Shame on DC for abandoning kids comics

I was surprised and sad to see, via the publisher's solicitations for upcoming comics, that DC is phasing out its superhero comics for young readers: Batman: Brave and the Bold, Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam and DC Super Friends. It looks as if, after a team-up mini-series with characters from the Archie Comics universe, that Tiny Titans may no long run as a regular title either.

I'm sad because these titles provided a way for younger kids to enjoy characters they see on TV and in ads for PG-13 movies they're too young to see but get excited about anyway because of all the ads and fast food toys. And I'm especially sad because my own children enjoyed these titles. My 12-year-old son, a big fan of cartooning, enjoyed the manic, imaginatively illustrated Billy Batson title. And my 6-year-old daughter loved DC Super Friends. Not only that, the title has been a big boost in helping her learn how to read.

Sure, there are other -- and even better --- comics out there for kids. My son has become a fan of Bone, Asterix, Calvin & Hobbes, Amulet, Tintin and other titles far afield of the mainstream superhero world. My daughter loves Owly and Dark Horse's reprints of Little Lulu. But she also loves Wonder Woman. And now it looks as if there won't be any age-appropriate way for her to enjoy the amazon's exploits.

When I was 9 or 10, I had a whole spinner rack of stuff I could pick up an enjoy. But the mainstream Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, etc., titles are no longer really geared or appropriate to that age group. I'd be ok with my daughter reading 1970s-era Wonder Woman tales, and maybe I'll pick up some DC Showcase volumes for her to enjoy. But I think it's a little sad that we live in the world where most comics featuring characters that were created for children are no longer appropriate for children.

Valerie D'Orazio, over at Occasional Superheroine, nicely sums up this pitiful paradigm:

Having comics be essentially "taken over" by hardcore male fans -- blocking out women, and eventually children -- is ultimately the worst thing that ever happened to this industry. I'm not talking "worst" in terms of the ethical reasons -- but just from a simple business standpoint alone. The "fanboy revolution" killed not only the female market, but also the children's market. Alienating 1/2 of the population is one thing -- but then to knowingly cut off the future generation of readers as well! Remarkably short-sighted and selfish.

I'm glad my children share my love of comics, that they there are titles out there for them to enjoy. But it's too bad they'll be losing out on these DC titles they enjoyed so much. I don't know that my son -- now that he's getting into his teens and the demographic Marvel and DC gear most of their books to (well, actually, I think the demo may be more 30s and 40s and getting rapidly older) -- will develop an interest in mainstream superhero titles or not. Given the dearth of female-friendly and kid-friendly super-titles, I'm pretty doubtful my daughter ever will.

Sucker Punch banner poster

Tangled teaser poster

Yogi Bear movie trailer

Yogi Bear CGI movie poster

Discounted new comics shipping July 28, 2010

Click the pics to order discounted items from Amazon.

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY100045 ABE SAPIEN ABYSSAL PLAIN #2 (OF 2) $3.50
APR100013 AVP THREE WORLD WAR #5 (OF 6) $3.50
APR100104 BUCK ROGERS LOGO MENS T/S XL $21.99
APR100105 BUCK ROGERS LOGO MENS T/S XXL $22.99
APR100087 BUCK ROGERS RAY GUN MENS T/S LG $21.99
APR100086 BUCK ROGERS RAY GUN MENS T/S MED $21.99
APR100088 BUCK ROGERS RAY GUN MENS T/S XL $21.99
APR100089 BUCK ROGERS RAY GUN MENS T/S XXL $22.99
APR100091 BUCK ROGERS RAY GUN WOMENS T/S MED $24.99
APR100095 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE MENS T/S LG $21.99
APR100094 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE MENS T/S MED $21.99
APR100096 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE MENS T/S XL $21.99
APR100097 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE MENS T/S XXL $22.99
APR100100 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE WOMENS T/S LG $24.99
APR100099 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE WOMENS T/S MED $24.99
APR100098 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE WOMENS T/S SM $24.99
APR100101 BUCK ROGERS VINTAGE WOMENS T/S XL $24.99
APR100112 BUCK ROGERS WILMA WOMENS T/S LG $24.99
APR100111 BUCK ROGERS WILMA WOMENS T/S MED $24.99
APR100110 BUCK ROGERS WILMA WOMENS T/S SM $24.99
APR100113 BUCK ROGERS WILMA WOMENS T/S XL $24.99
MAY100049 BUZZARD #2 (OF 3) $3.50
MAY100029 FEAR AGENT #28 OUT OF STEP (PT 1 OF 6) $3.50
MAY100053 STAR WARS INVASION RESCUES #3 (OF 6) $2.99

