Top 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Read Comics

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Top 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should

Read Comics 1
POSTED BY LEE STANDBERRY ON JANUARY 6, 2012 IN COMIC BOOKS, LITERATURE | 19,665 VIEWS | 16
RESPONSES
There is a misconception in this great society of ours that needs to be

addressed and, hopefully, corrected. No, Im not referring to issues of
racial inequality or the widening gap between the rich and poor, nor the
debate over same sex marriages. No, this is something much more organic
and fundamental. Im talking about an issue that touches the very core
of Americana!
Yes indeed, fellow readers, I am waxing poetic about comic books. For too
long, many have harbored the notion that this amazing medium is solely for
the pleasure of children and that even then, their value is minimum at
best (a momentary distraction while awaiting the newest x-box/PlayStation
release). While this unfortunate understanding no doubt exists, it is,
nevertheless, far from the truth of the matter. In fact, according to a
marketing study conducted by a major comic book publisher, the average
age of comic book readers is about 25. As a result, comics long a
popular medium of choice for Americans have played a significant role
in the young, as well as providing a brand for social commentary for adults.
In short, theres much more going on with comics than guys (and gals)
flying around in tights with billowing capes. With this basic premise in mind,
here are the top 10 reasons why everyone should read comics:
10. Fun To Read
They are fun to read. Really, its as simple as that.
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The general reason for picking up a comic book (or any other magazine,
novel, etc.) is for the enjoyment. This fact does not discount any other
benefits, but rather it enhances them. With comics, there is no short supply
of fun as we lose ourselves, albeit for only a short time, in a universe filled
with wonder and excitement. As with any good yarn that is spun, comics
offer us the time tested good vs. evil plots and justice triumphing over
tyranny themes. And lets be honest people; we love it! Virtually every
movie, TV show or popular novel featuring the antagonist/protagonist
struggle involves manifests euphoric satisfaction in us when the good guys
save the day. Without much doubt, comics serve up a healthy dose of good
vs. evil. Sure, we know the guy with the big red S on his chest is going to
save the day when we peruse his adventures. But reading and seeing how
he does it, journeying with the character as he overcomes great odds (in
spite of his own formidable abilities); well, it just doesnt get much
better than that. And lets be honest again with ourselves who
hasnt done the fantasy routine in their minds where we are the ones
leaping from buildings in a single bound or webslinging across the city? We
love imagining ourselves in the role of the superhero, and comics allow us
to live out this dream every month. Whether you are 15 or 50, this is one
aspect of life that simply does not change and why should it its
great fun!
9. Spark The Imagination 1
Comics have had unexpected influences on people. Its amazing, really,

when you investigate the folks who have attributed comics to be the
influencing factor that led them to success. Actors Nicolas Cage, Catherine
Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas, for example, are comic readers who no
doubt find creative purchase as a result. Everyone from up and coming
fantasy novelists to web designers note the influence that comics had on
their chosen career paths. For those who delved into medium that require
creativity, a love of comics isnt surprising. Comics offer readers a world

