Once considered the bane of literature, graphic novels have recently earned academic recognition and critical accolades, reports Publishers Weekly.
鈥淎cclaimed books like Art Spiegelman鈥檚 'Maus' (1991) and Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon鈥檚 'Watchmen' (1987) have spurred academic interest in comics, which opened many doors for the medium,鈥� PW writes. 鈥淭he 2000s brought a slew of new classics as traditional publishers put out much-lauded, award-winning titles like Marjane Satropis鈥檚 'Persepolis' (2000), Alison Bechdel鈥檚 'Fun Home' (2006), Raina Telgemier鈥檚 'Smile' (2010), and 'Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth' by Chris Ware (2000).鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
A 2002 presentation of graphic novels to a rapt audience during an American Library Association panel cemented the comics鈥� literary and artistic value.
