Invincible Iron Man (2008) #1

I think, with Iron Man 2 (the movie) out at the same time, this is the perfect jumping-on point for new readers and Iron Man fans alike!

So, are you going to get your first comics? The others which are priced for $1.00 include:

• Captain America #1 (2004)
• Wonderful Wizard of OZ #1
• Thor #1
• Punisher Max #1

You could also view The Invincible Iron Man #1 online at Marvel Digital Comics here.

Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps (philately) or books (bibliophilia), it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. Among comics fandom, the study of comics as a medium and an artform are sometimes referred to (individually or collectively) as panelology and people who collect comic books are known as pannapictagraphists. More details at wikipedia

Some adults would never grow up. They appear to retain their childlike wonder at the world around them. Like myself, I still read comics. However I am not discussing about adults here. I talking about your kids.

Kids today will more likely prefer to play video games, listen to music, watch movies and the TV. Ask any child about reading and they will tell you that reading is boring.

Children should be encouraged to turn off the TV and sit down with a good book, but asking them to do so might be difficult. This is where a comic book can play the role to introduce you child to reading.

To explain it better I will use the upcoming Iron Man 2 movies and comic titles from Marvel. Iron Man 2 is coming out in May 2010, if you have taken your son to the first one, I am sure he will love (and waiting) for the second installment.

The first thing you need to do is buy him his first comic book. You can start by getting the latest issue of Mighty Avengers or Invincible Iron Man. This is to build his anticipation for the movie and at the same time, his interest into reading. You have a few months to Iron Man 2, enough time to get a few issues for your son.

In between the issues, talk to your son about what he’s reading. Ask him to summarize or retell it to you. If Iron Man is battling another super villain, ask him to explain the details of the super villain super powers and how Iron Man defeated him. The more details he include, the more apparent that he is following the story and engaged in it.

By May 2010, take him to the movie. He will thank you for that and at the same time, you would have taken some time off from his TV and video games schedule to reading. Even if it is only for a comic book, it is a start.

Gradually, introduce him to junior novels. Do this during you next family travel trip where he would need more than just comics to keep his time occupied during the trip. Especially when it involve a long drive or a few hours in the plane.

Get the idea?

Why reading? Reading helps your child acquire knowledge. If English is your second language, reading promotes speech and language development, and helps to improve pronunciation and vocab. Reading calms the mind and this helps your child to relax.

The world is full of interesting things to learn and do. Don’t let your kids merely sit back and watch TV or play video games. Get them interested into reading, and let comics be the first step.

It will also be good for your mind. A hobby might even keep you from going senile in your old age. Hah!