I learned to read via comic books. My parents never complained about me buying them. I had a large wicker basket full of them. Our house had books and I used the public library too.
One of the earliest memories I have is my Mamma reading Tom & Jerry comics to me when I was about 4 years old or so. That would be about 1954 or thereabouts.
Your comic book story reminded me of what happened with my children. I encouraged my kids to read something every day, didn’t care what it was. My youngest resisted until I told him that reading the sports page every day counted. It worked! Happy reader!
Oh yes, my reading skills were greatly increased by comic books. My dad was a huge comic book collector himself. Good times!