What is the difference between a graphic novel and a comic?

A graphic novel is a long-form work in the comics form, usually with lengthy and complex storylines, and often aimed at mature audiences. In contrast to the familiar comic magazines, a graphic novel is typically bound using materials of more durable qualities, using a light card stock for softcover bindings or a heavier card for the hardback editions, enclosed in a dust jacket. Whereas a Comics is a form of visual art consisting of images which are commonly combined with text, often in the form of speech balloons or image captions. Originally used to illustrate caricatures and to entertain through the use of amusing and trivial stories, it has by now evolved into a literary medium with many subgenres.

Graphic novel is the term used to describe a series of individual issues of a comic book gathered into trade or hardcover format, or a longer length comic written specifically to be published as a graphic novel. Graphic novels tend to start at about 64 pages for shorter ones, up to 200-300 pages for longer ones. Most individual comic books are approximately 30-40 pages in length.

A comic strip is much shorter, and it's objective is obviously to make people laugh.

A graphic novel is told using comic strips as a medium. It's objective is to tell a story or get a point across.

Graphic novels are either a collection of smaller comics or meant to be a story in book form. Comics are smaller stories.

(My favourite graphic novel is Neil Gaiman's Sandman)

Graphic novel has one "c", comic has two.

Sorry, I'll get my coat.