6 Essential Comics for the Kid in All of Us

The Bill the Cat Story: A Bloom County Epic, by Berkeley Breathed
Thirty-five years ago a little-known comic strip called Bloom County instantly made characters Opus (the penguin) and Bill the Cat into household names. The adventures of these silly, sincere, colorful characters caught the nation’s eye as it was syndicated nationally, and before long its creator was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Nine years later,Bloom County sadly came to a close, but twenty-five years later it has returned with an online fanbase that loves the comics more than ever. For he first time ever here is an all-new, kid-friendly story for fans of Bill the Cat and everyone who is curious about his origins.

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson
No list of lovable, must-read comic strips for parents and kids would be complete without Calvin and Hobbes. This long running series is one of the most popular comics ever. Calvin is a six year old like no other, and shares a beautiful, complex friendship with his wonderfully playful imaginary tiger Hobbes. The series was first syndicated in 1985 and appeared in more than 2,400 newspapers, after which Bill Watterson retired in 1996. Whether they are building forts and exploring the outdoors, or enjoying the freedom of their room, Calvin and Hobbes speak just as much to kids as they do parents.

The Complete Peanuts: Comics & Stories (Vol. 26), by Charles M. Schulz
The final volume of this epic series contains many Peanuts-related art, some of which has never been seen before. Readers can now view all of Schulz’s creations, including storybooks, stories, single-panel gags, advertising, book illustrations, photographs, and believe it or not, a recipe! The book includes plenty of Peanuts images too, all of it created by Schulz himself. If you are a lifelong fan, or in the process of creating a lifelong fan of Snoopy, Linus, and the rest of the gang, this book is a must!

Batman Vol. 9: Bloom, by Scott Snyder
The adventures of the Dark Knight transcend age, year, or medium. If you enjoy any of the Batman movies, shows, or action figures, you’ll love this conclusion to the Scott Snyder series. This twist on the Bruce Wayne saga has him in love with an amazing woman while helping the children of the city he loves. Yet after the last Joker attack his memory is spotty, despite all of his current happiness. Could there be something more out there, something calling him? The Batman wants to return, but will it be at the expense of his new life? For more background, go all the way back to Batman, Volume 1: The Court of Owls and discover what all the excitement is about!

Spider-Man/Deadpool Vol. 1: Isn’t it Bromantic, by Joe Kelly
After the undeniable success of Deadpool, and the excitement that followed Spider-Man’s appearance in Captain America: Civil War, here is the comic that all fans have been begging for. The banter may not be appropriate to share with younger readers, but an adult fan won’t be sorry. In the intro to this series Deadpool and Spider-Man must work together against a common enemy to save the city. Of course as usual Deadpool has has an ulterior motive: recruit Spidey to his Mercs For Money business. Crack open this book for the laughs, stay for the adventure!

Drawn Together: Uplifting Comics on the Curious Journey Through Life and Love, by Leah Pearlman
Like a warm hug to your inner self, Leah Pearlman’s cartoons are the pick-me-up we all need. With over 100 beloved fan favorites and never-before-published illustrations, readers will find something to smile about on each page of this sweet collection. Enjoy these little sips of happiness alone on a stressful day, or spread the love and share them with family or friends.
Which comics have you always loved?