Martha Cornog, in her article "Why Comics Make Reading Fun," wrote, "Thankfully, librarians and teachers have picked up on the fact that kids will often read comics when they won't read anything else." Comics motivate because they are written in the same way as a story or novel. The plot draws in the reader with graphic illustrations vibrant with action. Bubbles or balloons add appropriate text. The action of the pictures shows while text so closely mimics the action, the words almost define themselves. Kids who wish to fully understand what's going on with the story are motivated to decipher the text, which helps them learn to read.
Many pictures books bore parents and they tire of reading the same story over and over. Comics, on the other hand, often hold positive memories of reading about superheroes and acting out adventures and situations about their favorite characters. Parents can share with their children positive memories and encourage them to read comics that will give them positive role models to follow as they learn to read with confidence.
Other parents, especially those new to the English language, find the melding of graphic illustrations and text motivating for not only their children in learning English, but themselves as well.
Comics have power to draw and hold the interest of young and old alike. Many adults continue to purchase, read and trade comic books. Some do it for business reasons, others because they've stayed attached to the characters or the reading format. Encouraging children to read comics, an interest that may be fostered by both parents and teachers, poses a danger when some kids do not wish to move on to read regular books. They continue to prefer the adventure, vivid illustrations and short-hand text of the comic format. This serves to hinder learning to read at a more mature level.
Comics are available for every age and genre. Not all comics are equal in assisting a child to read, nor are all comics suitable for young kids. Many comics promote killing and violence, and not the pow, crash cartoon violence of an earlier era. For a positive outcome in both reading and character development of the kids, parents and teachers need to work together to choose comics that lift up, encourage, offer adventure and a good story within the maturity level of the child.