The graphic novelbook-length comicsbegan to gain attention after Will Eisner popularized the term with his book A Contract with God (1978). The term became widely known with the public after the commercial success of Maus, Watchmen, and The Dark Knight Returns in the mid-1980s. In the 21st century graphic novels became established in mainstream bookstores and libraries and webcomics became common.
The popularity of the Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns and what other comic helped popularize "graphic novel" as a term?
Maus