"Comics, graphic novels, sequential art have gained unprecedented legitimacy. The articles collected in this volume provide an overview of this wildly diverse, increasingly popular, and widely accepted form of literature."--Editor's preface.

Graphic novel silver anniversary /Andrew D. Arnold -- What is a graphic novel? / Jessica Abel -- Drawing power / Bob Thompson -- Raw beginnings ; Hot off the presses ; Picture the possibilities / Jonathan Bennett -- Notes from the underground / Walter Ryce -- Graphic novels are new horizon for top authors / George Gene Gustines -- Comic-book world / Stephen E. Tabachnick -- Graphic novels are legit lit / Micah Mertes -- Comics no longer a joke in academia / Lisa Cornwell -- From pulp to Pulitzer / Fritz Lanham -- Plot thickens / Linda Lou -- Once-avoided comics welcomed in schools / Chris Mautner -- Big battle / Peter Rowe -- Comics in the classroom / Laura Hudson -- Going graphic / James Bucky Carter -- Using comics and graphic novels in the classroom / Council Chronicle -- Best of both worlds / Sean P. Connors -- Expanding literacies through graphic novels / Gretchen Schwarz -- Graphics novels for (really) young readers / Allyson A.W. Lyga -- Graphic novels in today's libraries / John Hogan -- Reinventing the book club / Jonathan Seyfried -- Graphic novels and school libraries / Hollis Margaret Rudiger and Megan Schliesman -- Comics legend draws on 9/11 / Dan DeLuca -- Being Lynda Barry / Christopher Borrelli -- Scam artist / Robert L. Pincus -- Life drawing / Margot Harrison -- Never mind the mullahs / Vivienne Walt -- Cartoon politics / Michael Scott Leonard -- CR Sunday interview / Tom Spurgeon.