Pix, One Weirdest Weekend is that rare graphic novel that ages 9 and up will enjoy reading for different reasons. It’s rare for a couple of reasons. It’s reprinted by Image Comics, a publishing house that has many great comic books, but almost none that are appropriate for those under 14. Pix was initially printed in 2014 and its reissue from Image certainly fills a void and introduces a character that could easily carry her own monthly series.
Spongebob Comics has been one of our go-to all age comics for years. Spongebob Comics Silly Sea Stories is a graphic novel that any age audience; who is down-or has ever been down the pineapple under the sea will laugh maniacally to while smiling to with buck teeth.
In a way Spongebob Comics is taking a page from Simpsons Comics with this book. Simpsons Comics is monthly, Simpsons Illustrated collects some stories from Simpsons Comics and is published quarterly. Add on to that fact that there are several Simpsons graphic novels that are published annually and you’ve a spikey haired printing industry.
It’s just over three weeks until Free Comic Book Day. That is May 6th at your local comic book store where they’ll have lots of free all age comics, they’re new, some are full size, some are mini-comics and each store will probably limit you to 5 per customer. So what’s new this week for young readers? Two of our favorite all comics are out this week, as are lots of superheroes and the final issue of a really cool princess series. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.
Mega Princess #5
It’s a princess tale where she saves the frogs who had previously been princes. Mega Princess is from Boom! Studios and is loaded with laughes, goofy action, just enough evil to latch in older readers who will enjoy this series. This is issue #5, the final one in this mini-series and is appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Dark Horse Presents Volume 3, #33
Too Much Coffee Man made us do it. Dark Horse Presents Volume 3, #33 is an anthology with six short stories from creators that few kids will know, but adults will appreciate. This comic is for teens, but it’s worth mentioning due to Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler. This comic is in the same league as Life In Hell because its droll, effective humor and variety in presentation. Adults will love the humor in this character if they’re not already familiar with him.
Justice League Power Rangers, #4
This is easily one of the best all age comics of the year. The action that happens in Justice League Power Rangers is OK for ages 6 and up, with vocabulary that age 7 and up will be able to read on their own. It’s also refreshing to see the Power Rangers hold their own with a franchise that often steals their limelight
Teen Titans Go!
The Titan’s tower has been condemned and Control Freak is up to no good. Where can the team hold up? Our 5 and 7 year old kids love this show and the comic book. Teen Titans Go! is only $2.99 and from DC Comics
Jim Henson’s Power of the Dark Crystal
Jim Henson’s Power of the Dark Crystal will most likely not be your child’s favorite all ages comic. However, it is one of the best all age comic books. This is a 12 issue, fantasy mini-series from Boom! Studios that will be attractive to middle Earth kids who are 10 or older. The art in this comic is top notch and one that fans of the Dark Crystal will immediately bond with.
The music from Free Music Archive that’s used in this week’s podcast is from Julie Maxwell’s Piano Music. She also does some cosplay, translates Japanese, is a photographer and entrepreneur. Now-on with this week’s all age comics!
For us, Hilda and The Stone Forestis like meeting someone for the first time who we’ve seen at parties and seems really cool. Then, when you meet them, you realize that they are even nicer and cooler than you thought they were and you kick yourself for not meeting them earlier. I’ve read a couple of short Hilda stories that were printed on Free Comic Book Day and did like them, but simply never got around to reading one of Luke Pearson’s books. That’s worth noting because there are some existing characteristics and story elements to Hilda, but they are not necessary to know to fully enjoy The Stone Forest.
The first thing that will grab reader’s attention is the art by Luke Pearson. Once you see Hilda you will not forget her. She’s immediately memorable and Trolberg, the world where she lives is rich with detail, various sized creatures and a European landscape that makes you want to be a resident there. Each page has art that feels like a comic strip, but is laid out with various sized panels and illustrations. Some of these even overlap each other so as to give the reader momentum as the story progresses. This effect also enhances the creativity and sense of wonder that Hilda has in engaging with her adventures.
