What if the smartest thing you read today… had pictures in it? In this heartfelt and eye-opening talk, 13-year-old Angelo Gaetano challenges everything you think you know about comic books. With humor, insight, and a lifelong love of Calvin and Hobbes, Angelo walks us through his personal journey—from flipping through his sister’s Sunday funnies to discovering the depth, poetry, and philosophy hiding in the panels of his favorite comics. But then, something changed. Angelo realized not everyone was allowed to read comics. Some parents and teachers dismissed them as “not real books.” That realization sparked a mission. Through personal anecdotes and surprising science, Angelo makes a powerful case: comics aren’t just real books—they’re brain-boosting, empathy-building, laughter-filled experiences that connect words with images, heart with humor, and readers with each other. Backed by research showing how comics improve memory retention and engage more parts of the brain, this talk isn’t just for fans of graphic novels—it’s for anyone who’s ever been told that what they love to read doesn’t “count.” Angelo Gaetano is a 13-year-old student at Clinton Middle School who loves chess, nature, animals, art, and being funny. When he isn't outside, he can be found reading or playing chess. Angelo was inspired to give a TED Talk because he believes that comics are important to education. His talk, titled “Comics Made Me a Reader (and I’m Not Sorry)”, explores the importance of reading and discovering comics for what they are. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx