That's right. You read the title correctly. I don't buy or read them anymore, that would be a little weird, but this summer I flipped through a few of my comics from my comic book collection I started way back in the 4th Grade. I know what you're thinking. Well, Reader, I don't care what you think of me. Comic books were a big part of my youth and I'm not gonna apologize for 'em. I also think it's sad that so many Christian parents don't particularly endorse the idea of their child reading a comic book. If they have an interest in reading a comic book at all, they are not necessarily evil. It's just another form of fun make-believe, if you pick the books right. Admittedly, some comics are racy and are for only the freak adults who hang around the few dilapidated comic book stores in the U.S., but many of them are still good enough for anyone to read, from little kids, to nostalgic octogenarians. For any cautious parents who actually read my blog, here are a few tips I learned when I was into super heroes for how to protect your child from being warped for life by a comic book;
1. Stay away from not so well known brands.
In the comic world, there are two main brands; Marvel, which features Spider-Man, the X-Men and Captain America, and DC, which is where Superman, Batman and the Green Lantern reside. Any other brands might run titles that you may not find appropriate for your child to read, and frankly, in my opinion, Marvel has gone down hill as well. Since the eighties, comic books have become much more dark and adult-oriented, which is strange because comic books are generally acknowledged to be a children's art form. This was true back in the 1950s and 60s, but since the seventies brought anti-heroes and gun toting vigilantes into the limelight, many forms of media became tainted. Right now this trend seems to be in full swing with titles that often endorse graphic violence. Anime is also a no-no. Not only does it ensure your child will be beat up at school and doom them to a life of black clothes, eye liner and girl pants (for guys and girls), but anime comics often feature graphic sexual content and language. Also, if your child likes some of the Christian comics, good for you, but I always thought that they were lame. They weren't drawn or written as well as the secular ones were. I would say that the one company that's pretty safe for everybody is DC. Superman still adheres to his rule about never killing, and Batman still won't use a gun. Most of the heroes of the DC universe use brains more often than brawn and promote justice. Also, although the stories have in some ways become more mature, they have not grown unfit for children. Stay with titles such as Superman, JLA, and Green Lantern.
2. Choose carefully when buying "Graphic Novels".
Graphic novels are large-format comic books that can be divided into two main categories; Collections, which contain formerly published titles that are bound together because they tie into one major story arc or theme, and the independent stories, which are complete novels that are begun and concluded in one novel. These are normally very well drawn and feature big time comic book writing talent. These can sometimes be dangerous for young children to get a hold of. Take Watchmen for an example.
Watchmen was a graphic novel published in the 1980s and was written by Alan Moore. This book is about a cadre of super heroes known as the Watchmen that have been active in one form or another since the 1950s. It is set in an alternate history where President Nixon was not impeached and the Vietnam War continued long after it did in reality. Super heroes are forced to not use their powers and the only sanctioned one is Dr. Manhattan, a glowing blue being who possesses god-like super powers and walks around totally naked for 90% of the novel. I haven't read it or seen the movie, but it was hard to get away from it all during the total dorkfest that took place prior to it's release. This title features graphic violence and sexual content that is unfit for most young adults to see, much less small children. It was released independently and looked much like a large comic book. Stay away from these kinds of books that you don't recognize. Stay with the collections of titles you already know are safe to read. Again, Superman, JLA, Green Lantern and most early (i.e. 1960s) Marvel collections, such as the Avengers or Spider-Man are always good. Stay away from Batman graphic novels. These can often be much darker than the monthly comic book.
3. Stay away from comic book stores.
This one is brief. Weird old men hang around comic book stores. They are normally fat, balding and like Wonder Woman far too much. These are the kinds of nerds that you don't want your children hanging around with for a plethora of reasons. These places are not safe. Don't drop your kid off at a comic book store thinking that they will be OK. You can find comic books at all large book store chains. Plus, the book stores are more likely to not carry some of the weirder titles, but you should still be careful.
In the end, all this is just another defense of fun that I am trying to take a stand for. Some Christian parents are often so concerned with their child's spiritual well-being, make believe and fun are totally taken out of the equation. Don't become another one of these parents.
In conclusion, I heavily endorsed DC comics in this post because I believe it to be the most child accessible of all the comic book companies. The DC universe is also very convoluted though. According to my research, Superman is raising an adopted child with wife, Lois Lane, who is actually the son of the Superman villain General Zod, Batman is believed to be dead but is actually in the prehistoric past while Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl (Three of Batman's sidekicks) fight over who will take up the Batman mantle, and the Green Lantern is preparing for a war of light in which the Green Lantern Corps, the Sinestro Corps, the Red Lantern Corps, Agent Orange, the Blue Lantern Corps, the Indigo Tribe and Star Sapphire will go up against the Black Lantern Corps, which is the villain Black Hand and a cadre of dead super heroes such as Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter who have been revived and made evil. If you think this is too much for a child to keep up with, get them to read older comics or buy them a magic kit or something. They won't be nearly as cool, but I've heard from a credible source that chicks dig magic. Those dudes on TV always have those assistants...
Cool Beans,
Noah
Monday, July 27, 2009
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