Are Buffy & Angel Comics ok for 10 year olds?

[Goby]

I've stayed away from this forum and so I don't know any spoilers, except one or two things.

My son and I went to a comic shop and he was pretty excited to see the Buffy and Angel comics. He asked if we could read them together.

My son is almost 10. I know all parents are different, so here were my "rules" for watching Buffy and Angel...

BtVS: No "Where the Wild Things Are," "Fear Itself," "Go Fish" (it freaked him out a bit), and lots of Season 6 was a "no." I told him to cover his eyes during inappropriate parts (Faith and Xander getting freaky, Faith and Woods getting freaky.... basically no freakyness allowed. 🙂 )

AtS: I allowed parts of Season 1 and Season 2, the end of Season 5, and almost nothing in the middle. Angel was just way too dark.

So what are the comics like? Now that you know a bit about my parenting, are they too adult for my little guy?

And has anyone read the new Dr. Horrible? My son was excited about that, but they were sold out.

Thanks!

 

[Mumrik]

I think most of the issues should be OK, except for #34 of Season 8, titled "Them F#©%ing (Plus the True History of the Universe)". The first part is a good portion of the issue. There's one or two times that shows Buffy in bed but there's nothing explicit that I remember. After The Fall should be OK, I think. It's been even longer since I read that.

 

[Professor Walsh]

Well, if you get started on S8, I'd say skipping the sex in the 7th trade pocket is somewhere between stupid and impossible, at least if you're raising kids as independent as we Scandinavians tend to like 'em. I cannot imagine buying comics for my kids, then start censoring pages.

 

[Goby]

Well, if you get started on S8, I'd say skipping the sex in the 7th trade pocket is somewhere between stupid and impossible, at least if you're raising kids as independent as we Scandinavians tend to like 'em. I cannot imagine buying comics for my kids, then start censoring pages.

If you say it's "impossible" than I understand, but "stupid" is not nice. We all raise children differently, and I don't think my son is ready to see graphic depictions of sexual acts. And that's what was in BtVS.... graphic depictions of sex.

BTW, I live in a very rural area on top of a mountain. We don't have television, and we never go to the "big city." I haven't purposely sheltered my son, but he's not as sophisticated as a child in the big city, or a child who is allowed to watch whatever he wants. My son has never heard me utter a swear world. He's seen one PG-13 movie. Yet my son is also versed on religion, science, the arts, and animal rights.

I know tone can be hard to detect on the internet... I'm not mad or offended. I just prefer raising my son as a traditional 9 year old kid who lives in the country. That's why I asked about the comics. 🙂

 

[mayfever]

Well, if you've already allowed him to watch most of the shows, I don't think the comics should be a problem, except the parts that Mumrik mentioned.

I wouldn't want my kid to watch them before they were at least 12 though, as I think it's a bummer only to be allowed certain parts of a show or film.

 

[Professor Walsh]

Naive would probably have been a less annoying word to use. It's just that I cannot imagine censoring a comic the way you've done with the series without the kid reading the unapproved material on his/her own. And in that case, I'd rather have an open dialogue. (Bear in mind, though, that I am speaking from my own experience as a child rather than parent. My eldest is six, and the earliest point at which I can imagine introducing BtVS is when he can read the subtitles fluently.)

 

[sisterofmercy]

I think maybe you should read them before letting your kid read them as only you know what's appropriate for your child. Plus it means you get to read them too which is always good.

 

[Goby]

Naive would probably have been a less annoying word to use. It's just that I cannot imagine censoring a comic the way you've done with the series without the kid reading the unapproved material on his/her own. And in that case, I'd rather have an open dialogue. (Bear in mind, though, that I am speaking from my own experience as a child rather than parent. My eldest is six, and the earliest point at which I can imagine introducing BtVS is when he can read the subtitles fluently.)

Victor is a great kid who I trust. If he says he isn't going to read it, he won't. BTW, I didn't censor any Tillow. Victor is aware of homosexuality and doesn't have a problem with it.

So I'll check out those few sections. Thanks!

 

[prophecygrrl]

Off the top of my head, I can't remember anything too bad besides what Mumrik mentioned...and then maybe a few panels of Issue #37. It's hard to figure out which comics are appropriate and which aren't because usually the porny parts are only on a few panels or just one page. I say the best way is to read the comics yourself first. Most of the comics, especially in the beginning, should be fine though. 🙂

 

[VisionGirl]

Based on what you've shared about how you raise your son, there may be a few other issues that you might want to censor, particularly #12, #18 & the Willow One-Shot, although it's been awhile since I've read them so I can't remember details right now. But you definitely might want to read them first before reading them together (& it's not as if it would take you a long time to do so). I totally know where you're coming from, as I have a 10-year old too.