Gird your loins because Free Comic Book Day is just over three weeks away. It’s the first Saturday in May, which falls on the sixth this year and it’s a chance to get free comics. We’ll have more on that in the coming weeks. That is worth mentioning because there are lots of great all age comics that are available for new comic book day, which is every Wednesday, as well as Free Comic Book Day. There are new comics and graphic novels that will appeal to readers aged 5 and up. We’ll also take a look at two titles that will interest and be appropriate for teen readers. Here are five of the more interesting or go-to all age comics that your young readers need to know about.
The Amazing Crafty Cat
The Amazing Crafty Cat is an original graphic novel that looks like the cutest thing we’ve seen in a while. Girls will enjoy this book more than boys, mainly because it’s the story about a little girl that uses crafts to get herself out of problems. Her alter ego, who can craft like nobody’s business is The Amazing Crafty Cat. Expect fun for ages 4-9, the older ones will able to read it by themselves, while the younger ones will need assistance as a good night book.
Spongebob Comics: Silly Sea Stories
Spongebob Comics is one of the go-to all age comics that you can pick up any month. Spongebob Comics: Silly Sea Stories is volume 1 of previously released classic stories from under the sea. These stories vary in their length, artwork and presentation. Some will be as short as one page, whereas others might be 13 pages. The variety in these stories is what really makes Spongebob Comics fun. This is art in all age comics that will help young readers accept different interpretations of things that they are familiar with. You’ll still have trouble with them eating their vegetables.
Guardians of the Galaxy
There are two Guardians of the Galaxy comic books out this week. Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy is the one that’s great for ages as young as 5. This is action, humor and at only $2.99 it’s a treat for the wallet too.
My Little Pony: Legends of Magic
My Little Pony is one of the classic all age comics. Legends of Magic is a new title featuring My Little Pony. This is back to basics Equestria with new stories, classic characters and back story that old fans don’t know. Most importantly, it’s a great jumping on point for new readers, written by Jeremy Whitley who has done MLP, in addition to his own creations for years.
Disney Princess Comics
This graphic novel is for the girls. Disney Princess Comics Collection Volume 2 collects issues 5-8 of the monthly Disney Princess series from Joe Books. Name any Disney Princess and they’re in here, these are funny stories that ages 5 and up will laugh at.
Now THIS is a good week for all age comics. If you went to the comic book store looking for new books for all age readers and were left wanting more then get back on the horse. Classics, to true classics to new ones that the kids will love are all represented this week. Here are five great all age comics that will interest readers as young as five.
Angry Birds: Flight School #2
Adults who are new to the all age comics scene might scoff at the concept of a video game becoming a comic book. Then they’ll read one of the Angry Birds titles, realize that there is real comedy in these comics and re-think their position. Angry Birds: Flight School is a new spin of mini-series that’s quite entertaining and will leave all ages wanting more. The vocabulary is too difficult for a 5 year old, but the content is great for a read-along book.
Donald Duck/ Mickey Mouse
These two are mentioned together because their reading level, as well as enjoyment level is very similar for ages 7 and up. We read Mickey Mouse to our 5 year old at night and he loves to follow along to the pictures. The stories in both titles might have been previously published in Europe. That’s evident from some of the background art that looks more classic that suburban. However, that fact won’t influence young readers who want to laugh along to adventures with classic Disney characters.
Revolution Aw Yeah #1
Revolution gets the Art Baltazar treatment. His distinct art style is what many consider the template for all age comics. This is the first issue that follows some key IDW properties like G.I. JOE, Micronauts, Transformers and more. Revolution Aw Yeah #1 is good for ages 5 and up.
Scooby Doo-Where Are You? #80
Every two weeks there is a new Scooby Doo comic book and this week it’s Where Are You? #80. This title is funny, affordable (only $2.99!) and one that kids know, love and want to read.
Hero Cats #16
Cats aren’t your scene? You’ll still like Hero Cats and issue #16 is a new story point that is about cats, but also about action, science fiction, naps and more. This is one of the new, great all age comics because of how it’s evolved and improved since the first couple of issues. It did start as a cat series that was more girl-centric, but has evolved into a fun, weird title with action and cats as some of the heroes that will be great for boys or girls, ages 7 and up.
