all age comics | Page 5 of 9

Rust, Volume Two, Secrets of the Cell preview

Rust was one of the great graphic novels that I didn’t read. Things happened, I got distracted by shiny objects and other graphic novels popped up on my radar. The sequel to Rust, Volume Two, Secrets of the Cell is out and I understand the hype that surrounded the first one. Rust, The Secrets of the Cell is a graphic novel in the classic sense of the word. It provides the characters lots of space to breathe, tell their story and paces it in such a way that readers are rewarded with any perceived sparseness by a quality story with fabulous art. Rust is the story of a robot, a family, a mysterious stranger and programming cool robots. It’s great, full review coming later this week. For now though, check out some of the advance pages from the graphic novel.

Continue reading Rust, Volume Two, Secrets of the Cell preview

Disney PIXAR Cars #1, comic book is for the kids 8 and younger

Joe Books does a great job of transferring Disney characters into comic books. From their cinestory comics to the monthly titles for Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Vs. the Forces of Evil and more they really hit their niche with young or reluctant readers. Disney PIXAR Cars is one of the most popular licensed properties in the world so it’s not surprising that it finally make it to comic books.

And for young readers, aged 5-8 Disney PIXAR Cars will be a very fun comic book. It has all the characters that fans know from the films with Mater and Lightning present in every story. The comic book consists of several short stories that are 4-6 pages each. Each story takes place in a familiar territory like Radiator Springs or on a race track with Lightning.

Young readers will like the art, short stories and laugh at the appropriate times. However, readers 9 or older will get bored of the comic. Maybe it’s the length of each short story but they all end like an episode of Three’s Company. Someone says a pun, all the characters laugh and we end it with a shot of the credits.

Disney PIXAR Cars, the comic book is for those young Cars fans that want to read along to Radiator Springs. It’s not a particularly entertaining comic book and fans older than 9 will quickly figure that out.

New all age comics for March 15, 2017

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

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

New all age comics for March 8, 2017

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

What’s new in all age comics this week? There’s a graphic novel or two, trade paperbacks and single issue comic books to where there is something that will interest your young reader ages 5 and up. As a kid going to the book store to get a comic book after a doctor or dentist’s appointment was our reward. It was a Waldenbooks, remember that mall store? They had one of the largest racks of comic books in town. Comic book stores are our kid’s go-to doctor jam, to find the closest one to you check out the comic book store locator, now, on with the comics.

If your tween is watching Riverdale on the CW they might be interested Josie & The Pussycats #5 or Reggie and Me #3. Reggie is a five issue mini-series about the handsome prankster that is more for the established fans of the new Archie. Both of these series will skew younger than the TV show, so the comics would be appropriate for middle school students.

For the really young kids, ages 5 through 7, check out My Little Pony Deviations, Spongebob Comics #66, Darkwing Duck #8 or Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Saphire graphic novel are some of your best options for all age comics. That Pokemon book will also be of interest to kids through 11 years old and is a traditional graphic novel. I point out that difference because there are several Pokemon books that have no pictures.

Our overall favorite comic book this week is Justice League Power Rangers. Issue 3 of this 6 issue mini-series is out and it’s one of the best all age comics we’ve seen in a while. It’s OK for ages 5 and up, but those 7 and up will get the most out of it. It’s loaded with action, some great heroes, cool villains from the DCU and lots of morphin too.

Teen fans of anime and manga will be interested in reading One Punch Man graphic novel, volume 11. One Punch Man has a very large cult following in the U.S., but is a publishing juggernaut in Japan. He’s a chilled out, average looking guy, who is also a superhero able to defeat opponents with one punch. Factor in that he gets bored with the lack of competition, sub-par superheroes stealing his glory and you’ve got a wry character that’s somewhere between Deadpool, Spider-Man and Iron Fist.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

Best all age comics for January 18, 2017

It’s mid-January and what are some of the best all age comics for this week? Let’s channel The Spice Girls and I’ll tell you what you want, what you really, really want, especially if you’re a young reader looking for some girl power. There is a misperception in some circles that there aren’t many all age comic books geared for girls. That is false. There are loads of comics that are great for boys or girls and this week sees the trifecta of go-to comics aimed almost exclusively at girls.

