One of my growing interests in the past few years has been Graphic Novels. I’m not a hardcore hobbyist by any means, just a casual reader. I get all my books at the library so I’m a bit limited in my selection but they have a ton there. I’ve only recently become aware and interested in other books that they don’t have available there.

Anyway, for anyone who doesn’t know, the term Graphic Novel is basically used to elevate a Comic Book from it’s lowly status. Most people associate Comics with kids’ stuff and super heroes and comic writers were sick of it. Comic Books grew much more lengthy, mature and complex than they used to be and so they came up with the new term. A good way to look at it is a Graphic Novel is to a Comic Book is as the movie Cast Away is to an episode of Lost. One is long and covers one story arc completely, the other is short covering a piece of a much larger story arc and is generally more formulaic and pulpish.

I thought Graphic Novels were stupid at first. It just seemed like these writers were just writing complex and mature because they could and went wild with it. But over the years I’ve discovered some gems that made me realize the true meaning of Graphic Novel. Once when I was reading a particularly good Graphic Novel I said to myself “this is literature!” And that has been the sticking point for me in regards to Graphic Novels. Some Graphic Novels I view simply as overcomplicated Comic Books, but some I see as very good works of literature that deserve more recognition than “it’s just a comic book.”

So, to come to the real point of this post, I would like to recommend to you a Graphic Novel that I just finished reading. Little Star by Andi Watson is a story of Simon, a man who is a proud stay-at-home dad and part-time worker. Here is the official description:

Simon Adams is certain of what he’s not: he’s not one of those dead-beat Dads. He’s a thoroughly modern “involved” Dad. Watch him stagger through the pee, the poo, and the puke in a sleep-deprived haze. Observe as he becomes a second class citizen in his X-chromosome controlled domicile. And feel as Simon tries to juggle career ambitions and his family in an act worthy of the best circus performers. No, you’re not alone; this is what it’s like for everyone.

This description does this book no justice. It has all the technical data about the book but fails to convey the real heart of the book. What I loved most about Little Stars was the sincere love Simon had for his daughter. It was refreshing to see a struggling parent who didn’t resent his child and how his life is changed by her. Simon’s decisions throughout the book seemed to be totally driven by this love and care for his family and not by selfish ambitions or apathetic submission to “i’ve got a kid, i’ve got to work a crappy job” syndrome. As I am not a parent at present, but hope to be someday, I found this look into fatherhood fascinating and intriguing. I’m going to have to remember to read this book after I’m a parent.

I’ll post more Graphic Novel recommendations as there are a lot that I’d love to share. Don’t get me wrong though! I’m no Graphic Novel snob, I love Comics too. Batman rules!!!