The season for togetherness and family celebrations is upon us, and with it comes a cooling of the weather that invites the urge to cozy up with a good book. Just as families all have their own dynamics and diversities, comic books about families span a wide variety of genres. My Fave Five is a roundup of backlist family stories, presented in the comic book format, that run the gamut of genres. From action/adventure, humor, sci-fi, historical fiction, and slice-of-life—there’s a family tale for every reader.
After diving into these, be sure to check out our curated Comics Plus® All in the Family featured reading list for an even bigger assortment of family tales.
Kids
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss and Gerardo Sandoval (Capstone)
This comic book adaptation of the 1812 classic action/adventure novel jumps right in with the family surviving a devastating shipwreck only to find themselves washed ashore on a harsh, deserted island. The family must work together in order to secure food, shelter, and safety from the island’s animals and conditions. Their survival depends entirely on their ability to continuously adapt over the ten years spent on the island. Hand-to-hand battles with the region’s wild creatures, including sharks, cape buffalo, tigers, and giant serpents, presented in gorgeous illustrations, keep this retold tale exciting for young readers.
The artwork, action, and to-the-point narrative will hook young readers and keep them engaged in this tale of family survival. Backmatter features a glossary and Common Core-aligned reading and writing questions, making this title ideal for classroom use.
Teens
Byte-Sized by Cullen Bunn and Nelson Blake II (AWA)
Christmas morning, the perfect time for self-aware robots to take over the family home! What begins as a nefarious robot wreaking havoc around Ben and Katy’s house quickly escalates into full-blown mayhem that threatens the family Christmas and the fate of the world. The entire family must work together to defeat the robots and thwart the evil scientists who created them. Byte-Sized has been accurately described as the movie E.T.: The Extraterrestrial meeting Gremlins, with Pixar-worthy art, and is a great example of quality content coming from independent comics publishers.
While the content of the story is appropriate for any age, reading and interest level starts at middle school. Robot enthusiasts will enjoy watching these mini bots morph from being bent on destruction to growing a moral conscience. Byte-Sized is an example of how to turn science fiction, robots, evil plots, and humorous mysteries into a fun holiday adventure. Back matter includes an interesting perspective from each book contributor on the process, offering readers an insight into the creative endeavor.
Soupy Leaves Home by Cecil Castellucci and Jose Pimienta (Dark Horse)
In this heartfelt work of historical fiction, a tormented and dehumanized Pearl "Soupy" Plankette leaves her abusive father’s home without looking back. Disguised as a boy, Soupy meets Remy "Ramshackle" Renault, an 1880s traveling hobo who takes “him” along on a journey across America. Soupy is looking “to get warm,” emotionally and physically, and decides to travel south to California by way of illegal railroad-riding. The historically accurate setting creates a rich backdrop for the friction that builds as we learn that Ramshackle has his own inner demons to face. Despite the world being dangerous, Soupy finds healing and familial connection amongst the hobos that she never had with her real father. Indeed, Soupy gains much from life on the road until Remy’s rapidly deteriorating health and the instability within hobo social systems threaten the life they’ve carved out together.
Back matter includes a train map of Soupy’s cross-country adventures, an explanation of hobo signs the characters use to communicate, and a list of books that inspired the creators in crafting the story. The latter, which includes Journey to the Center of the Earth, makes for convenient read-alike recommendations for further exploration.
Young Adult
Essex County by Jeff Lemire (IDW)
Jeff Lemire’s collected trilogy focuses on characters whose lives have crossed paths in Essex County—a small county in Ontario, Canada. "Tales from the Farm" opens with a quiet kid named Lester who goes to live with his uncle Kenny on a farm after losing his mother to cancer. The kids at his new school bully him for wearing a cape, but in the evenings he enjoys reading comics and drawing superheroes. Lester strikes up a friendship with former NHL hockey player Jimmy, despite Uncle Ken’s insistence that Jimmy stay away from Lester.
Lemire dives into this dynamic more in “Ghost Stories” and “The County Nurse,” which follow other characters over several decades in Essex County. Each tale eventually weaves together to reveal a shared family history and the interconnectedness of the small community. The stories build and intertwine, eventually coming full circle back to Lester and his Uncle Kenny.
Essex County is a quietly beautiful collection of realistic family narratives that young adult and adult readers will enjoy — if they’re in the mood for something melancholy.
Adult
No One Else by R. Kikuo Johnson (Fantagraphics)
Charlene is a nurse and single mom, responsible for the care of her young son, Brandon. She has the added responsibility of caretaking for her ailing father. She is barely holding it all together when her father is unexpectedly killed in a household accident, shifting the family dynamic and adding a layer of grief to their lives. Having put others before herself for so long, Charlene takes the opportunity to seek a fresh start. Unfortunately, her unserious brother Robbie breezes into town and disapproves of Charlene’s approach. Brandon also struggles with his grief in unexpected ways, creating a new and equally challenging dynamic for the struggling family.
No One Else is a slice-of-life portrayal of individuals learning to navigate life as a family while balancing each individual’s plans, desires, and grief. The illustrations are striking and use a limited color palette, with the story unfolding against a gorgeous Hawaiian landscape.
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