New All Age Comic Books

There are many ways to approach a Suicide Squad review. Is this late summer popcorn fare, the redemption of DC Comics in film or a combination of them and other angles? Suicide Squad is a group of villains from the DC Comics lineup who are doing good deeds under duress in exchange for getting time removed from their jail sentences. In a nutshell, Suicide Squad is not the horrid mess that some make it out to be, nor is it the savior that DC was looking for. Suicide Squad lives in the shadow of Batman V. Superman, literally and figuratively. It takes place in a world that is still mourning the death of Superman and trying to figure out how to safeguard itself from future potential meta human baddies.  The film has shades of Arrow, season 2 and also serves as a set up for Justice League with Enchantress, a witch who can project herself anywhere. The film does a great job of setting up the squad, introducing them with enough back story to know how they got their talents or powers. For the first 25 minutes or so we meet Amanda Waller, who is helming the group, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Diablo and a couple others. We don’t get too caught up in their history and I hope that the main movies for Wonder Woman, Flash and such keep the history to a minimum. You were swept up in a tragic scientific experiment, daughter of gods-whatever. Skip the Doofenshmirtz tragic back story and get on with the current story and action. Enchantress, being the witch that she is, summons her brother who has plans of his own world domination. Sure enough at the drop of a hat things go from normal to apocalyptic. The Suicide Squad assembles, makes some wise cracks and starts to save the day. But then they’re distracted by questionable morals and some more tragic back stories before realizing that they can establish a new legacy by saving the world. I’m glossing over some of the details because Suicide Squad is an entertaining summer movie and many people will want to see it and not have the surprises spoiled.  However, as a film, its pacing is uneven and has the action either on or off. When Will Smith or Margot Robbie aren’t on the screen the movie slows down to a crawl. It rebounds and sprints again, but I suspect that the much rumored reshoots that happened after Batman V Superman was met with a collective thud triggered this. Some parts of Suicide Squad are so much fun, while others aren’t much fun at all. The film would’ve benefitted from more Joker, who is on screen for much less time than the trailer would suggest. It also crawls whenever Cara Delevenge is on screen and not in full on Enchantress garb. As the witch she’s creepy and barely there.  However, her presence and personality when she’s the human doctor or goddess is unintentionally funny or simply feels like stunt casting to get a model who can act in the picture. Is the film misogynistic? Some have pointed out that Harley Quinn’s outfit and the overall treatment of women is demeaning to women. Did they not see the parts with Katana or Amanda Waller ruling their scenes using their particular skills? Suicide Squad is not misogynistic. Having said that if you’re looking for a film where women totally rule things you should simply wait for Wonder Woman. The film builds to a large ending that resembles the big bad building the equivalent of a technodrome from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  In the end Suicide Squad is a fun, uneven film with a couple really good set pieces. It’s not enough to herald the end of DC Comics in film, but it doesn’t leave audiences expecting great things from future Zack Snyder involved joints either.  Optimistically speaking this is the best modern take from the DC Universe.

Happy #NCBD and this week’s new all age comic books offer something for every reader. Let’s start with the price point reader and there are two great comic books that only cost $2.99, Looney Tunes and Batman 66’ Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel, #2 (of 6) are both from DC Comics. They’re also fun comics with well established names, so it’s a great entry point for those reluctant readers. In humor comics kids will want to check out Dreamworks Classics with Shrek and Madagascar, Regular Show #38, Mickey Mouse Shadow of Colossus trade paperback or the Sonic the Hedgehog trade paperback, Waves of Change. Superhero has a nice Avengers title from Marvel Comics, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Amazing Adventures and a turtle title for advanced fans that retails for $28 that lists all of their villains. Older readers, 10 and up might want to check out Torchwood. This is a comic book based on the fabulous show that is also written by John Barrowman, who played Captain Jack in the series. Barrowman is also an accomplished writer and appearing at Dragon Con 2016 too. In science fiction a trade paperback that we’re excited about is Bera the One Headed Troll. It’s from :01 First Second books and is the story about a troll that finds a human baby in the realm of the trolls. She doesn’t want to hurt the baby, but the same can’t be said for the other trolls. The art in the book from Eric Orchard looks great, is really creative and trollish, without being scary for younger kids to qualify as an all ages comic book, or graphic novel in this case. Kids 9 and up that dig zombie tales will want to discover Ghoul Scouts Night of the Unliving Undead, #3. This is the story of a group of kids trying to figure out the mystery of a zombie outbreak in town. It’s kid friendly, rated E from Action Lab and is just the thing that’ll appease their Walking Dead curiosity. To find your closest comic book store just put your zip code into the comic book store locator. Humor //

