The next time your parents or teacher berate you for reading comic books, steer them toward this article. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois, has revealed what you have always known - that reading Tiny Titans, Denise the Menace and Batman, is as beneficial as reading Shakespeare!

The study was conducted by Carole Tilley a professor of Library and Information Sciences at the University. According to Ms.Tilley, most teachers and parents dismiss comic books, because they believe that they are too 'simplistic' and think that most kids just look at the pictures and don't read the text.

However, the professor attests that the same could also be said about 'picture' books which seem to earn whole-hearted approval of even the snootiest of parents and teachers. She believes that reading comics is just as complex as any kind of literature because it involves putting pictures and words together to understand the story.

Ms.Tilley however has two pet peeves against the comic books in America.

Most of the ones currently available are based on television, toys and movie characters and, that they are too expensive for children to buy! We agree with her on both counts!

Our favorite comic books are - The Adventurers of Tintin, and Asterix and Obelix.

What are yours? Be sure to let us know by adding you comments below?

sources:telegraph.co.uk,examiner.com,newsarama.com