Forget the Kids

[Spike-X]

What would you change? How is the current Supergirl title not all ages enough for you?

To be honest, I don't know whether it is or not. I haven't read it since the New52 reboot. Let me have a quick look at the latest issue and I'll get back to you.

[KurtW95]

Comic books are definitely not for kids. But the belief comes from the misconception that comic books are cartoonish strips like the Penuts, Garfield, or Calvin and Hobbes.
Actual comic books handle complex issues such as drug use, racism, sex, and violence. Next time someone says comic books are for kids I wanna throw them a copy of Punisher MAX and see how childish they really are.

[Charles RB]

And I would like more, some of them in a shared universe.

Why in a shared universe? That won't make them any more literary. (God knows how you'd get From Hell into a shared universe with anything...)

[Shellhead]

Comic books are definitely not for kids. But the belief comes from the misconception that comic books are cartoonish strips like the Penuts, Garfield, or Calvin and Hobbes.
Actual comic books handle complex issues such as drug use, racism, sex, and violence. Next time someone says comic books are for kids I wanna throw them a copy of Punisher MAX and see how childish they really are.

Mature subject matter can still be handled in childish and immature manner. Look at Identity Crisis.

[Charles RB]

Comic books are definitely not for kids.

[dupont2005]

I would love to see more comics along the lines of these writers rather than cartoons targeted towards elementary school kids.

Then look outside the super hero genre. When I want to read a gritty crime drama I don't look in a Little Golden Book

[Spike-X]

Comic books are definitely not for kids.

Some are. Some aren't. That's the great thing about such a diverse medium! My kids can chill out with Blue Beetle or Supergirl* or Usagi Yojimbo or a Calvin and Hobbes collection while I enjoy the latest Scalped or Queen and Country tpb.

But the belief comes from the misconception that comic books are cartoonish strips like the Penuts, Garfield, or Calvin and Hobbes.

You mean the misconception that all comic books are like these. And you're right, they aren't. But there's definitely room for some that are.

Actual comic books handle complex issues such as drug use, racism, sex, and violence.

Some do, yes. Some do this quite well.

Next time someone says comic books are for kids I wanna throw them a copy of Punisher MAX and see how childish they really are.

Or a copy of Ex Machina, or Sandman, or Sweet Tooth.


* Sorry to keep banging on about Supergirl. My daughter loves the character.

[Spike-X]

What would you change? How is the current Supergirl title not all ages enough for you?

Okay, after having had a look at the latest issue of Supergirl, there's nothing in there that I don't think would be suitable for my nearly eight-year-old daughter. It's not very good (the cliche 'Oirish' dialogue makes my skin crawl, for starters) and it would probably bore her more than anything else (too much talking, not enough flying), but there's nothing in there I would consider inappropriate for her age.

[dupont2005]

Comic books are definitely not for kids. But the belief comes from the misconception that comic books are cartoonish strips like the Penuts, Garfield, or Calvin and Hobbes.
Actual comic books handle complex issues such as drug use, racism, sex, and violence. Next time someone says comic books are for kids I wanna throw them a copy of Punisher MAX and see how childish they really are.

Punisher Max is a great example of how childish comics really are.

[Spike-X]

Punisher Max is a great example of how childish comics really are.

But putting on a big skull shirt and getting lots of guns and going around shooting all the criminals is so mature and realistic!

[Slam_Bradley]

But putting on a big skull shirt and getting lots of guns and going around shooting all the criminals is so mature and realistic!

It happens in my neighborhood a couple times a week.

[Charles RB]

there's nothing in there that I don't think would be suitable for my nearly eight-year-old daughter. It's not very good and it would probably bore her

That sounds very unsuitable!

[Spike-X]

That sounds very unsuitable!

Well, yes. But I meant it wasn't all rapey or anything.

[Serik]

So apparently Marvel's unlimited subscription doohickey doesn't work on the iPad. This has nothing to do with kids, but what the hell, Marvel/Disney? Get with the times. I WANT TO HAND YOU MONEY!

When I did read Marvel comic books as a kid, I liked seeing footnote: that sort of rigid adherence to continuity made everything seem so important, even if I didn't know what the hell was going on.

[Paradox]

Prisoner 6655321 gives me an example:

I love Bone (I have a tattoo of a Bone in a leather Jacket wearing a Ramones T-Shirt, drinking a jug of Moonshine and smoking a cigar… yeah I realize that image is in no way “all ages”)

Here is probably the reason we're having such a disconnect. There's nothing not "all ages" about that image. Yes, children aren't supposed to drink or smoke, but that doesn't mean they can't ever see anyone drink or smoke. There's nothing offensive or dangerous to children there and it can be enjoyed by children and adults. That's what "all ages" means.