ON THE RISE: INFLUENCES ON THE POPULARITY OF GRAPHIC NOVELS AMONG READERS

by Davis, Jennie R.

The surging popularity of graphic novels has brought sales of comics to a level not seen in many years, due partly to broadening distribution and audiences, but other forces could be contributing to the medium's popularity. A conservative backlash and fascination with fantasy entertainment are two possible influences. The Internet allows new fans to find information quickly, our globally connected world encourages readers to seek out the diverse viewpoints in graphic novels, and Japanese comics, or manga, attract teenagers and girls. Past information on comics publishing suggest the current popularity is part of a regular cycle. But the multitasking nature of our society and entertainment encourage information gathering over multiple channels, and our dependence on visual sources of information suggests that graphics-based literature will be more important in the future.