Marvel Enterprises, Inc. , the New York-based comic book publisher that has been active since 1939, plans to introduce new lines of modernized comics. The series started with the recently debuted Ultimate Spiderman . A line of comics entitled Ultimate X-Men debuted in December in a bid to attract younger fans who have been absent from the comic book scene for years. That's how a lot of kids got into comics. Another way in which comic book publishers hope to breathe new life into the failing industry is through the use of graphic novels, which have been enjoying greater success than comic books.
Graphic novels are books in comic book format, many dealing with more adult subject matter.
Some are written in a more personal tone. Still, many graphic novels include traditional superhero stories, but they are longer than an average comic book. DC Comics , the creator of Superman and Batman, currently is putting out the majority of superhero-oriented graphic novels. They're more emotionally oriented. Graphic novelists often worry less about making a profit than regular comic book publishers because the subject matter is more personal, more serious.