It’s no secret that Comics Plus is a tremendous independent reading platform for readers of all ages and interests, but one of its most notable ‘pluses’ for educators is that it can also be utilized to support academic goals, too.
Comics and manga have engaged readers of all ages for years, whether it’s learning what true friendship looks like from Charlie Brown; exploring complex societal issues in Doonesbury; or, the ups and downs of adopting a cat like Chi. The comics medium can also help build an understanding of vocabulary, syntax, and storyline through illustrations, structure and order of scenes, and the placement of characters.
Our Comics in the Classroom resources help librarians and educators align comics and manga with curricular subject needs, while our Classroom Connections recommendations have spotlighted titles to support specific learning objectives and skill-building opportunities. The latter has been a popular addition to our monthly newsletter this year, and we’re now expanding it to a quarterly feature we’ll share with everyone — starting with this focus on literary adaptations.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
When introducing the comics medium into a traditional curriculum in support of academic goals, some may ask, “How can comics help readers achieve these goals?”
While considering the use of a comic for classroom instruction, we weigh the merits of the text against a standard or expectation of learning. Embedded in the summaries of our recommended titles below are the overall impressions of standards or expectations of learning related to language, reading, and writing, plus how the comics medium aids in a reader’s academic success. We have also noted the relevant curriculum language for each recommendation for easy reference.
NOTE: Depending on your location, the standard or the skills to be taught may sound different, be in a different language, or be scaled differently — but the recommended titles themselves should be generally applicable to wherever you are.
THE CLASSICS
Comics Plus offers access to comic versions of myriad canonical stories taught in classrooms and homes around the world. Our recommendations include a mix of beloved titles that circulate frequently, have been recommended by our customers, and hidden gems we believe deserve consideration.
These recommendations are just a fraction of what can be found within the vast Comics Plus collection.
Peter Pan written by J. M. Barrie; adapted by Joeming Dunn, art by Ben Dunn (ABDO)
Curriculum Connection: Determine a text’s theme and how it is conveyed through particular details.
The retelling of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of a boy who never grows up, this version of Peter Pan is designed to engage young readers with its vibrant illustrations and accessible language, making it suitable for exploring themes such as imagination, friendship, and the challenges of growing up. From the exciting adventures of swashbuckling with the villainous Captain Hook to the jealousies of Tinker Bell, readers will be challenged to consider whether it is better to remain a child or grow into adulthood.
The Wizard of Oz written by L.F. Baum; adapted by Martin Powell, art by Jorge Break (Capstone)
Curriculum Connection: Distinguish their point of view.
Considered the first American fairy tale written in 1900 by L.F. Baum, The Wizard of Oz is a story of hope, and the relatable characters are dear to us all. This adaptation is true to the original story, skipping only a few scarier scenes to make it accessible to various audiences.. Combining text and images allows readers to form their personal viewpoints of the story and characters, and the colorful images prompt readers to analyze and define their understanding of the characters, including their development throughout the story.
The Fall of the House of Usher written by Edgar Allan Poe; adapted by Matthew K. Manning, art by Jim Jimenz (Capstone)
Curriculum Connection: Determine a theme of a text and analyze in detail its development throughout the text.
This adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story, The Fall of the House of Usher, tells the chilling tale of Roderick Usher and his crumbling house, with illustrations that bring the gothic atmosphere and suspense to life. Beyond its gripping narrative and artwork, the comics medium offers a unique opportunity for readers to delve into thematic development, analyzing how specific details shape the central idea throughout the story. The complex characters, like Roderick’s conflicting emotions, come alive visually, allowing readers to dissect motivations and interactions. Finally, the visual presentation reinforces the development of the theme through event sequencing, panel structure, and pacing to build mystery and surprise.
Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare; adapted by Crystal S. Chan, art by Julien Choy (Manga Classics)
Curriculum Connection: Analyze how characters develop throughout a text, interact, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
This manga edition of Shakespeare’s universal tale of star-crossed lovers and the cost of family rivalries will particularly appeal to fans of manga and anime, engaging readers as effectively as any viewing of a live production of the play itself. Chan’s adaptation stays faithful to Shakespeare’s original text, building vocabulary and portraying characters. Choy’s elaborate characters are full of emotion and showcase how they evolve, change, and grow throughout the play. The creative placement of characters in the panels invites readers to analyze their relationships and significance to the storyline, while the detailed images aid in navigating Shakespeare’s 16th-century language.
How Much Land Does a Man Need? written by Leo Tolstoy; adapted by Martin Veyron, art by Martin Veyron (Europe Comics)
Curriculum Connection: Understanding a point of view that requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).
Leo Tolstoy’s short story will resonate with readers because of the timelessness of its theme—greed. How Much Land Does a Man Need? is considered a folktale with an unspoken lesson that cautions readers about power and consequences. The use of humor allows the reader to see various perspectives of events that the protagonist does not; though evidence of covetousness is clear to supporting characters, the protagonist is blinded and blissfully unaware. Readers will enjoy the humorous antics and might even pick up a Russian word or two.
