MIKE PELLERITO, was recently named the new Managing Editor of Archie Comics. In addition to looking over the Archie universe he also editÃs some of Archie Comics most popular titles,
This column came about after having very few avenues to promote and find out about All Ages and Younger Reader Comics and Graphic Novels. Most knowledge seems to be passed along by word of mouth, so this is in the sprit the column is written. Now, sit back and join in the conversation!
To learn more about any of the above-mentioned projects please visit Archie Comics.com
Two for All!
Comics are awesome, how do I get my kids to read them? Comics totally rock how do I get my wife to read them? If there a perfect collection to break down these barriers?!
Yes. Most kids will read a comic book. Kids typically are very open to something new. And if it is cool shiny, colorful, fun and pretty to look at that is just perfect. The unfortunate truth of popular wisdom is that comics are not cool. Consequentially terms like Graphic Novel has popped up to lend a bit of credibility to the medium. Just recently at a dinner party it was nice to hear that V for Vendetta (Definitely not All Ages friendly) was assigned summer reading at a high school. Granted the conversation broke down into questioning what is a Graphic Novel. Apparently a Graphic Novel is not a comic book; at least that is what this student had been informed. The confusion continued as to how exactly a Graphic Novel is different from a comic book. It was incredibly interesting to see how the outside world understands the comic industry, or more precisely how the outside world does not understand the comic industry. The world still sees comics as capes and boots, four-color fun that you can by at the local corner store. Or comics are basically – mindless juvenile fun. Some of it is, some of it does strive to be a work of respect outside the comic book community. These collections of comic book stories are not a trade paper back but a Graphic Novel. Then the question came up was it a novel that had been illustrated? Did the writer draw it? As the confusion continued to spiral out of control, suddenly yours truly was revealed as a comic book editor. My answer seemed to clear things up- “A Graphic Novel is a comic book, but it is the equivalent to an art house picture from the movie industry.” And just like that, everybody understood. But is it the right answer? And will situations like V for Vendetta moving from Graphic Novel to motion Picture really help increase new readers over all or will it just lead to one time purchases? 
Now you are probably wondering how this conversation leads into an All Ages column. In particular your favorite Tuesday All Ages comic column, the one that you all tell your friends about. Right? Anyway, this conversation sparked a thought, what Graphic Novels are out there that could lead new readers into comics. There are many to choose from. Great collections of familiar comic book favorites like Justice League Unlimited, Teen Titans Go! Scooby Doo, Bone, Lions Tigers and Bears, the Archie Americana series and so many more. But sometimes something less familiar is what is needed to stand out without a preconceived notion, and are done in a timeless way that could hook new readers, both kids and the more difficult to entice; the skeptic adults. 
The Bakers: Do These Toys Belong Somewhere? is the perfect collection to open a kid of any age up to the worlds of comics. Granted these jokes are probably more for the adults, but really are just great vignettes about the Family dynamic. Most of the Jokes are completely visual with a minimal amount of Dialogue. What Kyle Baker does is manage to cross over every type of comic storytelling and find the best way to tell his stories and jokes without being locked into a set format. For instance we have all seen the newspaper strip Denis the Menace or The Far Side, which utilize the single panel gag, where the setup and the payoff of the joke have to be done in one shot. We have all seen the multi-paneled gag, like a Peanuts or even the Archie newspaper strip where typically you have a 3-4 panel joke with a beginning a middle and an end of building action until we get to the big pay off. And even the comic book style of storytelling is in there with a page of several panels per page going on for a few pages, building to the big pay off of the joke. The Bakers has enough familiarity to it with all the newness of a sharp and creative mind behind it crafting really superbly funny stories about a wonderful family. The Bakers has everything from baby drool to toddler self defense to of course finally exposing the evil that is the Tooth Fairy. No, really. The Bakers welcome you in like the loving family, just keep your head down and get ready to eat a lot of fish sticks. Oh, and one more brilliant move, the back cover actually mentions The Bakers is good for All Ages. Never take your audience for granted, let them know if this is something for them!
Next up are Herobear and The Kid which is one of the best action/comedy collections to ever come out in the All Ages genre. It is that good. “Remember your childhood… and pass it on.” Are the words Mike Kunkel lives by for his creation of Herobear and the Kid. It sounded so lame when first reading those words, but a real honesty really comes through and before you know it you are wrapped up in the world of young Tyler and carried away on the adventure. The story starts out with Tyler’s family moving into his recently deceased grandfathers mansion and Tyler dealing with moving to a new place, losing his grandfather who means so much to him, a family butler and of course his stuffed toy bear his grandfather left to him. Every thing from the schoolyard bullies, to his crush on the most beautiful girl in school to all the awkwardness and sheer fun it was to being a kid is captured so perfectly that you believe these stories were lifted from your life. Well, except for having a super powered Herobear to hang out with and fight crime. And of course enjoy the beautiful art, which immediately reminds everyone on of a pencil test in animation is superb. Mike Kunkel breaks a lot of the rules of comic books story telling, with pages having panels into double digits as apposed to the normal 5-6 panels a page. But it all works and fits the story perfectly. One of the nicest elements to the story is the way the story ties up, with Tyler learning something valuable about himself and what his grandfather meant to him and the person he has become. The ending is so good and really had a great-unexpected twist. Even with all the clues hidden along the way it was great to be surprised by a comic again. 
Anytime someone is unsure of buying one of the comics yours truly works on, the dare goes out to read any two pages. Whatever two you open up to and read. If it catches your fancy buy it and give it a read. Usually it works, and we can hook a new reader. Read any page you open up to in Herobear and the Kid and you will want to start at the beginning and read very page.
Go on try it with The Bakers and with Herobear and the Kid, dare ya.
See ya next Tuesday for one of the best comics around about teenage witches. And no, not Sabrina the Teenage Witch. We covered Sabrina and it is real good and you should be reading that already!
So, now that you know what to read here’s where to find it:
DEC053096 THE BAKERS: DO THESE TOYS BELONG SOMEWHERE? $18.95
ISBN 13: 9780974721439
Age Group- Any
Grade- A
Website: KyleBaker.com
HEROBEAR & THE KID VOLUME 1: THE INHERITANCE STAR18496
ISBN: 0972125914
Age Group- Any
Grade- A
Website: TheAstonishFactory.com
In the meantime here are some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
JUN060042 USAGI YOJIMBO #96 $2.99
JUN060225 TEEN TITANS GO #34 $2.25
JUN062880 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #145 $3.69
JUN062881 BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #75 $2.25
JUN063133 MICKEY MOUSE ADVENTURES VOL 11 TP $7.95
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
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