Did You Read Comic Books? Should Your Kids Read Them?

Screens dominate kids' reading and playing habits today, of course, from phones to tablets to computers. But though much has changed, some things remain--mostly--the same, such as the popularity of comic books and comic book heroes.

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Are Comic Books Still Popular?

Many parents and grandparents today remember the heyday of comic books, when kids anxiously awaited the release of the latest Batman, Spider-man, or Fantastic Four comic books. Surprisingly, perhaps, print comic books continue to enjoy a healthy popularity, with the global comic book market (dominated by Marvel and DC comics) valued at around $15.5 billion in 2022 and projected to grow to $26.9 billion by 2032. For many, the experience of flipping through pages, collecting new issues, and the nostalgia associated with comic book stores still hold a strong allure.

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Similar to the relative sales of physical books and ebooks, print comics dwarf the sales figures of digital comics, though platforms like ComiXology (now part of Amazon) have helped digital comics reach more than $200 million in sales globally.

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Who Is Buying Comic Books Today?

The comic book readership has broadened considerably, though children and teens still lead the demographic with more than 60% of sales. But adults are also buying comics and graphic novels, many of them collectors for nostalgic and/or financial reasons. And there's an almost even split between male and female purchasers, though males hold a 53-47% edge. s:

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What Are the Most Popular Comic Books Today?

Comic books and graphic novels (the latter deserving its own sales category) runs the gamut of subjects, from superheroes to slice-of-life stories. Here are some of the most popular titles:

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● Manga: Particularly in the adult category, manga dominates with a 53% market share in 2023. Series like One Piece and Naruto continue to captivate readers globally.

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● Superhero Comics: While they might not be the exclusive genre anymore, titles from Marvel and DC like Batman, Spider-Man, and X-Men remain perennial favorites, bolstered by their cinematic success.

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● Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens: Dog Man by Dav Pilkey and The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels are leading the charge, showing a significant increase in sales in both comic shops and bookstores.

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● Independent Comics: Publishers like Image Comics are making waves with series like the Saga series, appealing to those looking for stories beyond the mainstream.

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What Comic Books Are Appropriate for Children and Teens?

When considering comics for younger audiences some families and parents may consider the following to be appropriate:

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● Dav Pilkey's Dog Man, known for its humor and engaging plots (and now a Dreamworks movie)

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● Raina Telgemeier's creations, such as Smile and Sisters, tackle growing up with sensitivity and humor, suitable for middle-grade readers

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● The aforementioned Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels have reinvigorated this long-popular franchise

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● Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi, is an immensely popular fantasy series

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● Zita the Spacegirl, by Ben Hatke, is an adventure series with themes of friendship and courage, ideal for slightly older children.

What Comic Books Are NOT Appropriate for Children and Teens?

Many comics these days feature mature themes, language, or graphic content that aren't appropriate for younger readers--or, in some cases, even adults. Among the many not recommended for younger audiences:

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● Frank Miller's long-running Sin City graphic novels are known for their dark, noir themes and explicit violence

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● The Boys, by Garth Ennis, a series that has been adapted into a TV show, involves extreme violence, sex, and drug use

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● Preacher, also by Garth Ennis, also contains violence and sexual depictions

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● Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, deals with complex issues such as war, sex, and family dynamics in a very adult manner

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● Watchmen, by Alan Moore, is a hugely popular and influential series, but its exploration of vigilantism, politics, and morality includes graphic violence and disturbing themes

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Today's Comic Book World Warrants Caution

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Today's world of comic books and graphic novels is a different one than most parents and grandparents may expect. Parents should be aware of and involved in the comic book choices their children and teens are making. If your kids are reading comics--whether print or digital--it's important to check ratings or reviews for content warnings and to preview their reading material as much as possible.

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Discover a Safer Comic Experience

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Whether your children and teens are currently reading comics and graphic novels or not, you'll want to check out the digital comics that are available for kids on the TruPlay Games app, providing a safe, high-quality alternative. TruPlay's comics include "RhymVerse" adventures, featuring Maple the tiger bunny and her friends in the RhymVerse, as well as stories from The Action Bible and more!

These digital comics are just some of the countless hours of content on the TruPlay app. And each offering is infused with God’s Truth. It is a Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children. It is sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children.” But it's intentionally structured to avoid the dangers of other platforms.

TruPlay employs a subscription-based model, which allows children and adults to play, read, and have fun in an environment with no in-app purchases, no ads, and no in-app texting or chats. This means, of course, that kids can't spend money, buy "loot," click to go to outside and unknown sites, and "chat" with possible predators.

Beyond that, however, TruPlay offers even more than safety; its ever-expanding selection of games includes Bible stories, Christian themes and values, and countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults.

TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids:

● https://www.truplaygames.com/games-more

● https://www.truplaygames.com/signup