There’s a lot of lists floating around about the best comics ever made…but not too many made specifically about kids comics. I think it’s time we amend that!
With the help of the KCU community, I pulled together a list of 25 influential comics made with kids in mind. So let’s take a walk through the history of kids comics!
Important Note: this list is intended for writers and artists interested in the history of children’s comics. Certain older titles contain content that is now considered offensive or outdated. We’re including these works due to their historical significance and cultural impact.
We begin our list in 1929…
The Adventures of Tintin – Hergé (1929-1976)
Bold, heroic, and ready for adventure, Tintin is the perfect companion to travel the globe with. Hergé’s iconic series spanned a wide range of genres, with the quest for discovery always tying them together. In addition to his storytelling, Hergé’s ligne clair (clean line) style inspired an entire school of Franco-Belgian cartoonists.
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Donald Duck/Uncle Scrooge – Carl Barks (1942-1966)
Bark’s expressive and character-driven storytelling depicted the Ducktales crew as a real family with accurate depictions of pettiness and sarcasm in their love. His work not only influenced future Disney writers but also Osamu Tezuka and the creation of Indiana Jones.
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Moomin – Tove Jansson (1947-1975)
The Second World War left Europe in tatters. But in the wake of hatred and intolerance, Tove Jansson created The Moomins. Starting as a children’s book series, but later developing into a comic strip, Tove Jansson’s series preaches acceptance, curiosity, and care. To this day, The Moomins remain a symbol of kindness and diversity.
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Pogo – Walt Kelly (1948-1975)
When slapstick comics started to wane in popularity, Walt Kelly created Pogo, a slower and more meditative comic about human foibles. While Pogo was for all audiences, Kelly would frequently inject political satire into the comics, adding more depth to the deceptively simple comic about a possum. His work would go on to influence countless cartoonists, including Bill Watterson and Jeff Smith.
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Marge’s Little Lulu – Marge (1948-1984)
While coming in as one of the oldest entries on this list, Lulu’s bold assertiveness and creativity continue to inspire countless generations of young girls. Little Lulu opened doors for women in the comics industry, and for that, we will always be grateful to Marge.
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Astro Boy – Osamu Tezuka (1952-1968)
Pulling inspiration from many creators on this list, Osamu Tetsuka created countless iconic works. But his most groundbreaking work is Astro Boy. Not only did Astro Boy become the blueprint for manga, but it also largely contributed to the creation of the anime and manga industry!
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Dragon Ball – Akira Toriyama (1984-1995)
Akira Toriyama’s opus has some of the best action ever put to page with masterful comic craftsmanship. Goku’s journey taught kids they can improve and strive for a better future. (Note that this title is listed as “Young Adult” in the US due to its liberal use of sexual humor — though in Japan, which has very different cultural norms, it was published for kids.)
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
Calvin and Hobbes – Bill Watterson (1985-1995)
Once described as “the last great newspaper comic,” Calvin and Hobbes stands as one of the most enduring and beloved depictions of childhood imagination ever brought to print.
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Slam Dunk – Takehiko Inoue (1990-1996)
When it comes to sports manga, Slam Dunk is the full package: an underdog story, heart-racing action, lovable characters, and great humor. Slam Dunk is a story that deeply loves its subject matter, and that love was so infectious that it popularized basketball in Japan!
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
Sailor Moon – Naoko Takeuchi (1991-1997)
The breakout manga hit of the 1990s, Sailor Moon, inspired an entire generation of little girls to stand up for themselves. Its success opened the door for Shojo manga to enter the US market, creating a niche for female readers that had not yet existed.
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
Bone – Jeff Smith (1991-2004)
When Jeff Smith made Bone, he didn’t think it was going to be a hit with kids. But when his all-ages indie comic took off, he discovered a majority of his readership was children! Upon completion, Bone found its home with Scholastic Graphix as one of the imprint’s debut titles. Without Bone and Graphix, we wouldn’t be here right now!
All Ages
Buy on Bookshop
Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi (2000-2003)
Serving as a bridge between Western audiences and the Middle East, Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir is one of the greatest examples of the power of comics. Marjane depicts her life with all the joy, sadness, and complexities in between.
