Going 'Graphic': Educators Tiptoe Into Realm of Comics

By Michelle Galley

Comic books have come of age. No longer filled solely with simple drawings and fluffy stories about goofy teenagers or violent superheroes—though those publications still exist—these are "graphic novels" that some educators say would benefit classroom curricula.

These artistically illustrated books that take on mature themes appropriate for adolescents and young adults engage students in reading, help English- language learners put colloquial phrases into context, and introduce complex ideas in a format that is easy to understand, proponents say.

Graphic novels look like trade paperbacks. Some are made up of several comic books within a series, while others are...