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Comic books - like Asterix, Calvin & Hobbes

25 replies

Caralinda · 07/10/2020 17:43

DS is 11, and for a couple of years now has loved reading and rereading our collection of Asterix books and Calvin & Hobbes sets. I’d love to get him something similar for Christmas, but not sure what? Any suggestions?

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LeGrandBleu · 07/10/2020 19:09

@Caralinda We are French and big fans of comics. Whole collections fill our walls but I am not sure which you can find in English.

In the long stories style, has he ever tried:

_ Tintin

  • Lucky Luke (set up in Wild West)
  • Buck Danny (American Pilots set in the 50-60s)
  • Michel Vaillant (Racing car)
  • Luc Orient (sci-fi . science)

For the short stories like Calvin & Hobbes,

  • Mafalda
  • Garfield

From Spain, we brought with us all the Super Humor we could put our hands on (just because your username has a Spanish meaning and I don't believe they exist in other language)

noblegiraffe · 07/10/2020 19:17

Well you’re not going to get any better than Calvin and Hobbes but my kids also like the Phoenix Comics compendiums thephoenixcomic.co.uk/Shop/Menu/ComicBooks

Or what about a good old Beano annual?

Caralinda · 07/10/2020 19:35

Fab thanks both - I think Garfield is the only one out of all of those that I’ve heard of, so I’ll get looking! I first read Asterix in French @LeGrandBleu, when I was staying with an unfriendly family on school french exchange and spent most of the time in my room - at least they had good comics!

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Caralinda · 07/10/2020 19:37

Well I’ve heard of the Beano, obviously! He does enjoy those, but they don’t inspire the same repeated poring over of the others.

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ArtichokeAardvark · 07/10/2020 19:37

Tintin!

GetRid · 07/10/2020 19:38

Looshkin (the cat from The Phoenix magazine) is hilarious. I think there are books you can buy.

Watching thread for ideas!

LeGrandBleu · 07/10/2020 20:21
  • Yoko Tsuno
  • Gaston la Gaffe
are other classics you might remember from your horrible student exchange When presenting a new collection, don't say " it is like ..... " because it is not, and then if he expects a similar, he will be disappointed. Use " as famous as ..." Has he read the Asterix in Britain one. Hilarious ! Still makes me laugh, especially now that we live in Australia. But all the Asterix in other countries are so fun (in Belgium, in Switzerland, in Spain.....) I think I might grab one to read tonight!! Does he have them all @Caralinda ?
Caralinda · 07/10/2020 20:48

We’ve got all the Asterix omnibus books, they go up to 12 I think. DS dressed up as Calvin (with a toy tiger) for book day a couple of years ago - complete with a cardboard box transmogrifier! Sadly not many people knew who he was, but he was happy!

Looking through the suggestions, seems like plenty to try!

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LeGrandBleu · 07/10/2020 22:08

Had to look up what Asterix omnibus was.... sort of selected collection it seems which means there are more from the classic ones to pick. We have far more than 12, at least the double of that.
It love the wit if Calvin -& Hobbes! Well done for introducing him to that!!

KillingEvenings · 07/10/2020 23:07

Pheonix comics are all great - my kids love them. The Amulet series was also a great hit. Another tin-tin style one that mine liked were the Adventures of Julius Chancer

crumpet · 07/10/2020 23:09

There are loads of Asterix books

TinTin is a must

BikeRunSki · 07/10/2020 23:11

Tintin!

Basically how I coped as an English child in a French school.

crumpet · 07/10/2020 23:12

Also some (not sure if all) of the Artemis Fowl and Alex Rider books are in comic form which he might like

ManservantHecubus · 07/10/2020 23:24

Iznogoud is pretty cool x

CountFosco · 08/10/2020 08:51

Tin Tin has dodgy racial stereotypes in them though. We do love Asterix but there are issues there as well, the Roman empire is portrayed as much whiter than it actually was and while they had slavery it wasn't on racial lines.

Another vote for 'The Phoenix Presents' series and the Amulet series (still ongoing, last one is due out next year). Your DS is probably at the top end of the age range but DS (8) loves the following series: Dogman, Hilo, Zita the Space Girl. All very funny and enjoyed by the whole family.

CountFosco · 08/10/2020 08:56

Had to look up what Asterix omnibus was

They each contain 3 of the original stories so if they have all 12 that's 36 of the stories which sounds about right.

Sadik · 08/10/2020 22:33

(Much) longer but utterly fabulous - The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage

Caralinda · 09/10/2020 13:15

That looks fab @Sadik, thank you!

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frozendaisy · 09/10/2020 15:06

I have, well had they are in pieces now, the whole of Calvin & Hobbes DS1 loves them (just 12).

He then liked Peanuts, there is so much of Peanuts (50 years) the early stuff isn't as good go for heyday era (late 60s/70s). He also loves Dilbert but that is because he's on the geeky side. He is presently destroying all the Mr's Dilbert books (no sympathy).

Nothing tops C&H.

PhilODox · 09/10/2020 17:58

DS is 11
We have:
Tintin
Asterix
Hilda series by Luke Pearson
Zita the Spacegirl series and Mighty Jack series by Ben Hatke
Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz
Star Wars (Marvel Comics version)
Adventure Time
Bunny Vs Monkey (from Phoenix comic)
and lots of Marcia Williams books.

He's on at me to get Amulet, and I was looking at Over The Garden Wall too.

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 09/10/2020 19:37

I know it’s be recommended before but Amulet really is fabulous

The one most like C&H is probably Phoebe & her Unicorn but sadly the covers seem to have been designed to appeal to 6 yr olds 🤷‍♀️ Dana’s other work Ozzie & Milly is brilliant though.
Wings of Fire has the first (?) 3 as comic books if he likes that kind of thing
Mighty Jack & the cross overs with Zita
5 worlds series
Nimona
The science comics series is good if he likes factual stuff as is the Corpse Talk series if he likes history
Zelda?

frozendaisy · 09/10/2020 20:30

If you want something really silly and fun get "what do you meme" board/card game.

Round the fire, couple of Bailey's ......perfect

PhilODox · 09/10/2020 20:48

@frozendaisy OP's son is 11... Grin

Caralinda · 09/10/2020 22:39

Wow lots more to look at, thanks all!

Gibbons, just had a look at Phoebe and her Unicorn, I see what you mean, might struggle to lure DS into those!

Amulet looks like a good option though, and will properly look at the other suggestions. Looking at Tintin too - I hadn’t bought them before, i think I saw the tv version and didn’t love it which stopped me exploring the books.

Might hold off sharing the Baileys for now! Grin

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BLToutanowhere · 19/10/2020 13:56

I reread Tintin recently and it's dated but may still be cool for your DS.

Must dig out the Asterix as I loved them as a kid.

Calvin and Hobbes absolutely rule and it just gets better as you get older and the full humour unveils itself.

Teen titans go? Not read the comic but the series actually unites me and kids.

I'm going to be looking some of the suggestions up too as I love my comics but there is no way on this planet he's ready for the majority of them. May even trust him with the C&H. Well, I'll consider it anyway.

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