Tullus: Adventures of a Christian Boy in Roman Times by Joe Newton and Bob Magnusen

Tullus: Adventures of a Christian Boy in Roman Times is a reprint of a Sunday Pix comic by the Christian publishing company, David C. Cook.  It was originally released in 1952.  Joe Newton is the writer and Bob Magnusen is the artist.
 
I embarked on this reading with my upper-elementary-aged son, a reluctant reader, each of us taking turns reading aloud one cell.  I was impressed with how quickly he began to read with expression, emphasizing the adventures as they built up in speed and climax.  He would even jump ahead to find out what would happen next!

These adventures are "swashbuckling", almost like reading a comic about a 1950s MGM Technicolor film.  While the men and boys were larger than life - great heroes, and the villians deserved boos and hisses, we found ourselves giggling at Helena, the lead female.  In keeping with the times of the original comic, she was portrayed just as over-the-top feminine as the men were over-the-top masculine.  It wasn't problematic at all, just amusing.

Though a Christian comic, the text is not preachy.  Doctrine is casually dropped into conversation.  It fits.  And ultimately, the story is the focus.  Charity, faith, trust, prayer are introduced as helps in time of need.  These are principles acceptable by all Christian faiths.

This is a great book to add to a parent's arsenal, helping children keep still and reverent during church meetings, and for reading during Sundays to help keep the day focused.  The pictures are just as entertaining and important to the story flow as the text, and young ones may find it interesting as well.  The audience that will love it best are readers between the ages of 8 and 12, who love adventure comics.

Photo Credit: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61AqF6fmJtL.jpg

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.