I, too, have always believed this to be true. In fact, I believe comics (Superman specifically) were what helped me to always be in the top reading AND spelling group in elementary school. When I first learned to read as a child, I couldn't wait to apply that ability towards understanding what my fictional heroes were saying to each other. Later on, my comics gave back - teaching me vocabulary and science facts that was far ahead of my classmates. That was back when comics had those extra pages with games and factoids that had nothing to do with the main stories (there were usually three).

I would definitely attribute comics to my spelling and reading abilities. I've never been that proficient a book-reader, but I've read hundreds of pages of comics since I was seven years old and there is no doubt in my mind that it is one of the most effective ways for children to improve their reading and spelling skills. I'm not too sure about the scientific aspect of it, though.

Also, the article is talking about a different Dennis the Menace to the one in America, just in case anyone was wondering.

I learned to read at an early age by looking at Superman comics in the late 1950's/early 1960's. I told that to veteran DC editor Jack Schiff at Superman's 50th birthday party in New York (Feb. 29, 1988) and he said "That's exactly what we were always trying to do! Get kids interested in reading by creating interesting comic-book stories!" I'm glad you used "DC Superfriends" as an example, as some of the DC tities today aren't appropriate for small children. "Gothamite" is correct: there is a "Dennis the Menace" character in British newspaper comic strips who is totally different from the one we have in the U.S. Our "Dennis" is called "The Pickle" in the U.K.

I learned how to read by reading comic books.

I'm 45. I've been a super fan since the Filmation toons started in 1966 when i was 2 years old (if not before that) - dc comics taught me right from wrong. but as a writer they taught me how to read, how to appreciate reading, and I often found myself at young ages looking up words or learning words only because they were prominently featured in comic books. I remember learning what a mentor was because of Mentor appearing in the shazam comics. I remember getting greek and roman mythology studies being reinforced by the distinctions between wonder woman's gods and captain marvel's gods. When I was in college, I learned what a harbinger was because, had I not, her name would have continued to mean nothing to me as the Crisis began. Just because the age of comic readers of mainstream titles has gone up since then doesn't mean comic books don't stilll teach. What Multiverse era fan of the DCU didn't learn what a doppelganger was from DC Comics? My favorite character, Superman, taught me that life is often black and white but more often not. Strong personal morality, discipline, and convictions light the way through the gray. Am I Superman? Not even on a good day. But he's an aspiration, happily unattainable, but the heroic example of what humanity has inside it, proof that we can always try harder.

And this is without even considering what I learned from Superman by going into Clark Kent's career. This makes sense too - not just because it's Clark's job but because my fascination with the power of the English language which ultimately led me to writing and journalism has its origins in reading DC Comics.

Comics were big contributors to my feelings about reading and it also opened me up to new worlds of creativity and imagination. People often try to reduce comic books to being trash but really they can improve our minds on so many levels. They helped me learn to read, the discovery of Superman helped teach me about right and wrong, and the X-Men taught me about diversity and prejudice in our society. I owe a lot to the comic book and I think they're perfect mediums to increase the urge to learn how to read in young kids.