Written by Brenda Nicholas

The graphic novel is a fast growing phenomena for people of all ages, with appreciation of this ninth art even seeping into the walls of the academy. One of my graduate courses included a graphic novel on the reading list. Among those schooled as art historians it is important to point out the difference between a comic book and a graphic novel. Whereas the comic book serves the popular entertainment industry, the graphic novel falls under the term "Bande Dessinée", which means “drawn strip” but signifies a more serious or fine art.

Time magazine has created a list of the top 10 graphic novels of 2007, as well as the top 100 graphic novels of all-time.

Poets have noticed the graphic novels ever increasing popularity, and Poetry Foundation has recently invited graphic novelists to try their hand at putting poems to graphite. Somehow I’m seeing graphic poetry anthologies coming to bookstores near you.

Night Fisher , by R. Kikuo Johnson