It’s pretty easy to look at most of the big two comics and assume that all comics these days are for adults only. But if you look at the best-selling lists of graphic novels, it’s the books aimed at children that generally get the most copies in the hands of readers. From downright funny stories to heartbreaking coming-of-age stories, kids of all ages really do flock to comics…especially ones written with them in mind.
The fact is that we live in the golden age of children’s comics. Just about every major traditional publisher has founded kid-focused graphic novel publishers in recent years because kids are devouring these books and begging for more. Even DC and Marvel are finally bringing more kids’ comics to the table, particularly DC with its lineup of young readers and middle grade graphic novels. With such a wide range of books to choose from, how do you choose the right one for your particular young reader? We’ve compiled 50 of the best children’s comics to help you decide.
You are reading: Best comic books for kids
note: this list does not cover manga. that’s another list.
science fiction
yehudi market
Meet Wax, a young mixing master living in 1980s Brooklyn. He’s very good at what he does, but when he scratches the perfect beat, he catches the attention of the robots of discocopy planet. wax, his family, his best friend and his crush are kidnapped, and must learn the “intergalactic sci-fi musical martial art” if they want to save their skin and the earth. old school hip hop meets old school sci-fi in this hilarious comic.
buy it on comixology | oni press | your local comic shop
Chinese born in the United States
luen yang gene
gen luen yang, a former national ambassador for children’s literature, is known for his thoughtful writing and beautiful imagery, and this eisner-winning graphic novel is a perfect example of both. American-Born Chinese is comprised of three different stories that examine Chinese tradition and the diasporic identity of many Chinese Americans. While the stories seem completely separate at first, readers will gradually discover the connected message between the three stories.
buy it at dc comics | mamillian | your local comic shop
little titans (series)
baltazar and franco aureliani art
The Teen Titans books feature several funny short stories (and a few individual comic strips) about the various sidekicks of the DC Universe as children. The series is a wonderful way for young readers to learn about more DC Super Heroes while watching their favorites go on silly adventures. Parents who are comic book fans will also enjoy little inside jokes from classic comics, but it’s all still kid-friendly.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
owly (series)
andy rutón
The titular owl is a kind-hearted and rather adventurous bird who enjoys making friends and helping solve problems. the series is largely devoid of dialogue, making it perfect for younger children looking to transition from picture books to more challenging visual stories. The adorable art style has charmed kids and adults alike, earning him an Eisner, Harvey and Ignatz Award. Along with the graphic novels, Ruton offers several free short stories featuring Owly on their website.
buy it at scholastic | your local comic shop
anything goes in high school
victoria jamieson
impy is 11 years old and finally going to public school after years of homeschooling. But she’s not your average elementary school student: her family is part of the local renaissance fair. The kids at school are more judgmental than she expected, and soon Impy begins to feel embarrassed about her life as a squire-in-training. After some mistakes and hard lessons, Impy learns to accept who she wants to be and stand up for others like a true gentleman would.
buy it at penguin random house | your local comic shop
Aquicorn cove
katie o’neill
After a major storm, Lana discovers a hidden colony of Aquacorns, magical creatures that look a bit like seahorses. her aunt encourages her to rescue an aquacorn injured in the storm and nurse it back to health. When a second storm threatens Aquicorn Cove, Lana has to find a way to protect her new friends, even if it means facing her own people. aquicorn cove is a beautifully drawn book about protecting our oceans and life in them.
buy it on comixology | oni press | your local comic shop
A bird’s eye view
melanie gillman
charlie lamonte is spending a week of his summer at camp three peaks, a very white and very “traditional” christian retreat whose messages haven’t changed much since it was founded in the 19th century. Charlie certainly doesn’t fit the Three Peaks vision of a perfect camper. It quickly becomes difficult to enjoy the camping and adventure parts of the retreat when the rhetoric against outsiders like her is so strong. is a great book for young queer readers, but also for straight readers to learn more about queer experiences.
buy it on comixology | iron circus | your local comic shop
calvin & hobbes (series)
bill watterson
for many readers, daily comics are the first comics they get hooked on. And though the series ended nearly three decades ago, Bill Watterson’s comic about a mischievous boy and his stuffed tiger still delights readers and remains relevant. These collected volumes allow kids to binge read instead of waiting day after day!
