Help me out!

[Mother]

I thought I'd come straight to the experts!

I have 2 boys, 6 & 8 (on the spectrum) who are super clever but innocent in so many ways. They are bored by everything the other boys like (football etc) and struggle to make friends.

The younger one likes history, facts and Dr Who - the eldest like computer games (specifically Terraria and plants vs zombies) he is however, very sensitive to certain - big - issues (like apocalypse, war and climate change) but likes violence

Anyway - I'd love them to get into comics and find something they love, perhaps collect - where do I start? I'm prepared to spend a lot of money (it's nearly xmas after all) so please be as detailed as you'd like.

Thank you so much

Edit: I'm happy for them to read 9+ rated stuff but would definitely be cautious about 12+

[Kirby101]

I would suggest Bone by Jeff Smith. It's a fantastic story about creaturse living in a forested world. The art work is Disneyesque cartoony, but that is deceptive to how complex the story and characters are. And it is FUN!

I would stay away from Marvel and DC right now. At one time they were great comics for young people to start to read. But they have become so weighed down by the history and crossovers that it would be very hard to jump in. Reading one or two titles has become near impossible with knowledge of the whole Universe they exist in. They have become comics for long time reading fans.

[SquirrelMan]

I would suggest Bone by Jeff Smith. It's a fantastic story about creaturse living in a forested world. The art work is Disneyesque cartoony, but that is deceptive to how complex the story and characters are. And it is FUN!

I would stay away from Marvel and DC right now. At one time they were great comics for young people to start to read. But they have become so weighed down by the history and crossovers that it would be very hard to jump in. Reading one or two titles has become near impossible with knowledge of the whole Universe they exist in. They have become comics for long time reading fans.

Squirrel Girl from Marvel should be ok. It's all about being a good person and science. And staying quite separate from the confusing bits of the "Marvel Universe."

[Tami]

There is a series of Dr. Who comics that complement the TV series, but I'd look them over first to be sure they are right for your children.

Some links with suggestions:
https://www.fatherly.com/play/best-comic-books-kids/
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articl...ds-comics.html
http://blog.aboutread.com/recommende...-9-years-olds/

[Soubhagya]

Squirrel Girl from Marvel should be ok. It's all about being a good person and science. And staying quite separate from the confusing bits of the "Marvel Universe."

I second Squirrel Girl too. Its great and is simpler. Since, your kids are super clever i think they will have a lot of fun here. The book is very smartly written. One of the impressive parts is how the writer often puts in computer science facts (Squirrel Girl is a Computer Science student) within fun stories. However, there is a mini series named 'Great Lake Avengers'. That series is not for small kids. That series is collected in this.

https://www.comixology.com/The-Unbea...l-comic/397290

I would also recommend 'Super Sons' from DC. Its a nice title starring the sons of Batman and Superman who team up and go on adventures together. Its excellent and fun. Being young boys themselves i am quite sure they would love it.



Issues published till now:

Squirrel Girl.

https://www.comixology.com/The-Unbea...s-series/54229

Super Sons.

https://www.comixology.com/Super-Son...s-series/86238

[CaptCleghorn]

Squirrel Girl trades are available on Amazon (and probably other sources). Please realize that although it's rated T for teens, it's really an all ages book.

https://www.amazon.com/Unbeatable-Sq.../dp/1302906658

You didn't ask, but I'm going to recommend the Cub Scout program as well for your boys. I'm assuming you live in the US. The scouting program in the US has many boys (and girls) with fannish likes.

[Joker]

I'd suggest Mouse Guard. It's wonderfully drawn and super easy to read. It's not a "kids" comic, but it isn't really "mature" either. Again, give it a look first, but I can't see a problem with it for kids.

The art is really detailed, which might appeal to your kids, being on the spectrum. There's also a role playing game based on it they might enjoy.

You can see and read more about it here: http://www.mouseguard.net/

[MRP]

I'll echo the recommendation of Bone. It's a great all ages read.

Try Bone Sharps, Cowboys and Thunder Lizards by Jim Ottivani and company, especially for the one who likes history.


dinosaurs, fossils, rivalries, what more could a boy want?

there's even a youtube trailer for it.



David Pederson (of Mouseguard fame) suggested this as a book to turn people onto comics during his keynote speech at this year's Ringo Awards.

Paul Pope's Battling Boy is also intended for an all ages audience...



with a healthy dose of cartoon violence and monsters.

You mentioned Plants vs. Zombies, Dark Horse did a Plants vs, Zombie comic...



which has a couple of trade collections available.

-M

[MRP]

You might also check out Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo (who recently had a guest spot on the Nickelodean TMNT cartoon).



historical adventures in feudal Japan with a strong does of mythology thrown in, all in a world populated by "funny animals"

It also features a lot of swordfighting and mystery and intrigue as well to keep a kid's attention.

-M

[seismic-2]

> The younger one likes history, facts and Dr Who

Buy some collections of Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge comics from the 1950s and 1960s.

[Mister Mets]

I'll add support for Squirrel Girl, Mouse Guard and Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge, which is collected in nice hardcovers by Fantagraphics.

Usagi Yojimbo is excellent, but might be a bit mature for kids who are 6 and 8. It's somewhat PG-13.

The first volume of Ultimate Spider-Man is a modern reimagining of Spider-Man, without any heavy backstory.

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Spid...ate+spider-man

[numberthirty]

If you are alright with a series that has already wrapped up, I was a really big fan of the "Marvel Now!" run of Future Foundation.

I would have zero qualms about putting that title in a kid's hands.