Graphic Novels: A Core List for Booksellers (Adult Fiction and Nonfiction)
More and more booksellers want to expand their graphic-novel sections. At the same time, readers who are just discovering the format are wondering what to read, while fans want to expand their graphic-novel reading. But questions await anyone beginning this endeavor: Which graphic novels to offer? What to read? Which are essential and which are not? Part and parcel of this query is the amount of room available, the ultimate driving factor in how much shelf space will be allotted to graphic works.
Realizing how important this is, we here at GNR have come up with a guide to serve as a solution. We're unveiling our core list of graphic novels, and we've divided the list to accommodate differing levels of space and commitment. The most important thing to note: This is not a best-of list or a list denoting the most worthy accomplishments in graphic novels (although everything on each list is an accomplishment in some way, shape, or form). Instead, it's a list to help retailers and all those who are seeking to start a graphic collection to get a sense of the essential books to acquire. This is where to begin for those who want to make a small step (a core list of 10 books), a medium step (an additional 25 books), or a larger one (100 more).
We begin here with adult-focused graphic novel titles, including reference books about the format. In the weeks to come, we will add titles for children and teens, as well as manga broken out by adults, children, and teens.
You'll notice the list is short on superhero titles (although several of them are in there). That's because this isn't a traditional comics list but rather one for the general marketplace. As with any list, there will be disagreements, but first and foremost, this is a compilation to help those new to the format get started in this wonderful adventure known as graphic novels.
So let's get started! Pick the section you want to begin with:
