When we first launched The Phoenix, we held workshops to meet parents and teachers. We spent a lot of time explaining what The Phoenix was and why comics were great for getting kids into reading. There was a lot of doubt and even snobbery. But luckily, things have changed a lot in the past decade.
Comics are now being embraced in schools and by parents more than ever before. The Phoenix is read by tens of thousands of kids each week, and comic books (like Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart) are available in almost every bookshop and supermarket. Finally, people are realising that kids love comics! While other countries like the US, Japan, and France have known this for decades, the UK is finally catching up.
That said, there’s still some resistance, especially when it comes to comparing comics to what some call ‘proper books’.
Just the other day, I was in a bookshop and noticed a young boy, around seven, picking up a Bunny vs Monkey book. He showed it to his dad, who made one of those doubtful noises. They showed it to Mum, who had heard great things about it. But Dad was still unsure. I almost stepped in, but the boy was determined, and with some convincing, they bought the book. Another young reader, thanks to Jamie Smart and comics!
So, why was Dad unsure? What made him hesitate despite his son’s excitement? While many parents and teachers have no problem with comics, some still hold back. Having read Bunny vs Monkey myself, I can tell you it’s not just full of silly jokes—it’s packed with witty humor, sharp satire, touching moments, and plenty of excitement. Great stories can come in any format, and the medium doesn’t matter.
In the early 2000s, I worked in film, and back then, TV was often seen as inferior. Film was where the great storytelling was happening. Now, TV is considered the home of some of the best storytelling in visual media. The medium stayed the same; it was the attitude that shifted. We need to view comics in the same way. You can have comics that are deep and dramatic (like No Country by Patrice Aggs and Joe Brady), or funny ones about spacefaring cats (like Star Cat by Yasmin Sheikh and James Turner). Just like books, TV, music, and film, comics can tell any story.
The main thing to remember is that comics are incredibly appealing to kids. That excitement is what gets them started on their reading journey. Instead of standing in the way, we should be fuelling that passion. The best way to do that? Embrace comics.
