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Every Wednesday is new comic book day and today we’re taking a look at the new all age comics this week.  Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 6 at your local comic book store. This Thursday, May 4 is Star Wars Day, also known as May The Fourth Be With You. That’s a lot going on in the pop culture world this week, but we’ll make sense of it. There are lots of great all age comics that will be given away as part of Free Comic Book Day and we’ll go over those later. For now let’s take a look at five all age comics that might fly under your radar, merit a second look or is a go-to classic.

Pix

Pix, One Weirdest Weekend was re-released earlier this month is probably one of the 10 best graphic novels in 2017. That is unless Pix Too Super for School takes its place. Pix is a character created by Gregg Schigiel that is entirely modern, part pixie princess with all the teen troubles that kids have today. It’s also jammed with action, has timeless art and will appeal to boys or girls aged 8 or up.

The Pink Panther Super Special

The Pink Panther Super Special is a summer one-shot issue that celebrates the pink fellow that kids love.  Ages 5 and up will enjoy this comic book, they might need some help with the words, but for the most part this is a wordless wonder that’s heavy on super humor.

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt is from Tundra Books and a great example of a kid’s first graphic novel. It’s simpler than Captain Underpants and slightly more complex than Sandra Yoon’s books with big art, happy illustrations and large font words. This is manic happiness that will entertain pre-K kids through third grade

Real Friends

Real Friends by Shannon Hale with illustrations by LeUyen Pam is the graphic novel as more than some people think it is. This is a graphic novel that wears its feeling, hearts and emotions in every word and illustration in the book. It’s a story about teens making friends, being mean, discovering themselves, helping others and not repeating bad decisions. The subtitle to the graphic novel is A true story about cool kids and crybabies and it’s the true story about a period of Shannon Hale’s life. She felt called to write this when she saw her children going through the same things that she did. Real Friends is about friends and has moments of kids being cruel, but it’s also imaginative and ultimately hopeful.

5 Worlds, The Sand Warrior  

5 Worlds, The Sand Warrior is an original graphic novel from Random House that is a large scale collaborative effort between five authors and illustrators. The book feels incredibly multi-layered because of that when you look at the art. Its different styles help tell the story of foreign worlds, queens, monsters, friends and a mysterious greater goal that is guiding our three heroes. 5 Worlds is a dreamy science fiction story, with a fable twist that will appeal to readers 8 and up.

Graphic novel, all age comics, comic books, free comic book day, new comic book day, Pix, pink panther, the pink panther super special, super narwhal, super narwhal and jelly jolt, real friends, Shannon hale, 5 worlds, 5 worlds the sand warrior,

There are a couple great all age comics out this week, but mainly it’s the graphic novels that get attention with Pix, 5 Worlds, Real Friends and more.

 

Humor

Superhero

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May 6 is Free Comic Book Day at your local comic book store. You should plan ahead to see if they’ll be having any special events, such as giveaways, games or artist signings. Just because there are lots of free options next week doesn’t mean that this week is a bust for new all age comics. One of the best original graphic novels in months is out, as are two go-to titles and some very dependable comic books that’ll hook ages as young as 5. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.

Scooby Doo Team Up #25

Of the two all age Scooby comic books Scooby Doo Team Up is our favorite. It has the gang teaming up with various DC Comics superheroes to tackle ghosts and other things that the kids can meddle in. In issue #25 Green Arrow and Green Lantern team up with the Scooby gang.

Kid Savage

From the cover on Kid Savage one might question if it’s OK for kids. It features a purple skinned cave-boy with orange eyes and claws, he looks quite savage. For kids aged 7 and up who like action and science fiction, Kid Savage will be their next best book friend. Kid Savage is an original graphic novel that   reminds adults of the fun that they had when they first read a great graphic novel or comic book.  For young readers they’ll imagine that their family is stranded on an alien planet or that they are the lone survivor of his race fighting dinosaurs. The only image in the book that might bother young readers is that of a decapitated dinosaur. Otherwise this is a great book with family lessons, action, creativity and a character that readers will welcome more of.