buy it at andrews mcmeel | your local comic shop
the shark king
kikuo r. johnson
A long time ago in Hawaii, a boy named Nanaue was born to a human maiden and the mythical King Shark. the shark king returned to the ocean hoping to protect the son from him. now part shark with a huge appetite for sharks, the young nanaue is not safe on land and must travel the ocean to find his father. King Shark not only tells an engaging adventure story, but also teaches young readers about Hawaiian myths and lore.
buy it at toon books | your local comic shop
dc super hero girls (series)
shea fontana, yancey labat
Based on the animated shorts, the DC Super Hero Girls graphic novels have become some of DC’s best-selling books. Tales of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Bumblebee and all her friends who attend Super Hero High School are popular with girls and boys alike. Like Little Titans, DC Super Hero Girls introduces readers to the broader DC canon while providing them with hilarious stories from their favorite superheroines. Older fans of the comics will enjoy seeing who makes up the school’s staff, including Amanda Waller, Gorilla Grodd, and even Crazy Quilt.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
backstage (series)
james tynion iv, rian sygh, walter baiamonte, jim campbell
Jory feels very intimidated on his first day at an all-boys school, but he quickly finds his place among the friendly and hard-working theater crew that calls themselves backstage. It turns out that the theater is literally magical, and the door behind the stage leads to other dimensions and incredible adventures with new friends. this beautiful series features healthy friendships and children who are not afraid to share their emotions.
buy it on comixology | boom studios | your local comic shop
the unstoppable wasp
Jeremy Whitley, Elsa Charretier, Gurihiru, Alti Firmansyah, Espen Grundetjern, VC Joe Caramagna
teenage nadia is the new wasp, and she’s not alone in fighting the bad guys! With the support of Janet van Dyne, the original Wasp, Nadia recruits cool girl scientists to form a team. with the agents of g.i.r.l. (genius in action research labs) Beside her, there’s nothing no one can’t fix… right? With this diverse cast of characters, readers can see how there’s no one way to be a hero.
buy it on comixology | wonder | your local comic shop
the deaf
cece bell, dan lasky
cece bell’s critically acclaimed graphic novel shares her own experiences of losing her hearing at the age of four. Eventually, Cece was given a phonetic ear, an uncomfortable but powerful hearing aid. When her weird-looking hearing aid alienates her from her classmates, Cece creates her alter ego: the deaf, “hearing for all.” Through her imagination, the deaf woman embraces herself and finds a true friend along the way.
buy it on comixology | abrams | your local comic shop
thread (string)
judd winick
jd and gina are normal kids with normal lives. that is, they see a child fall from the stratosphere. his new friend thread doesn’t know where he came from or how he came to earth. oh yeah, and he has weird powers! Hilo may be a bit weird (and he doesn’t understand normal earth kid stuff), but j.d. and gina’s life will never be boring again. With funny dialogue and a focus on friendship, Hilo is a fan favorite among kids.
buy it at random house | your local comic shop
lumberjacks
shannon watters, grace ellis, brooklyn a. allen and noelle stevenson
Welcome to miss qiunzella thiskwin penniquiqul thistle crumpet camp for hardcore ladies! The lumberjack scouts (especially the Roanoke Cabin Girls) are excited for a summer of adventure. little do they know the mysteries and dangers that lurk in the nearby woods. Join Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley as they investigate strange happenings and earn merit badges along the way.
buy it on comixology | boom studios | your local comic shop
smile
raina telgemeier
As the reigning queen of children’s graphic novels, Raina Telgemeier will appear several times on this list. This memoir explores Raina’s childhood experience with braces, a subject many children are familiar with. After a bad fall that knocks out both of her front teeth, young Raina must deal with braces, surgeries, and an embarrassing headdress. On top of that, she deals with boy problems, fake friends, and other headaches. Like Beverly Cleary before her, Raina gets to the heart of the bittersweet awkwardness of high school.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
sisters
raina telgemeier
The Smile Companion, Sisters focuses on Raina’s relationship with her little sister during her childhood. Raina and Amara don’t always get along, but when a third child appears and their parents’ relationship begins to change, the girls grow closer and learn to support each other through thick and thin.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
unbeatable squirrel girl
ryan north, erica henderson, derek charm, rico renzi
doreen green has the powers of a squirrel and a girl. she prevented galactus from eating the earth and hit dr. doom (twice!). if doreen was in the mcu, infinity war would have been much shorter. And in Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Doreen faces her biggest challenge yet: earning her bachelor’s degree in computer science! Although our hero is a college student, younger readers will love his optimism, focus on empathy and cunning over violence whenever possible, and the various cameos from other Marvel heroes.
