Comic books are amazing! Not only are they fantastic for adult readers who love various genres, but comics are great for kids who are interested in reading or being read to. As my kids get older, comic books continue to be a constant presence in our home. They provide fun, meaningful stories that teach us many lessons: right from wrong, ways to cope with our feelings, and how to share and be kind; however, this past year has made it exceedingly difficult for having a proper in-store experience from our friendly neighborhood comic shop.
So, with what usually is Free Comic Book Day around the corner, I’m here to provide some excellent, kid-friendly comic book options that you can check out through your local shop for pick-up or find it online through ComiXology or another retailer. Well, how do you start when there are so many comic options out there in the world? Easy – I asked my kids to tell me what their favorite comic books are right now. Plus, I’ve added a few other selections, including those for teenagers and older kiddos.
I’ve also notated the suggested age ranges for each comic book, so you can monitor which comics might work for your kids.
Let’s get started!
ALL AGES AND 8 – 12 YEARS RATED CONTENT
Teen Titans Go! Volume 2: Welcome to the Pizza Dome
Writers: Sholly Fisch, Merrill Hagan, Amy Wolfram
Artists: Ben Bates, Jorge Corona, Lea Hernandez, Dario Brizuela, Jeremy Lawson
Colorists: Jeremy Lawson, Ben Bates, Lea Hernandez
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Cover Artist: Dan Hipp
Ages: 9+
You had my kids at pizza. One of the things my daughter Adelaide asked for this past Christmas was comic books, and on that list was Teen Titans. She received the Teen Titans Go! boxed set, but Volume 2 is her current favorite amongst them.
I kid you not when I say that every night since Christmas, she’s pointed out something from one of these comics. That’s some amazing storytelling when you can keep a child’s attention with wild facial expressions and amazing lettering which highlights someone’s anguish, such as, “NNNOOOOOOOO!” Adelaide is constantly laughing whenever she points out something new (or not new) to me.
If she had her pick, she would definitely be Raven. Plus, Teen Titans Go!: Welcome to the Pizza Dome has an epic staring contest, a battle for the last pizza slice, and both of my kids always laugh when they see what happens to Robin’s costume after he meets his “adoring fans.”
Check out available purchase options here.
Leon: Protector of the Playground
Creator, Writer, and Artist: Jamar Nicholas
Additional Art, Colors, and Letters: Raen Ngu
Book Design: John Gallagher
Ages: All Ages
I was fortunate to talk to and meet Jamar Nicholas at Baltimore Comic-Con 2018. Not only did the artwork stand out as something my kids would love, it’s a phenomenal story about navigating school and life with common sense as a major super power. Although this story was a gift for both Adelaide and Marshall, it has rarely left Marshall’s room. It’s been a bedtime hit. First, before reading on his own, Marshall could flip through and see the wonderful illustrations of fun villains, while Leon saves the day. Now, that he’s reading on his own, he takes his “books with bedtime” to read through the chapters.
Leon: Protector of the Playground is a great way to show kids responsibility. One can take the high road when it comes to bullies, while cleaning up after oneself is an important lesson to learn early and often. Plus, it’s always important to learn that teamwork might even come from those we least expect it – and what better way is there to make new friends.
Nicholas’ Leon: Protector of the Playground won the 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity, and also earned the 2018 Glyph Comic Award for Best Writer. Plus, Jamar Nicholas was exceedingly kind with his time and even signed his graphic novel for my kids, which will always be a very special thing for this dad. He wrote: “To Marshall and Adelaide! Follow your light.”
Check out available purchase options here.
Scooby-Doo’s Greatest Adventures
Creators: Various
Ages: 9+
If you want to know how my daughter became intrigued with Teen Titans Go!, it’s from an advertisement in this collector’s edition that celebrates 50 years of Scooby-Doo. This massive book has 23 comic book stories all-in-one, and both of my kids have relentlessly traded this one back and forth since the day we got it. If one has it, the other one has to have it, which has turned into a great way for my kids to practice sharing.
Not only is Scooby-Doo an excellent franchise, my kids have learned to love something together while learning to let each other take turns. There were many nights that one would come to the other’s bedroom at bedtime to say, “Here you go, Adelaide. You can have this tonight.” This happened from both kids, and it was immediately followed up with a “Thanks!”
Although I’m not describing the internal workings of this collector’s edition, it’s safe to say that my kids’ enthusiasm for this thing is all you need to know. They love it!
Check out available purchase options here.
Scooby-Doo 50th Anniversary Giant #1
Creators: Various
Ages: 9+
Yes, Scooby-Doo and the gang have made the list twice. That’s how much my kids adore these characters. This 100-page comic book includes nine stories with all of the magnificent hijinks that make my kids laugh. There are plenty of spooky things that go bump in the night with this comic. If your kids love classic monsters like mummies or chasing down ghost stories, then this will be a big hit for them.
Check out a preview of this comic book and then see if it’s available at your local comic shop.
The Cardboard Kingdom
Creator, Artist, and Co-Writer: Chad Sell
Writers: Jay Fuller, David DeMeo, Katie Schenkel, Kris Moore, Manuel Betancourt, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Cloud Jacobs, Michael Cole, Barbara Perez Marquez
Ages: 8-12
I picked this 2019 Eisner Award nominee for Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12) as a favorite of mine from the kids’ collection of comics, because there are so many positive messages that are expressed in The Cardboard Kingdom. Not only is imagination a wonderful thing, one in which I’m thankful to see my kids partake in, it’s a fantastic way to deal with a difficult world that kids have to navigate.
