"Graphic-ness" in Graphic Novels

After reading some of our stories, I must say that I'm a little shocked to see the "graphic" material in some of these comics and the underlying message that the story sets forth. Pyongyang is especially graphic and really shows a world that I have never imagined. I am surprised that this is so widely accepted. Obviously, I realize that all forms of art have levels of maturity, but some of these forms of graphic novels seem to have unnessecary, inappropriate topics. Maybe my problem is that I am not from these cultures; therefore, have a hard time understanding what may or may not happen "in the sewer" so to speak. I guess if the point of your story is to get a rise out of people and shock them, then congrats to the author of Pyongyang.