My Little Pony #36 has the Guardians of Harmony rising to protect Equestria. It brings action and just a bit of conflict to everyone’s favorite horses. These next two titles have similar age interests, but each does it with varying amounts of humor and camp. Powerpuff Girls #6 has lots of humor, camp and the most action of any of these three series. Strawberry Shortcake, HC, Volume 2 Strawberry Noir is more mysterious, with the girls deepening their friendships while trying to grow her business and more. It collects issues 3-5 of the monthly Strawberry Shortcake series on IDW. Any of those series will appeal to any girls aged 5 and up. The reading will be easiest in My Little Pony, Powerpuff Girls, followed by Strawberry Shortcake.

In outside the radar comics that will be fun for teen audiences check out Kong of Skull Island. This is now a monthly series and has art inside each issue that tells King Kong sized stories of action, humans behaving badly and other monsters.

Is your kid looking for all age comics that are down with superheroes? It’s a good week for that with issue #3 of Super Powers from DC Comics in store. The art in this mini-series is from Art Batlazar and Franco, whose work makes them all but synonymous with great all age comics. This mini-series brings all the big guns from DCU into the fold, getting the Art and Franco treatment. Teen Titans Go! TBP Volume 3 Mumbo Jumbo collects issues 13-18 of this great series. Kids 6 and up will love this comic book as much as they dig the television show.

Rounding some of the high points for the best new all age comics this week are Simpsons Comics #23 and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science fiction

Best all age comics for January 11

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It’s technically not the first week of the year. However, with the kids back in school it feels like a new day and the new comic books this week reflect that. After last week’s very few new releases this week presents some gangbuster options for the best all age comics that’ll appeal to kids 4 and up.

Let’s get the ‘older’ comics out of the way first. And first up is one that’s old school indeed. Official Making of Little Trouble in Big China documents the inception and production this classic film. This is a full on book meant for adults, so it’s loaded with big words and lots of reading that kids 12 or under might not want to do. However, for fans of the film this is a must-read. It has hundreds of behind the scenes pictures, casting stories, interviews (both pre and post) with most of the stars and digs into the ideas that made up that gonzo film. As if you needed another excuse to see Big Trouble in Little China, this book will motivate you to watch it again.

The other comic book this week that is intended for teen audiences is Justice League Power Rangers 1. This six-issue mini-series brings together the Justice League and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers when one of the rangers is zapped to another universe thanks to sabotage on one of the teleporters. It’s a franchise that needs life meeting a franchise that’s got the wind at its back. Ages 13 and up will be fine for this comic book, having said that, ages 11 and up will want to read it and probably be OK with it.

Now for young readers aged 4 and up they have lots of super choices this week. There are Little Golden Books for Grumpy Cat, Wonder Woman, Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy. When I was a kid Little Golden Books meant lame tales about lost puppies in the mountains. No more as that series of books has a character or super hero that will accommodate the good-night assisted reading books, as well as, the young reader books.

A close cousin to them are the Step Into Reading and World of Reading books. Both of those series and new super hero oriented books out this week. They’re shaped more like a traditional book, rectangular in nature and might appeal to those young readers who are put off by the square Little Golden.

Digging into the best all age comics for the week sees a new series of Angry Birds Comics Game. Issue #1 is out and a new series simply means that it’s a fresh start for this surprisingly fun comic book that has contained stories in each comic. Spongebob Comics #64 has a Nyan Cat homage on the cover. This is a go-to comic each month and should be considered if you’re looking for something fresh to read.