in which ordinary people come to a point where they are able to do
extraordinary things. As writers and artist spin tale after tale revolving
around these amazing characters, we the readers find ourselves
captivated with the ideas of possibility. We begin to wonder about what
really is possible; we consider what can I really do? This is the stuff
that spurs scientific curiosity and sociological achievement. Comic
characters were traveling in space and working with computers long before
these achievements became an actual reality. But the folks who would one
day be the pioneers in these areas of advancement well, just think
about what planted that seed of wonder into their minds in the first place.
Comics provide us with a vehicle of inspiration unlike any other. Yes, you
still have to work hard and yes, you still have to obtain a great education.
But the impetus, the motivation from which all of that hard work is directed
has a beginning. Something planted the seed that leads us to achieve great
things and comics yes comics have a place well situated in this
endeavor. So read a comic book you might become president or
something one day!
8. Inspirational
Along with providing us with the ideas of possibility, comics also- in a more
direct fashion- move us to take action. Since the 1940s, comics have been
used as a medium to direct the focus of the masses on issues of the day
and to provoke a desired response. During World War II, for example,
comics were used to invoke emotions of patriotism and support for the
American war effort. These included characters urging readers to buy war
bonds, to watch what they say (lose lips, sink ships type of thing)
and to conserve needed resources. The heroes battle the Nazis and the
Japanese, giving hope that we would do the same in our world. The
message was, the going is tough, but everyones efforts will ensure
victory. And we did.
Visionary Stan Lee, in another example, very astutely tackled the issues of
the day that were confronting the nation in the 60s and 70s in the pages of
his comics. His X-Men dealt with racial bigotry, yet continued to take the
high road. The Fantastic Four had ongoing family problems, but worked
through them. Spiderman endured tremendous responsibility at a young
age, but struggled and persevered. The list goes on. And as we read and
enjoyed these exploits, we picked up something along the way: ideas. We
read the X-Men and thought, just maybe, the kid we went to school with
who was a different color or a different nationality wasnt really as bad
or terrible as we thought (or were taught to think). Comics showed us, in
the midst of the kryptonite and mad scientists, that there was a different
and better way to look at the world and that it was cool to do so. So we did.
7. Pretty Pictures
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is certainly true with
comic books. As a visual medium, the comic industry has produced some of
the best artists of our times. While their work might be underappreciated
and fail to find prominent space in a metropolitan museum, their work is
still viewed and heralded by thousands of fans every month. These are
the folks that literally bring comic book story arcs to life. These are the folks
that make the magic of inspiration and imagination sparkle. We are, as
scientists say, visual creatures. This is to say that we respond, in a very basic
and fundamental way, to what we see. This is one of the reasons we find
comics so compelling. The art draws us in and defines a wondrous world of
adventure and intrigue. A good story line becomes all the more so when the
art work pops. We come away wanting more and eagerly anticipating the
next issue. We become ardent fans of the artist and the characters that
they draw. In fact, we will set around and discuss the nuances of the art
work. When was the last time you did that with a piece from Leonardo or
Picasso? Perhaps never, but in the same vein, I would offer that there is a
greater appreciation, in general, for art across the spectrum. Suffice to say,
comics elevates our artist eye. (Image: comic by Basil Wolverton)
6. Literacy
Comics are not just for kids (in fact, some are not for kids at all), but one of
the benefits that specifically benefits the young is improved literacy skills
(and I suppose this could be true for older folks who have issues in this
area). Few, if any, would argue the positive and beneficial aspects of having
a thirst and desire to read. Literature, in all its forms, opens up a treasure
trove of ideas and information. Yet so many children (and subsequently
adults), especially in this current age of immediate gratification, find reading
to be such a chore that it is avoided at all costs (can you say books on
tape). Comics are a terrific tool to combat this dilemma at an early age.
I know this from personal experience. My mother sparked my attention and
reading appetite at 6 or 7 by giving me Richie Rich comic books to read. I
vividly recall constantly running to her asking for help with a word I
wasnt yet familiar with. This hunger to read and learn never left.
Indeed, most of the people I know who have been reading comics since
childhood relate similar stories and feelings. Comics are fun and kids can
relate to fun. While parents have to be cautious about exactly which comics
they allow their kids to read (due to adult content in some of them), there
are still plenty of titles that appeal to young readers. By reading something
that is considered fun and enjoyable, parents can instill a positive allure to
reading instead of a negative one. With this, comics helps one to develop
not only improved reading skills, increased vocabulary, and basic story
telling formats; but also a desire to learn and to seek out information.
Really, who can argue with that?
5. Educational Tidbits and Nuggets
Reading is not the only academic benefit that results from reading comic
books. In addition, there is a wealth of information/knowledge that is
gleamed from the exploits of the characters found in comic books. Ranging
from history to science, writers continually inject real life facts and data into
their stories. The goal, obviously, is to infuse a degree of realism into their
tales and make the incredible seemingly plausible. The journey turns out to
be an education one. Reading issues of Captain America, for example, will
teach you a thing or two about the history of World War II. Issues of Batman
will provide all kinds of scientific data like how long it takes a dead body to
decompose or how long a normal person can hold their breath underwater,
etc. Granted, Im not saying that reading comics is akin to taking a
graduate level course in mathematics. But I am saying that there are things
that can be learned. For an adult, such information is interesting and adds
to our general aptitude (you never know when some of this info will be
