Graphic Novels in College Freshman English Courses

One of my nephews is currently reading the graphic novel V for Vendetta. He's winding down his second semester, first year as a college freshman. I'm not too thrilled with the fact that Freshman English classes now seemingly have to use graphic novels (graphic in this case meaning not violence, which is, of course, in this novel--in this case it equates to "comic book-like" presentation) to keep evidentially the interests of readers in a world rapidly doing away with many "old school" texts. I wonder if we are "dumbing down" our younger generations, or have they become so disinterested in using their own imaginations that the interest has to be presented in a Freshman class.
  Don't get me wrong, this has a very formidable storyline, reminiscent of other dystopian novels of a genre which is usually bleak in nature. I know this particular graphic novel has been made into a film. Not sure how well it did as a film, because initially the premise did not appeal to me. Now that I know more about the premise it is interesting, but I'm still not certain it should be a novel taught to first year college students. Perhaps it would be better to have a special studies course at an upper level devoted to several graphic novels of this caliber and quality, even though there's still that nagging thought of "dumbing down" older students.
    I can think of several good graphic novels I have read, probably the first being Maus, followed by a sequel, and Persepolis, Also in two parts. Barefoot Gen, similar to Maus, is autobiographical and about survival in wartime. Perhaps I'm just jaded by remembering my Freshman English year having to read a Hemingway novel and The Hobbit. Neither of which I cared for that year.