THE ADAPTATIONS
Every adaptation is as unique as the original story it’s based on. The conventional definition of “adaptation” refers to taking a piece of literature and “adapting” it to another medium while retaining the original’s core elements, as in the “classic” examples above. There are also adaptations where the text has been significantly abridged, modified, and/or modernized to appeal to more (or different) readers. There are even “adaptations” that are complete re-interpretations and re-imaginings (or “fractured” — structurally changed versions that modernize the original text), retaining only the most basic elements as inspirational references.
Readers will find many excellent examples of these different approaches in Comics Plus. This variety allows educators to select titles that fit specific academic goals and, most importantly, helps support each individual reader’s needs to meet those goals.
The Four Little Pigs adapted by Kimara Nye, art by Marcin Bruchnalski (Lerner)
Curriculum Connection: Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters.
This fairy tale creates a new character and “fractures” the story of the three little pigs to give the characters new adventures and experiences. The inclusion of the fourth pig adds drama and surprise to a story that is well-known by most readers. Along with the familiar setting and infamous, “I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in!” — it also has colorful, simple images that match the text, guiding beginning readers throughout the story. This re-imagined take would be a great match for comparing and contrasting the original story.
Folktales: Anansi adapted by Christine Platt, art by Evelt Yanait (ABDO)
Curriculum Connection: Ask and answer: who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
This beautiful linear folktale featuring the trickster spider, Anansi, is a great retelling to enhance the skill of young children to ask and answer questions. The tale begins with a depiction of Anansi’s character and then quickly delves into his wish to acquire all the world’s stories from his father, the Sky God, who challenges Anasi with three tasks, each repeated three times. Readers learn what the task is from Sky God; Anasi’s thoughts on the task; and finally, Anansi’s successful completion of the tasks. The colorful imagery assists readers in understanding the setting and adds details to the tasks at hand while introducing them to cultural elements of West African heritage. Engage young readers with this folktale while examining the 5 Ws and How.
The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Graphic Novel written by Hans Christian Anderson; adapted by Stephanie True Peters, art by Jefferey Stuart Timmins (Capstone)
Curriculum Connection: Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text.
Stephanie True Peters’ retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale will have readers laughing from the moment they see the cover, as Jefferey Stuart Timmins reveals the main character’s open secret. Timmins’s use of sepia tones and shadows will entice readers to evaluate each panel to discover the tone and the true events, and look deeper for more clues about the king and the supporting characters. Truly, it’s a fun take on a classic tale!
Ham-let: A Shakespearean Mash-Up adapted by Andrew Cosby, Garrett Schiff, and Jim Burnstein, art by Elisa Ferrari (Dark Horse)
Curriculum Connection: Analyze how a modern work draws on story elements from traditional stories, describing how the material becomes new.
Ham-let takes a whimsical spin on the classic Shakespearean tragedy as Prince Ham-let, our pig protagonist, grapples with his father’s murder by his uncle, the newly crowned king. This mash-up integrates characters from a variety of Shakespeare’s classic plays, exposing readers to multiple perspectives and breathing new life into the traditional characters. Readers are encouraged to identify and discuss how characters from different stories influence the re-imagined story and create a new narrative. The result is an adventurous and fun story that is a fantastic springboard for exploring more of Shakespeare’s original work — many of which have their own traditional adaptations.
THE POWER OF COMICS & MANGA
Readers are asked to read stories, plays, poems, and short stories to build their understanding of more and more complex texts throughout their years of education. We engage readers in critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical thinking activities and discussions to ascertain whether a student has reached the skills needed. Whether you consider yourself a “reader” or not, these are skills we use daily.
Comics and manga can inspire all readers to expand their understanding of the relationship between words and texts while meeting learning expectations. The titles recommended above are part of a larger curated list, Literary Classics—Graphic Adaptations, featuring a diverse selection of literary adaptations to choose from.
For example, did you know we currently have SIX different adaptations of Dracula — including a manga edition and one in Spanish? Search for your favorite title to see what else is on Comics Plus, or browse our Adaptations section to discover an even broader selection to choose from.
If you are looking for more Classroom Connections recommendations, check out our Comics in the Classroom resources or contact your Engagement Specialist.
NOTE: Individual title availability will vary by age level, corresponding packages, and geographic rights.
READ ALL THE COMICS!
With Comics Plus, schools and libraries can offer readers unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, manga, and picture books from popular publishers like ABDO, Andrews McMeel, BOOM! Studios, Capstone, Cherry Lake, Dark Horse, Europe Comics, Fantagraphics, Humanoids, Image Comics, Kodansha, Lerner, Manga Classics, Oni Press, Papercutz, Tokyopop, TOON Books, UDON Entertainment, Yen Press, and dozens more.
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