Why Comics Belong in Every Classroom with Shannon Live

From Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental by Reading Is Fundamental

July 20, 2026 · 44 min · Episode 41

About this episode

Dr. Erin Bailey interviews Shannon Live about the impact of comics on literacy education and how they can help young readers.

In this episode, host Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Shannon Live, founder of Bat City Comics, at Comic-Con to explore how comics and graphic novels can transform literacy education. Shannon shares her journey from reluctant educator to comics advocate, explains the research behind why graphic novels boost vocabulary and lower the "affective filter" that blocks learning, and offers practical advice for parents and teachers on nurturing young readers through comics. The conversation covers the history of anti-comics stigma, using comics to teach history and identity, book recommendations for every age, and how finding your voice through reading builds lifelong confidence. RIF's Graphic Novel collection: Graphic Novel Collection | RIF.org About Shannon Live: A life-long adventurer of imaginary worlds, Shannon Live knew her path would someday include advocating for creativity. After working as a Reading and Writing Specialist creating pop culture curriculum for Title I schools, Live went on to co-found Bat City Comic Professionals, a 501(c)(3) non-profit comic bookstore that focuses on cultivating reading, writing, art, and imagination skills for young people. As President of Bat…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Erin Bailey

Guest: Shannon Live

Topics covered

comics in education
literacy transformation
graphic novels
reading advocacy
teaching history
building confidence

Keywords

comics
graphic novels
literacy
education
reading
vocabulary
confidence
history
identity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bat City Comics, RIF.org

Books & works: Shopping for Superman