''Marvel Graphic Novel'' (''MGN'') is a

line Line most often refers to: * Line (geometry), object with zero thickness and curvature that stretches to infinity * Telephone line, a single-user circuit on a telephone communication system Line, lines, The Line, or LINE may also refer to: Arts ...

of graphic novel

trade paperback Trade paperback may refer to: * Trade paperback, a higher-quality softcover version of a book * Trade paperback (comics) In comics in the United States, a trade paperback (shortened: TPB or trade) is a collection of stories originally published ...

s published from 1982 to 1993 by Marvel Comics. The books were published in an oversized format, 8.5" x 11", similar to French albums. In response, DC Comics established a competitor line known as '' DC Graphic Novel''.

Publication history

The decision to launch the line was made in late 1979, after strong sales reports for the summer. Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter envisioned the "books as being in the format of European albums, with cardboard covers, full-color, slick pages". In September 1980, Shooter indicated the line was delayed because of complications in putting together the contracts, which he was drafting in consultation with Marvel attorneys. In early 1981, Marvel hired

Michael Z. Hobson Michael Zametkin Hobson (December 8, 1936 – November 12, 2020) was an American publisher who was an executive vice president for Marvel Comics. Life and career Hobson was born on December 8, 1936, and adopted on February 13, 1937, by a single w ...

away from Scholastic Books to be Vice-President/Publishing. His expertise in writing author contracts, which was greater than Shooter's, was a key reason. A few months later, contracts with writer/artist Jim Starlin were finalized for ''The Death of Captain Marvel'' and ''Dreadstar''. ''The Death of Captain Marvel'', the first book in the line, was published in January 1982. Marvel numbered stories through 1985 up to number 20, but released many other stories in the same format that are considered unnumbered parts of the series according to the ''

Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide ''The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'' (or ''Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'') is an annually published comic book price guide widely considered the primary authority on the subject of American comic book grading and pricing in the ...

''. ''Overstreet'' continued numbering beyond the original "official" numbering, following a Marvel-published list of graphic novels. When the list stopped being published, ''Overstreet'' stopped trying to number the issues, halting at number 38, although they list 29 more issues published from 1983 through 1991, although the list is known not to include every graphic novel from this period. The line was divided evenly between author-owned and company-owned titles. Several characters were featured in an issue of ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' before receiving their own

miniseries A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...

or ongoing series. The most successful of these was ''The New Mutants'', which ran for 100 issues.DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 209: "Since the first three Marvel Graphic Novels had sold so well, Marvel decided to launch the new series ''The New Mutants'' in the same format". Other series which were spun-off from a ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' are '' Dreadstar'', ''

Void Indigo ''Void Indigo'' was a short-lived and controversial comic book series written by Steve Gerber and drawn by Val Mayerik. It was published by Epic Comics from 1983 to 1984. ''Void Indigo'' focuses on an alien named Jhagur (he is known on Earth as " ...

'', '' Starstruck'', and '' The Swords of the Swashbucklers''. In addition, ''

Star Slammers ''Star Slammers'' was an American comic book series written and drawn by Walt Simonson. The series was Simonson's first comics and it led to his getting work in the comic book industry. The comics have been released by various publishers including ...

'' had a miniseries published by Malibu Comics and ''

Futurians The Futurians were a group of science fiction (SF) fans, many of whom became editors and writers as well. The Futurians were based in New York City and were a major force in the development of science fiction writing and science fiction fandom i ...

'' was a short-lived title published by

Lodestone Comics Deluxe Comics was a short-lived comic book publishing company which published one title, ''Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents''. History Deluxe Comics was a division of Singer Publishing, founded by David M. Singer (11 February 1957–24 August ...

List of graphic novels in the ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' line

Collected editions

* '' Essential Killraven'' includes ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #7: ''Killraven: Warrior of the Worlds'', 504 pages, July 2005, * ''Essential Dazzler Vol. 2'' includes ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #12: ''Dazzler: The Movie'', 688 pages, April 2009, * ''Women of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades'' includes ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #12: ''Dazzler: The Movie'', #16: ''The Aladdin Effect'', and #18: ''The Sensational She-Hulk'', 1,160 pages, January 2011, * ''Spider-Man: The Graphic Novels'' collects ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' #22: ''The Amazing Spider-Man: Hooky'', ''The Amazing Spider-Man: Parallel Lives'', ''The Amazing Spider-Man: Spirits of the Earth'', and ''Spider-Man: Fear Itself'', 280 pages, June 2012,

''Marvel Original Graphic Novel''

In 2013, Marvel started publishing a new line of graphic novels titled ''Marvel Original Graphic Novel'' or ''Marvel OGN''.

References

External links

*
The Definitive Graphic Novels List by Bob Rozakis
(note: Rozakis uses a different numbering from Overstreet on ''MGN'' #32-35) {{Jim Starlin, state=collapsed 1982 comics debuts Comics by Archie Goodwin (comics) Comics by Chris Claremont Comics by David Michelinie Comics by Dennis O'Neil Comics by Don McGregor Comics by Doug Moench Comics by Frank Miller (comics) Comics by Gerry Conway Comics by Howard Chaykin Comics by Jim Starlin Comics by J. M. DeMatteis Comics by John Byrne (comics) Comics by Roger Stern Comics by Roy Thomas Comics by Stan Lee Comics by Steve Gerber Comics by Warren Ellis Defunct American comics Marvel Comics graphic novels Marvel Comics lines Superhero comics