Comic book terminology can get confusing. While a comic can sometimes be a graphic novel, but a graphic novel is a comic every time. A graphic novel can be an original, self-contained story or it can be a collection of previously published comics.
With that in mind, there are about as many genres of graphic novels as as any form of media. Unlike book genres, however, comics tend to havemore of a focused popularity. With juggernauts like Marvel and DC Comics in the industry, it's no surprise that super heroes are front and center.
| Genre | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Superheroes | Centered around characters with powers or innate abilities, usually involves crime fighting. | Batman, Invincible |
| Manga | Japanese-style comics traditionally read right to left. Includes it's own vast variety of genres. | Junji Ito, My Hero Academia |
| Fantasy Adaptations | Original graphic novel adaptations of popular fantasy books. | Dungeon Crawler Carl, Fourth Wing |
| Sci-Fi | Focuses on science or futuristic technology. Can often blend with the fantasy genre. | Saga, Alien |
| Biographical | Focuses on the experiences and story of a real life person. | March |