buy it on comixology | wonder | your local comic shop
no prince
jeremy whitley, mia goodwin, emily martin, rosy higgins, ted brandt
Princess Adrienne’s parents locked her in a tower. this is what happens to all princesses so that a prince will come and prove that he is worthy to marry her. But when adrienne, bored with her, befriends the dragon that guards her tower, she realizes there’s no reason why she can’t escape from her prison. More than that, it’s time for a little rebellion, time to help all the other princesses leave their towers too.
buy it on comixology | action lab | your local comic shop
dog man (series)
dav pilkey
If your child is a fan of the Captain Underpants books, they absolutely need to check out these comics. Originally the kid-made comic within the Captain Underpants universe, Dog Man tells the story of a hero who is part dog, part man, all hero. With his faithful cat friend, Dog Man saves the day while learning important lessons along the way. he may also notice the playful homages to classic literature.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
click (string)
kayla miller
When olive’s school announces a hilarious student variety show, she’s shocked to find that all of her friends have formed groups to perform… without her. As someone who seems to please everyone, Ella Olive doesn’t understand why she is now alone. Click and the sequel Camp and the Next Act explore the complicated world of high school friendships and learn who you are. but do not worry; everything works out in the end.
buy it on comixology | mifflin harcourt | your local comic shop
the babysitters club (series)
raina telgemeier, gale galligan, ann m. martin
ana m. Martin’s prolific Scholastic series has been popular with young readers for decades, and recent graphic novel adaptations are helping bring these stories to a new generation. Watch Kristy, Mary-Ann, Claudia, and Stacy grow up together as friends as they navigate school, crushes, frustrating siblings, and their growing babysitting business. there are up to seven comic book adaptations and they are about to become the little sisters’ books.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
princeless – raven the pirate princess
jeremy whitley, ted brandt, rosy higgens
In this spin-off of princeless, the titular raven was placed in a tower by his pirate father and his rotten brothers took over the pirate fleet that was rightfully theirs. Now free from her prison, Raven is gathering her own ship’s crew to go after his brothers and claim his birthright. This is a great book for older children looking for an exciting adventure on the high seas. They’re sure to find a new favorite character among Raven’s plucky and plucky crew.
buy it on comixology | action lab | your local comic shop
moon girl and evil dinosaur
Brandon Montclare, Amy Reeder, Natacha Busts, Ray-Anthony Height
lunella lafayette is a super genius girl, but no one seems to take her seriously. she really needs a friend…luckily, a bright red tyrannosaurus rex from a land before time is teleported and dropped right into her neighborhood. Thanks to her inhuman genes, Lunella discovers that she has a mental link with this evil dinosaur and they soon become the wildest superhero duo in New York.
buy it on comixology | wonder | your local comic shop
baba yaga assistant
marika mccoola, emily carroll
masha runs away from home to join the legendary baba yaga in the forest. The witch woman is known for eating children, but Masha wants to become her assistant. Baba Yaga agrees to let her stay, but only if she completes a series of difficult tests. Masha is smart and up for the challenge, but Baba Yaga has more to teach her than she thinks.
buy it at penguin random house | your local comic shop
the cardboard kingdom
chad sell, jay fuller, david demeo, katie schenkel, kris moore, molly muldoon, vine alliger, manuel betancourt, michael cole, cloud jacobs and barbara perez marquez
a neighborhood of kids turn cardboard into castles and costumes, working together throughout the summer to create their very own cardboard kingdom. The award-winning graphic novel was a collaboration between 11 different writers woven together through Chad Sell’s beautiful imagery. While each chapter focuses on one or two of the children, they all work toward the messages of creativity, empathy, and love for who you are. Disclosure: I am one of the contributors to this book.
buy it at penguin random house | your local comic shop
little gotham (series)
dustin nguyen, derek fridolfs
damien wayne, the current robin, takes being a superhero very seriously; he could use some fun. Li’l Gotham takes place throughout the year as Damien’s friends and the Batfamily show him the joy of the different holidays and seasons. kids can watch different superheroes (and villains) interact while learning about different holiday traditions.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
amulet (series)
kazu kibuishi
When his mother is drawn to a mysterious door in the basement of their old family home, Em and Navin follow her and discover a dark new universe of monsters, robots, and talking animals. Wearing a mystical amulet, Em and her brother find allies and become heroes in their own right as they work to save her mother and protect her friends. With eight books and counting, this series is ideal for readers looking to dive into an epic adventure.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
veterinary hex (string)
sam davies
Nan and Clarion are two passionate witches who specialize in monster veterinary medicine. From familiars to phoenixes, they’re here to make sure magical creatures are happy and healthy. When mysteries arise, Nan and Clarion must work together to save their patients. Kids who loved Hagrid in Harry Potter will delight in the many monsters they’ll encounter in this charming series, especially in Davies’ colorful style.
