Comic Classroom of the Week: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1

This month, Marvel launched the new face of Ultimate Spider-Man. Meet Miles Morales, a teen from NYC who is filling the role of Ultimate Spider-Man after Peter Parker's demise in issue #160 of the previous series. Issue #1 was released in mid-September and has been very well received. As someone who has every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man, I was nervous about the change, but was immediately set at ease after reading the first issue (several times!).

The story starts off with Miles' family as they enter a school multi-purpose room where a lottery is taking place for admission into a charter school. This scene is very contemporary and for anyone who has seen Waiting for Superman, it really resonates. You immediately connect with Miles (who is randomly selected for the school) when he ponders the justice in getting in over so many other children. The story progresses from there, including the big reveal about how he gets his powers.


Brian Michael Bendis makes this a very accessible comic for new readers. If you or your students have NEVER read a comic before, you can pick this up and know exactly what is going on. For your students of color, this is a chance to see someone that looks like many of them donning one of the most iconic costumes in comics, in pop culture for that matter. For your reluctant readers, the sequential art provides reading cues to aide comprehension.


Subscriptions on Marvel.com are only $24. Why not get one for your class? You may need to pick up issue #1 at a comic shop, as the subscriptions take a bit to get going. While at the shop, talk to the people who work there about other books/titles they could recommend for readers in you age/level range.

Classroom Comic of the Week: BONE by Jeff Smith

Bone: Out of Boneville by Jeff Smith

The Bone series, written by Jeff Smith, really could be considered the gold standard for sequential art for readers in the 4th-adult age range. Originally printed as individual comics, it is a timeless story of the unexpected hero, who finds himself in the unenviable circumstance of saving a world from evil. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, the parallels are numerous. The characters are unique and well developed. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are the type you just want to cheer for. 


Smith does an amazing job pacing this book, including plenty of side plots, many of which are quite humorous. The are 10 volumes in all, which includes the prequel Rose. There is also a complete volume which is all nine of the originals, but the drawback to that is its size and the fact that it is in black and white. Stick with the color volumes for your classroom, as the color work done by Steve Hamaker adds immeasurably to the overall effect.


The sweet spot for this series is mid to late fourth grade, and really any grade thereafter. There is some violence in the later books, as the evil side really clings to its hold on the world, and should be considered when adding these books to your library. That being said, I have seen these books change student attitudes towards reading for enjoyment, and rarely are they on my shelf for very long.  

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

 If you are an elementary school teacher is grades 3/4 and up, this is a must have for your library or classroom. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, adapted from Frank Baum's masterpiece gets adapted for the comic book universe. Author Eric Shanower and artist Skottie Young infuse new energy and ideas into this timeless story. The art is endearing and the characters and plot, while familiar, have enough twists and turns to make this feel like a something you are reading for the first time. 


There are three volumes of the series available. Volume 1 is also out in paperback, which will save you a few $$ (although if it is for your classroom, you might want to get the HC). 


 Start there, and consider picking up the monthly comic as an additional alternative to your traditional classroom library. 

"Help Flags" in the Computer Lab

I have needed a management tool for the computer lab in the last couple of years, and I thought of this over the summer. It is a basic clip with a popsicle stick coming out of the top. I have a class set and everyone snags one when we head to the lab. When we get there, they know to first open our typing software and then hide it in the dock (command H) on a Mac. Then, we open the application we will be working on and off they go.


Here is where the flags come in. When they run into a hiccup, or need help, they put their flag up, open the typing software and occupy themselves while they wait. This keeps them from waiting unproductively while I am helping other students, and it  keeps them from holding their hands in the air, or calling my name. They are cheap, and has done wonders for changing the atmosphere in the lab.

DC- The New 52

DC has relaunched all 52 of its titles this month for the first time in history. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern will be only a few of the iconic heroes to get brand new #1's this month. What a great time to start picking up some of these titles for your middle school or high school classroom. The story lines will be brand new and will not be bogged down by 40 years of backstory. 


Find a local comic shop and just drop in. They are clambering for new customers and will walk you through the titles that are best for your age group. While there, check out some of the "Must Reads" shown in the left column of the home page. 


Feel free to email me questions, or post a comment and I will reply. 

Amulet Book 4 Now Out!

The Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi are easily one of the most frequently read books in my classroom. There have been years when EVERY student has read one or more books in the series. Book 4, The Last CouncilI  was just released and should be on your short list of books to include in you classroom library in the 4th-6th grade range. I have not had the chance to read it, as there were two students who asked me about when it was going to arrive, every day leading up to the day it was delivered. They are plowing through it as I type this.


So, start by picking up book 1, which is available at Amazon and Scholastic...so if you are sitting on a million Bonus Points...

New Ultimate Spider-Man Revealed...

In a landmark move, Marvel has announced a replacement for the recently deceased Peter Parker in it Ultimate Comics line for the upcoming issue #1. The new Ultimate Spiderman, Miles Morales, is half black, half hispanic and will fill the shoes of one of the most iconic superheroes in comics and pop-culture. The comic industry has never really embraced diversity, and this is a fantastic third step in that direction that follows on the heels of DC comic's decision to introduce a homosexual Batwoman in its most recent iteration of that comic. DC will also include a African Batman in its brand new title Batwing, coming out in September. While few and far between, having these examples of diversity shows the comics industries willingness to embrace the reality of such a culturally diverse world. 

These titles would make a great addition to any classroom library, either in single issue format, or in the collected editions. Your students will read these books (comics) if you make them available. They are also fantastic for reluctant readers, or struggling readers. 

Great Starting Point for DC Comics

DC Comics is re-launching all 52 of it's books this September by releasing #1 issues for all of them. This is a great time to jump on board with some of the most iconic characters in comics. Speaking of #1's, Captain America just relaunched with a new #1. Done by Ed Brubaker is one of the best books on the shelves. 

Free Comic Book Day Finds

Of all the books they had at FCBD, Super Dinosaur was the most intriguing. It just started it's run, and is by Robert Kirkman, a very well regarded author. The proof is in tha puddin' though and my 8 year old has read it no fewer than 4 times. It hits the sweet spot for that age range...dinosaurs, super-villians, and a lost world that needs protected from those that would exploit it. The art is excellent with bright, vibrant coloring. Issue #1 just came out, so it is the perfect time to hit your local comic shop.

Jeff Smith: The Bone Saga

With the release of Quest for the Spark, the latest offering from Jeff Smith, I thought it time to revisit his original epic, The Bone Saga. 

After re-reading the series, I was reminded of what a good story this is and how great it is for readers in the 10-16 year-old range. The pacing is great, there is a lot of humor (both subtle and overt), and despite Fone Bone’s (the main character) vanilla appearance, the art is very rich, and does as good a job as any graphic novel that I have read in carrying the story. 

The story itself is creative, and has a bit of a Frodo feel to it...an unsuspecting hero who is part of a much bigger conflict. Unlike Frodo, who knows what he is getting himself into, Bone  and Thorn learn of the gravity of their involvement as the story progresses. The females in this book are smart, proactive, clever and very strong both physically and emotionally. This is NOT a “boy book”. Any reader would benefit from reading this series. 

All in all, this series would get my highest recommendation. These books really hit the sweet spot for kids this age (and older) and are great for both eager and reluctant readers. They are also a great way to try this genre out. Unlike many “kid” reads, this series makes for a great adult read as well. 

The image is a link to Amazon, check out the used versions for a great bargain. As an aside, the giant volume is tempting because it is cheaper, but it is in black and white. The digital painting done in the color versions is too good to pass up.