Recommendation for my nephew...

[VALIS13]

Hi everyone, my nephew has just turned 13 and I'd like to get him a graphic novel/comic book for Christmas.

The reason is because he doesn't like to read, and this.... bothers me. He is sporty but not academic with a slight interest in taking art for his GCSE's.

Obviously I don't want to force him into something he doesn't want to do, but if he isn't subjected to such artforms, then he will never even be aware of them (his parents encourage his sporting endeavours and turn a blind eye to his academic shortcomings).

Basically I would like to make him aware there is more than sports and computer games to enjoy and give him the opportunity to experience such things.

So, in short, can I have some recommendations for a graphic novel/comic book with enough excitement and eye-catching visuals to engage a non-reading 13-year-old?

Many thanks,

Alan.

 

[Donal DeLay]

What are some of his favorite movies? That'll help to narrow down something appropriate to his tastes.

But, in general, check out the new Rocket Raccoon series by Skottie Young. It has fantastic art, it's loads of fun, and if he's 13, I'm guessing he liked the Guardians Of The Galaxy movie, so it'll a nice segue into comics for him. I'd also recommend the Oz adaptaions by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young.

 

[Vince W]

Since you say he's sporty I would suggest Batman. Batman is not a superhero per se, but rather a highly gifted athlete and martial artist.

 

[Brian G Turner]

The reason is because he doesn't like to read, and this.... bothers me. He is sporty but not academic with a slight interest in taking art for his GCSE's.

What sort of films does he like? It might be an idea to find something that appeals to his film interests.

I got Avengers vs Xmen for my eldest last Christmas, but she only just picked it up a couple of weeks ago.

 

[VALIS13]

There's the rub, he likes The Inbetweeners and anything with Adam Sandler in it.

When I mentioned going to see Guardians of the Galaxy he gave me a "what on Earth is that?" look.

I want to encourage his reading, and I feel comic books are the way to initially engage him, but I am at a loss as to what to purchase.

 

[Rodders]

Judge Dredd, the Apocolypse War. My personal favourite.

 

[Brian G Turner]

There's the rub, he likes The Inbetweeners and anything with Adam Sandler in it.

When I mentioned going to see Guardians of the Galaxy he gave me a "what on Earth is that?" look.

I want to encourage his reading, and I feel comic books are the way to initially engage him, but I am at a loss as to what to purchase.

Has he seen Avengers Assemble and the X-Men films? Simply that if not, you might be able to leverage some comic book interest by getting him interested in the film adaptations - if they appeal. If not...

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Hey VALIS13. Do you know what his friends consider cool? Is anime popular, I wonder, with kids where he is? If so, the mangas they are based on can be very good reads. And if there's a hip factor to what you give him, perhaps he'd me more likely to read it.

Some mangas to consider (all available at Amazon UK & Amazon US, and also at many bookstores; I think these would be age appropriate, but that could be easily researched):

Attack On Titan
Naruto
Fullmetal Alchemist.

Best of luck, CC

 

[VALIS13]

Many thanks everyone.

I will try an X-men film and a Dredd comic.

I will be able to read the Dredd comic before I wrap it up for him. Bonus!

 

[VALIS13]

Hi CC, his friends consider Rugby and Soccer and Call of Duty 'cool'.

It makes me sad.

However thank you for the age-appropriate manga recommendations, I will check them out (there is so much manga out there it's mind-boggling, so I needed somewhere to start, thank you!)

 

[Donal DeLay]

Attack On Titans might not be that suitable for a 13yr old, if it's anything like the anime, which I've heard it's more gruesome. But, kids are smart, and a lot of 13yr olds watch R rated movies, so definitely research that one more. It's pretty violent.

If he likes comedy and video games, try the Scott Pilgrim books. For rugby and soccer, look up a book called Peng!

 

[VALIS13]

Cheers Donal, the investigations into suitable reading material are still ongoing, so I will check out your recommendations.

 

[Abernovo]

I'd add my recommendation to Judge Dredd.

Perhaps off-topic, but if he's into art, you could give him a book of art from fantasy novels. You know, 'The Art of Tolkien' etc. I know there are art books inspired by other worlds (fantasy and sci-fi) as well. They have descriptions in, and sometimes short passages of the text. It might give him an interest in reading the novels. Just a thought. There are also graphic novels related to films, or books that have been turned into graphic novels.

Oh, and rugby is cool! Although, admittedly, football is a load of s***e.

 

[Dinosaur]

To add my vote, the Judge Dredd Case Books are pretty good.

I'm not much of a comic fan but from very distant memory he was popular when I was 13.

 

[VALIS13]

Cheers for the Dredd recommendations, I loved the Dredd Megazine when I was a kid.

@Abernovo; we may be talking a different rugby, as he lives in the rugby league stronghold of St Helens.....

 

[Story Arcs]

One of the things we were taught as writers was that kids liked to see entertainment with characters just a little older than them. So, why not look for something generic like a science fiction/fantasy book with visual splendour and excellent storytelling? It could taking a literary story written by Poe, Greek mythology, or such so that it might encourage him to actually read the book? The suggestions above are cool too. Good luck on your search.