Graphic Novels - Free Library

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are, simply defined, book-length comics. Sometimes they tell a single, continous narrative from first page to last; sometimes they are collections of shorter stories or individual comic strips. Comics are sequential visual art, emphasizing everything from drama, adventure, character development, striking visuals, politics, or romance over laugh-out-loud comedy.

Graphic Novels

Links

  • Columbia University Libraries - Graphic Novel Page

    A university website with a compilation of weblinks, including awards, publishers, conventions, and blogs.
  • Comic Book Resources

    Comic book news updated daily.
  • Comics Timeline

    The history of comics in America.
  • Dark Horse Books

    Home of Buffy, Conan, Hellboy, Frank Miller, Star Wars, and more.
  • DC Comics

    Home to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, The Flash, Green Lantern, The Watchmen and many other classic comic book superheroes.
  • Drawn and Quarterly

    Candian publisher of independent and alternative graphic novels from artists like Lisa Hanawalt, Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry, Kate Beaton, and Tove Jansson.
  • Fantagraphics

    Publisher of alternative comix, classic comics, and graphic novels from creators like Peter Bagge, Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, Ellen Forney, and Chris Ware to name just a few.
  • Free Comic Book Day

    The official website of Free Comic Book Day, the first Saturday in May when comic book stores give away free comics to their customers.
  • Google Play

    Enjoy millions of the latest Android apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines, and more.
  • IDW

    Home of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Locke and Key, Star Trek, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony.
  • Image

    Image is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by seven of Marvel Comics’ best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become the third largest comics publisher in the United States.
  • iTunes App Store

    Browse and download apps to your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch from the App Store, including the Overdrive Media Console app.
  • Kindle App Store

    Instant access to thousands of the most popular free and best-selling apps and games, including the Overdrive Media Console app.
  • Marvel Comics

    Home of Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and many other legendary comic book characters. Excelsior!
  • Newsarama

    Source for comic book news, reviews and all-things genre entertainment since 1998.
  • NOOK Store

    Your one-stop-shop for all things NOOK.
  • Panels

    A celebration of comics, the people who make them, and the people who love them.
  • Rumic World

    Rumiko Takahashi has been called "The Princess of Manga," and this site celebrates her life and works in both manga and anime. Includes news, history, series overviews, and character profiles from such popular works as Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, and InuYasha, among others.
  • The Beat

    News Blog of Comics Culture: Comic blog from Publisher Weekly, with extensive links.
  • The Internet Public Library's Guide to Graphic Novels

    Including the history of graphic novels, anime and manga, web comics, and more.
  • The Mary Sue

    Comic book and pop culture news site highlighting women in the geek world and providing a prominent place for their voices.
  • The Otaku

    Updated daily with news, fandom features, and a blog; free manga, art and wallpaper, an interactive art gallery for registered users, and loads of fun quizzes from favorite anime like, "What character are you?"
  • Tokyopop

    Lots of goodies from the leading manga magnet.
  • Top Shelf

    Publishes comics and graphic novels by authors and artists such as Alan Moore, Craig Thompson, Nate Powell, Alex Robinson, Jeff Lemire, and Matt Kindt.
  • Vertigo

    DC Comics imprint that publishes content for mature readers with horror and supernatural themes with titles like The Sandman, Hellblazer, Swamp Thing, V for Vendetta, and Preacher.
  • VIZ Media

    A treasure trove for manga fans.

Manga - Single Volumes and Short Series by FLPTeens

Manga series can stretch for dozens and dozens and volumes, but these ones are short and easy to finish quickly.

View the full list

Manga - All the Big Hits by FLPTeens

These classic manga series have been popular for decades. Try these titles if you want to find out what all the hype is about!

View the full list

Manga - New and Popular (37 items)

New hits and popular classics from a variety of genres.

Ghastly Graphic Novels (42 items)

Illustrated horror full of eerie images and scary stories.

Graphic Novel Memoirs (90 items)

Take a trip into someone else's life story shared in nontraditional graphic novel format.

Anime and Manga - Manga for You and Me (5 items)

Learn the techniques behind the creation of anime.

Anime and Manga - Hot Manga (14 items)

Get your hands on the newest manga we have.

Graphic Novels - Teen Manga (16 items)

Classic teen manga favorites.

Graphic Novels - Superheroes (83 items)

Biff! Bam! Pow!

Graphic Novels - Realistic stories for Teens (15 items)

Graphic novels that reflect real life.

Graphic Novels - Non-violent Stories for Tweens (6 items)

Suitable for middle schoolers.

Graphic Novels - for Tweens (14 items)

For the younger set.

Graphic Novels - Beginning Readers (8 items)

A first experience with comic books.

Graphic Novels - Girl Power (10 items)

Graphic novels that appeal to girls and women.

Graphic Novels - Books to Screen (13 items)

From graphic novels into movies.

Graphic Novels - Bestsellers (10 items)

Not sure where to start? How about with the most popular graphic novels?

Graphic Novels - Award Winners (6 items)

Find out more about the popular world of graphic novels.

Award Winning Graphic Novels (23 items)

Graphic novels which have won notable awards.

Electronic Resources

  • ComicsPlus All Access

    ComicsPlus All Access offers thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga for kids, teens, and adults. A Free Library of Philadelphia card and PIN is required for onsite and offsite use. Mobile app available: LibraryPass.
    Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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  • ComicsPlus Children

    ComicPlus Kids has Adventure Time, Bone series, Minecraft, and the Big Nate series and more. Simultaneous use will allow whole-class read-alongs. A Free Library card and PIN is required for onsite and offsite use. Mobile app available: LibraryPass.
    Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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  • ComicsPlus Teens

    ComicsPlus Teen offers thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga especially for teens. A Free Library of Philadelphia card and PIN is required for onsite and offsite use. Mobile app available: LibraryPass.
    Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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