When I was six, my grandfather would take me on his sales route. He sold candy. (How popular is a candy salesman?) He started buying me comics at various stops like Flo’s Variety on the hill, and Depot News downtown. I owe a lot of my ability to read to comics. And to this day, I receive a gratis copy of Wizard Magazine to my house. Now that I have kids, I look at comics differently.

Growing up, it was cool to watch Spider-Man be chased around New York by Michael Morbius, the Living Vampire. It was great to see Green Lantern get punched out by Sinestro. I loved the action, the adventure, and the fights. Mmm, the fights.

But now, as a dad, I see just how violent comics are. Even the Powerpuff Girls are pretty much a big punch-fest. So it’s a strange quandary. I feel that my life was enriched by comics and that I enjoyed the rich fantasy world that they afforded me. And yet, I’m definitely not looking forward to explaining how Wolverine got shot 247 times, but why that’s okay because his healing factor takes care of minor inconveniences like sucking chest wounds.

What’s your take? Where’s your line on pen and ink violence? How will you deal with it?

Photo credit, Randy, son of Robert