Daddy Mojo

All ages comics for February 7

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Happy new comic book day, it happens every Wednesday and with that comes dozens of new all ages comics that are great for anyone. This week in the podcast we’ll look at some graphic novels on two Presidents with action, a mini-series from a recent Disney film, a funny series about a fat samurai and two comic books based on toys. Right now let’s look at three all ages comics that will be great for young readers aged 7 and up.

Adventure Time #73

At almost seven years old this monthly series is still going strong. Adventure Time, the all ages comic book from Boom! Studios is just as wacky and offbeat as its television inspiration, but because it’s in a printed format it appears more grounded. If you have a reluctant reader who already likes the show on Cartoon Network have them check out this book. They can be fans of the show or not, either way this is a fun comic book that will appeal to kids 7 and up.

Back to the Future: Time Train #2

Neither of our kids have seen Back to the Future. Both of them would be OK with the content, it’s just a matter of too many great 80’s films and not enough time. If they had-and could read at a higher level they would really want to read Back to the Future from IDW Publishing. The monthly series is great and blends science-fiction, action and humor in as well as the classic film. They’ll sometimes have nice mini-series that concentrate on certain characters and Time Train is one of them. Doc Brown has made a time train for his wife Clara and they’re visiting the 1939 World’s Fair. Not surprisingly, some other folks are aware of their presence and are up to no good. This has realistic art and a great story for those middle school readers who like time travel or have seen Back to the Future.

Mech Cadet Yu #6

Mech Cadet Yu is a great ongoing monthly series from Boom! Studios. It features teen cadets who are training to be pilots of giant robots whose moves echo what they do. The action in this series is as good as it gets for all ages comics. In this issue they cadets discover evil, but are away from their robot Mech suits. The reading level is a little high for early elementary school students, but those in fourth grade should be able to read it on their own, while ages 8 and up will love the action.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

Prince & Dressmaker
Princeless

Netflix and some streaming options for the flu and cold season

We’re part of the Stream Team for Netflix and received goods or compensation for this post. All thoughts are our own. In our house we’ve had three out of four people down, to some degree, with the flu or otherwise germy funk that is usually associated with children. The youngest one had his hand on the tablet and the adults were splitting time between the televisions. Here’s a rundown of some things that you might want to watch if you, or your kids are stuck in bed with the flu or some Petri dish of infection.

Captain Underpants/Boss Baby

These two movies are great for different reasons. When our 6YO had the flu he must have seen Boss Baby at least eight times. Captain Underpants was watched by him and I twice. Personally I prefer Captain Underpants, it’s a better film, with more depth, but kids will certainly enjoy both. Continue reading Netflix and some streaming options for the flu and cold season

Hammy and Gerbee, Mummies at the Museum, a kids 1st graphic novel

A kid’s first graphic novel is a cool thing. Hammy and Gerbee, Mummies at the Museum by Wong Herbert Yee is an original graphic novel that knows exactly how early elementary school kids behave. This is a book that our second grader can read with ease, our kindergarten student laughs at-and both of them can relate to the friendships and adventures the two friends have.

Hammy and Gerbee are best friends, one’s a hamster and one’s a gerbil. The school year has just started and they’re relieved to find out that they’re in the same class. Unfortunately for them, Hanna and Anna, the twin girls who live in their neighborhood are too. They tease each other, make up stories, have spelling competitions and generally antagonize each other.

Continue reading Hammy and Gerbee, Mummies at the Museum, a kids 1st graphic novel

Paddington 2 is the real, bear deal and goes Empire Strikes Back on us

I’m crying during the talking bear film-I hope the kids don’t notice. That was my thought about ¾ of the way through Paddington2. Paddington 2 goes all Empire Strikes Back, Lethal Weapon 2 or The Godfather 2 and manages to accomplish the rare act of improving upon the original film. What’s even more impressive is that Paddington 2 does this while being a family friendly film.

