Marvel Idiom Comics

Marvel Idiom Comics
These comics were made using the Marvel Superhero Squad comic
building site. Unfortunately that amazing, fun resource isn’t online now.
Each of the comics presented here contains a
number of idiomatic phrases on a theme.
The idioms are related to the character featured:
Falcon – idioms relating to flying
Thor – idioms relating to weather
Silver Surfer – idioms relating to space
Hulk – idioms relating to strength and power
Wolverine – idioms relating to animals
Iron Man – idioms relating to technology
There are many ways to use these comics with students at preintermediate level or higher. Included here is one possible lesson plan.
Many thanks for visiting the Grammarman website.
Brian Boyd
www.grammarmancomic.com
Suggested Lesson
‘An idiom is a combination of words that has a meaning that is
different from the meanings of the individual words.’
1. Begin by introducing idioms and looking at one or two examples.
Elicit examples and ask students about idioms in their own language.
2. Pin the six comics around the room or have students look at them
online: http://grammarmancomic.com/comics/other/marvelidioms .
Ask the students to identify which comic has idioms relating to flying,
weather, space, strength and power, animals and technology.
3. Now the students work in small groups, each with a different comic.
They identify and underline the idiomatic phrases and try to guess
their meaning from context. The teacher circulates, giving support and
checking meaning.
4. The students then try to rewrite the dialogue from their comic using
non-idiomatic language. So ‘Don’t push my buttons’ becomes ‘Don’t
make me angry’ or ‘Don’t annoy me’.
5. The teacher asks the students what the use of idioms adds to the
comics.
6. The students can then perform their comic dialogue as if it was a
play. If time allows, they can write and perform their own short
dialogues using their favourite idioms from the lesson.
www.grammarmancomic.com
www.grammarmancomic.com
www.grammarmancomic.com
www.grammarmancomic.com
www.grammarmancomic.com
www.grammarmancomic.com
www.grammarmancomic.com