def initial_graph_properties(rlist, qlist):
    """Initial processing of sequence names for
    network construction.

    Args:
        rlist (list)
            List of reference sequence labels
        qlist (list)
            List of query sequence labels

    Returns:
        vertex_labels (list)
            Ordered list of sequences in network
        self_comparison (bool)
            Whether the network is being constructed from all-v-all distances or
            reference-v-query information
    """
    if rlist == qlist:
        self_comparison = True
        vertex_labels = rlist
    else:
        self_comparison = False
        vertex_labels = rlist +  qlist
    return vertex_labels, self_comparison