History of the Word Graphic Novel

The history of the word 'graphic novel' is intertwined with the evolution of the comic medium itself. Initially, comics were printed in newspapers and magazines in short, episodic formats. As the form grew, there was a need for a new term for longer, self - contained works. 'Graphic novel' was coined. It allowed for the marketing and recognition of works that combined the visual art of comics with more complex literary elements. For example, works like 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman, which told a powerful and harrowing story of the Holocaust using the graphic novel format, showed the world that this form could handle serious and important subject matter, further solidifying the term in the cultural lexicon.