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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.

One of the tenets of literacy programs is that people will learn more when it's related to a subject that interests them. Voice of America reports that educators in New York are applying that idea with their grade-school students by offering opportunities to create comic books. Michael Bitz, who created the Comic Book Project, acknowledges that it's difficult to determine a definite link between the project and its effect on students' literacy skills, but the program focuses just as much on the writing of comic books as the artwork. But the success of the program is clear: engage students with subjects that interest them, and they'll show dedication to learning.