Peer Review

Digital Comic Museum

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Feb 12, 2021 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The Digital Comic Museum is one of the best sites for downloading FREE Public Domain "Golden Age Comics." All files have been researched by the staff and users to make sure they are copyright free and in the public domain. To start downloading just register an account and enjoy these great comic books. The site does not charge per download and the goal of this project is to archive these comic books online and make them widely available.

Type of Material:

Collection

Recommended Uses:

individual, in-class, homework, group, lecture

Technical Requirements:

Internet access

A comic file reader app is needed to view the downloaded comics.

Here is a link to a list of comic file readers

Identify Major Learning Goals:

User can view and/or download comics from a variety of topics, genres, and eras that depict views of culture, humor, history, and society.

Target Student Population:

Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

basic computing skills

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

All comic book files have been researched by the Digital Museum staff and users to make sure they are copyright free and in the public domain. The comics represent different points of time during the 20th century as well as a range of genres like mystery, romance, adventure, Western, war, science fiction, funny animal stories and crime. The covers of the comics offer insight into the art and design of the time. This museum offers opportunities for discovering some history, art, and literature of the past. Educators may want to preview any comic they may assign so there are no surprises with depictions in images or narratives.

Materials can easily be used to view the use of design, entertainment venue of the time period, study of events or viewpoints during the 20th century.

Concerns:

Depending upon audience, educator may want to introduce idea of depictions of groups/topics.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: These Golden Age comics provide opportunities for learning about the past. The collection is huge so selected materials can be integrated into several curricular areas including art, history, English, social studies, and science. Students can see and learn the importance of sequencing a story and how to visually depict a that story from a variety of viewpoints. Using comics can extend literacy skills while teaching content.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The site is well-maintained and very current. Besides the comics, it features a chat using Discord, a messageboard forum, an FAQ section, a way to contact them, and a way to donate to the Digital Comic Museum. Keyword searches are sorted by publisher, comic, and date The site is organized by comic publishers and then within each by topic or main protagonist.

Other Issues and Comments:: If used for class purposes, educators may want to preface instruction due to the manner of representations of some groups or topics.
Creative Commons: