Why You Should Be Reading the Adventure Time Comic

Carton Network’s quirky gem Adventure Time has been on the air for six years, captivating the hearts of children, teens, and adults alike. Viewers gravitate toward the show for its vibrant animation, memorable characters, and intriguing plots. (I, for one, just can’t get enough of BMO!) And it’s for these reasons that any lover of the show should pick up the comic if they haven’t already. As Finn and Jake might say, it’s algebraic!
The show has spawned several comic series, including the eponymous main series, which began in 2012, and two miniseries—Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens and Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake—which had six issues apiece. There are also spinoff comics and one-shots to consider, and even some graphic novels. All the series are helmed by different writers and artists, and all maintain the spirit of the show.

The comic brings new stories to the table and manages to be interactive; many of the pages contain marginal notes from the writers that call out the absurdity of whatever’s happening in the panel, adding another (meta) layer of levity. Some issues even end with cryptograms for the reader to decipher. (I’ll give you a hint on the first one: the last word is Marceline.) I’ve had so much fun reading the series not just because it’s hilarious, but because it’s truly an experience.
Fans of the Cartoon Network staple don’t have to worry about the comic being too detached from its inspiration. It has all your favorite characters going on adventures that are either new or connect back to existing plot points from the show, and the illustrations are as dynamic as the TV animation. The comic feels so much like its source material, you can practically hear Finn and Jake’s voices rising from the pages.

As for all of you who aren’t yet familiar with Adventure Time? You should still pick up this comic (then watch Adventure Time!). What makes it (and the show) so special is that it perfectly balances childlike fantasy with high-stakes drama and serious situations. It’s a perfect mirror for the pressures of adolescence—wanting to hold onto the past while also trying to move forward—which makes it a great companion for anyone navigating those waters. Both the show and the comic promote important themes including equality, feminism, and acceptance, and there’s an undercurrent of sincere maturity beneath even the most absurd events. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of many youth-targeted cartoons that broach the subjects of death and rebirth, queer awareness, leadership, and heroism…or at least I can’t think of any that do it with the same ease as Adventure Time.
So do yourself a huge favor and start reading this series. Even if you don’t learn anything, at the very least you’ll have a good laugh. How could you not when there are talking robots, people made of candy, and a dog that can stretch infinitely? Trust me: it’s worth your (adventure) time.