Comic books can entice even the most reluctant reader into spending time with written words. They’re colorful, exciting, funny and the visual images support understanding for beginning readers.
The Justice League series, for example, centers on kid favorites, Superman, The Flash, The Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Batman as they fight crime around the galaxy. The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st-century series focuses on Superman and his superhero group of friends as they fight to save Metropolis from a variety of menacing evil-doers.
Chicago is lucky to boast a number of independent comic book stores, where friendly salespeople will help your child choose a comic series that suits interests and reading level.
Graham Crackers Comics has a nine-shop empire of comic book stores around the city. The Lincoln Park location, at 2562 N. Clark, offers a wide array of new and used comic books and superhero novelties. Ask to browse the featured selections by local comic book artists. On Tuesdays, trade in your old comics for credit toward new ones.
Comix Revolution, at 606 Davis St. in downtown Evanston, specializes in graphic novels and the most popular comic book series on the market. Teens and older middle-schoolers should check out Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel “Maus,” which portrays true stories of the Holocaust in a striking comic form.
Dark Tower Comics and Collectibles in Chicago’s Lincoln Square boasts a large selection of new and vintage comics, including about 35,000 “Dollar” comics for the beginning collector. On Friday nights, Dark Tower produces its own podcast, Around Comics. Watch it recorded live in-store or listen online at around
comics.com.
Delve into the history of artists and the characters behind the most successful comic books by visiting the Elmhurst History Museum’s latest exhibit, The Drawn-Out History of Comic Books, on display until Sept. 6. Visit Elmhursthistory.org for a complete calendar of related programs and special events.
Resources
Comix Revolution 606 Davis St., Evanston (847) 866-8659 www.online-revolution.com Open daily Graham Crackers Comics 2562 N. Clark St. Chicago (773) 665-2010 www.grahamcrackers.com Open daily Dark Tower Comics 4835 N. Western Ave., Chicago (773) 733-4026 www.darktowercomics.net Open Tuesday-Sunday Elmhurst Historical Museum 120 E. Park Ave. Elmhurst (630) 530-6874 www.elmhursthistory.org
