Graphic novels are changing the way we think about comic books. They are telling deeper stories, covering different themes, and using creative art styles. Unlike regular comics that mainly focus on superheroes and short stories, graphic novels are all about longer tales and developing characters in a rich way. A great example is Art Spiegelman's "Maus," published in 1986. It won a Pulitzer Prize and showed that graphic novels can talk about serious topics, like the Holocaust.

Key Differences:

1. Length and Structure:

   • Regular comic books usually have about 22 pages.
   • Graphic novels can have 60 pages or even more than 500!
   • A survey from 2019 showed that 57% of readers liked graphic novels more because they tell longer and more detailed stories.

2. Themes and Genres:

   • Graphic novels explore many topics, like personal stories, history, and stories based on other books.
   • A report found that graphic novel sales jumped 50% from 2012 to 2022, which shows that people want more variety in what they read.

3. Artistic Innovation:

   • The art in graphic novels can be very different from the usual superhero art.
   • For example, "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi uses simple black-and-white pictures to tell a powerful story about identity and culture.

4. Cultural Impact:

   • The graphic novel market grew from about $140 million in 2010 to around$225 million in 2020. This shows that more people are accepting graphic novels as a real form of literature.

In summary, graphic novels are changing the comic book world by telling more complex stories, exploring a wider range of topics, and using unique art styles.