Do you like your comics a big more along the fable lines? Issue 2 of Jim Henson Storyteller Giants brings a worldly view to giants. The art is some of the best you see in all age comics and the story is great for any age. Its subject matter probably won’t interest those under 10, but for those who want something that tells a great story you won’t do better than this.

Where is my closest comic book store? Did you listen to the podcast? The music in the podcast is from Broke For Free.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science fiction

Best all age comics for November 30

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

This week represents something special for the best all age comics to come out on new comic book day. Comic book 101: each Wednesday is New Comic Book Day, it’s when all of the new comics for the week hit stores. Two great all age comics, The Pink Panther and Monty the Dinosaur have their trade paperback release. Our 7 year old loves The Pink Panther, each issue has two new stories and two classic stories that were originally published in the 60’s or 70’s. This trade paperback collects issues 1-3, the Halloween special and the Free Comic Book Day book that previewed the coming Pink madness.

For our money one of the best new all age comic books of the year is Monty the Dinosaur. It’s the story of a dinosaur who has befriended a little girl. She lives and plays with him, all the while he’s trying to fit into modern life. The art is great, the stories are simple and effective and this is a comic that will bring back memories of Calvin and Hobbes.

In other humor all age comics you can find lots of Walt Disney characters like Frozen, Uncle Scrooge, Mickey’s Inferno and Disney Darkwing Duck.

Two staple titles that are regularly some of the best all age comics you can pick up are Simpsons Comics and Invader Zim. Each of those titles are great for any age and we haven’t picked up a bad issue of either of them.

One superhero series that is really good is Voltron Legendary Defender. The final issue in this mini-series is out this week and it’s only $2.99, plus it’s a smart comic book that will really speak to young readers who like teamwork, logic and action with their 100’ robots.

Three teen titles that might fly under your radar are Godzilla Rage Across Time and Ghostbusters International. Godzilla collects the five comics that were in this most recent mini-series. Ghostbusters International is normally fabulous for ages 8 and up, however, this issue might have some language (that you can see on the front cover) that parents don’t want their kids to say. We also like Sensational She-Hulk. This trade paperback collect lots of her issues and is jammed with the action, art and sly humor that fans loved about this series

We’re excited to take a look at Spookhouse. Spookhouse #2 from Eric Powell comes out and tells camp-fire style spooky stories for kids. Powell’s latest, Chimichanga: Sorrow of the World’s Worst Face is a great all ages tale and that brings high hopes for Spookhouse.

The music you hear on the podcast is from D Smilez. Where is your closest comic book store? Speaking of the podcast-can you leave a rating on the system that you listened to it on? Any comments on that would certainly be appreciated.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Sci-fi

Best all age comics for November 23

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Thanksgiving week still has lots to be thankful for in the comic book world. Young readers have their pick of some of the best all age comics this week including some that are perfect for young girl readers, lots of humor and even a good variety in superheroes.

Superpowers is a new mini-series from DC Comics by Art Baltazar and Franco, whose iconic work fans will recognize from Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures and Action Cat and Adventure Bug. Their new comic book is about Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, the big three in the DCU. This will be all age comic greatness for those young readers that have been screaming for a monthly superhero book with DC heroes.

There are two girl go-to staples this week, Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony. Either of these will be great for readers 5 and up who will want to look at the pictures and recognize the letters. The young kids will need help reading most of the words, but this is prime territory for certain folks.

Some solid humor titles this week include Futurama Comics, Lumberjanes, Regular Show trade paperback 07, Scooby Doo Team Up (with Space Ghost) and a couple others.

The two teen titles this week are Godzilla Rage Across Time and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Both of these are great for those 12 and older.

If you’re looking for an audio highlight of some of the best all age comics this week check out our podcast. It’s a mini-podcast that’ll look into nine titles that you might miss an explain why we really like the ones that we do.

The music this week is from D Smilez. Find your closest comic book shop and give the gift of comics this holiday.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Sci-fi