Every Wednesday is new comic book day at your local comic book store. Some weeks are better than others and this week is jam packed with some fabulous all age comic books. In humor comic books fans of Adventure Time will want to check out Adventure Time Comics. This is a new title that allows different creators-who are also fans of Adventure Time to draw and script their own adventures. It’s in line with SpongeBob Comics and how there are a couple different incarnations of him in any given issue. Bone, Coda-the 25th Anniversary, Darkwing Duck, Finding Dory, Shrek and Scooby Doo Team Up are out too. That last title is priced perfectly at $2.99 also, which makes it very simple to pick up for the kids. The Pink Panther #3 is out, we’re not a fan of that title for a couple reasons, but our 6 year old likes it. In superheroes, Future Quest is a fun title from DC Comics that ages 10 and up will enjoy. The content is great for any age, but the amount of reading will put off anyone under that. It features Space Ghost, Johnny Quest, Bird Man and lots of other classic Hannah Barbera characters. There are lots of twists and turns that make this a plot rich series that young readers will want to follow. Power Rangers Pink, Teen Titans #22 is a good title for ages 10 and up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #60 and a classic TMNT Coloring Book, plus a classic DC Coloring Book are out. Action all age comic books sees the series finale of Haunted Mansion, an Invader Zim trade paperback, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers and much more at your local store. A great book for all ages is What Is It? by Dustin Nguyen, who does Li’l Gotham and others. This is a book about the wonders of not knowing what something is and trying to figure it out. Its vocabulary and pacing, combined with the dreamy art make this a great good-night book. This is not an all age comic book, but Predator Vs. Judge Dredd Vs. Aliens #1 is out this week. The title alone wills us to pick it up for us to marvel at the mash up. Where is your local comic book store? How can I listen to this podcast?   Humor //

It’s a great week for graphic novels and trade paperbacks. It’s not that there aren’t any great new all age comic books, it’s just that there are a couple new graphic novels or trade paperbacks that bundle together some cool series. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Great Lakes Avengers, Dragons Riders of Berk and The Cloud are three different graphic novels. The Cloud is a fabulous fantasy book that’s brand new for fans of Mouseguard or the Jim Henson titles that have come out on Archaia. Dragons continues the adventures of Berk, while Squirrel Girl is a great title that girls will really love. Ignore the T+ rating on this one as it’s great for anyone 7 and up. In action all age comic books you’ll find 2 new Star Wars magazines, Doctor Who, Back to the Future and a couple others. Humor readers will enjoy two of our go-to books, Lumberjanes and Simpsons Comics, both of which are some of the best humor, content and art for ages 6 and up. Grumpy Cat, Groo, a new Betty & Veronica series, a couple Disney books and Strawberry Shortcake round out the comics. The music in the podcast is from Scott Holmes, you can dig all of his music over at Free Music Archives. The links in the post will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20% off your online orders. To find your closest comic book store just put your zip code into the Comic Book Shop Locator site. Humor //

This week in all age comic books brings one of the best characters out there coming to an end. Peanuts has its final issue-and it’s fabulous, but it’s also sad, funny, poignant, beautiful and as great as you remember from the classic strips. Also out this week in humor books is The Flintstones #1, Donald Duck #15, a new Lumberjanes trade paperback, Popeye Classics #48, Regular Show #37 and a couple others. In action and science fiction it’s a good week for time and space. There are two Doctor Who comic books, Doctor Who Adventures (great for kids 6-13), a Doctor Who book featuring River song and a new Doctor Who comics event that features the four most recent doctors! All of this leads up to Doctor Who Comics Day, which is June 9. Arguably, this is a bigger deal in the U.K. than elsewhere, but bigger comic shops will still have something going on. In sister Doctor Who news, a new monthly comic called Torchwood is out this week.  It’s not an all age comic book per sea, but ages 12 and up will love it. Also in science fiction is Invader Zim, a comic from Oni Press that is quickly becoming one of our must-reads on many levels. It really is great for boys or girls of any age, the content is great for them and they’re already familiar with it through the Nickelodeon show. Bottom line, the art and story in this comic make it a fun read that you’ll find yourself borrowing from your 6 year old once they go to sleep. It’s a light week for superheroes with only Spidey #7 and Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel. However, we’re reading some great all age superhero books now-and will review them soon on the site. They’re background, introduction type stuff that early readers will gravitate towards if they like action and big name heroes that their friends like. Where is my closest comic book shop? Alternately the links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20% on your online orders. Humor //

