Three Kid Friendly Comic Books

The comics industry, and its fans, have spent a lot of time and energy hammering home the message that comics ‘aren’t for kids.’ And this is undoubtedly true about a great deal of titles. Which is why parents might find it difficult to judge which Spiderman or Superman title is appropriate for their child – and very often the answer is ‘none of them’. Sure, there are age ratings on the covers of all comic books these days, to help navigate the minefield of violence, nudity and strong language, and there is definitely a lot to be said for vetting your children’s reading material, but there are other comics which are aimed squarely at the kid market, and which are just as enjoyable for the adults reading along.

Tiny Titans

I love Tiny Titans, and so do my three-year-old sons. It’s not often a comic book can boast having such a wide range of age groups as fans. The stars of the book are childhood versions of DC’s Teen Titans characters, with occasional cameos by some of the grown up heroes, such as Batman and Aquaman, but only from the chest down. Everything is told from a child’s perspective, and while that’s hardly a new phenomenon (just look at Peanuts for more of the same), it’s an integral part of the series’ charm. So too is its affectionate parody of DC continuity which is the reason I love it so much, with my favourite being an issue in which the Titans had to unexpectedly do their final exams and which was called Finals Crisis (which, for the uninitiated is a reference to DC’s Final Crisis event.)

This is a comic book that children can enjoy on its own merit, but it’s also an introduction to the DC universe as a whole (or what was the DC universe before the relaunch.) The characterisation is actually spot-on and the series avoids patronising its readers, while being cute and funny, and appealing to both boys and girls with its broad cast of characters. A truly light-hearted, entertaining read that can be enjoyed by seasoned comic fans and little newbies alike, and I simply can’t recommend it highly enough.

Tiny Titans graphic novel collections can easily be found online (try Amazon) and single issues are published every month and available at all good comic shops as well as online retailers.

Owly

Warning: Owly is dangerously cute. I’m not kidding. It’s ‘squee‘ cute. It’s a rather unique series too, in that it features barely any written dialogue but is loaded with charm and character. Written by Andy Runton, Owly is not actually available as monthly single issues, but rather, is published directly in graphic novel collections (which probably makes it more robust, as far as children are concerned – I know my sons have an alarming talent for mangling comic books!) However, like all good pushers, Top Shelf, who publish Owly, release single issues for Free Comic Book Day almost every year. (Free Comic Book Day is another great opportunity to introduce kids, and adults, to comics, and next year will feature titles like Peanuts and Yo Gabba Gabba.) And all of those free comics are available to read in PDF form on the official Owly website. That’s how they get you hooked!

Unsurprisingly, Owly is the star of the book, a kind and gentle owl who is set on doing good and making friends. What might sound like a slightly saccharine sweet book is actually heartfelt and captivating, and is especially suited for very young children who have yet to learn to read, or those with learning difficulties. The pictorial nature of the story means that they don’t have to rely on deciphering words to understand the story and enjoy the strong moral core of Owly and instill a lifelong love of books. And comic books 🙂

Owly books can be found at most bookstores as well as online retailers.

Super Dinosaur

Super Dinosaur sounds like the kind of thing that is aimed squarely at young boys, like Ben Ten or Generator Rex, but there is plenty here for all genders and all ages to enjoy. Written by Robert Kirkman, who also writes The Walking Dead comic book series, the series was apparently inspired by his five-year-old son. Super Dinosaur is basically the Iron Man of the dinosaur world – a sentient T-Rex wearing a kick ass suit of armour. His best friend is a little boy named Derek Dynamo and together, they try to defeat evil foe, Max Maximus. It’s a deceptively simple and run-of-the-mill premise which is absolutely packed with comic book action, suspense and gadgets galore. In some respects, it may seem a bit far-fetched and clichéd to older readers, but enjoying Super Dinosaur means letting go of your preconceived ideas of what’s hip or mature, and indulging in some good clean fun. Adult comic books, and traditional literature for that matter, could sometimes do with taking themselves less seriously, and that’s what Super Dinosaur is all about.

It may not have any alarming depth, but Derek and Super Dinosaur are characters that easily encourage empathy and reveal more about the heartfelt core of this series than any amount of emotionally complex storylines. Kids and adults will no doubt enjoy this book on very different levels, but I’m confident that enjoy it they will.

Super Dinosaur is currently on issue #6 of its first run, with all back issues available online at Comixology (which also has a free preview of issue #1.)

And if all of that leaves you wanting more, I also recommend Skottie Young’s Wizard of Oz books for Marvel, which are true to the Frank L. Baum version of the story rather than the movie. The art is quirky and unique and the books are a lot of fun. Perfect for introducing your kids to classic books before they can manage the novel form. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz is currently in single issue monthly form, but start with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz graphic novel and work your way through The Marvelous Land of Oz and Ozma of Oz to catch up. Both you and your kids will be enchanted.