MAR100040 THUNDA KING OF CONGO ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 $31.49
MAY100035 USAGI YOJIMBO #130 $3.50
MAR100021 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 24 RETURN OF BLACK SOUL $16.99

DC COMICS

MAY108133 ACTION COMICS #890 2ND PTG $3.99
MAY100151 ACTION COMICS #891 $3.99
MAY100247 AUTHORITY THE LOST YEAR #11 (OF 12) $2.99
APR100209 AZRAEL DEATHS DARK KNIGHT TP $14.99
MAY108128 BATMAN BEYOND #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG $2.99
DEC090316 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE CATWOMAN STEVE RUDE $80.00
DEC090307 BATMAN REBORN SER 1 AZRAEL AF PI
DEC090308 BATMAN REBORN SER 1 BATGIRL AF PI
DEC090309 BATMAN REBORN SER 1 JASON TODD AS BATMAN AF PI
DEC090310 BATMAN REBORN SER 1 TWO FACE AS BATMAN AF PI
MAY100131 BATMAN RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #4 (OF 6) $3.99
MAY100216 BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #19 $2.99

APR100218 BATMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER TP $10.19
MAY100139 BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #6 (OF 6) (RES) $4.99
MAY100218 BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #18 $2.99

DEC090314 CHRISTOPHER REEVE AS SUPERMAN STATUE (2010) $187.66

DEC090315 DC CHRONICLES STATUE AQUAMAN $79.99
MAY100138 DETECTIVE COMICS #867 $3.99
MAR100215 FIRST WAVE #3 (OF 6) $3.99
MAY100127 FLASH #4 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99
MAY100249 GARRISON #4 (OF 6) $2.99
MAY100143 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #14 $2.99
MAY100118 GREEN ARROW #2 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99
MAY100113 GREEN LANTERN #56 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99
MAY100115 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #50 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

APR100212 JSA VS KOBRA TP $10.19
MAY108139 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #1 (BRIGHTEST DAY) 2ND PTG $2.99
MAY100121 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #6 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99
MAY100125 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #47 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $3.99
MAR108046 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #47 (BRIGHTEST DAY) VAR ED $3.99
MAY100147 OUTSIDERS #31 (RES) $2.99

APR100222 SHOWCASE PRESENTS SGT ROCK TP VOL 03 $13.49

APR100219 SUPERMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MAN OF TOMORROW $10.19
MAY100177 TEEN TITANS #85 $3.99
MAY100181 WARLORD #16 $2.99
MAY100245 WILDCATS #25 $2.99
MAY100182 WONDER WOMAN #601 $2.99
MAY108137 ZATANNA #1 2ND PTG $2.99

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY100351 ANGEL #35 $3.99

MAY100404 ARCHIE PUREHEART THE POWERFUL TP VOL 01 $13.49

MAY100390 COMPLETE JON SABLE FREELANCE OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $19.79
MAY100401 DRINK & DRAW HC VOL 02 $29.99
MAY100402 DRINK & DRAW HC VOL 02 LTD ED $49.99
MAY100342 GI JOE HEARTS AND MINDS #3 $3.99
MAY100357 JAMES PATTERSONS WITCH & WIZARD #3 BATTLE SHADOWLAND $3.99
MAY100371 STAR TREK BURDEN OF KNOWLEDGE #2 $3.99
MAY100375 STAR TREK DS9 FOOLS GOLD TP $17.99
MAY100373 STAR TREK MCCOY #4 $3.99
MAY100369 STAR TREK MOVIE ADAPTATION #5 $3.99
FEB100965 WIRE HANGERS #1 ROBERT SGN ED $9.99
MAY100380 YOURS TRULY JACK THE RIPPER #2 $3.99

IMAGE COMICS

APR100486 ANGELUS #2 (OF 6) ECCC VAR CVR $10.00
MAY100501 ARTIFACTS #1 (OF 13) CHRISTOPHER CVR B $3.99
MAY100500 ARTIFACTS #1 (OF 13) JAM CVR A $3.99
MAY100502 ARTIFACTS #1 (OF 13) KEOWN CVR C $3.99
APR100490 DARKNESS #83 ECCC VAR CVR $10.00
MAY100444 FOUR EYES TP VOL 01 FORGED IN FLAMES $9.99
MAR100380 HAUNT #8 $2.99
DEC090422 PILOT SEASON STELLAR #1 $2.99
SEP090344 SPAWN #198 $2.99
MAY108162 TURF #2 2ND PTG (PP #928) $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