buy it on comixology | simon and schuster | your local comic shop
bone (series)
jeff smith
This long-running, critically acclaimed series is about three cousins who are kicked out of their home in Boneville and must brave the wide, wild world that is thrown their way. much like the hobbit led up to the lord of the rings, the series starts out primarily as a humor book and evolves into a darker (but still fun) fantasy story. this is a series your kids can really grow into… as long as they don’t get caught up in the whole series right away.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
ghosts
raina telgemeier
Cat’s little sister, Maya, has cystic fibrosis, and her family is moving to the cool northern California beach town of Bahia de la Luna to help her feel better every day. but the sisters learn that the town is full of ghosts. Maya may be excited to meet these spirits, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. More than that, she is afraid that Maya will join them. Ghosts delves into the difficult subject of chronic illness and death in a way that is appropriate for children and doesn’t speak ill of them.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
black canary: turn on
meg cabot, face mcgee
This recent graphic novel from DC dives into the fan-favorite heroine as she navigates her way through high school. Thirteen-year-old Dinah Lance loves playing in her rock band and wants to fight crime as her cop dad. But when her family and friends come under attack from a mysterious stranger, Dinah learns her mother’s secret history and the gifts she has inherited. maybe she herself will save the day.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
drawn together
minh lê, dan santat
A boy visits his grandfather, but neither speaks the other’s language. the power of art and love of visual storytelling bridge the language gap and these two generations are able to share each other’s experiences. a mix of picture book and comic, drawn together, is a great choice especially for early readers, but the message is good for all age groups.
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buy it at disney books | your local comic shop
nimona
noelle stevenson
nimona is a brash young shapeshifter in need of a mentor. She quickly becomes an apprentice/companion to the villainous Lord Ballister Blackheart, an enemy of Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. but is lord blackheart really the villain of this story? This graphic novel teaches older kids that things aren’t always what they seem. Note: Cartoonist Stevenson also directs the Netflix cartoon She-Ra. especially fans of the show should read this book.
buy it on comixology | harper-collins | your local comic shop
mr. wolf class (series)
aron nels steinke
These charming books tell various stories of mr. wolf’s fourth grade class. The kids go through different troubles and have many adventures, all while Mr. wolf tries to help them as much as he can. Grade school readers will definitely relate to these life stories, and teachers will absolutely relate to Mr. wolf challenges
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
gothic academy
brenden fletcher, becky cloonan, karl kershl, michele assarasakron, dave mccaig, john rauch
what is life like for high school students in gotham city? It’s not as much fun as you might expect. olive and her friends go to the prestigious gotham academy prep school, whose creepy halls hold secrets as old as the city itself. But while the two best friends investigate the strange happenings at her school, Olive has secrets of her own…and they involve why she hates Batman so much. This series is perfect for both high school manga fans and nancy draw fans.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
drama
raina telgemeier
Callie can’t sing, but she desperately wants to be a part of her school musical. she thinks she can handle being the set designer, but things quickly start to get complicated. From fights between crew members to declining advance ticket sales and a pair of cute brothers joining the production, Callie has a lot on her plate. crushes, egos, and carpentry collide in this bestselling graphic novel.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
dear justice league
michael northrop, gustavo duarte
What if your kids could send questions to their favorite superheroes? In the beloved Justice League, DC Super Heroes answer kids’ mail. Readers will learn about Wonder Woman’s 11th birthday, if Aquaman really smells like fish, and if Superman ever makes mistakes. This fun book lets kids see that these heroes are only human…even Kryptonians.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
this summer
Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki
Preteen friends Rose and Windy always spend the summer together in the seaside town of Awago. but this summer, everything goes wrong. From arguing parents to other kids keeping dangerous secrets, these two friends must stick together. this is a great coming of age story for teens and tweens.
buy it at scholastic | your local comic shop
hilda (series)
lucas pearson
Hilda loves having adventures in the wild woods near her home, especially when she meets fantastical creatures like trolls and giants! when she moves in with her mother in the sleepy town of trolberg, hilda makes new friends and manages to find the magical within the mundane environment. If your kids loved the Hilda Netflix series, they’ll love the original comic series.
