Category: Podcasts

This week is similar to last year’s week after Thanksgiving and is absolutely packed with all age comic books. There are lots of go-to comic books, as well as, some nice ‘new’ all age comic books that might not be on your radar. In the podcast and on YouTube we’ll chat about some cool ‘life’ comics like Archie and Fence, the classics like Looney Tunes, Scooby, explain why Moongirl is rated T and more. For now, let’s look at three comic books that will entertain readers as young as 5 years old.

Spider-Man

This is our favorite comic book of the week for many reasons. A. It’s Spider-Man and kids want to love Spider-Man, his friends and villains. B. This version is one of the all age comic books that anybody can pick up and read. It’s a special publishing venture between Marvel Comics and IDW Publishing that puts Spider-Man, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy in the same school to take down baddies. This monthly series will be great for those in middle elementary school and up.

 

Pink Panther: Classic Christmas

If you have a kid 6 -years-old or higher they’ll love this comic book series. They might know the character from the relatively recent cartoons, maybe they know the classics or they might even think it’s an advertising icon for insulation. We were quite shocked when our child that age read and loved this comic book. It’s great, simple fun with more art than words and will be comfort food for the early elementary school set. Bonus: this issue is all Christmas, with a couple appearances of The Inspector to boot.

 

Atomic Robo: Greatest Hits

Atomic Robo is a great comic book series from IDW Publishing. Its content is OK for any age, but the reading level is such that middle elementary school age kids-who like science or dinosaurs, will love it. I figure most kids will love either one of those two, so this is a safe bet. This issue celebrates ten years of Atomic Robo and is only $1. Get on the train, this is a fun, smart comic book that’s one of those that swim below the surface.

Humor

Superhero

Action/science-fiction

It’s a great week in all age comic books. Over on Youtube and in the podcast we’ll talk about why Unbeatable Squirrel Girl has the rating it does from Marvel Comics, a three-pack of books that first graders will love and a cross over mini-series that sees Star Trek and Transformers go into battle. For now, let’s look at three great all age comic books that will be appropriate for elementary school and older.

Minions

Why hasn’t a Minions comic book existed before now? That’s a logical question and one that has entries before, but they’ve been as a mini-series. Minions are back on Titan Comics and this is the stuff that will hit the sweet spot of kids in first grade through elementary school and beyond.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is #2 of two in this mini-series. It features a new creative direction that’s overseen by the showrunners of current incarnation on television. This is all age action that boys will enjoy more than girls, but is appropriate for all.

Teen Titans Go TPB, Vol. 5, Falling Stars

We re-watched Teen Titans GO! To The Movies and it’s just as funny as the first time we saw. It’s arguably even funnier because we could listen for the jokes that we know that we missed. This monthly comic book from DC Comics is a homerun. Teen Titans Go TPB, Vol 5 Falling Stars has issues 25-30 of the all age comic book in one collected form. This is great as a gift or for reading yourself.

 

 

Humor

Superhero

Action/science-fiction

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Happy NCBD and this week has some great ones that will entertain all age comic book readers as young as 6. That is mainly due to one classic comic book about ponies, who are little, live in Equestria and can fly, we’re looking at you My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Over on  Youtube and in the podcast we’ll chat about Peanuts, Tiger vs. Nightmare, Steven Universe and more. Now let’s look at three comic books that will entertain a wide variety of readers in upper elementary school and up.

Doctor Who 13th, #1

The new doctor, Doctor Who, the 13^th Doctor, that’s who. Doctor Who 13^th, #1 is out and it’s the all new doc played by Jodie Whittaker. Some things are the same, but she’s got three new traveling companions and the TARDIS is still most certainly bigger on the inside. The content will be OK with upper elementary school kids, but might require too much reading and focus for some of them.

Ducktales, #14

Sometimes Disney’s Ducktales on IDW Publishing enter into a two-part story and this is the first part of one. Kids love Disney with a little more ‘edge’ and that’s exactly what Ducktales allows them. Younger readers will be attracted to the content-and it is OK for them to consume. However, the reading and vocabulary that’s required to fully enjoy Ducktales will be too much for those who aren’t in third grade to enjoy on their own.

Steven Universe Harmony #4

This past Halloween a couple of the really cool kids dressed as characters from Steven Universe. Steven Universe Harmony is a mini-series set in the Steven Universe world that’s worth exploring if you’re a fan of the Crystal Gems. This is a great television series (from Cartoon Network) and comic book from Boom! Studios. The content is OK for upper elementary school kids, but they might not appreciate it as much as they would if they were two grades older.