Steven Universe #3

Silly fun? Check. Tie-in to a well known show that middle school students love? Check. Steven Universe is now monthly and fans who like the television show or the mini-series will immediately love this friendly comic book. The content is good for any age, but only those in upper elementary and up will understand the humor or some of the bigger words. In a way, Steven Universe is a home spun, science fiction free version of Lumberjanes. Speaking of which….

Lumberjanes #37

Lumberjanes is one of the go-to all age comics for ages 7 and up. It’s weird, funny, teaches the value of friendships, rock and roll, Mermen and summer camp.

Voltron Legendary Defender Volume 2, #1

Volume 1 of the Voltron mini-series was great fun and mirrored the quality that went into its Netflix show. Voltron Legendary Defender Volume 2, #1 a very sharp comic book with lots of robots, heroes, teamwork, action and villains. Netflix has committed to six seasons of this character and it’s a good guess that the comic book will follow along. That’s a good thing as this comic book is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Those younger readers will need help with the vocabulary, but the action (and there’s plenty of it) will be great for them.

Humor

Superhero

Action/science fiction

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It’s just over three weeks until Free Comic Book Day. That is May 6^th at your local comic book store where they’ll have lots of free all age comics, they’re new, some are full size, some are mini-comics and each store will probably limit you to 5 per customer. So what’s new this week for young readers? Two of our favorite all comics are out this week, as are lots of superheroes and the final issue of a really cool princess series. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.

Mega Princess #5

It’s a princess tale where she saves the frogs who had previously been princes. Mega Princess is from Boom! Studios and is loaded with laughes, goofy action, just enough evil to latch in older readers who will enjoy this series. This is issue #5, the final one in this mini-series and is appropriate for ages 5 and up.

Dark Horse Presents Volume 3, #33

Too Much Coffee Man made us do it. Dark Horse Presents Volume 3, #33 is an anthology with six short stories from creators that few kids will know, but adults will appreciate. This comic is for teens, but it’s worth mentioning due to Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler. This comic is in the same league as Life In Hell because its droll, effective humor and variety in presentation. Adults will love the humor in this character if they’re not already familiar with him.

Justice League Power Rangers, #4

This is easily one of the best all age comics of the year. The action that happens in Justice League Power Rangers is OK for ages 6 and up, with vocabulary that age 7 and up will be able to read on their own. It’s also refreshing to see the Power Rangers hold their own with a franchise that often steals their limelight

Teen Titans Go!

The Titan’s tower has been condemned and Control Freak is up to no good. Where can the team hold up? Our 5 and 7 year old kids love this show and the comic book. Teen Titans Go! is only $2.99 and from DC Comics

Jim Henson’s Power of the Dark Crystal

Jim Henson’s Power of the Dark Crystal will most likely not be your child’s favorite all ages comic. However, it is one of the best all age comic books. This is a 12 issue, fantasy mini-series from Boom! Studios that will be attractive to middle Earth kids who are 10 or older. The art in this comic is top notch and one that fans of the Dark Crystal will immediately bond with.

The music from Free Music Archive that’s used in this week’s podcast is from Julie Maxwell’s Piano Music. She also does some cosplay, translates Japanese, is a photographer and entrepreneur. Now-on with this week’s all age comics!

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Gird your loins because Free Comic Book Day is just over three weeks away. It’s the first Saturday in May, which falls on the sixth this year and it’s a chance to get free comics. We’ll have more on that in the coming weeks. That is worth mentioning because there are lots of great all age comics that are available for new comic book day, which is every Wednesday, as well as Free Comic Book Day. There are new comics and graphic novels that will appeal to readers aged 5 and up. We’ll also take a look at two titles that will interest and be appropriate for teen readers. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.

