Comics were once seen as a childish medium in the United States and most superhero stories were aimed at kids. Ironically, with most illustrated literature today aimed at teen audiences and older, it is harder to find kid-friendly comics. Thankfully, DC Comics is making an effort to publish more books aimed at early readers and middle-grade audiences as well as young adults. Indeed, their latest Early Reader series will adapt the upcoming Superman movie by James Gunn for young audiences.
(Image Source: DC / Rob Justus)
Superman’s Good Guy Gang will center around a nine-year-old Clark Kent. He’s glad to use his powers to help people but is lonely as the only superpowered kid in Smallville. That changes when he meets Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner. Together, they form a club where they can be themselves, test their powers, and grow together.
Written and drawn by award-winning author/illustrator Rob Justus, the new Superman series will be timed to release in July 2025, just before the upcoming film. The comic will introduce kids to Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner before their cinematic debuts. Future books in the series will introduce Wonder Woman, Mr. Terrific, and Batman, as the Good Guy Gang grows.
(Image Source: DC / Stephanie Pepper)
The new Superman book is not the only new offering coming to DC Comics’ youth line. Another hot new series is Birds of Prey: The Origins, which marks the DC Comics debut of Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard. Set in a reality where the team meets as teenagers, this young adult offering will be illustrated by Stephanie Pepper.
The series centers on four young women with tragic pasts and dark secrets. Helena lost her family to violence. Barbara suffered a tragic accident. Dinah ran away from the foster system. Harleen is struggling with her identity. Together, the teens will come together and hunt a potential killer that threatens their school.
DC Comics also announced several other titles. Chief among these are a sequel to Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney, Robyn Smith, and Manou Azumi. Teen Titans fans can look forward to a new YA graphic novel by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo, Teen Titans: Together. There is also a new Kid Flash series by Spider-Ham author Steve Foxe and X-Men ’97 animator Jerry Gaylord.
More information on Superman’s Good Guy Gang and other upcoming youth titles can be found on the DC Comics website.