For decades, comic books were derided as gaudy, sub-literate threats to children's brain cells. Now, teachers, researchers, and librarians are taking a new look at comics and they like what they see: a way, in a culture now dominated by TV, video games, and the Internet, to get children reading.
It's not really a new concept. As far back as the 1940s, series such as "Classics Illustrated" and "Picture Stories From the Bible" were using comics as an educational tool. Today there are literacy and comics programs, such as the Comic Book Project, springing up all over the country. Sponsored by state officials and educators, these programs focus on the simple goal of promoting the reading habit.
