her faithful companions are on the run and have a lot of work to do to regain the throne that is rightfully hers.

The Golden Age is an excellent graphic novel. The images alone could tell the tale. The only drawback is that the tale is a familiar one that has been told before many times throughout history. Also, there are some parts that are hard to follow. Overall, this is a worthwhile read for anyone.

Henandez will take you on an inventive and sometimes steamy tale that will have you developing connections with the characters. Each book in his series can either be stand-alone or as part of a group; you will be satisfied at the end of each book. Many fall under the spell of Rosalba "Fritz" Martinez, including many husbands. This graphic novel will continuously surprise you as you won't be able to guess what is coming up next.

Most people will begin reading this graphic novel as a teenager and continue well into adulthood; that is why The High Soft Lisp is one of the best graphic novels on the market. The main drawback is that this book is not intended for kids, and you should be skeptical, allowing teenagers to read it. Overall, this book is an excellent choice if you enjoy graphic novels.

This story is the sad story of a boy who is asked to draw a picture of his family. The only problem is that family takes on a different meaning for Jarrett as his mom is an addict who comes in and out of his life. His father is someone he doesn't even know. This young boy lives with his grandparents, who are loud and outspoken. This book tackles the difficulties children encounter who don't come from a standard nuclear family and the issues they take on being in a family that is grappling with addiction.

Overall, Hey, Kiddo is a great graphic novel that you should get. The only drawback is that the book, though inspiring, is dark and sad. This memoir is a book that will capture its audience quickly and leave you more knowledgeable about the challenges faced when dealing with addiction.

This story is a provocative story about coming-of-age. The story is about a teenager who got himself into some trouble and is facing prosecution for murder and armed robbery. The whole story is told by Steve as he comes to terms with what is happening, including Juvie, the trial, and his life. He portrays his thoughts as though watching his own life in movie form.

Monster is among the best graphic novels because of how amazing this book really can be and the impact it can have on teens. The main drawback is that the main character seems to change persona so quickly that it's challenging to keep up with.

Furthermore, there is little differentiation between flashbacks and the current time. Overall, this book is a great read.

New York Times bestselling cartoonist Kate Beaton releases her memoir about her move from the tight-knit East Coast of Canada to the oil fields where she worked to pay off her student loans. She documents the adjustment from an idyllic, culturally distinct home in Nova Scotia to Albertan oil drilling, where accidents occur daily but are never talked about.

With her illustrations, Beaton transforms the machinery, oil fields, and Canadian landscape into the Oz to her small-town Nova Scotian Kansas. From the beginning, Beaton sets up the stakes as a young woman from a small town who has to make difficult choices. The adversity can seem like a lot and even for people who aren’t from her part of the world, this can hit close to home.

This graphic novel was written by Sun Tzu, who has been thought to be a military general as well as an advisor to the king in Southern China. The state it represents is Wu, and the book takes place sometime around the 6th Century BCE. Though the authorship does raise some doubt among modern scholars, the book is still influential and riveting. This book is about military strategy and treaties that make The Art of War incredibly impactful.

Overall, The Art of War should be owned by any graphic novel enthusiasts. The only real drawback of this book is that it is concise comparatively. However, that can be a good thing if you are looking to get through a book relatively quickly. One thing that will bring this graphic novel home for you is the images that tell a story all of their own.

The City of Ember talks about two children who have spent most of their lives in darkness. Lina is one of the children, and she lives her life in optimism, believing that there is something beyond the city she lives in. Doon is more practical. He believes he can fix the blackout issues if given a chance. Eventually, the two teams up and uncover something much more going on. This dystopian story is incredible as it brings a hopeful message.

This book is an extraordinary tale that will leave you wanting more. The chapter edition of the book is excellent; the graphic one brings it to life. The only drawback is that it leaves you with questions that have no answers to them. Overall, The City of Ember is an excellent book that will steal your imagination and take you on an awesome ride.

This graphic novel is about a Jewish survivor of Europe during the Hitler era. Maus is an approach to the stuff that you don't want to speak about through a diminutive time. The story is told in cartoon form, with the mice being Jews and the Nazis being cats. This astonishing tale will bring you through one of the grisliest times in history through a unique take that is going to capture you. A story that follows bloody pawprints through history and brings about a meaning that applies to everyone.

Overall, The Complete Maus is among the best graphic novels on the market because of how intense and mesmerizing it is. As this book is written from the view of a son to an Auschwitz survivor, the author appears to be a bit harsh on his father. A powerful book that you will love and read over again.

The story itself isn't as important as the themes the book covers. Watchmen is more about morality and politics. It encompasses true humanity and what it is to be a superhero. The book can be dark and isn't light reading. You will not expect what transpires in this graphic novel, but you will love it just the same. You will see the human condition through intensely honest eyes as it is lasting power. This graphic novel is going to leave you in your seat.

Overall, Watchmen is a graphic novel you want to read. It makes it on the list of the best graphic novels because of how truthful it is. Besides being dark, one of the hardest parts of this book is that it offers no real answers to improving the human condition. It could have proposed new ideas. However, despite that, this graphic novel does raise important questions that are worth thinking about.

