Research Guides: Comics and Graphic Novels: Comics and Graphic Novels

Lists & Awards

Comics and graphic novels have had lasting impacts on literature, art, film, humor, politics, and culture.

In academic research, comics and graphic novels have been studied not only in the fields of literature, art, and cultural history, but also in fields such as education - as a gateway to reading for children, an accessible medium for learning a foreign language, and more.

History & Research

Comics -- A History
Background information and overview from the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Graphic Novels -- A History
Background information and overview from the Encyclopedia Britannica.
ComicsResearch.org
Annotated bibliographies about comics scholarship.
Cover Browser
450,000+ comic book covers, including series in chronological order.
Digital Comic Museum
A digital archive of free, downloadable Golden Age Comics that are now in the Public Domain.
The Beat: The Blog of Comics Culture
This award-winning blog covers the latest in comic book news and opinion.

Reading Lists & Databases

100 Best Comic and Graphic Novels List
Let's Get Graphic: 100 Favorite Comics And Graphic Novels from NPR.
Best Graphic Novels Reading Lists
Annual list from the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table highlighting the best graphic novels for adults published in the past year.
DC Comics Database
Wiki-based database of DC characters, storylines, TV and movie adaptations, and more.
Grand Comics Database
The Grand Comics Database (GCD) is a nonprofit, internet-based organization of international volunteers dedicated to building an open database covering all printed comics throughout the world.
Marvel Comics Database
Searchable wiki database of in-depth character histories, story synopses, cover art, and more.
Queer Comics Database
Browse comics by audience, genre, tone, style, queer representation, and more.
Social Justice & Comics Reading Lists
Graphic Novel recommended reading lists on topics such as non-traditional families, body image, disabilities, immigration, and more.

Children & Young Adult

ALSC - Graphic Novels Reading List
The Association of Library Services to Children publishes an annual reading list of graphic novels for kids grades K-8.
YALSA - Great Graphic Novels
Each year the Young Adult Library Services Association publishes a recommended reading list of graphic novels for young adults. View the current and past lists.

Awards

Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are the biggest annual award in the comics industry.
The Harvey Awards
Comic industry award spotlighting comics, graphic novels, manga and more.
Bill Finger Award
Award for excellence in comic book writing.
Japan International Manga Award
Annual Manga Awards that started in 2007.
Russ Manning Award
Award honoring early and new career comic artists.

Find Graphic Novels @ WCC

1. Click on the link below to browse the library's graphic novel collection virtually. You can jot down the book's call number to find it on the shelf or place a hold on the book and pick it up at the Check-Out Desk.

WCC Graphic Novel Collection

2. Search for comic books and graphic novels in the library by using the Smart Search box below or on the library's homepage.

Use subject terms below or search for a specific author or title:

comic books
graphic novels
comics
cartoons

3. Browse general fiction* comics and graphic novels on the shelves in the Bailey Library under the Call Numbers PN6700 - PN 6790.

*Comics and graphic novels are organized by subject and are not all shelved in the same location. Non-fiction graphic novels are shelved within the topic/subject area (philosophy, psychology, medical memoirs, etc.).