 

Humor

Superhero

Action/science-fiction

There is some delicious irony in having NCBD on Halloween. That means the week’s new all age comic books will be out on Halloween, so the kids will have to get to the store after school or postpone their visit until November 1. This week features a greater than normal number of books that will immediately hit elementary school kids in their wallet. There are also a couple of great comic books that will appeal (and be appropriate!) for readers as young as 6 years old! Really, check them out, dig into the podcast or Youtube version of this for more visual or audio fun.

Star Wars Adventures #15

If you have a reader who is 6 years or older and likes reading (or looking at cool) science-fiction then Star Wars Adventures is where you need to be. This is a monthly comic book from IDW Publishing that has everything a reader of that age expects from Star Wars, minus the Imperial back story and drama that slows down the films. Each issue has two stories. One story is more action-centric with characters that you’ll know and the other, much shorter story is funny and very light hearted.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid,  The Meltdown

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Meltdown arrives in stores this week. This is the 13^th book in this franchise behemoth from Jeff Kinney. Third graders and up will be chomping at the bit to buy this at their Scholastic Book Fair or ASAP from their local store.

Tangled Hair Raising Adventures #2

Tangled Hair Raising Adventures is a mini-series by IDW Publishing that sticks to the Rapunzel script and audiences love it. If you have a Disney fan who liked the film or a reluctant reader who liked that film have them check out this comic book. This is issue #2 of a three-issue mini-series. They can jump in now and look for the first issue or check out the complete trade paper back when all three are released in a month or two.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Wow. If the all age comic books were a meal then this week’s selection would be a buffet. Some weeks are certainly better and more packed with quality than others and this is one of the high weeks. From single issue comic books, collected books of comic strips and original graphic novels there is something for boys or girls as young as 5. Over in the podcast we’ll go deep on two Nightmare Before Christmas offerings, the latest in the Hazardous Tales series by Nathan Hales, Science Comics: The Brain, the 35^th collection of Adult Time comic strips and more. In the meantime here are three comic books that are well worth your money and reading time this week.

Simpsons Comics #245

Don’t get emotionally attached. Don’t get emotionally attached. I said this when Plants Vs. Zombies ended their comic book run also. With issue #245 Simpsons Comics ends its monthly run as one of the best all age comic books around. Much like Spongebob Comic ended last week, their publisher is taking a break. That’s a vague and possibly inspiring statement. Maybe they’ll be back with seasonal issues or new graphic novels, but for now catch the final issue of Simpsons Comics and see why it was so fabulous.

Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir TPB, Santa Claws

For our 9 year old Miraculous is the boomerang series. It keeps coming back. He loved it when he was 6, fell out of love for a year and then somewhere in the summer of his 8^th year he watched it again. The comic book follows an identical path to the series. Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Santa Claw is a trade paperback priced at $6.99. Santa get akumatized by Hawk Moth-can Lady Bug and Cat Noir save Christmas? Kids 5 and up who like Miraculous will really enjoy this and it’ll get them reading.

Star Wars Tales from Vader’s Castle #2 (of #5)

We’re big fans of Star Wars Adventures, the monthly series from IDW Publishing. From its title, Star Wars Tales from Vader’s Castle seemed like it would be too old for an all age title, but it’s not. Issue 1 was lots of fun and it put a nice, spooky touch on the Star Wars mythos. Star Wars Tales from Vader’s Castle is a weekly series in October. You can jump in on issue #2 this week or gather all of them in a collected edition in late November. This is a Star Wars vehicle that ages 5 and up will be OK with and older kids will enjoy it just as much. It doesn’t dumb down the content. Rather, it’s a great story with fabulous art, that doesn’t have to make the story older in order to attract an audience.

 

Humor

 

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

It’s almost Halloween and the spooky comic books really start hitting the shelves this week. There are also a large number of all age comic books and graphic novels out. Did you pick up any of the Halloween Comicfest Mini-Comics yet? We picked up a couple bags and if you haven’t gotten any yet you’ll want to do so quickly as they are moving very quickly. In the podcast we’ll talk about a great wrestling book for middle school readers, some great calendars, DC Super-Villains, Zita the Spacegirl Trilogy and more. For now though, here are three go-to all age comic books that will entertain readers as young as 5.

Disney Princess: Jasmine’s New Pet

Hot on the heels of the Aladdin teaser trailer with Will Smith comes this original long format comic book from Dark Horse Comics. Disney Princess, Jasmine’s New Pet is an all new story that fans of Aladdin will enjoy who are 5 and up. The art is more kid friendly than the art in Aladdin and the story has that classic Disney vibe. Jasmine’s new pet tiger Rajah is making a mess of the palace and the Sultan isn’t having any of it. Can she train Rajah in time before the Sultan makes the tiger take a hike?