Why You Should Read Graphic Novels

There are many reasons why graphic novels should make it onto your reading list:

They are appealing to both reluctant readers and those who are advanced. The pictures and texts make these novels fun and more appealing to anyone who struggles with reading, and the storylines backed by images are appealing to those who love to read.

Many traditional books have been turned into graphic novels. If there's ever been a classic novel you've wanted to read, chances are you can find a graphic version.

The best graphic novels are excellent tools for teaching. These novels are great for teaching inference and for breaking down harder-to-read stories and headier subjects. The vocabulary is often complex and literary devices can be taught from these novels. The non-linear formats make them unique and more engaging.

The format of the graphics can also help those who are trying to learn English or another language. Plus, they are suitable for children who have special needs. Images are an excellent tool for helping those who find vocabulary challenges.

Many graphic novels have in-depth messages that are brought home by the combination of images and conversations. Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes anymore. There are many slice-of-life stories and many have large moral dilemmas.

How To Choose A Graphic Novel

If you are new to the graphic novel movement, then you are going to need some help picking the right one for you.

Genre – One thing most people seem to forget is that a graphic novel is a format, not a genre. The genre encompasses the type of story you're reading, from literary to romance to Western and science fiction. Pick the genre you usually enjoy reading about when you pick out your first graphic novel.

Illustrations – If you find a graphic novel that has an excellent storyline but subpar images, then you are going to be disappointed. The novel you choose should have images that are going to draw you in as well as a riveting story. Also, art is subjective and graphic novels come in many visual styles. From a traditional "comic book" style to realism, the illustrations also fit the tone of the story. You'll find different visual styles that enhance the story and communicate deeper themes with images, not just the words on the page.

Get Advice – Sometimes, picking the best graphic novel is still challenging. Therefore, you want to get advice from a graphic novel enthusiast. Most readers of graphic novels have a crucial way to pick one, and they can help you find yours.

Choosing the best graphic novel is still difficult for everyone because of the sheer velocity of novels that the market has to offer. The list above shows you some of the best novels on the market today. Take a look and pick the one that appeals to you most.

Happy reading!

FAQ

Q: What’s the difference between a graphic novel and a comic book?

While many people dismiss graphic novels as comic books, they are two distinct forms of literature. Though both focus on storytelling through illustration, comic books appear as serials and periodicals. If the comic book series is serialized, the story happens over a sequence of events, it can be difficult to understand one comic book in a series without having read the prior releases. If it's episodic, usually slice-of-life stories, you can jump into any issue and immerse yourself in the issue's story without a lot of background information. Think of comic books like TV shows and graphic novels like movies. The best graphic novels are complete stories from beginning to end, though just like traditional novels and movies, they may be part of a series.

Graphic novels are longer than the average comic book and cover a complete range of genres including mysteries, classics, historical fiction, realistic fiction, and non-fiction. Comic books typically focus on superheroes with some exceptions.

Q: How does a graphic novel work?

Unlike traditional novels which include only text—or text with an occasional illustration in children’s books—graphic novels are complete novels written in comic book format. The storyline progresses in panels or frames with both text and illustrations. Text is typically within a box, and dialogue and characters' thoughts are in speech bubbles. The story is also told more visually, and a good graphic novel will tell you just as much if not more about the story with visual cues. You’ll find graphic novels in both paperback and hardcover formats.

Q: Should I limit my child or teen’s reading of graphic novels and steer them toward traditional novels?

According to most educators, reading the best graphic novels is just as good for children and young adults as traditional novels. Though it’s best to encourage students to read a variety of literary styles, graphic novels have as much merit as traditional ones. Young children still learn to decode words and follow storylines, and teens and young adults can enjoy a variety of storytelling styles, just as in traditional novels. In fact, many educators point out some advantages of graphic novels, including promoting a better understanding of sequencing through the paneled storytelling format. They also encourage visual perception and art appreciation. Some studies indicate that graphic novels promote better comprehension because they encourage visual memory.

Graphic novels promote literacy every bit as much as traditional novels and reinforce the same reading, punctuation, and grammar skills. Some studies suggest a benefit for readers with autism because they are able to visually read cues from characters’ expressions.

Q: Are graphic novels and Manga the same?

Manga and graphic novels have much in common, but Manga are Japanese comics. The Japanese have a long history of illustration and animation in literature and pop culture. Manga follows a format very much like paperback novels with many books featuring black and white artwork and others in full color. Not only is the style of illustration very distinctively Japanese, but they are read from right to left. Manga features English translations with the original Japanese artwork.

Q: Are graphic novels just for kids?

There are many great graphic novels for kids and it’s clear that they are a favorite genre for children. However, there are also many fantastic graphic novels for adults in all genres from horror, history, and true crime, to Shakespeare. Many adult readers also enjoy a wide range of erotic in graphic novels.

Q: Are the illustrations in graphic novels considered fine art?

The complex illustrations found in both comic books and graphic art novels are absolutely works of art. In fact, some of the most instantly recognizable artwork in popular culture comes from graphic novels. Although graphic art illustrators are uniquely talented, the illustrations aren’t traditional “fine art” because the work is so widely available in print. There is also a distinction made between art created as a means of expressing an artist’s unique vision or that created for beauty, and the artwork created for a specific purpose such as illustrations for a story.