Graphic Novels Question

[bingefeller]

Hi folks,

I am trying to find out the correct term for this type of graphic novel....

I am looking for graphic novels whereby you don't need to be familar with a backstory to read them and enjoy them. I hope this makes sense. Like, some of the Marvel Collected Editions require you to have read some other Marvel comics to be able to understand the storyline and plot in the collected edition.

Can anyone help me please?

[Arvandor]

OGN - Original Graphic Novel. These are graphic novels that are originally published this way, and not collections of previous issues.

Is that what you mean?

[Kees_L]

OGN - Original Graphic Novel. These are graphic novels that are originally published this way, and not collections of previous issues.

Is that what you mean?

Wouldn't the term *graphic novel* in itself be covering it 'though?

I mean, "Batman: Digital Justice", "Batman: the Killing Joke", or "Batman: Arkham Asylum" only got published as being one book, whereas for instance "Watchmen" or "Batman: the Dark Knight Returns" didn't, since those premiered in installments as forming *limited series*, or *mini series*.

And "Watchmen" or DKR could be called original graphic novels still?

I'd think that as soon as a published self-containing thing can work as being a (self-contained) "graphic novel", with getting published as such into one book, then it is one.
And any novel should be working as being self-contained or either it couldn't really be called a novel in itself, or only like a sequential novel?
Then again, when does something become to not be working as being self-contained? Like Harry Potter novels, should they work on their own? Would they not be working on their own due to being sequential / serialized?
I'd think terminology will be more rather a guideline than any strict definition of terms necessarily, like it may vary. But maybe that's just me?

[bingefeller]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I have done a little more research and found that a lot of people call them "stand alone graphic novels". This seems to be just what I am after!

[Kees_L]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I have done a little more research and found that a lot of people call them "stand alone graphic novels". This seems to be just what I am after!

Heh, good luck with that.

If you find a bunch of them, put them side by side, so they won't be so alone anymore! Collect them all and it'd be like a jolly orphanage! :-]