Why is A Contract with God often considered an important early American graphic novel?

Will Eisner’s A Contract with God, and Other Tenement Stories (1978) is widely regarded as a foundational work in the development of the American graphic novel for several key reasons:

• Popularization of the Term: While Eisner was not the first to use the phrase, his application of the term "graphic novel" to the cover of his book was instrumental in popularizing it and establishing it as a distinct literary genre.1
• Breaking Genre Molds: The work was pivotal in helping comics move beyond the traditional "funny" or superhero-centric formats that dominated the industry at the time.1
• Mature Narrative Focus: By presenting a series of connected short stories centered on the lives of poor Jewish characters in a New York City tenement, Eisner demonstrated a demand for more sophisticated, mature storytelling in the medium.21
• Artistic Innovation: Eisner utilized specific artistic choices, such as the use of sepia ink to evoke a nostalgic, old-fashioned atmosphere, which helped announce his individual style and elevated the literary quality of the work.21