Distinguishing graphic novels from traditional comic strips—a term popularized by Will Eisner in 1978 to describe more complex, book-length narratives. It also notes that visual storytelling has roots in ancient cave drawings and medieval tapestries.

Structurally, the graphic novel relies on a unique interplay between text and image. This is often referred to as "sequential art." Unlike a traditional novel, where the author provides descriptive prose to set the scene, a graphic novelist must decide how much information to show and how much to tell. The reader plays an active role, using "closure" to fill in the gaps between panels. This cognitive process turns the reader into a co-author of the narrative, interpreting the silent action that occurs in the "gutter"—the white space between the panels.