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
Owly – Andy Runton (2004-Present)
Owly does not speak, but he does communicate through pictures. It’s this fact alone that made Andy Runton’s Owly an indie darling in 2004. Owly’s communication style resonated with readers who have difficulties talking to others. In 2020, Scholastic revived the series, and it finally hit the mainstream market with full-color issues!
Early Reader
Buy on Bookshop
American Born Chinese – Gene Luen Yang (2006)
We went back and forth on which Gene Luen Yang graphic novel to include on this list, but we ultimately chose American Born Chinese. For kids who don’t fit into the stereotype of the “American Dream,” American Born Chinese addresses the ugly truths of shame and racial stereotypes with thoughtful drama and humor.
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
Elephant and Piggie – Mo Williams (2007-2016)
Elephant and Piggie taught early readers the importance of friendship and its complexities in an accessible format. Williams strips his comics to the bare essentials, which enables kids to learn and interpret emotions without having them outright explained.
Early Reader
Buy on Bookshop
Smile – Raina Telgemeier (2010)
Raina’s honest depiction of middle school and high school growing pains ushered in a new era of graphic novels for children. Loved by students and teachers alike, Smile introduced graphic novels to classroom curricula. 15 years later, Smile is still one of the most popular and beloved graphic novels in print!
Middle Grade
Buy on Bookshop
Hilda – Luke Pearson (2010-2024)
As one of our quieter and melancholic entries on this list, Luke Pearson’s Hilda series combines Moomin and Studio Ghibli in the best ways possible. If you are a fan of the Netflix animated adaptation and have yet to read the source material, you should check it out!
Middle Grade
Buy on Bookshop
Check, Please! – Ngozi Ukazu (2013-Present)
One of Webtoon’s first major successes was Ngozi Ukazu’s Check, Please!, an adorable boy-love-inspired YA comic. Check, Please! was the first Webtoon ever acquired by a traditional publisher!
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
This One Summer – Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki (2014)
As the most mature story on this list, This One Summer is a complex work about sexuality, family dysfunction, and mental health. Crafted with expert precision and a stunning limited color palette, it’s a work that opens difficult conversations.
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
Nimona – ND Stevenson (2015)
Nimona originated as a series of webcomic experiments before morphing into a fully-fledged graphic novel! Nimona’s allegorical and fluid depictions of queerness allow readers to explore alternative forms of expression.
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
A Narwhal and Jelly Book Series – Ben Clanton (2016-Present)
Narwhal and Jelly couldn’t be less alike if they tried. But with a shared love of waffles, parties, and adventures, Narwhal and Jelly are inseparable! The Narwhal and Jelly Book Series kicked off the kid lit comic boom of the late 2010s-early 2020s!
Early Reader
Buy on Bookshop
Dog Man – Dav Pilkey (2016-Present)
Kids love Captain Underpants, adults do not…but everyone loves Dog Man! Dav Pilkey already found success with his graphic novel hybrid Captain Underpants, but Dog Man is where his visual storytelling skills flourished. Sometimes all you need is fun, plain and simple.
Early Middle Grade
Buy on Bookshop
The Prince and The Dressmaker – Jen Wang (2018)
A fairytale for this generation that plays with gender and expression with tenderness and joy. The Prince in the Dressmaker is a modern classic that will endure for years to come.
Young Adult
Buy on Bookshop
New Kid – Jerry Craft (2019)
Jerry Craft set out to create a graphic novel that accurately reflected the modern African-American experience. The combination of Jerry’s complex portrayal of (intentional and unintentional) racial prejudice and heightened middle school drama created an unforgettable graphic novel.
Middle Grade
Buy on Bookshop
Donut Feed The Squirrels – Mika Song (2020)
Known for its hilarious writing and non-stop antics, Donut Feed The Squirrels is an iconic work in the early reader landscape. When it isn’t making kids laugh, it’s teaching them problem solving skills and teamwork.
Early Reader
Buy on Bookshop
Want us to make a part 2?
If you enjoyed this list, let us know if you’d like a part 2 in the comments below! (Trust me, I had a REALLY difficult time whittling down a list to just 25 comics) And tell us about your favorite kids comic!
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Love Little Lulu…and Tubby. No one will ever be called “Tubby” in a comic again.
I adore Check, Please!, but I consider it more new adult than young adult since it takes place in college, and it has one character that loves the F word. I’d add Be Prepared by Vera Bristol or Roller Girl by Victorial Jamieson for some extra middle grade representation