There are many debates about how to cite comics, graphic novels, etc. Traditional citation formats do not always include what typical comic, graphic novel, and manga fans value such as the artists and scriptwriter. These are some suggested ways to cite your sources. When selecting a citation format, keep in mind your audience and any restrictions (from your instructor or publisher).
Most follow the basic form as a book but special cases are explained below. See Section 5.5.12 of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers for more information.
Author’s last name, first name. Title of work. Publication city: Publisher, year. Medium of publication.
In a graphic novel, text and illustrations are intermingled. The entry in the works-cited list for a graphic novel entirely created by one person follows the same format as any other non-periodical print publication
Barry, Lynda. What It Is. Montreal: Drawn & Quarterly, 2008. Print.
For graphic novels created through collaboration, start with the person whose contribution is most relevant to your research, following it with a label identifying the person’s role. List other collaborators after the title in the order in which they appear on the title page, also with labels identifying their roles.
Pekar, Harvey, writer. The Quitter. Art by Dean Haspiel. Gray tones by Lee Loughridge. Letters by Pat Brosseau. New York: Vertigo-DC Comics, 2005. Print.
Robertson, David. 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga. Illus. Scott B. Henderson. Winnipeg: HighWater Press, 2012. Print.
(Illus is the abbreviation for illustrator)
If the graphic novel is part of a multi-volume work, you may add information about the series following the medium of publication.
Miller, Frank. Just Another Saturday Night. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books, 2005. Print. Vol. 6 of Frank Miller’s Sin City: Booze, Broads, & Bullets.
Content adapted from http://www.comicsresearch.org/CAC/cite.html
See Section 5.7.9 of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers for more information.
Lastname, Firstname. “Name of comic.” Comic Strip. Source of Comic. Date comic published. Print.
Gross, Sam. Cartoon. New Yorker. 23 May 2011: 28. Print.
McDonnell, Patrick. "Mutts." Comic strip. San Francisco Chronicle. 25 June 2011: E7. Print.
Krahulik, Mike and Jerry Holkins. “Penny Arcade.” Web Comic. Penny-arcade.com. 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.
This post by the APA describes how they recommend citing children's books and other illustrated works
Author, A. (Year). Series: Story Name, vol(no) (A. Author, Illus.). Publisher.
Straczynski, J. M. (2007). Thor: Special Delivery, 3(5) (O. Coipel, & M. Morales, Illus.). Marvel Comics.
This blog post by Dr. Travis Langley describes his recommendations for citing comic books and graphic novels.
Series or graphic novel title issue number if any (year, month/season if identified). "Story title if any." Script: Writer(s). Art: Penciller(s), inker(s). Publisher.
Thor vol 3 #5 (2007, December 28). "Special Delivery." Script: J. M. Straczynski. Art: O. Coipel, & M. Morales. Marvel Comics.