No… Yes… Well, maybe. Honestly, it depends.
Are all comics on the market today exclusively meant for children? Of course not. That would be an absurd conclusion to draw. A kid should not be reading comics with excessive foul language, gory violence, or explicit sexual content.
So, “Are comics for kids?” is the wrong question to ask. The better question is, “Which comics are meant for kids, and which ones aren’t?” That’s a more nuanced question but still the better one and a lot easier to answer than some might think.
Instead of archaically thinking about comics as strictly “entertainment for kids,” think of comics as a specific type of entertainment platform. Just like TV or YouTube or Podcasts or Films in a movie theater, Comics are fundamentally a way to tell stories. That doesn’t make Comics suitable only for any particular gender or age group. The differentiator is the type of story being told.
“Yeah, yeah,” you wonder as you mentally shake your head. “We’re talking about Western comics like Superman and Spider-man. That’s what folks really mean when they ask that question. What do you say to that, smart guy?”
Okay, fine. Are Western comics, meaning comics from Marvel and DC, meant for kids?
No. When written well, Marvel and DC comics form the basis for modern mythology. At their core, the origins of characters like Superman and Spider-Man exemplify the classic hero’s journey. I endorse the hero’s journey a lot for a simple reason – because the hero’s journey is a timeless, universally relatable story.
Everyone can understand the idea of a person with a good heart and proper motivation rising to meet a superior challenge. It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you come from, or what your life experience is up to this point. Everybody gets the hero’s journey. That’s why comics showcasing characters like Superman and Spider-Man are not just for kids.
Let’s pick on Spider-Man as an example. Peter Parker was an unassuming teenager with little confidence and no charisma. Every quality that made him the hero he is today was buried under a feeble exterior. When Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider, he didn’t suddenly become a hero. Peter’s capacity to do good was given an outlet, which means his heroic quality traits were always inside him.
That’s a powerful message that anyone can relate to, regardless of social status, age, or education. The idea that everyone is a hero on the inside and great things can be done if they find a way to let those heroic qualities out, is a powerful one.
The bright costumes and fantastical scenarios will catch your eye with something new, but the heart of the message is as old as time and relatable at any age.
Are “Western Superhero” comics for kids? No. They’re for everyone with the heart of a hero, and that means you.
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