First self-proclaimed graphic novels: 1976–1978 thumb|Bloodstar (1976) by Robert E. Howard and artist Richard Corben In 1976, the term "graphic novel" appeared in print to describe three separate works: Chandler: Red Tide by Jim Steranko, published in August 1976 under the Fiction Illustrated imprint and released in both regular 8.5 x 11" size, and a digest size designed to be sold on newsstands, used the term "graphic novel" in its introduction and "a visual novel" on its cover, predating by two years the usage of this term for Will Eisner's A Contract with God. It is therefore considered the first modern graphic novel to be done as an original work, and not collected from previously published segments. Bloodstar by Richard Corben (adapted from a story by Robert E. Howard), Morning Star Press, 1976, also a non-reprinted original presentation, used the term 'graphic novel' to categorize itself as well on its dust jacket and introduction. George Metzger's Beyond Time and Again, serialized in underground comix from 1967 to 1972,Beyond Time and Again at the Grand Comics Database. was subtitled "A Graphic Novel" on the inside title page when collected as a 48-page, black-and-white, hardcover book published by Kyle & Wheary.
first seLf-ProcLAimeD GRaphiC Novels: 1976–1978 thumb|bLooDstar (1976) by roberT e. howArd and artIst riChard cORben in 1976, The Term "grapHIc novel" APpeAReD in PrInt To dEScribe thrEe seParate workS: ChANdlEr: red tIdE by jIm sTERankO, puBLISHEd IN aUGusT 1976 undEr tHe FIctIon IllUstraTEd imprInt aND relEAsed in bOTh regULar 8.5 x 11" sizE, aND a digesT Size DesignEd tO BE soLd ON newsSTands, usEd the Term "grAphIc novel" in itS inTrOducTion And "a VisUAl novel" oN iTs cOver, PreDAting by two yeArS tHE Usage of tHiS TErM for will eIsNEr's a CoNtRacT witH god. it iS thEREfOre considerEd the first MOdErn graphIc novel To Be DOne as an oRiginal WORK, AnD noT coLlecTED from PrEviouSlY PUBLishEd seGments. bloodstar by riCHard corbEn (aDAPted froM a sToRY by rObert e. HowArd), morniNg stAr pRess, 1976, also a NOn-rePriNted ORiGINaL PresEntaTion, Used ThE tERm 'graphic NOvel' tO categorize itsElf as welL on ITs DuSt jacKeT aNd INTROduction. geoRGe mEtzGeR's beyONd tiMe ANd aGaIN, sERiaLizeD in undergRounD comix FrOM 1967 tO 1972,beyoND tIme AnD aGaIn at tHe graNd COMIcS dATabase. was subTITleD "A gRAphiC Novel" On ThE inSide titLe Page WhEn collecteD as a 48-page, black-anD-whiTe, HARdCoVeR bOok puBLishEd bY kyle & wHEary.