If you live in the United States this is the first week that everyone has off for summer vacation! Congratulations, take the kids out to your local comic book store to see what’s kicking for new comic book day. It’s a great week for new all age comic books including DC Super Hero Girls-a brand new graphic novel that geared for girls 6 and up. Young girls will also like Disney Princesses, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, My Little Pony, Jim Henson’s Shadows of the Dark Crystals and more. It’s not all about girl power-and have said that, those titles are just those that are marketed towards girls or I suspect will enjoy it more than boys. There are also a couple new Doctor Who comics, Sonic the Hedgehog, a new comic from Clarence and Uncle Scrooge.  One of our favorite all age comic books this week is Pink Panther. This books is funny, great for any age and gives kids a chance to see a classic character in a way that their parents remember. Issue #2 of Pink Panther from American Mythology Productions is out this week and has bright colors and funny gags galore. The podcast highlights three issues from humor, action and superhero that will be of interest to the fans of all age comic books.  This could include some books that are great for elementary or middle school too. Jim Henson’s Shadows of the Dark Crystals is a YA book that will hook readers 10 and up. It’s set before the time of The Dark Crystal and fans of that movie are probably already drooling and trying to find it online. We also tweet lots about other books, plus some Japanophile news and cat videos, because internet. Action/Sci-fi //

Happy first week of summer! New Comic book day this week yields some great all age comic books including our favorite new comic book, a very large section of science fiction and action comics, plus a new imprint of titles from a major publisher that’s great for tweens. First off, the high points to this post are in a nice podcast and the music you hear on it is from Lee Rosevere. To find your closest comic book shop just follow the link and put in your zip code. Lastly, the links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20% on any order. The conclusion to Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man Contest of Champions (#4) is out this week, as is  Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #4 and Ms. Marvel #8, which is a great comic for kids 11 and up. You know how Marvel Comics and DC Comics keep reshuffling the universe right? Marvel is reaching out to fans by reprinting the first couple issues of their titles on a new imprint. Timely Comics kicks off with the first three issues of Totally Awesome Hulk for only $3. This title is going to be good for kids 11 and up due to the some of the violence and situations. Science fiction is busy this week too with Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises #3, Ghostbusters International #6, Munchkin #18 and many more. Bruce Lee is our favorite new comic book this year. It’s much better than you think it is. I state that because anytime you create a new story around a real person, especially one so storied and awesome as Bruce Lee your expectations are high. Rest easy, this all age comic book has action, humor, heart and lessons that anyone can learn from. Famous Monsters is not for the all age audience. However, parents might remember this from when they were kids. I would buy this several times a year to get a sneak preview of the new sci-fi or monster movies. It’s a magazine, so the reading is aimed at adults, but the language is clean. Some of the monster images might be too much for younger readers, but older ones will get a kick out of the behind the scene photos. Humor all age comic book fans have Archie #9, the final issue of the Action Cat & Adventure Bug mini series, Looney Tunes #231 and more. When you head to the comic book store be sure to tag anything with #NCBD. You can also tag us on twitter @DaddyMojo to share what you’re reading.   Superhero //

Hey, did you know we do this in podcast form? And suddenly it’s the middle of June. Our kids love this time of year because that means every Wednesday when the new all age comic books come out they get to come to the store with me. Years ago the comic book store employees weren’t too sure what to make of really small people in the store, but we’ve since assured them that they’ll touch nothing. Now it’s a symbiotic and friendly relationship, with them coming in each week to check out the new comic books and the staff giving them promotional posters from time to time. It’s a very funny week in all age comic books this week. There’s a great graphic novel from Regular Show, Jughead, Walt Disney Comics, Simpsons Comics, Spongebob Comics Annual Giant Swimtacular and more. If you have a 7 year old girl who is looking for something to read check out Strawberry Shortcake #3, it’s got some intrigue, mystery, humor and action all happening in the café. Action and science fiction has some of the classic staples like Doctor Who, Sonic Universe and Transformers. There are also some of the new classics including Plants Vs. Zombies (in their final monthly appearance), Lumberjanes, Dragons Defenders of Berk and many others.  If you have an 8 year old then they might love Luna TheVampire trade paperback Volume 1, Grumpy Space.  Also in that category of interest is Princeless, who has two titles out this week that are helmed by girl power, but have action and writing that anyone can enjoy. Scooby Apocalypse #2 is out this week too. This is the different Scooby-Doo that you heard about. Shaggy is a hipster, Fred is a videographer, Daphne is a TV personality, Velma is a scientist and the world is about the end. Nanobytes that turn people into monsters has been let loose on the world. This series is actually pretty good, but not for young kids. Due to the end-of-world stuff and some comments in the comic book ages 12 and up will be OK with it. Look-Scooby was almost in a dog fight! Yeah, that happened, but this comic is clearly not aimed at the young kids. In superhero all age comic books you’ve got one release this week, Spidey. Ignore the ‘teen’ rating on the cover, the action and tone of this is fine for ages 8 and up. Comedy //

It’s early June and a great week for humor all age comic books because there are more of them than the other categories combined. That’s not a bad thing, because on the whole there are so many all age books coming out this week there is bound to be at least two different books for every young reader. If you want the audio version of this where we highlight a couple of books in each category just check out our podcast. It’s only 15 minutes long and give me a great excuse to use my broadcasting degree. In Superhero this week you can get the trade paperback for Actionverse where they celebrate their fifth anniversary or Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy #8. While not in comic book stores you can also find new young reader origin stories from Capstone featuring Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. These are easy reader books that are great for young readers and more book than comic book. But they’re great and give confidence to readers that they can conquer a chapter book. Science fiction and action has lots that we’re excited about this week including Invader Zim, a cross over comic book featuring Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy and Sonic the Hedgehog. Poppy! And the Lost Lagoon is a trade paperback that looks really good for ages 10 and up. It’s from Dark Horse, has fabulous art and is the story about a young girl who gets summoned on a worldwide quest to find out what happened to her grandfather. Kaijumax Season 2 is great, large monster wrecking fun for ages 9 and up due to the large monsters and such. If humor based all age comic books are your jam then this week is for you. Adventure Time, Donald Duck, a trade paperback from Ghostbusters, Goldie Vance, Mickey Mouse, The Pink Panther, Spongebob Comics, Welcome to Showside and many others are out. Where is your closest comic book store?  The links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20% on your order.   Superhero //

Normally when you describe a movie as not bad it’s meant as a slight. However, with TMNT: Out of the Shadows it’s meant as a compliment. For us, we expected Out of the Shadows to be bad and were pleasantly surprised when we enjoyed it. When the cartoon first came out I was a casual fan, but with our kids watching those same episodes I’m back down with Turtle Power. Out of the Shadows is better than you think it is, if you go in with the right frame of mind and are 10 or older. Out of the Shadows picks up immediately after the first film. If you didn’t see that one don’t worry because that film is recapped in about 30 seconds on the jumbotron as the turtles are watching a Nicks game from the rafters.  I did not see that first film. However, I heard that it was a rambling, tapped together mess, which could’ve influenced my advance thoughts on Out of the Shadows. That’s why I was even more surprised to find myself enjoying t he film. It moves at a very quick pace, glossing over some details and rarely slowing enough to let viewers question what they’re seeing. Shredder is in a prison transport with Bebop and Rocksteady, who are still in their human forms. The breakout happens and Casey Jones who was driving the truck takes it personal and goes about trying to find the two. Jones’ adventures lead him to April O’Neil where the two get down to finding the turtles and saving the city. The film works best with the turtles are on screen, drags a bit when Megan Fox is on, does OK with Stephen Amell (but he could use more) and makes great use of Will Arnet’s dry wit and smarm. Will kids like Out of the Shadows? This film is rated PG-13, but is a very soft PG-13. There are a couple instances of bad language, scary alien combat and ninja sequences. Mainly it’s the language that will prohibit parents from signing off on this film for ages south of 9. The couple of instances of bad language happen mainly in the first thirty minutes and that’s it. The action sequences and somewhat realistic bad guys scared off our 6 year old who didn’t want to see this-and rightfully so. I spoke with some 7 year old kids after our screening who said they liked it; but the look in their parent’s eyes and left to right head movement told me otherwise. TMNT: Out of the Shadows is in no way a classic film. The CGI during the big action sequences feels stilted and blurry at times and the story (for adults) is simple to grasp. However, it brings in Krang, Casey Jones, Bebop, Rocksteady and other things that fans of the franchise will remember.  Parents who take their 10 year old or older children will have fun and genuinely laugh at several of the lines too. Bonus: we’re giving away some TMNT toys, check that our for your chance to win.  This is a fun film, just don’t over think it and accept it for what it is.

