OK, I just gotta ask--when did comic books turn into "graphic novels"? Is there a difference between the two?
In the most basic sense, a "comic book" is a single issue, and a "graphic novel" is a complete work printed in its entirety. These meanings, of course, tend to become nebulous because the method for publishing and printing illustrated comics isn't so cut and dry.
For example, "comic book" can refer to a continuing series consisting of many issues, probably because you can always count on an issue of
whatever to be on the stands.
Likewise, a series often becomes a "graphic novel" when the many issues are compiled into a collection.
Watchmen is a prime example: it was originally released as a 12-issue miniseries, with each issue released on a monthly basis. Later, it was collected into the book you can purchase today.
Generally, collections of ongoing series are called "trade paperbacks" instead of "graphic novels," considering that the story continues. However, I can't imagine that if ever DC Comics decided to release the entire collection of
Superman comics from beginning to end, we could call it a "graphic novel."
Of course, the term "comic book" will probably always be used colloquially for any kind of illustrated comic serial published in the familiar 24-page, 7.5" x 11" booklet format, adding further fuel to the confusion fire.