needed when playing Jeopardy!). For those who are a bit younger; well,
its like watching those old after school cartoons (conjunction junction
whats your function) you learn while having fun.
4. Cool Factor
Who said comics are for nerds? Only in the movies! In reality, the cool and
popular kids read comics, too. I didnt know a top athlete or A-list kid
who didnt read comics. They all did. They knew the characters and
followed the story lines. This holds true for adults as well. If you go into any
comic shop, youre going to see folks from every walk of life from
the biker dude to the professional in the Armani business suit. Its kind
of funny, but its the guy who doesnt read comics that is seen as
something odd. Even more to the point (and this is coming from a guys
perspective), mention a comic character in your conversation with the next
attractive lady you meet. Odds are she wont look at you like you have a
social disease of some kind. Instead, youll probably be amazed at the
informative discussion that ensues. This has happened to me more
than once, I might add. I can almost guarantee that if you walk into class,
work or wherever people are gathered with the latest issue of the X-Men or
JLA, that you will draw some attention. Not because someone wants to
make fun of you, but rather because a few of those folks are going to want
to check out your issue. I bet you wont get that kind of positive
attention carrying around a Tom Clancy novel (and I like Clancy, for the
record).
3. Better Than The Movie
I was too lazy to pull and add up all the box office numbers for movies that
have been adapted from comic books. Suffice to say, the number exceeds
$1 billion. These movies are both enjoyable and successful for a very good
reason: the original material from which it was adapted i.e. the comic
book is enjoyable and successful. And when you consider that the comic
book contains the entire back story in great detail and continues the
characters exploits every month well, isnt that what we all
crave when we go to see a good movie? We want the prequel and the
sequels. With comics, its all there. If you want to get the feel of Batman
or Spiderman, the movies only wet your appetite for more. But with a
movie, youre only going to get a two hour block of enjoyment and then
you have to wait for a year or longer to continue the story. With comics, you
only have to take a zip to your nearest comic shop to fulfill your desire.
There, you will find plenty of back issues that detail what has happened, as
well as current adventures. Honestly, there are more comics to read than
you have hours to read them. Plus, its not hard to imagine that the
actual comic stories are richer, deeper and more involved than their
cinematic adaptions. So if you plopped down 10 bucks to see Spidey swing
across the big screen, youll spend considerable less for a comic and
arguably reap a more rewarding experience to boot.
2. Culturally/Socially Relevant
I did a study once that tracked the evolution of comics in America with the
changes that were taking place in our society over the same period. From
the 1940s through the millennium, our nation has experienced a number of
social changes. Weve dealt with wars, depressions, economic recovery,
more wars, civil rights, gender rights, free love, drug epidemics, and so
forth. These issues and the challenges that surrounded them did not
escape the notice of comic book writers and publishers. The 40s saw comics
used as a propaganda platform for the war effort. The 50s saw comics
dealing with the age of scientific imagination (and coping with censorship).
The 60s saw comics tackling issue of racial intolerance (with Marvels
mutant population). The 70s saw women taking a more active role in
comics, while the 80s saw comics taking on a darker more violent edge. The
comparisons continue of course, but the point is that the comics we read,
whether as kids or as adults, were reflective of the society we were living in.
And more often than not, there was some social commentary at play within
these stories of what the correct approach was to the problem at
hand. For the masses that were reading and, on some level, absorbing the
information that was being conveyed, I believe had an impact to an
appreciable degree on our society. We embraced the idea of racial
tolerance that we read about in the X-men into our schools and work
places. Young women took the idea of self-empowerment that was
espoused in those early Wonder Woman issues to heart when confronted
with the prospect of gender inequality. Many of the needs of social change
were planted as a result of the many adventures that we find in our comic
books.
1. Good Ol
Ol Fashion Values
I wasnt sure how to label this one. And I freely admit there might even
be a dispute about its place on the list. But I think on some fundamental
level, it deserves to be right here. Ive been a comic book reader and
collector for well over 30 years. I believe that I and many others like me can
first hand attest to all of the points that have preceded this one. Yet the one
memory that I cherish most on this journey is the time I spent as a child, at
the foot of my mother reading comics. She took the time to sit down with
me and read. Then we would talk about what I read and the conversations
would delve off into other areas. But the point is that comics provided the
means for this to happen. And as I thought about the obvious benefit of
spending time with ones parents in this fashion, I reflected on how I
unconsciously perpetuated the same method of familial bonding. We teach
our children in so many ways, both directly and indirectly. But comics, at
least for me, have offered a direct means to do so. They open the door to
all sorts of conversations and topics. And what better time to respond to an
issue of the day than when your child asks Daddy, why is hitting people
for no reason bad? Comics are a tradition to so many of us, one that we
probably dont think too deeply about. Yet it is one that allows us to
have the opportunity to pass on a few life lessons to our progeny and, you
know, just spend some quality time with people we love. This point alone is
reason enough why everyone should read comic books.
by Lee Standberry

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Top 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Read Comics - Toptenz.

net Page 1 sur 10

Top 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should

There is a misconception in this great society of ours that needs to be

10. Fun To Read

They are fun to read. Really, its as simple as that.

9. Spark The Imagination 1

Comics have had unexpected influences on people. Its amazing, really,

creativity, a love of comics isnt surprising. Comics offer readers a world

5. Educational Tidbits and Nuggets

3. Better Than The Movie

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