Voltron: Legendary Defender, Vol 3., #4

Voltron: Legendary Defender is an ongoing comic book from Lion Forge that tracks closely to the series on Netflix. The art is gorgeous and the story is geared to those kids in upper elementary school and up. It deals with more ‘real’ things than you might expect, like how the kids interact with one another, problem solving and of course, lots and lots of massive robot action.

Impossible Incorporated, #2

Where are all the great all age comic books….some of you might say. Many of them are still here, they’re just presented as mini-series, which makes them slightly harder to find. Impossible Incorporated is a great all age mini-series. It’s from IDW Publishing and is a five-issue series that is jammed with action and fun. Fun. It’s a science-fiction story about family, giant Time Termites, action, great art and fun. This is great for boys or girls aged 8 and up.

Humor

 

Superhero

Action/science-fiction

Halloween is upon us this week for the new all age comic books! To an extent that is true at the Halloween Comicfest Mini-Comics hit stores this week. If you want to buy any of these you need to buy them quickly! They will sell out and the better, more action oriented all age comic books will be the first to go. They’re only $4.99 for a pack of 25, thus they’re great for Halloween or any large, kid group gathering. Over in the podcast we’ll talk about Sherman’s Lagoon, Batman Blank, Trollhunters and more. For now let’s look at three all age comic books that’ll be the jam for lots of young readers.

Halloween Comicfest Mini-Comics

The Halloween Comicfest Mini-Comics arrive this week! They’re a pack of 25 mini-comics, with a wide range of characters and interests that you can give out for Halloween, to your local school, Boy or Girl Scout Troop or whatever organization you fancy. Each pack is only $4.99 and will entertain readers as young as 5. This year you can get a Halloween Comicfest Mini-Comic package featuring Archie, Ghostfriends, Hollow Fields, Johnny Boo & The Spooky Tree, Nancy Drew, Over The Garden Wall, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Splatoon, Spookhouse, TMNT, Vamplets and Zo Zo Zombie.

Hint: buy them early. Some packages will sell out and stores may not have time to reorder before Halloween comes.

 

Batman Blank

A blank comic book. To some young or otherwise creative souls this will be like finding a package of yellow Peeps in the back of the cupboard two months after Easter. This is a chance for emerging artists, illustrators, story boarders, letters, colorists and the like to create your own DC work of art. This is a completely blank comic book on the inside and if Batman isn’t your jam  Superman and Wonder Woman are also releasing one this week.  For only $2.99 this is perfect for young Captain Underpants creators or those that want to unleash their inner comic book artist.

Star Wars Millennium Falcon Book and Mega Model

Do you have a Star Wars fan who is 7 or older? That’s a silly question, I know. Star Wars Millennium Falcon Book and Mega Model is a scale model of the classic ship. It’s made from very sturdy cardboard and is meant to withstand time. This is quite detailed and should take about one hour to fully assemble. Those younger builders will need some assistance, OK, twist my arm I’ll help you. To be certain that it stays in place, we always put a small line of glue as the slots go into one another. It also comes with a Star Wars book all about the ship that has activities, facts  and more.

 

 

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Happy new comic book day and this week we’re celebrating with some great and groovy all age comic books that will interest readers as young as 6. For the 5 year-old readers My Little Pony Ponyville Mysteries is out this week also. In the podcast we’ll talk about Star Trek, Star Wars, Amulet, Archie/Batman and more. For now though let’s look at three new all age comic books that will hammer home the joy of reading to those in second grade and up.

Looney Tunes #245

Looney Tunes is a great comic book series. It’s only $2.99 and each issue is funny, classic and OK for kids in elementary school and up. Some of the vocabulary might be too difficult for younger kids, but they’ll laugh at the pictures, know the characters and discover that reading is fun. Looney Tunes #245 has original stories with characters that everyone in your house knows.  If your child’s elementary school doesn’t have a subscription to this comic book they should because every kid in the school wants to read it.

DC Super Hero Girls, Search For Atlantis

The DC Super Hero Girls series of graphic novels are incredibly entertaining. It’s a look at the DCU girl heroes (and villains) as teen-aged girls who are at the same school. This is a graphic novel, all original and lots of fun for readers who are 7 and up.  Parents will also love their price point. DC Super Hero Girls, Search For Atlantis is only $9.99 if you buy it retail.

Blastosarus #2

The first issue of Blastosaurus far exceeded our expectations. Blastoaurus is about a crime fighting dinosaur and his new human friends. It has action, heart and humor that will surpass what your expectations are too. This is fun reading that captures just how cool and fun and all age comic book can be. Any age can read this and be thoroughly entertained. Blastosaurus #2 retails for $3.99 and can be found at your local comic book store.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction