One aspect that makes them unique is their unflinching look at power and corruption. The graphic novels in 'the boys' don't shy away from showing how those with power, like the superheroes in the story, can abuse it. It also has a very distinct art style that adds to the overall gritty feel of the series. The characters are complex and morally ambiguous, not simply good or bad, which is different from many other graphic novels.
In general, they are not overly appropriate for young readers. These graphic novels often deal with dark and gritty topics such as corruption, extreme violence, and moral ambiguity. Younger kids might be disturbed or not fully understand the complex ideas presented. But for more mature readers, they can be an interesting exploration of different themes.
In a way, they are. Comics and graphic novels share many similarities. They both use sequential art to tell a story. The main difference might be in the length and format. Graphic novels tend to be more complete and longer stories, while comics can be short strips. But overall, the essence of using pictures and words to convey a narrative makes comics a type of graphic novel.
One excellent option is 'Dog Man' by Dav Pilkey. It has a unique concept where a dog and a police officer are combined. It's full of action, comedy, and has a great message about friendship and doing the right thing. The illustrations are bright and colorful which attract young readers.
One characteristic is action - packed plots. Boys often like stories with a lot of movement and excitement, like battles or chases. For example, in 'Captain Underpants', there are always wild and wacky adventures. Another is the presence of strong and cool characters. Think of superheroes in 'Teen Titans' or the tough guys in 'The Hardy Boys'. Also, the illustrations tend to be bold and dynamic to match the energetic nature of the stories.