This new edition contains over 80 essays covering the wide range of themes and concepts in graphic novels. It includes genres, time periods, foreign language traditions, social relevance, and craftsmanship. In addition to insight into various specific aspects of the development of graphic novels, such as storytelling, lettering, inking, and illustration styles, this volume covers production and distribution of graphic novels and the significance and history of comic book conventions. The diverse and varied content of this volume also covers issues on readership and literacy, library collection development, and censorship.