Graphic novels are in essence an extended comic book. They are novels that are filled with graphic illustrations, much the same as a comic book. The major difference between a graphic novel and a comic book is that a they tell an entire story contained within the book, while a comic book is a series of books that each lead into the next with usually a "cliff-hanger" ending that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to purchase the next series.

The graphic novel format was first introduced in the 1940s with classic novels like The Three Musketeers. They were introduced as a viable alternative to the traditional novel. It was marketed to the younger reader, the thought process being that they will enjoy the novel more with pictures and it would attract a young audience to read.

Modern graphic novels are no longer geared toward children or young adults. The graphic novels that are being released, to date, are usually ones that have some real descriptive illustrations. Some are of mature nature, many show images of violence and sexual content. The graphic novel is now marketed to allure the adult with stimulatory images and shock value.

Many of the characters created through graphic novels have gone on to be the object of major motion pictures. Because of the involved plots contained within these novels and the fast moving shock value that is displayed on paper, the story lines on most of these novels lend to some really fantastic movie action. Because for the most part, these characters come alive on paper, to bring them to live on screen does not pose such a stretch. With the large and cult following that these graphic novels can pull, there is already a whole population of people that know the story line and are awaiting anxiously its release.

Graphic novels are fashioned after a long Japanese publishing form called magna. Manga is a Japanese form of "comic book" type material, and are highly popular throughout the world. Similar to the manga, the anime sequence, which is really a series of comic type illustrations strewn together. Although it seems that the Japanese drive the market, some very popular graphic novels are created and originated in the United States.

Most of the characters that are contained within graphic novels appear to be exaggerated. The illustrations often take characteristics about the human face and exaggerate them, usually the nose is too long, the eyes too small, almost like caricatures, the characters within the novels, seem to exemplify the high intensity of the story that is usually contained within novel itself.

Although most graphic novels, nowadays, are geared toward the adult audience, there are still children based graphic novels available. Such characters have taken the market by storm, like Yu-gi-oh.

It is a rare art form but one that continues to be popular and has found its own niche within the market setting itself apart from comic books, finding a separate voice, as well as, audience.

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