International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 8 Issue 11, November 2018, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us , Email: editorijmie@gmail.com Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell‘s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A 527 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us , Email: editorijmie@gmail.com Innovating the Narrative: A study into the emerging genre of Graphic Journalism Dr. Syeda Afshana * Heeba Din ** Abstract: The rise of visual culture and subsequent demise of print culture has raised many questions with regard to both the future of journalism as well as political cartooning. However examples of award winning and critically acclaimed journalistic comic books like Joe Sacco‘s ―Footnotes in Gaza‖, Art Spiegelman‘s ― Maus‖ and illustrated storytelling formats adopted by leading newspapers like New York Times; points to the emergence of new format of storytelling in Journalism- Graphic/comic Journalism. According to Dan Archer comic journalism or graphic journalism is an umbrella term that covers any approach using both words and images together as opposed to the conventional form of text with separate illustrations.Although visual narrative storytelling has existed for thousands of years, the use of comic as a media to cover real life events for news organizations is at a all time peak; highlighting both innovation in the format of storytelling as well as a much needed step taken to survive in the global visual culture. This study will aim to analyze this emerging genre of journalism and highlight the trend of using illustrative storytelling by leading news organization as a precursor to new and innovative format of journalism that is often referred to as future of journalism. The study will critically examine Joe Sacco‘s journalistic comic book, ― Footnotes in Gaza‖ a book based on the conversations with Palestinians in Rafah and the neighboring town of Khan Younis, interweaving the events of 1956 with the events in Rafah at the time of the interviews(the bulldozing of homes, the death * Sr. Assistant Professor, Kashmir University,Media Education Research Centre ** Doctoral Scholar, Kashmir University,Media Education Research Centre