The music in the podcast is from Free The Whale. It’s some cool rock with instrumentals, blues and rockabilly that I think you’ll enjoy digging into.
It’s around spring break for most of us and the new all age comics this week reflect that in the fact that there aren’t many new ones. There are a couple new monthly titles and a few new graphic novels, but overall it looks like a great week to catch up on previous releases that you missed. You should still head out to your local comic book store and here are 5 of our go-to all age comics that will interest young readers aged 5 and up.
Little Archie
The world of Riverdale gets the Art and Franco treatment. Their style is what many parents and children associate with all age comics due to their work with Tiny Titans, as well as, Action Cat and Adventure Bug. In this Little Archie one-shot comic our title character wakes up with a cat having eaten his homework. It’s no ordinary cat as Jughead, Betty, Veronica and Reggie come to find out. This title will be good for ages 5 and up.
Adventure Time original graphic novel: Brain Robber
One of the great things about Adventure Time is that because the series is utterly surreal it can continue to reinvent itself. This can consist of new stories with Finn and Jake or side stories that concentrate on their friends that inhabit their absurd world with them. Brain Robber takes the spotlight and shines it on Lumpy Space Princess in this original graphic novel. This is for fans of the series or existing comic book and is good for ages 9 and up due to its extreme silliness that younger readers might not understand.
Saban Power Rangers
Did you see the Power Rangers movie? Have you read the monthly Power Rangers comic book? The comic book is very good and OK for ages 9 and up mainly because of action and semi-realistic peril. This Saban Power Rangers graphic novel is all new and lives in the world that the film exists in. It’s the characters that you liked in the film, in a new graphic novel adventure.
Doctor Who
The 9th, 10th and 11th Doctor have new releases this week. Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Who collects issues 11-15 of its monthly series, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor, Arena of Fear is a trade paperback that collects issues from that series and Doctor Who, the Ninth Doctor issue #11 starts a new story line for people that want to jump in. The action might be too intense for young readers. On average ages 9 and up will be OK with this fun sci-fi series
Disney Princess
Short stories featuring Belle from Beauty and the Beast? You can all but see the hoards of young girl readers in their princess gold shoes running to the store. Disney Princess #10 is a monthly series, but this month it’s all about Belle.
The music in the podcast is from Kai Engel, you can dig all of his stuff at Free Music Archive.
This is a busy week for all age comics. Sometimes it’s occupied with a mix of graphic novels but this week it’s mostly monthly titles. 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.
Looney Tunes
What’s not to love about Looney Tunes? It’s only $2.99, has classic characters, is really funny and is something that older and younger generations can laugh at together. Issue #236 of Looney Tunes has Daffy Duck, Yosimite Sam and Porky Pig on a dating show plus a couple other short stories.
Simpsons
Pick your Simpsons this week, either Simpsons Comics #238 or Simpsons Illustrated #28. Simpsons Illustrated is $4.99 and collects some stores that were previously published in Simpsons Comics. The later is $3.99 and approximately 75% of the pages that are in the former. Both are 100% entertaining and OK for kids 6 and up, but will require some reading in order to get the most out of it.
Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures
Left to their own devices each of these are great all age comics. Combine them in one comic book fighting baddies and you’ve got one of the best miniseries of the year. Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures has great art, age appropriate action and represents all of the fun that you want to have while reading a comic book.
Lumberjanes
Lumberjanes is one of those great things that easily qualifies as comedy, action or science fiction. Some issues will be more personal, others relative to monsters or summer camp, but it’s always entertaining. Issue #36 is out this week and it’s a great series for ages 9 and up.
Rust, Volume 2, Secrets of the Cell
Rust is the best graphic novel that I never read. Now that I read its sequel, Rust, Volume 2, Secrets of the Cell I see why so many people praised this series. This is the trade paperback that reprints the second book in the Rust story line that expertly tells the story of a robot boy. It answers questions, but presents many more and allows the illustrated panels to have space to let its scarcity and sparseness do the talking.
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