buy it at penguin random house | your local comic shop
girl with wheels
victoria jameson
astrid, age 11, is very excited to go to roller skating camp, but her best friend nicole is going to dance camp. As she feels her friendship with Nicole weaken, Astrid has to branch out and build new relationships at camp…while still being the best skater she can be. Just like in All’s Faire in High School, Victoria Jameson explores the complicated emotions that come with being a tween, while also teaching readers about a fun hobby they may not have known about.
buy it at scholastic | your local comic shop
the witch boy (series)
molly ostertag
The rules in the aster community are simple: boys grow up to be shapeshifters and girls grow up to be witches. anything else is strictly prohibited. but asher can’t shapeshift and is much more interested in witchcraft. when something goes after the other boys, asher decides to dive headfirst into witchcraft to unravel the mystery. the witch boy encourages readers to break the strict rules of the genre and instead bring their best selves.
buy it at scholastic | your local comic shop
mrs. marvel (series)
g. willow wilson, adrian alphona, jake wyatt, takeshi miyazawa, nico leon
Since its first issue in 2014, Kamala Khan has won the hearts of Marvel readers around the world. A giant Captain Marvel fan, teen Kamala wants to do amazing things with her life. When her inhuman powers are suddenly activated, giving her powers to grow, shrink, and stretch, Ella Kamala decides to take Carol Danver’s old title and make it her own.
buy it on comixology | wonder | your local comic shop
guts
raina telgemeier
The third of Telgemeier’s childhood memoirs, Guts deals with the chronic health problems he experienced as a pre-teen. It starts out as an upset stomach, but after getting over the initial illness, Raina still has stomach pains. As she deals with certain foods, she keeps friendships and schoolwork strong, her stomach problems get worse. The graphic novel takes the stigma out of these taboo health issues and lets kids know they don’t have to go through pain alone.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
the tea dragon society (series)
katie o’neill
greta is learning to be a blacksmith. When she comes across a lost tea dragon in the market, she meets two tea shop owners and learns about the dying art of caring for a tea dragon. Soon, she’s learning how to care for tea dragons herself and discovers how this art form is changing her life for the better. O’Neill’s beautiful art really shines through in this adorable series of books.
buy it on comixology | oni press | your local comic shop
mega princess
kelly thompson, brianne drouhard
More than anything, 10-year-old Princess Max wants to be a great detective. Apparently, her fairy godmother didn’t receive the memorandum, because she gives Max the powers of all the princesses in the known universe. Max is sulking over this seedy present when the alarm goes off: her little brother is missing! Now Max, with her prankster pony steed, must use these new princess powers to solve the mystery and save her brother.
buy it on comixology | boom studios | your local comic shop
new child
jerry craft
jordan banks is going through a tough time in seventh grade. he’s not only the new kid, but he’s one of the few black kids at this very white prestigious private school. he doesn’t know where he fits in at school, but he’s also struggling with his old friends in his neighborhood. Many readers will connect with Jordan’s situation and enjoy his journey to find his place in being himself.
buy it on comixology | harper-collins | your local comic shop
supergirl: 8th grade comic adventures
landry q. walker, eric jones
There are many different supergirl origin stories, and this one is about a pre-teen who crashes into the ground and catches the eye of her cousin, superman! Going by the alias Linda Lee, Supergirl can go to school and be just like any other Earthling. But maybe making (and keeping) friends is harder than fighting supervillains.
buy it on comixology | dc comics | your local comic shop
hey kid
jarrett j. krosoczka
In this poignant graphic novel memoir, Krosoczka shares her experience growing up with a largely absent addict mother with no father in her life. Though he was raised by loving (and stubborn) grandparents, it takes young Jerrett years to fully piece together his family’s history. Through his love of art and self-reflection, he comes to terms with who his parents are…and who he is. hey kiddo was a national book award finalist and well worth the accolade.
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
cleopatra in space
mike maihack
young cleopatra (yes, that cleopatra) finds a strange tablet that transports her from egypt to outer space in the far, far future. She turns out that she is destined to save the entire galaxy! Throughout the series, Cleopatra must battle evildoers on planets far beyond Earth…while she attends Yasiro Academy to hone her hero (and algebra) skills. Friendship and adventure await the one and only pharaoh to come!
See Also: 15 Best Books On India | Recommended Iconic Books to Learn About India
buy it on comixology | scholastic | your local comic shop
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