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
Promotions With Punch!
The greatest promotional idea ever? At the NY Comic Con this February? Something so great, but could it get the attention of everyone? You betcha’, so why was it shut down?
Every Comic Con there is some sort of promotion that gets a lot of attention. Sometimes a scantly dressed women, some sort of games, softball competitions, even the tried and true free giveaways. However, yours truly has come up with the greatest promotion idea ever. Here is the genesis and ultimate end to this great idea. But remember you heard it here first - any one else is just copying.
Sonic fans will fill out a card with their biggest gripe about the comic, and after being selected randomly will be allowed to punch the editor in the stomach. One Sonic reader a day for the three days. Well, everyone in the office loved the idea, which was a little concerning. However, the publisher also liked the idea of some bodily harm befalling me (also concerning) decided against it. Maybe a dunking tank as long as it involves Sonic smack talk from the readers, I’m down. The convention center might not let us do it indoors and outdoors in NYC in February might be too brutal for me. Expect to be updated if anything happens.
The weird thing is that this is not the first time a Sonic fan punching the editor has come up. Here is the story of the first physically threat from a Sonic reader.
Sonic The Hedgehog and Sonic X are just some of the projects that fall under my jurisdiction. As Sonic editor you would not believe some of the stuff that happens. To say the fans are loyal and dedicated would be an understatement. The level of mail that comes in would amaze most people in the industry - never mind the traffic the Sonic Fan forums generate. Almost weekly calls from parents asking about subscriptions flood the lines, not to mention all the phone calls that come in with readers suggestion stories to even letting us know when they have a gripe. And some fans have major gripes; from: “why didn’t this one date that one” to “this one could beat that one.” If we make a mistake we get bombarded. This is not a knock on the readers at all, they are awesome, smart, and let’s face it: those reading Sonic and Sonic X are the most brilliant comic readers out there. No better fans than Sonic fans. For the most part they love the comics and support us in droves, at shows and conventions everywhere.
Which leads us to a signing at Midtown Comics in NYC a year or two ago. Now - who would you rather meet? The editor or the writers and artists? It’s like meeting the accountant of Angelina Jolie. 
Not too cool. So, with about a half a dozen people from Archie Comics including several Sonic creative types, I just wandered the store. Who cares about me? Well one guy did and he really wanted to express his opinion, strongly I might add, in regards to Sonic and his on-again-off-again relation ship with Princess Sally. He was not happy; he was in his late-thirties to early-forties, rather large and his words were: “ I don’t wanna punch you in the mouth, but when are Sonic and Sally gonna’ get married?” Actually, he did want to hit me in the face and up until that moment the thought of how embarrassing it would be to get beaten to a pulp in a comic book store never occurred to me. Now I’m big 6’3 at least 250 and been in a few fights, so I know when I am going to lose. This guy was a head shorter than me and twice as wide and looked like those guys who pull trucks with their teeth. Luckily, at moments like these one’s survival instincts kick in and this reader was fed the most lovely rambling about the future and certain issue numbers coming up that would quickly answers his questions, in a non-violent way of course. It worked and he walked around the store for an hour, came back, and interrogated me some more. This went on for the rest of the day with him eventually leaving and my face staying as it had started the day, punch free. Stuff like this actually happens a lot. Really.
Most people have an idea of what a reader of Sonic and Sonic X looks like. Little kids mostly boys. Not the case. A lot of kids, a lot of girls, but also a lot of women and men. Our new IT guy at Archie has been reading the comics his entire life, so has our new Proofreader. Mail comes in from around the world and you can tell the difference between an 8 year old’s handwriting and an adult’s. So, it is a tough to get a comic out every issue and be perfect for everyone. Over all we do it right, but you can’t please everyone every time. Some readers are mad enough to even punch the editor.
At the very least we do hit (pun totally intended) perfection once in a while. This week check out Sonic X #13, perfectly numbered for the Halloween season. It is a super creepy issue with alien robots, government conspiracies, and the spookiest ghost possession you have seen in a while. Sonic X #13 has quite possibly the best Halloween cover of all time, (by the amazing Spaz) guaranteed to make ever the angriest Sonic readers laugh and not punch the editor in the face or stomach or anywhere else for that matter.
As always thanks for reading, and feel free to send your comments, threats and recommendations to: MikeP@SilverBulletComicbooks.com
In the meantime here are some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
AUG063030 SONIC X #13 $2.25
AUG063014 ARCHIE #570 $2.25
AUG063019 HOLIDAY FUN DIGEST #11 $2.49
AUG063023 JUGHEAD #177 $2.25
AUG063031 TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #15 $2.49
AUG060237 KRYPTO THE SUPER DOG #2 (OF 6) $2.25
AUG060241 SCOOBY DOO #113 $2.25
AUG063312 MICKEY MOUSE AND FRIENDS #294 $2.95
AUG063310 DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #345 $2.95
AUG063127 SIMPSONS COMICS #123 $2.99
AUG062022 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #1 $2.99
JUN061968 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #15 $2.99
JUN062014 MARVEL ADVENTURES FF VOL 3 WORLDS GREATEST DIGEST TP $6.99
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