MAY108077 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #634 2ND PTG LARK VAR (PP #927) $3.99
MAY108099 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #635 2ND PTG LARK VAR (PP #927) $3.99
MAY100558 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS BLACK CAT #2 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY108075 AVENGERS #2 2ND PTG JRJR VAR (PP #927) $3.99
MAY100580 CAPTAIN AMERICA 1940S NEWSPAPER STRIP #2 (OF 3) $3.99
MAY100541 DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #891 $2.99
MAY100708 ESSENTIAL CLASSIC X-MEN TP VOL 02 NEW PTG $19.99
MAY100594 FANTASTIC FOUR #581 $2.99
MAY100592 FRANKEN-CASTLE #19 $2.99

MAY100699 HULK FALL OF HULKS TP RED HULK $10.11
MAY100609 IRON MAN EXTREMIS DIRECTORS CUT #6 (OF 6) $3.99
MAY100587 MARVEL VAMPIRES POSTER BOOK $5.99
MAY100669 MARVELS PROJECT HC BIRTH OF SUPER HEROES $34.99
MAY100671 MARVELS PROJECT HC BIRTH OF SUPER HEROES SKULL VAR $34.99
MAY100670 MARVELS PROJECT HC BIRTH OF SUPER HEROES TORCH VAR $34.99

MAY100664 MMW MIGHTY THOR TP VOL 01 $16.49
MAY108067 NEW AVENGERS #1 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR (PP #926) $3.99
MAY100563 PETER PARKER #5 (OF 5) $2.99
MAY100571 SECRET AVENGERS #3 $3.99
MAY100679 SECRET WARRIORS PREM HC VOL 03 WAKE BEAST $19.99
MAY100535 SENSE & SENSIBILITY #3 (OF 5) $3.99
MAY108147 SHADOWLAND #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG BULLSEYE ASSAULT VAR (PP #928) $3.99
MAY108148 SHADOWLAND #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG NEW COSTUME VAR (PP #928) $3.99
MAY100677 SIEGE BATTLEFIELD PREM HC $24.99
MAY100618 SPIDER-MAN #4 $2.99
MAY100619 THOR #612 $3.99
MAY100622 THOR MIGHTY AVENGER #2 $2.99
MAY100547 ULTIMATE COMICS MYSTERY #1 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY100634 UNCANNY X-MEN #526 $3.99

MAY100690 VAMPIRE TALES TP VOL 01 GN $13.49
MAY100640 WOLVERINE ORIGINS #50 $3.99
MAY100639 WOLVERINE WEAPON X #15 $3.99

MAY100695 WOMEN OF MARVEL CELEBRATING SEVEN DECADES TP $16.49
MAY100600 WORLD WAR HULKS SPIDER-MAN VS THOR #2 (OF 2) $3.99
MAY100602 WORLD WAR HULKS WOLVERINE VS CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 (OF 2) $3.99
MAY100539 X-CAMPUS #2 (OF 4) $4.99
MAY100644 X-FACTOR FOREVER #5 (OF 5) $3.99

