You Can Turn to a Hero to Encourage Reluctant Readers

To most parents, reading equals books--and they usually don’t think of comic books as something to encourage.

I think, however, that comic books are a great way to lure reluctant readers into the world of reading.

I’m living proof. As a kid, I refused to read books. But after I discovered Dennis the Menace, Mad Magazine and similar literature, it didn’t take me long to make the transition to enjoying books.

A word of caution: Many of the comics on the market are grisly, violent and thoroughly trashy. Still, some do offer excellent writing, worthwhile art and positive messages.

If your child doesn’t seem ready or willing to tackle an entire book, consider prepping him or her with some of the following comics:

Super-heroes are the mainstay of the comics industry. The most popular comic of the past decade, “X-Men,” features the adventures of a group of mutant heroes who, in addition to fighting typical “super-villains,” also have fought hunger and contended with other social issues.

These heroes are shunned or feared by society because of their superhuman abilities, so readers get a good lesson about racism, handicaps and tolerance.

“X-Men” and a variety of related titles are published monthly, most costing $1.25, and are suited for youths from age 10 through college (where the characters are very popular).

Batman comics are more popular than ever because of the recent films. There are several series of monthly Batman comics. “Legends of the Dark Knight,” which features three or four-issue story lines by top comics writers and artists, often offers interesting variations of the usual super-hero story. For example, Batman has been represented as a 19th-Century character and even a senior citizen in the future. It costs $1.25.

Superman, whose longtime appeal is based on wholesomeness as well as his superhuman powers, is especially popular at the moment: The Man of Steel is scheduled to “die” in November. You can read about his death, and its impact, for $1.25 an issue.

Valiant comics offer revivals of some super-heroes from the 1960s. This popular line has been used in some schools to demonstrate sequential plotting and other literary techniques. The writing is superb, the plots twist and the dilemmas are compelling. Valiant monthly comics cost $1.95 to $2.50.

“Cage,” is a relatively new comic featuring an African-American super-hero. You may remember the character as “Luke Cage, Hero for Hire,” in the 1970s and ‘80s. Published monthly, Cage costs $1.25.

Other African-American heroes appear in a new series called “Zulu Lives,” created by a group of black artists. There’s one issue so far; it costs $1.50.

“Love and Rockets” is perhaps the best-known comic that does not focus on super-heroes or horror stories. Created by Jamie and Gilbert Hernandez, brothers who grew up in Oxnard, the series features Latino protagonists who face dilemmas of daily life.

The 10-year-old series has received many awards for its writing and artwork. Published bimonthly and costing $2.95, Love and Rockets is more suitable for high school students and older readers. Its topics include sex, drug abuse and pregnancy. The resulting message, though, is almost always positive.

For science fiction and fantasy, older readers should try “The Sandman,” which is generally regarded as the best-written mainstream comic today.

Also recommended are “Weird Science,” “Weird Fantasy” or “Weird Science Fantasy.” These are actually remakes of 1950s originals, some of which were discontinued during the 1950s after investigations by Congress about excessive violence and grisly horror themes in comic books leading to delinquency. The three titles have included stories by Ray Bradbury and other sci-fi heavyweights. Issues appear monthly, each costing $1.50.

“Elfquest,” an excellent title for girls and young women, features strong female characters. The series features elves and other fantasy-genre characters who live in a Tolkienesque world and solve a gamut of problems. Once an ongoing series, Elfquest has been compiled into a single volume that costs $17.95.

“Gen of Hiroshima,” consisting of children’s stories about surviving the bombing of Hiroshima in World War II, has retained popularity for years. It is recommended by Educators for Social Responsibility and is used in some history classes. Each of the three volumes costs $10.95.

“Classics Illustrated” is a traditional favorite among children who just can’t understand the classic novels, plays and short stories they’re assigned in school. Recently updated, this series features 24 comic books, each presenting a literary classic in comic form. Works include “Moby Dick,” “The Jungle” and some of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories. Each comic costs $3.75 to $3.95.

You can find all of these titles, and hundreds more, at Hi De Ho Comics in Santa Monica and comics stores throughout the county. Many are also available in public libraries.

Mary Laine Yarber teaches English at an area high school.