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
Conventional Wisdom Says...
Is everything we do right? Is everything we do wrong? Are old adages obsolete, or are they on the money?
Two old adages in comics: "New readers are young readers." and "Every comic is someone’s first comic." One is obsolete and one is right on. So which is which?
The adage of "New readers are young readers" has been coming under fire a lot in recent years. This being a column dedicated to All Ages- / kid-friendly comic, it seemed natural to take a look at the argument.
The basic thinking is that for comics to grow as an industry we need to encourage new readers to come into the pastime at an early age with Archie, Mickey Mouse and Scooby Doo then mature to Sabrina, Sonic, Teen Titans Go! and then on to Superheroes and Vertigo as well as other older teen and beyond reading material.
With the maturing of comics and of their audience the diversity of reading material for various age groups has dwindled. Most feel this will have no negative impact whatsoever on the industry due to so many new readers coming in to comics during their college years.
So if you are one of those readers who did come to comics later in life, who got you here? It is doubtful that you wandered over on your own; did someone show you some comics you might like? Did that person read comics as a kid? See where we are going? If you read comics you or someone who got you to read comics read comics as a kid.
Score 1 for conventional wisdom.
"Every comic is somebody's first comic" has been repeated forever in comics. Basically, this falls on the team of creators to make the comic accessible to new readers, while keeping the back-story interesting enough those who already know it.
Wow, this bit of advice is dead! Most comics you need a 20-year comic book reading career to follow what is going on. Never mind comics are so oriented for the collected trade paperback/graphic novel set up that you really need to read it in one sitting rather than over a six month time period as the comic comes out. A big mistake, personally speaking, but we'll discuss that another time.
The real reason is that this phrase is too optimistic. What would happen if the expression was flipped, "Every comic is somebody’s last." Because lets face it, it is. First it implies a second will happen. Second implies a third will happen. Maybe it's time to get serious.
If you knew the comic you were reading was your last unless it was really good, would you read that comic? If as a creator you knew that this one better be good or it maybe the last comic you work on, would you make It better?
Conventional Wisdom 1 and 1.
Comics need to grow; we need more kids, more new readers to keep it afloat. Then we need to perform and put out some really good comics to keep those new readers and keep the long time readers too. A little something for everybody. Entertainment for every age.
PS- In the interest of full disclosure, I goofed. When listing comics to pick up great for the All Ages crowd, Avengers Next was missed. Set in the future universe with the Amazing Spider Girl (#2 on sale this week-highly recommended) and as good as comic book super hero action can get. Enough of the vast history is revealed, without hurting the story. You learn what you need for the issue and go along for the ride. And as usual Ron Lim (who if you have been reading Sonic The Hedgehog over the years, know how good a storyteller he is) has never looked better. Don’t miss it!
And here’s all the info you’ll need to pick up you own copy of AVENGERS NEXT #1
SEP062088 AVENGERS NEXT #1 (OF 5) $2.99
WRITER: TOM DEFALCO
PENCILS: RON LIM
COLORED BY: AVALON STUDIOS’ ROB RO
LETTERED BY: DAVE SHARPE
COVER BY: MICHAEL WIERINGO
WEBSITE – href="http://www.marvel.com">Marvel.com
See, ya' next Tuesday, as always for more good stuff to read and talk about an Idea whose time has come.
As always thanks for reading, and feel free to send your comments and recommendations (especially any thing I missed) to: MikeP@SilverBulletComicbooks.com
In the meantime here are some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
AUG063017 BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #170 $2.49
AUG063018 BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #76 $2.25
AUG063025 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #126 $3.69
AUG063028 SABRINA VOL 2 #80 $2.25
SEP060257 BATMAN STRIKES #27 $2.25
SEP060262 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #7 $2.25
SEP062081 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #2 $2.99
SEP062123 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #18 $2.99
SEP063318 WALT DISNEYS CHRISTMAS PARADE #4 $8.95
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
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