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
Magic and More!
If only there was something for girls and boys to read in the world of comics! Why can’t there be a comic like Harry Potter? Wow after this brilliant column recommended Sabrina the Teenage Witch from Archie Comics and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane from Marvel Comics I have been looking for more great stuff like those comics, any other great suggestions?
As a matter of fact a certain title does spring to mind. Originally a comic from Italy made into a cartoon for TV and now a series of Graphic Novels from Hyperion. For readers of the Harry Potter novels, the Spiderman Loves Mary Jane comic and Sabrina the Teenage Witch comic another great read should be added onto the list, namely W.I.T.C.H.
Don’t let the pink cover of the first graphic novel “The Power of Friendship” fool you into thinking this is all tea parties and make up. W.I.T.C.H. is a great adventure with all the powerful emotion of any teen drama that Stan Lee could cook up in the early days of Spider-Man and all the magical wizardry and wonder that have made the Harry Potter books, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch so popular. 
W.I.T.C.H. stands for the five young girls names, Will, Irma, Tarnee, Cornelia and Hay Lin who make up the new Guardians of the Veil. We are all such suckers for acronyms. The Girls use the powers of the four elements of nature; air, earth, wind and fire, and the power of energy, to help them do their good deeds and save the world.
Now, granted this is a familiar premise for a story, young kids learning they have a greater power hidden within themselves and must join together to stop an unspeakable evil. So, personally expiations were low. Couldn’t be more wrong. This is a really good story, with some of the most gorgeous art in any comic out there. Think about that. It is a big statement, but go to you bookstore or comic shop, even a lot of libraries are carrying the series, and just flip through the book. If the artwork doesn’t get your eyes to widen nothing will. 
Besides the superb artwork, and perfectly executed layouts, the design and look of W.I.T.C.H. successfully works in a combination of both a Manga and a classic Disney look. Combined with some absolutely beautiful coloring, perfectly rendered with a watercolor feel really add to the magical feel of the stories lending themselves to fairy tales more so than comic books.
Occasionally it is hard for grown men to shake off their inner 12 year old yelling “Ew, its girlie!” but even a 12 year old boy would love this… even if he didn’t let any of his friends know he actually had a copy next to his Sonic and Superman comics. At the very least he would have a major crush on these girls.
What is also really nice about W.I.T.C.H. is that the girls are all believable as real girls, with crushes, attitudes and insecurities that teens have. All the betrayal of friendship, personal loss and evil monsters roaming around are played perfectly for the most entertainment. Most kids should really relate to these characters and stories. A lot of adults too.
It is nice because the W.I.T.C.H girls show such great strength and really come across as heroes, and as positive role model that kids can actually look up to. Even the W.I.T.C.H. girls’ role models and influences in the stories are strong women. 
Hopefully the merit of the W.I.T.C.H. graphic novels will not be ignored because of their success as a TV cartoon. Certainly it led to some trepidation on my part. But for an industry that is sorely ignoring its younger readers and female audience W.I.T.C.H is a great read to get both young and female readers into comics. And at $4.99 for 122 pages of story it is really very affordable and worth the risk to try something new.
Five volumes of W.I.T.C.H. graphic novels are out and more are planned. 
As always thanks for reading, and feel free to send your comments and recommendations to: MikeP@SilverBulletComicbooks.com
See ya, next Tuesday for something perfect for back to school time that kids and parents will actually love! No, really!
Now that you know what to read here’s where to find it:
W.I.T.C.H. POWER OF FRIEDSHIP GRAPHIC NOVEL #1
DIAMOND ITEM CODE - MAY052797
ISBN - 0786836741
AGE GROUP - Any
GRADE - A
PAGES - 122
PRICE - $4.99
WEBSITE - ClubWitch.com
In the meantime here are some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
JUL060202 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #25 $2.25
JUL060208 LOONEY TUNES #142 $2.25
JUL061683 LIONS TIGERS & BEARS VOL 1 NEW PRINTING TP $12.99
JUL061974 MARVEL ADVENTURES FLIP MAGAZINE #16 $4.99
JUL061971 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #19 $2.99
JUL062022 SPIDER-GIRL PRESENTS FANTASTIC FIVE IN SEARCH DOOM DIGEST $7.99
JUN062882 JUGHEAD #176 $2.25
JUN062885 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #166 $2.25
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
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