MAY100668 X-MEN DARK PHOENIX SAGA HC $48.92
MAY100646 X-MEN FOREVER 2 #4 $3.99
MAY100638 X-MEN LEGACY #238 $2.99

FEB100603 X-MEN MUTANT GENESIS PREM HC $16.49
FEB100604 X-MEN MUTANT GENESIS PREM HC DM VAR ED 48 $24.99

MAY100704 X-MEN POWERLESS TP $11.46

MAY100702 X-MEN WE ARE X-MEN TP $16.86

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

JUN100701 WIZARD MAGAZINE #229 FINCH BATMAN $5.99

********

COMICS

APR101053 2000 AD PACK JUN 2010 $22.50
MAY100834 28 DAYS LATER #13 $3.99
MAY100837 7 PSYCHOPATHS #3 $3.99
JUN101089 AFTER DARK #1 (OF 3) $4.99
MAY100908 ALICE IN WONDERLAND CAMPFIRE GN $9.99
MAY100838 AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #3 $3.99
JUN101273 ANDROID KARENINA SC $12.95
MAY100963 ARMY OF DARKNESS LEAGUE OF LIGHT TP $24.99
MAY100772 ASPEN SPLASH 2010 SWIMSUIT SPECTACULAR $2.99
MAY100967 AVATAR OF THE FUTURIANS #1 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY101165 BAKUMAN TP VOL 01 $9.99
MAY100968 BEN TEN ALIEN FORCE DOOM DIMENSION GN VOL 02 $7.99
MAY101160 BLACK BIRD GN VOL 05 $9.99
MAY101182 BODY GN VOL 10 $9.99
MAY100969 CODE BREAKER GN VOL 01 $10.99
MAY101162 CROWN OF LOVE GN VOL 03 $9.99
MAY100877 DISNEYS HERO SQUAD #7 $2.99
MAR100789 DO ANDROIDS DREAM DUST TO DUST #3 (OF 8) $3.99
MAY101097 DRIVER FOR THE DEAD #1 (OF 3) $4.99
MAY101159 FLIGHT GN VOL 07 $27.00
MAY101163 FLOWER IN STORM TP VOL 02 $9.99
MAY100909 FRANKENSTEIN CAMPFIRE GN $9.99
JUN100719 FRIENDLY GAME GN $14.95
MAY101183 GIN TAMA TP VOL 19 $9.99
MAY100717 GLAMOURPUSS #14 $3.00
APR100873 GREEN HORNET STRIKES #2 $3.99
MAY100910 HARRY HOUDINI CAMPFIRE GN (NEW PTG) $9.99
MAY101184 HARUKA BEYOND THE STREAM OF TIME GN VOL 09 $9.99
MAY101185 HIKARU NO GO TP VOL 20 $9.99
JUN101063 HOME FOR MR EASTER GN (O/A) $13.99
MAY101186 HONEY HUNT TP VOL 05 $9.99
MAY101098 HOTWIRE DEEP CUT #1 (OF 3) $3.50
JAN100710 HOW TO DRAW MAGIC & FANTASY SUPERSIZE TP $24.99
MAY100856 INCORRUPTIBLE #8 $3.99
MAY101187 JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE TP VOL 15 $9.99
MAY101188 KAZE HIKARU GN VOL 18 $9.99
APR100882 KEVIN SMITH KATO #3 $3.99
MAY101189 KIMI NI TODOKE GN VOL 05 FROM ME TO YOU $9.99
MAR100945 KOREA AS VIEWED BY 12 CREATORS TP (RES) $19.95
MAY100761 LIFE WITH ARCHIE MARRIED LIFE #1 $3.99
MAY101190 MAGIC TOUCH GN VOL 09 $9.99
MAY100776 MINDFIELD #2 CVR A ALEX KONAT $2.99
MAY100777 MINDFIELD #2 CVR B PHIL NOTO $2.99
MAY100907 MOBY DICK CAMPFIRE GN $11.99
MAY101191 MUHYO ROJIS BUREAU SUPER INVEST TP VOL 18 $9.99
MAY100888 MUPPET SHOW #8 $2.99
MAR101072 PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #11 $3.99
JUN101174 PLUTO URASAWA X TEZUKA GN VOL 03 (OF 8) (O/A) $12.99
MAY101192 POKEMON ADVENTURES TP VOL 08 2ND ED $7.99
MAY100905 ROBINSON CRUSOE CAMPFIRE GN $9.99
MAY101168 ROSARIO VAMPIRE SEASON II TP VOL 02 $9.99
MAY108069 RYDER ON THE STORM #0 (OF 3) (PP #926) $1.00
MAY100974 SAYONARA ZETSUBO SENSEI GN VOL 07 $10.99
MAY100975 SCHOOL RUMBLE GN VOL 14 OMNIBUS ED 14-16 $19.99
MAY100770 SCOURGE #0 COVER A ERIC BATTLE $2.50
MAY100771 SCOURGE #0 COVER B $2.50
MAY101270 SHERMANS LAGOON DISCOVER YOUR INNER HERMIT CRAB TP $12.99
APR101051 SHRAPNEL HUBRIS #2 (OF 3) $4.99
MAY100976 SHUGO CHARA GN VOL 09 $10.99
MAY100831 SIMPSONS CLASSICS #25 $3.99
MAY101219 SINBAD #11 A CVR CALDWELL (RES) $2.99
MAY101220 SINBAD #11 B CVR CHIN $2.99
MAY101193 SKIP BEAT TP VOL 21 $9.99
MAY101194 SLAM DUNK GN VOL 11 $9.99
APR100907 STARGATE VALA MAL DORAN #2 $3.99
APR100865 STARMAKER LEVIATHAN GN VOL 01 $14.99
MAY101027 SUMMIT OF GODS GN VOL 02 (OF 5) (RES) $25.00
FEB101076 TANK GIRL TP SKIDMARKS $16.95
MAY101157 TEZUKA BLACK JACK TP VOL 12 $16.95
APR101050 THE RISING #0 $1.00
APR101033 TICK EDLUND EPIC #3 (OF 12) $3.95
APR101034 TICK EDLUND EPIC #4 (OF 12) $3.95
MAY101096 TIME BOMB #1 (OF 3) $4.99
JUN101106 TORCHWOOD #1 $3.99
MAY100906 TREASURE ISLAND CAMPFIRE GN $11.99
MAY100827 TRIBUTE MICHAEL JACKSON KING OF POP FOIL ED $19.99
MAY100977 TSUBASA GN VOL 27 $10.99
MAY101112 VALENTINE RELOADED TP $19.99
APR101020 VAMPIRE PA #1 (OF 3) $3.99
MAY100902 WIZARDS OF MICKEY #7 $2.99