What We’re Reading: A Dad-and-Son Guide to Graphic Novels For Kids - Issue 1

Reading with your kid comes with a discovery: the two of you will not always agree on what makes a great book. Sometimes they’re laughing, while you’re wondering how many pages are left. Other times, you’re excitedly explaining a comic book reference to someone who would really appreciate it if you stopped talking and turned the page. If your spouse isn’t into comics, I’m sure they can empathize.

Occasionally, a book hits the sweet spot. You’re both invested. You’re both laughing. And finding out what happens next becomes more important than enforcing bedtime.

These are my reviews, informed by the highly opinionated reader sitting next to me. Luckily, my son has taken to reading like the Hulk to smashing the Marvel Universe, so there are a lot of books to go through. To kick things off, here are three graphic novels or series that earned five stars in our house.

My son is 7, and most of these books were read to him, by me in the last year or two. As with any kid, their tastes may vary and will likely change as they get older.

Spider-Man: A Mighty Marvel Team-Up (Ongoing)

By Mike Maihack | ★★★★★

Spider-Man gets into colorful, chaotic adventures alongside an expanding cast of Marvel characters. From superhero pet-sitting in Animals Assemble! to a trip into the Quantum Realm in Quantum Quest!, Spidey keeps both parent and child entertained.

My son and I absolutely loved these books. They’re funny, lighthearted, and packed with the kind of comic book silliness that makes reading aloud a pleasure. There are stakes, but the emphasis is on having a fun adventure. Sure, you get familiar faces, but you also get characters like Frog Thor and the Warriors Three. This is a different flavor of Spidey from the one your kid might know from Spidey and His Amazing Friends (which my son loves, but I personally think is kind of painful).

For kids, it’s an introduction to a bigger, weirder Marvel universe. For parents who already know that universe, there are Easter eggs everywhere. You can enjoy the adventure together while occasionally experiencing the very specific thrill of recognizing a character your child has absolutely no reason to know.

Yet.

That balance makes these books special. My son gets a fun Spider-Man story, and I get to enjoy how much comic book lore Maihack has tucked into it. Neither of us feels like we’re merely along for the ride.

The next installment, Spider-Man: Sinister Snafu!, is scheduled for summer 2027. I’ve already preordered it.

A quick detour into Iron Man territory: The Mighty Marvel Team-Up Iron Man books are fun, too, and I appreciate seeing classic characters like Fin Fang Foom get their moment. They just don’t quite reach the same five-star heights for me. Maybe it’s the art. Maybe it’s the stories. Maybe I just like Spider-Man more.

Still enjoyable. Spidey just wins this round.

Nimona

By ND Stevenson | ★★★★★

Nimona inspired the Netflix movie nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. The graphic novel follows a shapeshifter determined to become the sidekick of Lord Ballister Blackheart, a notorious villain with a complicated past. Together, they challenge the powerful Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, while Nimona’s mysterious history and unpredictable powers complicate the arrangement considerably.

We loved Nimona. But I really suggest reading the book before watching the movie. I know it’s a cliché, but there are a few surprises that play out much more organically in the book.

There’s mystery around Nimona, and the book gives that uncertainty room to breathe. You learn about the characters a little at a time, and those discoveries change how you understand what you’ve already read. The reveals feel more nuanced, and wondering what’s really going on is a huge part of the fun.

If you’ve already watched the movie, some of those discoveries will lose their surprise.

Would I recommend it as enthusiastically to someone who has already seen the movie? Probably not. But if you’re both going in fresh? Keep it that way. This is a five-star read worth meeting on its own terms.

Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club

By Molly Knox Ostertag and illustrated by Xanthe Bouma | ★★★★★

This official Dungeons & Dragons graphic novel trilogy follows middle schoolers whose friendships and everyday struggles intersect with their tabletop adventures. Beginning with friends Jess and Olivia, the series moves between the kids’ lives and the fantasy world they build together.

Middle school already has enough encounters to fill a campaign: bullying, homework, friendship problems, first crushes, gender identity, and parental pressure. Unfortunately, you can’t solve most of them by announcing that you swing your battle-axe.

Dungeon Club understands both the appeal of escaping into a game and the way real life follows you to the table.

What we loved was watching the connection between those two worlds. The kids’ feelings don’t disappear when the dice come out. Their worries, frustrations, and relationships work their way into their characters and the choices they make during the adventure. What happens outside the game gives the fantasy scenes more meaning, and what happens inside it helps them work through things they’re struggling with.

And my son was invested. He gasped and laughed out loud at different moments in these books. As a dad reading alongside him, that’s about as convincing a review as I could ask for.

Five stars from both of us. Putting it down at bedtime requires a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw. Good luck.

ALL BOOKS HAVE EITHER BEEN PURCHASED BY ME OR BORROWED FROM OUR LOCAL LIBRARY. NO AFFILIATE LINKS OR KICKBACKS HERE!