A week ago, I received an email from a dad, who was having a hard time finding comic books that his eight year-old daughter would enjoy (and would be appropriate for her age). He wants to share the passion for comics that he’s enjoyed for his whole life — but it’s not as easy as it used to be. He challenged me to find books she would enjoy, and that she in turn could read to her six month old sister.
And so… challenge accepted!
Here are 15 comics kids under 10 can enjoy, and parents can feel good about sharing with them!
1. Gotham Academy
Written by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl
Art by Karl Kerschl and Adam Archer
Published by DC Comics
Like Batman meets Harry Potter, Gotham Academy features five kids — Pomeline, Colton, Kyle, Maps, and Olive — who stumble upon a mystery from deep in the history of Gotham City’s oldest school. Check out its 10 best moments.
2. Unstoppable Wasp
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Art by Elsa Charretier
Published by Marvel Comics
Move over Mr. Fantastic. A brand new hero hits the Marvel Universe and she’s one of the smartest yet! Watch Nadia Van Dyne as she recruits other STEM-inspired young women to join together as G.I.R.L.! Read our interview.
3. Mega Princess
Written by Kelly Thompson
Art by Brianne Drouhard
Published by BOOM! Studios
On Princess Maxine’s 10th birthday, she is granted all the powers a princess could want from her fairy godmother. But all Maxine wants to do is become the best detective possible — especially once her baby brother goes missing! Read our preview.
4. M.F.K.
Written by Nilah Magruder
Art by Nilah Magruder
Published by Insight Books
Abbie isn’t from around town, having walked out of the desert injured and alone. As the town gets threatened by strangers, she has to step up, even though she doesn’t want to. If your kid fell in love with Rey from Star Wars with The Force Awakens, this graphic novel is for them. Read our interview.
5. Lumberjanes
Written by Grace Ellis, Shannon Waters, Noelle Stevenson, and Kat Leyh
Art by Brooke Allen, Brittney Williams, Carey Pietsch, Carolyn Nowak, and Ayme Sotuyo
Published by BOOM! Studios
Five best friends spend the summer at Lumberjanes scout camp… defeating yetis, three-eyed wolves, and giant falcons, among other crazy things. But the real adventure will be what they learn about themselves. Friendship to the max!
6. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
Written by Ryan North
Art by Erica Henderson
Published by Marvel Comics
Squirrel Girl has been a hardluck hero for a long time, but now it’s time for her to do something for her: go to college for computer programming! Now she spends her time hanging out with her roommate Nancy and defeating Galactus. Wow!
7. Ghosts
Written by Raina Telgemeier
Art by Raina Telgemeier
Published by GRAPHIX
One of the top selling graphic novels of the past year and having recently won the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids Comics, Ghosts tells the story of two sisters, the younger one facing a life-threatening illness, who move to a new home perched on the edge of the fantastic.
8. Star Wars Adventures
Written by Cavan Scott and Landry Q. Walker
Art by Derek Charm and Erik Jones
Published by IDW Publishing
Brand new to the comic stands just in time for The Last Jedi, this version of the Star Wars comics is designed specifically with kids in mind. Follow Rey, Finn, Luke, Leia, Han, Anakin, and more in brand new adventures!
9. The Tea Dragon Society
Written by Katie O’Neill
Art by Katie O’Neill
Published by Oni Press
Following the success of Princess Princess Ever After, The Tea Dragon Society tells the story of a young apprentice blacksmith named Greta, and the world of fussy, yet magical, little dragons she encounters. Read our interview.
10. Steven Universe
Written by Melanie Gillman
Art by Katy Farina
Published by BOOM! Studios
The TV show is awesome, and now you can have twice as much awesome with an ongoing comic series. Follow Steven as he has adventures and learns from his aunts, who are the remaining Crystal Gems — Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst.
11. DC Super Hero Girls
Written by Shea Fontana
Art by Yancey Labat
Published by DC Comics
Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Bumblebee, Katana, Hawkgirl, Frost — these are the heroes of the future AND today! As the girls study for finals and go on summer vacation, they’ll be learning more and more every day.
12. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Written by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder
Art by Natacha Bustos
Published by Marvel Comics
The most amazing Marvel Team-Up yet, preteen super genius Luna Lafayette may have Inhuman genes, but her biggest adventure is going to come from the arrival of a prehistoric red-scaled tyrant. Now, they’re going to change the world together.
13. Dragons Beware
Written by Jorge Aguirre
Art by Rafael Rosado
Published by :01 First Second
Claudette is on a mission. She needs to recover her father’s sword from the dragon who ate it — and her father’s legs! Joined by her little brother Gaston and best friend Marie, Claudette is going to fight evil wizards, dragons, and more!
14. Princeless
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Art by Emily Martin, Rosy Higgins, Ted Brandt, and M. Goodwin
Published by Action Lab Entertainment
Princess Adrienne isn’t going to wait around to be rescued by a prince, no matter what her parents the King and Queen want. Armed with a sword and joined by a slew of new heroic friends, Adrienne is ready to save her other sisters now. Read our interview.
15. Hildafolk
Written by Luke Pearson
Art by Luke Pearson
Published by Nobrow Press
A little girl hears a bell and in the process of following the noise, begins a brand new series of adventures that will let her cross paths with trolls, giants, and hounds, and through forests, magical lands, and more!
Hope you enjoy reading, Abie! And enjoy reading them to Hannah as well!
