Read Harder: All-Ages Comics
The Panels 2015 Read Harder Challenge consists of 26 challenge categories spanning the breadth and depth of all things that may be considered comics. We regularly give you reading recommendations from one of the categories.
As a long-time fan of children’s and all-ages comics, it’s a great feeling to be among Panelteers who also appreciate comics across a spectrum of age groups. Don’t be fooled…just because they’re marketed to the younger set doesn’t mean they’re less sophisticated, artful, or well-written than your adult fare.
Hildafolk series by Luke Pearson
I cannot say enough good things about this series; it’s objectively The Best. There are four books in the series so far and they’re all in the larger, what I call “Tintin format”. Hilda is blue-haired girl who lives in the fjords, has adventures with wood people and giants, exotic birds and giant dogs, and truly appreciates what it feels like to be cozy. Pearson’s art style is a beautiful mix of indie and European comics, full of those quiet little moments that resonate so much. It’s a must read for fans of comics like Lumberjanes or Gotham Academy. (Ali Colluccio)
Batman: Li’l Gotham by Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen
Full disclosure – if you look at the convention issue in Vol. 2 of Li’l Gotham, you can see a one panel cameo by yours truly — artist Dustin Nguyen had drawn fans of the book into that issue as cosplayers (I’m the lady Nightwing). However, even if I hadn’t been drawn into this book, I’d still be recommending this book because it’s great! The series follows Damian Wayne (AKA the current Robin) throughout the year as he and his fellow heroes deal with holiday-themed hijinks, like a turkey revolt by Penguin and an appearance by Bane during Cinco de Mayo. There’s also an issue where Oracle gets in a mecha suit and helps Aquaman fight Japanese seas monsters. Don’t ask why – just read it. (Katie Schenkel)
Bee and Puppycat by Natasha Allegri, Jackson Garrett, Anissa Espinosa, Madeline Flores, Tait Howard, Ian McGinty, Fred C. Stresing, and others
Bee and Puppycat is delightfully offbeat. It began as a Kickstarter and became an ongoing series. Full of quirk and magic, Bee is endlessly unemployed and can’t seem to figure her life out. She and her sidekick, Puppycat, get into all sorts of silly, surreal situations and it’s nothing but lovable. (Andi Miller)
Little Guardians by Ed Cho and Lee Cherolis
Okay, disclosure first – I know the guys who make this book. That’s not why I’m recommending this. I’m recommending it because it’s a fun, funny, all-ages book that can still carry off emotional moments. Also, kids fighting dragons and stuff. Who doesn’t love dragons and stuff? They put out a page a week via their website where you can order physical copies of volumes one and two. (Bri Rudd)
Help Us! Great Warrior by Madeleine Flores (Jon Erik Christianson)
The Zoo Box by Ariel Cohn and Aron Nels Steinke (Andi Miller)
Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson (Andi Miller)
Superman Family Adventures by Art Baltazar and Franco (Jessica Plummer)
Bravest Warriors by Joey Comeau and Mike Holmes (Amy Diegelman)
More Resources and Recommendations
“The Big All-Ages List” from Comics in the Classroom
“The Best All-Ages Comic Books for Kids” from Comic Book Herald
“All Ages Comics Are For Everyone, Not Just Kids” from The Huffington Post