i never really read comic books (or graphic novels)

when i was younger.

i previously mentioned my friend matt and i went to northampton a couple of weeks ago. one of the places matt wanted to go was modern myths a "comic book" store. i was amazed at what i saw there. lots of comics but tons of graphic novels and what i would consider art books and magazines. i enjoyed our visit very much. i even scooped up a couple of items myself.

Drawing Power

By Bob Thompson

Washington Post Staff Writer
NEW YORK -- I've wandered into an alternative universe, and I'm trying to decide if I want to stay. The setting is the lovely, old-fashioned library of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, in midtown Manhattan. The event is a gathering called "SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium." I'm here because the organizers have promised to lay out, in the course of a single day, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Graphic Novels."

What I want to know is: How did this formerly ghettoized medium became one of the rare publishing categories that's actually expanding these days?

"SPLAT!" seems a perfect place to start looking for answers.

Sponsored by the New York Center for Independent Publishing, it's crammed with influential cartoonists, editors, agents, librarians, marketing types and booksellers. There will be talk of literary comics, autobiographical comics, Web comics, kids' comics, comics in libraries, comics in schools and much, much more..........

picture: erfworld