Comics Aren't Just For Adults Any More
Of course my title references the headline that has been used countless times in the mainstream media, alerting us that comics aren't just for kids any more. Ironically, early comics -- especially in the 1940's, were read by a diverse population, including every demographic: men, women, young and older. They were read by the same people who read newspaper comic strips, which was almost everyone. It is a modern misapprehension that comic books are only for kids.
Us professional book wonks use the phrase "All Ages Comic Books" as a euphemism for comics intended for young readers. But there is truth in this phrase. Many of the best comics for young readers can be read and enjoyed by anyone. Traditional wisdom these days, and for a long time, is that the core customers for comic books are boys about 14 to 16 years of age, give or take.
There are a large number of older comic book readers. The major publishers have special imprints that identify their titles for older readers, and many small presses mainly publish for more sophisticated readers. I don't mean "adults only" comics; certainly there are plenty of comics with salacious or extremely violent content, but many "adult comics" are simply more complex or difficult than would be appropriate for young readers. Most comic book specialty stores rely on their long term, older customer base to stay in business! Still, everyone agrees that it is important to have books accessible to youngsters, to nurture a new generation of recreational readers, but frankly there are few comics which are intended for readers younger than those teenage boys. (Part of the problem here is that comic book specialty stores aren't always welcoming venues for kids.)
So I am going to start a series of short notes on what I see as the best and most popular comic books for the youngest readers. I read this stuff, and I'll comment on my reactions as an older reader, but I have also observed how young readers pick recreational reading, and what titles they like.
Before I get started, one more related issue. At what age is it appropriate to show comic books to children? Babies are usually more interested in tasting and chewing on books and comics than looking. However, I also know that many kids will start reading and enjoying comics even before they can read the text. I know I did. I guess I must have found a way to create my own narratives from the illustrations, and later when I started to decode the words in grade school, it only added additional nuance. By all means read comics to and with your kids as soon as you can. Encourage them to read -- or perhaps interpret is a better word -- the stories to you. You can help them with spots they find puzzling. And I'm sure they will teach you a lot as well.
For a long time, my best selling and most popular group of titles for young readers has been the comics featuring the Sega game character Sonic the Hedgehog, published by Archie. These comics are nominally intended for boys, I'm sure, but I have seen plenty of girls follow the titles as well. And Sonic's friend Princess Sally is a strong female character!
As for my reaction, I find the books beautiful, colorful, bright and wonderfully designed, visually compelling -- I really enjoy looking at these comics! -- and when I read them, confusing and bewildering almost to the point of the surreal. Perhaps I don't have the required background in playing the game to understand the Sonic culture. But also I believe that young readers have their own ways of understanding narrative -- and I applaud these creators for their ability to involve their readers! Sonic Hedgehog #246 is a recent issue I have listed on Ebay.
On Ebay, you can see the rest of my listings by using the "see other items" link, although you'll have to scroll through a few pages of other stuff to see all the Sonic listings.
Here is another link for a recent Sonic The Hedgehog comic on Amazon. (My Amazon name is "bkseller." In the interest of full disclosure I'll note that if you use this link and make any purchase on that visit, I get a small commission.)