The Amazing Crafty Cat

The Amazing Crafty Cat is an original graphic novel that looks like the cutest thing we’ve seen in a while. Girls will enjoy this book more than boys, mainly because it’s the story about a little girl that uses crafts to get herself out of problems. Her alter ego, who can craft like nobody’s business is The Amazing Crafty Cat. Expect fun for ages 4-9, the older ones will able to read it by themselves, while the younger ones will need assistance as a good night book.

Spongebob Comics: Silly Sea Stories

Spongebob Comics is one of the go-to all age comics that you can pick up any month. Spongebob Comics: Silly Sea Stories is volume 1 of previously released classic stories from under the sea. These stories vary in their length, artwork and presentation. Some will be as short as one page, whereas others might be 13 pages. The variety in these stories is what really makes Spongebob Comics fun. This is art in all age comics that will help young readers accept different interpretations of things that they are familiar with. You’ll still have trouble with them eating their vegetables.

Guardians of the Galaxy

There are two Guardians of the Galaxy comic books out this week. Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy is the one that’s great for ages as young as 5. This is action, humor and at only $2.99 it’s a treat for the wallet too.

My Little Pony: Legends of Magic

My Little Pony is one of the classic all age comics. Legends of Magic is a new title featuring My Little Pony. This is back to basics Equestria with new stories, classic characters and back story that old fans don’t know. Most importantly, it’s a great jumping on point for new readers, written by Jeremy Whitley who has done MLP, in addition to his own creations for years.

Disney Princess Comics

This graphic novel is for the girls. Disney Princess Comics Collection Volume 2 collects issues 5-8 of the monthly Disney Princess series from Joe Books. Name any Disney Princess and they’re in here, these are funny stories that ages 5 and up will laugh at.

 

 

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New comic book day is every Wednesday and in that lot are dozens of graphic novels or all age comics that are great for young readers. These comic books have a wide variety of topics and will interest reluctant readers to those kids that already love to read and simply need something new.  Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.

Bart Simpson graphic novel: Suckerpunch

Simpsons Comics and their spinoff comics like Bart Simpson are easily some of the best, most consistently entertaining all age comics that you’ll see in comic book stores. They’re filled with bright, vivid colors, silly stories and humor that will be appropriate for ages 5 and up. That age will not understand most of the jokes, but they’ll love the colors, physical gags and reading with you. Slightly older readers (like our 7 year old, as well as me….) will laugh out loud at the stories.

Disney Pixar Cars #2

Name a major Disney property and there is a comic book out there for it.* Disney Pixar Cars #2 is out this week and will light up the interest level for fans of that franchise. As a comic book it left us feeling a little flat because it consists of several short stories that end up with a pun at the end. Don’t get us wrong, we love a good pun and the characters in Cars are easy to love. However, the art is a bit too cartoonish and the short stories won’t draw in young readers for a repeat lap. Our 7 year old wasn’t a fan, but his 5 year old brother did like looking at the pictures and having it read to him.

*The fact that The Incredibles doesn’t have a comic book companion is criminal.

Super Sons #2

We were skeptical of the first issue of Super Sons. However, it wasn’t that bad and I can see ages 8 and up enjoying this story about the sons of Batman and Superman joining forces. It’s loaded with realistic action, but is toned down relative to the comic books that star their famous fathers.

Doctor Who: T is for Tardis

Doctor Who is one of the great all age comics. Doctor Who: T is for Tardis is an alphabet book for Whovians and their parents. A is for Angel and so forth, it’s presented in retro style and is an alphabet book that you’ll read far beyond the learning age of A, B, C.

Deep #3

Deep is a great example of a comic that doesn’t skimp on action and presents family bonding in a way that anyone will enjoy reading. The Nekton Family are undersea explorers, meeting all manner of dangerous creatures, exploring sibling rivalries, some STEM skill and having fun. It’s OK for ages 5 and up, but they’ll require some help reading it. Ages 7 and up can read it on their own and will have a kick of a time in this very fun mini-series from Boom! Studios.
Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction