5 comic book series for kids who love graphic novels
Whether you enjoy reading but find picking up a big book a little scary, or you just love the bright, fun and colourful pages of graphic novels, Bunny vs Monkey creator Jamie Smart shares his top comic book recommendations.
"Since I write and draw Bunny vs Monkey (and Looshkin, and Max and Chaffy, too), I was asked to recommend some super cool comic books. So, I've been thinking about this a lot. It's a brilliant time for comic books and there are so many new ones coming out, so at first I was going to recommend some of the well-known ones like Investi-Gators, BatPig, and Kitty Quest. But then I thought, hang on, if someone reading this likes comic books, they possibly know those ones already.
Instead, I went through my bookcases and pulled out some comic book series I absolutely love. Some of them you might have heard of, some you might not, but they're all totally brilliant in different ways, and hopefully you might want to try them too!" Jamie Smart
Calvin And Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Most comic book artists of my age will say Bill Watterson was a huge influence on how they draw comics, and I think you can especially see his influence in my work. Calvin and Hobbes is the story of a boy, Calvin, and his stuffed toy tiger, Hobbes, who he imagines is alive. Together they have all sort of fantastical adventures, while barely ever leaving their front yard. For me it's perfect cartooning - simple, clever, sweet, and so, so funny!
Little Tails by Frédéric Brrémaud and illustrated by Federico Bertolucci
Perhaps a little less well known in this country, and these are short books, but Little Tails is an example of how imaginative you can be with comics. Beautifully painted scenery merges with sketchy, simple characters, offering up something halfway between a picture book and a comic book. It makes the story all the more immersive, and you get a real thrill of exploration!
Super Dweeb by Jess Bradley
For younger readers, there are already a handful of books in the Super Dweeb series, and they're all as fun as each other. Super Dweeb tells the story of Andy, a boy who discovers a magic pencil which can bring his drawings to life... and it's from this beginning that Jess the author weaves such huge, crazy, and utterly silly stories, you can't help but laugh along with it all. Brilliant stuff!
Cuphead by Zack Keller and Shawn Dickinson
For older comic readers (perhaps 10 and up), the Cuphead comics are so joyful to read. Based on the wildly successful videogame, the books feature the same distinctive art style all stretching and squashing its way across the pages. It's SUCH fun to look at, the motions are so fluid and exaggerated, and the stories and sometimes cruelly hilarious!
Mega Robo Bros by Neill Cameron
I have to mention Mega Robo Bros, since Neill has consistently been building this story for years and years, and every book in the series delivers such explosive revelations. It's the story of Alex and Freddy, two robot boys trying to live as normal a life as possible, but the world (and a few other robots) have different plans for them. Not only does Mega Robo Bros pull you through huge, amazing cityscapes, but it also deals with very real emotions along the way, and there are some genuinely sad moments. A fantastic series for fans of action and smashing stuff! Like me!
About Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig by Jamie Smart
The Woods are in uproar! Pig has vanished! What could have happened to him? And who is this familiar-looking bearded figure sitting on a cloud? Could they be connected?
