Comic books can help fight illiteracy
Comic books can be more than just for fun – they can be tools for learning.
Jameson Rohrer, Brawley Public Librarian, said, “A lot of people are visual learners. I know I am. So, comic books are especially for people who may feel they’re not confident in reading or they may be reluctant to read something.”
A group of local graphic artists said comics have shaped their lives in many ways.
Dave Garcia, comic book illustrator, said, “I actually learned to read from my older sister’s Archie comics. “She was six years older than me. So, I was just a little kid grabbing her Archie books, because that’s what she read,” Garcia said.
The artists shared their love for the art on Saturday at Brawley Public Library’s free Comic Book and Star Wars Day.
Luis Alberto Hernandez, Calexico High School student and comic book artist, said, “I started drawing when I was a kid. It was very simple like stick figures. And then I started drawing a little bit more like cartoons. It was a hobby but then a few people came and told me, this shouldn’t be like a hobby, this should be like your thing, something you should do,” Hernandez said.
Juan Puentes and Edgar Benitez, from Mexicali, are publishing their own comic books and hoping to turn it into a growing business.
“We are trying to start a self-publishing comic company and these are our two titles that we have right now. I’m the writer and he’s the artist,” Puentes said.
Comics can help improve literacy.
“A comic book or a graphic novel is a great way for them to get introduced to back to reading,” Rohrer said.
Garcia added, “Especially Archie comics, there’s a limited amount of dialogue and the picture helps tell the story.”
Sam Couchman, Brawley City Council, said comics can even help develop good character.
“This allows them to have an outlet for fantasy, but it also allows them learn about values. And that’s what we did we watched cartoons and that’s what I think they do now,” Couchman said.
They had a message to all their fans on this fourth day of the month, which is also considered Star Wars Day: May the Fourth be with You!