The first week of summer vacation and the new all age comic books for the week are a great chance to take the kids out to the store. This is just a reminder to try to not have them touch the trinkets, models or anything in the store. When we first started going weekly I could see the look of dread in the staff’s eyes, now they know the kids and are great with them. In humor comic books you can dig into Penguins of Madagascar trade paperback that collects issues 1-4 of the mini-series and is quite good. Uncle Scrooge has two new offerings this week, issue #15 and a trade paperback called Eternal Knot. Television favorites and great comics in their own right, Bob’s Burgers and Regular Show are out too. It’s also a good week for all age superheroes with Teen Titans GO!, Power Rangers Pink, Marvel Universe Avengers Assemble Civil War and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything  can get your young reader on the right path. Science fiction has a $1 comic from IDW for Ghostbusters that you must pick up. Ghosbusters, The New Ghostbusters is a great all age comic book and one that the entire family can get behind. This is a reprint of earlier stories that’ll serve as an introduction for only a buck.  There are lots of other great science fiction titles in the post and podcast. Also in the podcast we’ll touch on the changes that DC Comics are going through. They’ve lowered the price of their headline comics to $2.99, with each two issues of each title coming out monthly. The links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save 20% on any order and if you want to find your closest comic book store just pop your zip code into the comic book store locator.   Humor //

In this week’s all age comic books we’ll mention some great new #1 books, as well as, the rating system that some publishers have. You’re not really buying the #1 issues just because you think they’ll be worth money, are you? I’m no investment expert, but making money off something is directly related to what a person will pay you for it. Based on that statement, current comics might not be a good investment, but they sure are fun to read. I mention that because there are a couple great new #1 books out this week. They’re worth getting because they’re fun and really entertaining, but probably won’t appreciate enough to help you live out your golden years on an island. In humor all age comic books do yourself a favor and get Pink Panther #1. The Free Comic Book Day sampler of this title was one of the best that you could pick up and I suspect that the first issue in their regular series run will be equally as great. Each issue has a brand new story with the pink and a couple shorter classic stories that were published back in the day. Dreamworks Shrek #1 is also out from the same folks who do Madagascar, which is also out this week. Superhero comics have Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man Contest of Champions, Teen Titans Go-Heroes on Patrol , Action Lab Dog of Wonder and two Squirrel Girl books. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl trade paperback and issue #8 are out and rated T for teens. However, this book is OK for any age reader as it traces the life of a teenager with squirrel superpowers. There’s nothing bad that happens, the language is fine, it’s just that she experiences stress, boy issues and other common teen problems. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is like that too. It’s rated T, from Marvel but tells the story of a middle school girl with her pet dinosaur, fighting crime and wormholes from other dimensions. This comic book is packed with action, fun to read and great for ages 7 and up. In other all age comic books for the action sect check out Back to the Future #8, Munchkin #17, Sonic, Welcome to Showside and others. There’s a podcast that goes along with this post. It’s just under 15 minutes and details 12 of the comic books that you and your young reader will like and why. The links will take you to TFAW, where you’ll save 20% on your order. To find your closest comic book store just punch in your zip code and press the gas. Superhero //

It’s a busy week for humor and science fiction this week in new all age comics. There’s only one superhero book for kids coming out this week and the rest are divided up between those two categories. Plan ahead now for Free Comic Book Day on May 7, it’s where you can pick up free comics….just as the name states. Many of these titles will be OK for the all age audience and closer to then we’ll highlight all of them. Adventure Time hits a milestone this week with #50, Aw Yeah Comics from Dark Horse brings out Action Cat & Adventure Bug is what I think will be a fabulous comic about good and evil with art that looks like classic Pink Panther from the 70’s. Back to the Future #6 starts a brand new story arc, a new Haunted Mansion mini-series from Marvel kicks off this week too. Yes, it’s the same Haunted Mansion as in the ride at Walt Disney World, but, it’s one of the cooler rides at Disney and this comic won’t be graphic, so we’re game. Luna the Vampire #3 ends its mini-series run for this comic that’s great for girls who are looking for a book that’s odd and quite funny.  There are also a couple Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (including a team up with Batman!), MLP and Doctor Who books. The links will take you to TFAW, where you’ll save up to 20% on your comic orders. If you’re looking for the closest comic book store to you just pop in your zip code to the comic book store locator and you’ll be there quicker than a voyage on the  Enterprise, but slower than a TARDIS. The music in the podcast if Jazzhar and can be found over at Free Music Archive. Humor //