‘Graphic novel’ is a term generally applied to refer to comic books which are aimed at a mature audience and are centred around mature and complex themes. Graphic novels are supposed to have better artwork and printing and binding. They can be published as original single-volume novels or compilations of previously published multiple-volume serialised stories. A collection of short stories (in comics) is also referred to as a graphic novel. Although a widely used term now, ‘graphic novel’ is more of a publisher’s and marketing term. As comics are generally associated with juvenile themes and adolescent readers, the term graphic novel indicates a departure from monthly disposable magazines to a permanent bookshelf collection. However, many of the foremost authors, like Alan Moore, say that they are fine with the term ‘comics’ and do not intend to be called graphic novelists. Acclaimed comics theorist Scott McCloud also remarks that a square binding and slick printing do not guarantee a creditable work of literature and that comics as an art form and a communication medium do not need the term graphic novel to prove their worth.