Comic books are published periodically (i.e., monthly, weekly, etc.), are usually inked in color, tell a story using sequential art and text, and are short in nature, 40 pages or less. Individual comic books are usually collected into short volumes. Most comics tend to focus on high action, which is why superheroes can be found in this category. 

A graphic novel is a standalone work or a collection of comics in a single work that encompasses a single or entire story arc. Graphic novels tend to be lengthy, printed in color, and often explore emotional themes, such as romance or coming of age. The story is told using sequential art and text, though it will likely have greater artistic and literary nuance when compared to a comic book.

A manga is a Japanese-style comic book or graphic novel. (Similar to manga are “manwa”, from South Korea, and “manhua”, from China.) Manga is read from right to left and inked in grayscale. Most manga are longer than a typical "Western" style comic book, but shorter than a typical graphic novel. Since manga are not separated between comics and graphic novels, they cover a wide variety of subgenres.