Playing dress up, using cardboard as crowns, weapons, or entire cities is a wonderful way for kids to connect with one another. They let their dreams come to life, and regardless of what anyone else thinks, their play time represents something they want in the world. Whether it’s a place of acceptance from peers, protecting one’s family from a difficult divorce, or figuring out just how to be a kid when an older generation might not understand what’s going on within ourselves.
This is a heartfelt, beautifully drawn story with many layers that will help kids identify with growing up. If a boy wants to dress up as a powerful sorceress to be “Magical. And powerful. And amazing,” then that’s exactly what he should be. The powerful messaging that highlights parents’ understanding, and sometimes misunderstanding, lets us see that communication is also a gigantic part of parenting, and loving our kids for exactly who they are is always number one.
Check out available purchase options here.
Primer
Writers: Thomas Krajewski, Jennifer Muro
Artist: Gretel Lusky
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Editor: Jim Chadwick
Ages: All Ages
Last, but definitely not least, in my all-ages selections of comics for you to check out is Primer. Although I recently reviewed this on its own, and you can check out that review here, I would be crazy to leave it off of this list. It is that good of a story.
My kids have already spent a good portion of the past few weeks flipping through the pages. This unique superhero tale is filled with fun characters, genuine themes relevant to a young teenager, and a story that will resonate with your kids. Ashley Rayburn is the main character, and she is the reason to hold onto stories. Good characters are worth rooting for, and it’s why comic book fans always hope to see more from those they love. Ashley Rayburn is that character.
Your kids will enjoy Primer, and they will hope for more just like I do. Again, read more of my thoughts on Primer for a detailed review.
Check out available purchase options here.
TEENS AND OLDER RATED CONTENT
Now, let’s get into some comic books that are more appropriate for an older audience, which means my kids (ages 6 and 8) have not made nor read these selections. Although, my kids might be ready for Skyward much sooner than later.
Skyward Volume 1: My Low-G Life
Writer: Joe Henderson
Artist: Lee Garbett
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Editor: Rick Lopez, Jr.
Ages: 12+
Pure adventure. Skyward, a 2019 Eisner Award nominee for Best New Series, has three volumes, but once you read one, you’ll be off and running. Well, in this case, floating. This story follows Willa Fowler and a planet that’s lost its hold on gravity. This low-g planet now allows its people to fly, but don’t go jumping without a tether or an accelerant to blast you back to the ground. Otherwise, you’ll soon reach the upper atmosphere with no room to breathe.
Skyward is super fun with a charismatic main character that I know my kids will enjoy reading when they’re a little bit older.
Check out available purchase options here.
Something Is Killing the Children: Volume 1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Werther Dell’Edera
Colorist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Andworld Design
Ages: 15+
Something Is Killing the Children is an amazing story, with dark and terrifying corners that will haunt you after you close its pages. It’s brilliantly scary – and that description could be given to its main character Erica Slaughter. She hunts and kills monsters, and she has enough attitude to make you know she’s not to be messed with.
This well-crafted comic book, a 2020 Eisner Award nominee for Best New Series, is perfect for teens and adults alike who have grown up loving mysterious and deadly things that go bump in the night (or the woods). It’s the type of story that becomes a new favorite as soon as you’re done.
Check out available purchase options here.
Chew Volume 1: Taster’s Choice
Writer and Letterer: John Layman
Artist and Colorist: Rob Guillory
Ages: 17+
Imagine being a police office and taking a bite out of crime. Well, in this case, I mean quite literally. Tony Chu is someone who can learn everything there is to know about the thing he’s just ingested. From pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, or you know, whether or not a serial killer is in the kitchen after eating some soup where said killer’s blood landed in it.
This weird and violent mystery thriller is bloody wild – and the idea of chewing on someone’s mangled flesh to solve a case is delightfully quirky and gory. Depending on your taste in stories, just add salt, close your eyes, and take a big bite of Chew, and you’ll be just fine.
Chew won the 2010 Eisner Award for Best New Series, and later won the 2011 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series.
Check out available purchase options here.
Farmhand Volume 1: Reap What Was Sown
Creator, Writer, and Artist: Rob Guillory
Colorist: Taylor Wells
Letterer: Kody Chamberlain
Ages: 17+
What if Night of the Living Dead was kind of a thing? Farmhand and its farmer, Jedidiah Jenkins, resurrect the near dead with homegrown body parts. This is another tale that children should not get their hands on, but older teens and their parents are sure to enjoy, especially if they have a bit of a green thumb.
Farmhand presents several puzzle pieces that slowly come together through all three volumes, while family and small-town dynamics generate a lot of tension and uncertainty. Above all else, when things start to fall apart, who can you trust? This is an intriguing story, and it brings up a question for all readers: How far are you willing to go to save those you love and the world?
Check out available purchase options here.
The Woods Volume 1: The Arrow
Creator and Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Dialynas
Colorist: Josan Gonzalez
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Ages: 17+
Do you have a series where you wish you could read from the start without having read it before? The Woods and all of its nine volumes definitely count in that category for me. This otherworldly adventure phenomenally achieves what life looks like, including the very best and worst of us, when a school gets transported to another world. There are deadly alien creatures upon arrival, and despite thinking things can’t get worse, this new world will show these teenagers what they’re truly up against.
While I read this series, and confirmed after finishing, The Woods is one of my all-time favorite series. The bonds of friendship are tested within this series, while seeds of self-doubt permeate throughout. The Woods is a series where you will feel the big moments when they happen, and as you read, you want to know what happens next. Start with Volume 1 and you’ll be hooked!
The Woods won the 2016 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book.
Check out available purchase options here.
What do you think of this list of kid-friendly and teen and up selections? Would you like to see more comic book coverage on the Geeky Parent Guide? If so, like this article and don’t forget to share it with all of your geeky friends on Facebook and Twitter.
Until next time, happy parenting and happy geeking.
