Scholastic Marvel comics: a strange, kid-friendly new wave
Scholastic’s latest Marvel middle grade lineup leans hard into the fun, weird corners of the universe. The July slate is led by Scarlet Witch: House of Harkness, an original graphic novel written and illustrated by Preeti Chhibber that sends a teen Wanda Maximoff to a mysterious magic school run by the Harkness family. Alongside it are two Spider-Ham graphic novels from writer Steve Foxe and artist Shadia Amin: Spider-Ham: Hollywood May-Ham and Spider-Ham: A Pig in Time. Together, they showcase exactly what Scholastic Marvel comics do best: self-contained, character-focused adventures with big genre hooks—witchy school drama, Hollywood satire and time-traveling animal superheroes—without the homework of keeping up with decades of continuity. For parents and younger fans, this lineup offers an easy way to enjoy Marvel’s strangest ideas in the friendliest possible format.
Inside House of Harkness: teen witches, rivalry and magical school drama
Scarlet Witch: House of Harkness reimagines Wanda Maximoff as a sixteen-year-old on her first day at the prestigious magic school that shares Agatha Harkness’s name. The House of Harkness promises “spellbinding secrets, misfits, and mayhem,” setting up a mix of fantasy-school adventure and character-driven coming-of-age story. Wanda quickly clashes with Agatha, the school’s head student and heir, turning their dynamic into a blend of rivalry and reluctant partnership. When an unnamed evil threatens the school, the two witches must set aside their feud to save their classmates. This House of Harkness book fits neatly into Scholastic’s growing line of graphic novels that remix major Marvel heroes—like Scarlet Witch—for younger readers with clear, standalone stories. It treats magic less as grim cosmic doom and more as a playful, spooky tool for exploring friendship, identity and responsibility.
Why Agatha Harkness and Spider-Ham work so well for kids
Agatha Harkness and Spider-Ham might seem like deep-cut characters, but they’re ideal for younger readers. Agatha brings cozy, Halloween-adjacent magic: she’s intimidating, powerful and a little creepy, yet perfectly suited to a school setting full of spells and secrets rather than universe-ending stakes. In contrast, Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, delivers pure comedy and low-stress multiverse chaos. Hollywood May-Ham drops him onto a movie set where a director is mangling his origin story, while A Pig in Time flings him across the timeline to fight multiple versions of the Green Gobbler. Because both characters sit slightly to the side of the main Marvel continuity, their stories can get experimental—talking animals, punny villains, and meta jokes about “continuity errors”—without confusing new readers. The tone stays light, weird and welcoming, even when the plots get wild.
Spider-Ham’s Hollywood and time-travel adventures: multiverse fun without the homework
The two new Spider-Ham graphic novels show how far Scholastic is willing to lean into absurd, kid-pleasing concepts. In Spider-Ham: Hollywood May-Ham, Peter Porker discovers that legendary director Alfred Peacock is making a Spider-Ham movie without his permission—and portraying him as a menace. Using his Daily Beagle press credentials, Spider-Ham sneaks onto set to fix the script and uncovers shady financiers trying to turn New Yolk City against him, complete with ninja production assistants and terrible CGI. Spider-Ham: A Pig in Time takes things even further, sending him into the future after a team-up between the present-day Green Gobbler and his 2099 counterpart. While Spider-Ham bounces through time meeting heroes from different eras, Mary Jane Waterbuffalo and Black Catfish defend New Yolk City. Both books keep the stakes personal and comedic, making multiverse storytelling accessible instead of overwhelming.
Who these Marvel middle grade books are for—and how to use them as on-ramps
Scholastic’s Marvel graphic novels are designed as easy entry points rather than add-ons to monthly superhero comics. They’re ideal for middle grade readers who enjoy fantasy school stories, comedic adventure and manga-style pacing, and for tweens who recognize Scarlet Witch, Agatha or Spider-Ham from screens but have never touched a comic shop “floppy.” The books come as complete paperbacks with a clear beginning, middle and end, unlike serialized issues that require following crossovers or events. Tone-wise, they favor humor, character growth and visually imaginative magic over violence or heavy continuity references. Parents and educators can treat House of Harkness as a bridge between magical school novels and superhero stories, while the Spider-Ham graphic novels work well for readers who love puns, cartoons and time-travel hijinks. Together, they offer a weird, welcoming pathway into Marvel’s vast universe.
