Mike Kunkel (click for source) By Sam Hurcom
When I try to explain to people why comics are so incredible, I usually get met with the response; “Comics!? Aren’t they just for kids?” Well yes… and no. I mean, they were just for kids, once upon a time (back in the day*), but not anymore. I’m forced to try and explain that, as with many things in life, comics have simply grown up over their lifespan, becoming a little darker, a little more rebellious and a lot more age restricted. These days, if you scan the shelves of your local comic retailer, you aren’t going to find too many comics aimed purely at kids (readers of around five to ten years old). There’s one or two, but not many. And that seems a great shame, because there’s a few ways to look at comics and, as a result, a few reasons why they are so important.
When I try to explain to people why comics are so incredible, I usually get met with the response; “Comics!? Aren’t they just for kids?” Well yes… and no. I mean, they were just for kids, once upon a time (back in the day*), but not anymore. I’m forced to try and explain that, as with many things in life, comics have simply grown up over their lifespan, becoming a little darker, a little more rebellious and a lot more age restricted. These days, if you scan the shelves of your local comic retailer, you aren’t going to find too many comics aimed purely at kids (readers of around five to ten years old). There’s one or two, but not many. And that seems a great shame, because there’s a few ways to look at comics and, as a result, a few reasons why they are so important.
Herobear and the Kid (click for source) An extreme view (which I hold) suggests that comics reflect the modern construction of myth and wonder in a secularised age. With the demise of Western monotheism, comics depict our society’s values returning to something pre-Socratic and wholly Hellenic. Like the Greeks of old, we live in an age of Olympians, born from our necessity to aspire towards greatness and contemplate the daily struggles of our lives. Forget the ancient scriptures on Hermes and Apollo, we’ve got weekly instalments of The Flash and Superman.
A somewhat less extreme view would simply argue that comics are important for what they promote: reading, creativity, imagination, discussions on good and evil, an understanding of justice, an understanding of duty… the list goes on. Whether we always recognise it or not, comics have a vast amount to offer in terms of beneficial social, academic and artistic skills. So why shouldn’t kids, the most impressionable members of our society at the most critical point of their learning and development, experience the full array of positives comic books have to offer?
Yes, as suggested, there are kids comics out there – most are Cartoon Network spin offs like Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Adventure Time or the infamous Ben 10. There’s also DC’s Tiny Titans and the never forgotten classics of Archie and Peanuts. I’m not saying these are particularly bad comics, but most seem little more than after thoughts - fairly unoriginal (and unexciting) means of increasing revenue and interest in big budget, cartoon franchises. Compared to the vast array of teen and adult orientated comics, the under 10 market seems to have drawn the short end of the stick. But (dramatic pause) there is one exception that needs a special mention.
Recently, I purchased Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance. It’s not exactly a new comic (it won the 2003 Eisner award for best comic for all ages) but it’s by far and away the finest example of what an original comic, aimed primarily at children, can achieve. I’m going to laud over this comic for a bit. Where to begin…
A somewhat less extreme view would simply argue that comics are important for what they promote: reading, creativity, imagination, discussions on good and evil, an understanding of justice, an understanding of duty… the list goes on. Whether we always recognise it or not, comics have a vast amount to offer in terms of beneficial social, academic and artistic skills. So why shouldn’t kids, the most impressionable members of our society at the most critical point of their learning and development, experience the full array of positives comic books have to offer?
Yes, as suggested, there are kids comics out there – most are Cartoon Network spin offs like Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Adventure Time or the infamous Ben 10. There’s also DC’s Tiny Titans and the never forgotten classics of Archie and Peanuts. I’m not saying these are particularly bad comics, but most seem little more than after thoughts - fairly unoriginal (and unexciting) means of increasing revenue and interest in big budget, cartoon franchises. Compared to the vast array of teen and adult orientated comics, the under 10 market seems to have drawn the short end of the stick. But (dramatic pause) there is one exception that needs a special mention.
Recently, I purchased Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance. It’s not exactly a new comic (it won the 2003 Eisner award for best comic for all ages) but it’s by far and away the finest example of what an original comic, aimed primarily at children, can achieve. I’m going to laud over this comic for a bit. Where to begin…
Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance (click for source) It’s just AMAZING! Like SERIOUSLY. Kunkel presents a wondrous combination of artistic brilliance and writing prowess. The artwork sits somewhere between the concept pages of classic animators and kids’ doodles in the back of maths textbooks. What appears a little rough around the edges is in fact a beautiful and carefully devised style that exudes nostalgia, harkening to a time long before digital animation and the gritty realism of the modern comic. With relatively short captions and speech bubbles, each panel captures every thought, emotion, uncertainty and joy of the main characters, in a manner that simply makes you smile. The narrative is clear and simple, centred on a few key characters (Tyler, Herobear, Henry the Butler and the devious Von Klon) and a basic premise (boy inherits teddy bear; teddy bear is in fact a magic disguise for a ten foot polar bear with a cape and super powers; boy and teddy bear go off and fight crime together). It’s the dream scenario for almost any youngster; having a magical bear as a best friend and fighting crime after school.
More importantly, Herobear depicts the life of a young boy that many kids and adults alike can relate to. In Tyler, we witness the highs and lows of childhood; the awkwardness of youth, the inability to always fit in, feelings of doubt and rejection, the sorrow of passing loved ones, a moral conviction born from innocence and a true thirst for adventure.
Herobear offers something to young children far greater than simple, outlandish hijinks (though there’s plenty of that thrown into the pot as well). There’s a genuine warmth and depth stemming from a real desire to engage with a young audience. Every child (and every adult) will, in some way or another, live in Tyler’s shoes, dreaming of having a giant polar bear with a bright red cape.
If you’ve read it, I’m sure you’ll agree that Herobear is a modern classic. The latest instalment Saving Time was released in July and is easily as brilliant as the original five issue run. Which really begs the question, why aren’t there more comics out there like this? It’s not as if the latest Batman or Captain America runs are bad or boring, there just all so grown up. Every now and again, it’s nice to be a kid again for a while and dream of whooshing through the sky and fighting robots with your own personal, cuddly super hero. I’m not saying all comics should be for kids. But a few more decent ones wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
*if there’s any period of history I could time travel to, it would undoubtedly be ‘back in the day’.
More importantly, Herobear depicts the life of a young boy that many kids and adults alike can relate to. In Tyler, we witness the highs and lows of childhood; the awkwardness of youth, the inability to always fit in, feelings of doubt and rejection, the sorrow of passing loved ones, a moral conviction born from innocence and a true thirst for adventure.
Herobear offers something to young children far greater than simple, outlandish hijinks (though there’s plenty of that thrown into the pot as well). There’s a genuine warmth and depth stemming from a real desire to engage with a young audience. Every child (and every adult) will, in some way or another, live in Tyler’s shoes, dreaming of having a giant polar bear with a bright red cape.
If you’ve read it, I’m sure you’ll agree that Herobear is a modern classic. The latest instalment Saving Time was released in July and is easily as brilliant as the original five issue run. Which really begs the question, why aren’t there more comics out there like this? It’s not as if the latest Batman or Captain America runs are bad or boring, there just all so grown up. Every now and again, it’s nice to be a kid again for a while and dream of whooshing through the sky and fighting robots with your own personal, cuddly super hero. I’m not saying all comics should be for kids. But a few more decent ones wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
*if there’s any period of history I could time travel to, it would undoubtedly be ‘back in the day’.
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