BTW, we have just started (by "just" I mean, today!) a season 8 re-read, so please join us! https://www.buffy-boards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=402

 

[Hale Caesar]

Not to critique your parenting style but you seem strict, and if have problems with the show you will defiantly have problems with the comics. Really, the best thing to do is to wait until he is older. Sex and violence happen for a reason in the Buffyverse, taking it away doesn't make much sense because it's all important to the story. If your son isn't allowed to watch the sex and violence he shouldn't be watching the BtVS or AtS in the first place, because he is missing some of the most significant points in the story

 

[Goby]

Not to critique your parenting style but you seem strict, and if have problems with the show you will defiantly have problems with the comics. Really, the best thing to do is to wait until he is older. Sex and violence happen for a reason in the Buffyverse, taking it away doesn't make much sense because it's all important to the story. If your son isn't allowed to watch the sex and violence he shouldn't be watching the BtVS or AtS in the first place, because he is missing some of the most significant points in the story

Interesting points. I don't think I'm technically "strict," but I guess I am when it comes to graphic sex and violence. Keep in mind that most of Buffy's violence is not graphic, at least no compared to PG-13 movies. And he's in karate, so he appreciates Buffy's skills. Perhaps he doesn't get it on our level, but he loves it.

BTW, my "strictness" also kept him from watching Barney, Teletubbies, Dora, or the Wiggles. His favorite shows are Mythbusters, Buffy, and The Simpson's, although The Simpson's can get a little "blue" occasionally. And he's read three Harry Potter's while in third grade.

For those of you who think Buffy had a tough gig as the slayer, wait until you become parents. Trust me, Joyce had a much more difficult job than Buffy. 😉

 

[Tranquillity]

I let my 13 year old read Season 8 - except I did scan and censor issue #34 - Just because it is quite graphic (even if the figures are cartoony - the concepts in them are quite adult) and 13 is an awkward age and I didn't want to overpower him with images that he wasn't ready to see. He didn't mind - and he can read the uncensored version in a few years time.

 

[NY State of Mind]

If he raises his a child a certain way then who is anybody to say what he should censor or shouldn't....all he asked for was if there are things he considered unappropriate for his child and gave example of what he thought was......My advice just skim through the issue first.

 

[Taake]

Let's stick to the question and whether or not you find these comics all right for a 10 year old and limit our opinions/critique about others parenting choices.

🙂


If I were you I would follow sisterofmercy's advice. Read the comics yourself first, it's hard for others to deem what you find appropriate or inappropriate so getting the backstory yourself would probably be the best idea, plus if there's things he wants to discuss about it you'll be able to 🙂

 

[sosa lola]

I think it's better if you read them first. Just to make sure they suit your son. It's so fun, though, that you two wanna read them together. 🙂

 

[VisionGirl]

As far as the violence level goes, obviously there are some things they can show in comics that they coudn't show on TV. The issue "Swell" comes to mind about being kind of graphic. I can't think of any others off the top of my head.

I'm considering reading some of the Retreat issues to my 7 year old since he likes Oz, and as I looked through those issues there wasn't a ton of stuff in there I would censor.

Spoiler

The goddesses

are a little scary.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I think the early issues where it was more "like the show" were safer. And then the tone started to change.. I remember looking at the horse/dawn and thinking she/it was drawn quite seductively. Granted, I am from Indiana and we have a proclivity towards farm animals, but when Xander started talking about what a good ride she was..

 

[Kean]

I agree with what many other posters have said in that you should read for yourself and then decide.

Honestly though? I'd say no. The entire season is hinged on sex, sexuality and violence. Often they co-exist or one leads to the other. If it was me I'd wait until he is emotionally mature enough to understand what is happening, to make it clear that sex does not equal violence, and vice versa and so you can read them together and answer any questions he has.

What might be worth checking out is the older Dark Horse Buffy comics. I think you will have a better chance of finding more appropriate material for him there.

🙂

 

[Selfless705]

I would call myself mature for my age kinda and I am 15, however, some of the images in the comics made me go "woah", and quite a few I felt uncomfortable reading in public. I don't know how mature your son is, so the situation could be completely different but I would definitely look up some of the images online before you buy the comics, just too make sure you don't spend the money and then realize that they aren't appropriate in your situation.

Much Love
Luke 😀