Sidekick Switcheroo

by Aaron Boulding
in Advice for New Dads · Dad Approved Products
— 3 May, 2012

We’re huge fans of super heroes and the entire genre of comic books. The actual paper and pulp comics. Since the world is caught up in the frenzy of “The Avengers” at the moment and now that all of that superhero excitement is coming to America, we want to parlay it into something at least a little helpful for dads out there.

As the first of several superhero movies coming this summer (new Batman and Spider-Man flicks will be here before you know it), the release of The Avengers is the perfect occasion to try to throw just the right book in front of your youngster while they’re distracted by Iron Man’s armor and Thor’s hammer. And we’re talking about a regular “reading book” not an accidentally fun comic book or graphic novel.

We tracked down 2011’s superhero-themed graphic novel “Sidekicks.” There’s even a slickly produced trailer for this book:

And, no, none of the irony is lost on us. Yes, it just might take a blockbuster superhero movie to remind your young reader that comic books and graphic novels were the original homes for all of those cosmic powered adventures and catchphrases Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson are now spouting. And, yes, you now have to have a trailer to promote a book even when it’s a book about superheroes.

We fully endorse graphic novels and comic books as educational instruments, including the ones created by awkward creative types.