Graphic novels have exploded off bookstore shelves into movies, college courses, and the New York Times book review, and comics historian and childrena??s literature specialist Stephen Weiner explains the phenomenon in this groundbreaking booka??the first history of graphic novels. From the agonizing Holocaust vision of Art Spiegelmana??s Maus to the teenage angst of Dan Clowesa??s Ghost World, this study enters the heart of the graphic novel revolution. The complete history of this popular format is explained, from the first modern, urban autobiographical graphic novel, Will Eisnera??s A Contract with God, to the dark mysteries of Neil Gaimana??s Sandman, the postmodern superheroics of Frank Millera??s Batman: The Dark Knight, and breakout books such as Alison Bechdel"s Fun Home and R. Crumb"s The Book of Genesis. Ita??s all here in this newly updated edition, which contains the must-reads, the milestones, the most recent developments, and what to look for in the future of this...