Our local library keeps us well and truly stocked up with obscure (and older) comics that we might've missed. I'd never come across Roger Leloup's "Yoko Tsuno" series, which has a distinctly 70s disco vibe crossed with Barbarella (though thankfully child-friendly) and Manga influences. No mean feat considering these comics originally came out in 1970 and have been lovingly reprinted by Cinebook for a modern audience. Belgian comic genius Roger Leloup, originally part of Studio Herge (and if you haven't heard of Herge and Tintin, where on EARTH have you been?) broke off to produce his own comic series in the early 70s and Yoko Tsuno was one of his most endearing creations. A Japanese girl genius, science whiz and kick-ass hero, Yoko Tsuno feels like an amazingly contemporary, fresh and brilliant comic creation.

Leloup's amazing draughtsmanship and tightest linework really is a treat for the eyes, and in this volume we see Yoko embarking on an intergalactic adventure along with her hotch-potch gang of miscreants, the curious trio of the volume's title. Expect a fair amount of chopsockery, 70s-style over the top spacefaring adventure and a dizzying array of science fiction influences creeping into the strip. Spanning 26 volumes, there's plenty to dig into and I believe Cinebook are planning to publish the lot! Whoah!

Charlotte loved these, though the panels are typically as busy as hell (one thing you will notice with older comics, those wonderful Belgian creatives sure knew how to pack a page with exquisite detail). It's still jaw-dropping to think that these comics are nearly as old as me but are still amazingly vibrant. Thank goodness for Cinebook and their current crop of brilliant reprints.

Charlotte's best bit: Yoko's kitschy but awesome space-fashion sense!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Leloup's artwork is astounding. What an awesome comic discovery. I really cannot get enough of Belgian comics, they're truly fantastic!

Cinebook produce some of the best children's graphic novels on the planet, translating from a rich seam of brilliant French comics by some of the leading luminaries in the European comics scene.

They have a knack for gathering together fantastic stories and collections that appeal to children Charlotte's age and slightly older.

The "Papyrus" Characters have been well-loved for years by children across the channel, and it's great to be able to introduce these books to Charlotte, who loves anything Egyptian.

Papyrus, the 'companion' (well, slave really) to huffy Egyptian princess Theti Cheri, is the star of a whole series of stories dating back as far as 1974, when Lucien Die Gieter produced the very first Papyrus story. The graphic novel opens with an absolute belter of a scene, with Papyrus lost at sea just as a gigantic Kraken-esque sea monster devours the ship he has stolen passage on.

Papyrus wakes from the dream in turmoil, and cannot convince Princess Theti Cheri or his friend Imhotep that his vision could come true.

Die Gieter's artwork is fabulous, like a cross between Asterix and Tintin. Sumptuous Egyptian locations are worked into the story (like the fabulous palace at Karnak and temple at Abu Simbel) but it's excitement all the way as Papyrus swears to protect Princess Theti Cheri from an insidious plot.

Cinebook publish quite a few volumes of the Papyrus Chronicles, but this is the best place to start. If you're looking for brilliant kid-friendly comics, and you have a would-be Egyptian Princess (or peasant boy) at home, this is an absolute corker.

Charlotte's best bit: Theti Cheri's fabulous hair and clothes, and the awesome temple at Abu Simbel

Daddy's Favourite bit: So good, that I had to keep sneaking off with this while Charlotte was asleep, just so I could read it!

5 years before "The Boy Who Lived" stunned the world with his lightning-flash scar and messy hair, and of course his exploits at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, a young witch by the name of Melusine attended a rather less famous school of Witchcraft - as the star of Gilson and Clarke's fabulous collection of comics.

In 'Melusine - Love Potions' the young witch finds herself dealing with the ooh-la-la world of lovestruck folk (and creatures) as she fulfils her role as au-pair and general dogsbody at Hernyvanz Castle. The gorgeous flame-haired Melusine weaves magic spells in these short but sweet comic strips, helping everyone from an ugly troll-faced guy to snag the girl of his dreams, to a lovesick dragon with a rather embarrassing case of the burps.

This collection brings together a whole host of syndicated Melusine strips, and introduces us to some of the other characters that were (and still are) regulars in the comics, including Melusine's crazy old Aunt Adrazelle and her best friend (read: person she's most likely to turn into a frog) Melisande.

It's crazy knockabout stuff, not at all along the serious tones of the Harry Potter novels but belying its Belgian origins, it's a comic that you can just about squeak past the kids (without them asking too many awkward questions) but has a heck of a lot of very tongue in cheek humour that adults will enjoy a nudge and a wink from. In our constant quest for kid-friendly comics, this is has been a pleasant discovery that makes us want to hunt out the other Melusine collections that are available (there are quite a few!) If we're brutally honest, we think Melusine could run rings around Hermione!

Charlotte's best bit: Melusine's fabulous red hair (and slightly dubious success rate with spells)

Daddy's favourite bit: A fantastic fun-filled knockabout comic strip with a goodly dose of magical appeal. If your children loved Harry Potter, they'll definitely love Melusine and she was here first!