I should be working right now. Instead, I got sucked into the black hole that sometimes whirls around me which is Big Nate. In this case, it’s the 23rd installment of Lincoln Peirce’s instantly funny comic strip series. Big Nate The Gerbil Ate My Homework collects strips that were originally published in newspapers from February 16, 2016, through September 6, 2016. I should be working, but like only eating one potato chip or only watching one cat video I’m failing miserably at only reading a couple of Big Nate comic strips.
This week in all age comic books is not much to laugh at. Well, almost. There’s only one humor graphic novel that elementary aged students will enjoy, but that is a big one. The newest collection, Big Nate Blow The Roof Off! is the kind of book that mid elementary school kids are curious about and those upper elementary ages will read and memorize. Middle school kids also will read Big Nate and know that this comic book parallels their lives. In the podcast we’ll talk about that, Magnificent Ms. Marvel, Marvel Action Captain Marvel, Ben 10 The Manchester Mystery and much more. For now, here are all of this week’s all age comic books.
What do Nate Wright and Archie Andrews have in common? Both of them have the ability to cross generations in an entertaining manner with consistent characters who are totally different. Archie Andrews is Archie, that redheaded kid from Riverdale who has appeared in comic books for decades and a steaming hot television show for the past couple of years. The way that Archie has been reshaped to meet different demographics is remarkable. There’s a property that will engage Riverdale fans between the ages of 6 and 75*.
Nate Wright is Big Nate. Big Nate has been one of the most consistently entertaining and laugh out loud comic strips since it debuted in 1991. However, Big Nate has always been in the same middle-school packaging, until now. Little big Nate, Draws A Blank by Lincoln Peirce is board-book Big Nate, but it takes a look at the character as a pre-k kid. The result is a rhyming book that people will enjoy reading to those crawlers or mother’s morning out ages that want to baby step it into the world of Big Nate.
A used car or a library book that you see at the book barn
is new to you if you don’t already have it. The ‘new to you’ philosophy is one
that we adhere to wholeheartedly. That’s one reason why streaming is popular in
our house. If we missed something the first time then that’s an excellent way
to get caught up on quality. Enter, Big Nate Hug It Out!, a collection of
strips from the dependable comic strip by Lincoln Peirce.
This is a great week for all age comic books. Big Nate is
out with two (yes two) new books this week. One of them is the collected comic
strip Big Nate while the other is a board book version of new Big Nate nonsense
and they’re both awesome, but for different ages. Also great for elementary school age kids are
Despicable Me and My Little Pony-both with a Little Golden Book, Mr. Peabody
& Sherman and Seafoam. Middle school ages will enjoy The Okay Witch.
I’m laughing to myself in a coffee house. There are men and women in suits talking about insurance, retirement homes, closing loans and talking technology. And I’m reading a comic strip that makes our 7 year old laugh-and laughing as much as he does. Big Nate, What’s a Little Noogie Between Friends collects previously released comic strips from this seminal series and it’s hilarious.
Growing up, the comic strips in our daily newspaper were our go-to source for laughter. Big Nate has been in that mix since 1991. Comic strips, especially ones that are legitimately funny are a rare breed and to have one that’s celebrating its 25 anniversary is a true unicorn. What makes Big Nate special is that the character is immediately seen as a peer to kids as young at elementary school, yet makes adults laugh with as much, if not more. Big Nate Revenge of the Cream Puffs is the 23rd book that collects strips from this classic and continuing to improve comics.