A Contract with God is a graphic novel by American cartoonist Will Eisner published in 1978. The book''s short story cycle revolves around poor Jewish characters who live in a tenement in New York City. Eisner produced two sequels set in the same tenement: A Life Force in 1988, and Dropsie Avenue in 1995. Though the term graphic novel did not originate with Eisner, the book is credited with popularizing its use.