Graphic novels and comic books are both forms of sequential art, but they differ in terms of story integrity, length, and presence of advertisements. Graphic novels are usually standalone stories with more complex plots, while comics are generally part of an ongoing story. Comics are usually easier to find in bookstores and libraries and are made more for adults. Graphic novels receive an international standard book number (ISBN), while comics do not.
The divide between graphic novelists and comic book writers is often comparable to the perceived difference between artists and artists. Graphic novels tend to resemble real stories to the extent that they are capable of distorting history and facts in the minds of the less educated, while comics are clearly otherworldly. Even though comics are very popular, in general, many people tend to view them as an inferior art form, in part because they assume that they are largely designed for children or have simple themes. Short story collections that have been previously published as individual comics are also considered graphic novels.
Some people consider comics to be more common and less artistic, but they can be worth thousands of dollars to collectors, making it debatable which form has more value. Most cartoonists like Art Spiegelman, Dan Clowes, Chris Ware and Jeffery Brown have said that they make comics. Writer Neil Gaiman has said that the distinction between graphic novels and comic books is just a marketing term designed to sell the most expensive format. A standard comic usually includes the beginning, middle, or end of a story, so a person usually can't read or buy just one to learn the whole plot or discover the characters. In conclusion, graphic novels and comic books are both forms of sequential art but differ in terms of story integrity, length, presence of advertisements, and value. Graphic novels tend to resemble real stories while comics are clearly otherworldly.
The distinction between graphic novels and comic books is often just a marketing term.