Continue reading Paddington 2 is the real, bear deal and goes Empire Strikes Back on us

Norman, The Slug with the Silly Shell review

The fish out of water concept is relatively standard in children’s book and Norman, The Slug With the Silly Shell wears that badge firmly on its back. From the sparkly bits on the doughnut that’s tied to Norman’s back whilst he’s looking back and grinning kids immediately know this is silly fun. To that end, it’s a testament to author Sue Hendra that she could make an entertaining children’s book about such a mysterious and disgusting creature.

Norman is a slug. I haven’t seen a slug since I was a child. The only thing I remember about slugs is that they’re soft, leave a trail of ooze and birds apparently like to eat them. All of these things are addressed in the book.

Continue reading Norman, The Slug with the Silly Shell review

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to a sneak of Peter Rabbit in Atlanta

One of the most anticipated family films of the year is Peter Rabbit. The books from Beatrix Potter are timeless classics about the playful; some might even say rebellious rabbit who just wants to get into the farmer’s garden. Peter Rabbit has the voices of Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley, Rose Byrne, Sam Neil and James Corden as the main rabbit himself.

We’ll review the film in full once we’ve seen it. The trailer looks like the kind of stuff that elementary kids will go ape over. It has lots of animals goofing around and a cartoonish villain. I’m interested to see it for Domhall Gleeson also. He plays a young Mr. McGregor in this film and he absolutely stole every scene in the last film he was in, The Last Jedi. In Peter Rabbit you’ve got General Hux and Rey, reuniting, all be it in rabbit and human form.

The sneak preview for this showing of Peter Rabbit happens February 3 at 10:00AM in Atlanta. We’re giving away two 4-packs of tickets so that you can bring all of the kids, or invite a young friend or two. To enter just leave a comment below and you’re in it to win it.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Tales of Hope & Courage review

At the intersection of Wimpy Kid and Star Wars lies Forces of Destiny, Tales of Hope & Courage. It’s a hardback graphic novel, with six original stories that are presented in a journal format. Moreover, the book’s narrator is Maz Kanata and has more vocabulary than illustrations, but still easily qualifies as a graphic novel.

The women of Star Wars take the lead in Tales of Hope & Courage. Princess Leia, Jyn Erso, Ahsoka Tano, Rey, Sabine Wren and Padme Amidala each have their own story. Young readers, especially Star Wars fans will enjoy the storytelling pattern that Maz Kanata. They’re presented in a home spun, folky way that young readers won’t realize, but holds their hand as they maneuver their way through the book. Older readers might equate Maz’ style to The Storyteller from Jim Henson or some other relaxed, trusted soul who’s telling tales.

Continue reading Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Tales of Hope & Courage review

New all ages comics for January 24

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The new all ages comics this are back on track with lots of classic titles that will appeal to a wide range of readers. In the podcast and YouTube version we’ll talk about the DC duo, an anime rooted return of MegaMan and a comic book that will really speak to girls, ages 8 and up that want sci-fi action. For now, let’s look at three all ages comics that ages 6 and up will want to read.

Ducktales

Ducktales is an all new comic book from IDW Publishing with stories from Uncle Scrooge, Donald and more ducks. This is madcap fun that has its roots in the original show, as well as the reboot on Disney XD. The content in Ducktales is fine for ages 6 and up, but they’ll need help reading it as the comic books has lots of vocabulary.

Star Wars Adventures, Forces of Destiny: Ahsoko and Padme

Star Wars Adventures is an ongoing monthly series from IDW Publishing. Star Wars Adventures, Forces of Destiny is a mini-series that highlights some of the girls in the Star Wars universe in their own adventures. The way that Star Wars Adventures blends content and age appropriateness is a great example of one of the all ages comics that appeal to kids, without dumbing down the content. This is loaded with action, humor and stories that kids aged 6 and up will want to read.

Steven Universe

Steven Universe is a smart show, and its comic book from Boom! Studios follows suit. The show, as well as the comic book is intended for children aged 8 and up. Think of a less manic Adventure Time, but keep in place some of the abstract characters, add practical relationships, friendship and adventure. Steven Universe #12 retails for $3.99, fans of the show will enjoy it, as will those looking for a grounded comic book, with just enough spacey edge.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction