MIKE PELLERITO, was recently named the new Managing Editor of Archie Comics. In addition to looking over the Archie universe he also editĂs 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
Good Time To Be A Kid?
Good time to be a kid?
Yeah, it is a good time to be a kid. Despite whatever happens, any time has to be good to be a kid. But is it a good time for kids and comics?
The quick answer is: It could be worse. The long answer is: it could be better. In less than a month from now what hopefully will turn out to be a huge event for comics, kids comics specifically, might be a good time to talk about two of the better things in comics for readers of All Ages. Oh, and their both FREE!
The first big event is something that is the brainchild of Alex Simmons. Alex is known in addition to his comic book writing for prose and plays and comic book workshops for kids held around New York City. He has written some personal favorites over the years and he is about to do something even better than all those enjoyable comics he has written.
It was a real pleasure to meet Alex at the NY Comic Con this past February. He came by the Archie booth and we had a few minutes to chat, in particular about this idea of his. It really is a good one. Get ready for the event the comic book industry has desperately been in need of. The first ever - KIDS COMIC CON. Oh and admission is FREE!
Something like this is great to see and even better to be apart of. The big bosses at Archie loved the idea. Expect to see yours truly there and Sabrina writer/artist Tania Del Rio definitely. Probably expect to see a lot more Archie people as we start to set up our schedule. We are already putting lots of giveaways together in addition to all the cool stuff already at the show.
Rather than just regurgitate the info, read the press release for all the info:
WHEN:
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Show Hours: 10:00 am -- 6:00 pm.
WHERE:
Bronx Community College
Colston (Community) Hall
West 183rd Street & University Avenue
Admission: FREE!
Alex Simmons of BLACKJACK, BATMAN: ORHEUS RISING, & SCOOBY DOO fame, has just let the cat out of the bag! He's producing the first NYC KIDS' COMIC CON on April 28, 2007. Where? On the spacious campus of Bronx Community College.
The KCC is specifically focused on bringing young people, parents, artists, and educators together for a fun and enlightening view of our industry. We're specifically inviting teachers, librarians, and more to show them how our chosen field works and how it can support literacy and other academic goals.
Now don’t get us wrong – Children and young adults can expect a full-blown all-age event! "This is a family affair," Simmons says. "So, all books, art exhibits, and merchandise must be suitable for young eyes, first and foremost." That means no gore, extreme violence, nudity, or vulgarity.
KCC will have:
Comics Pros – Kids will meet artists and writers who work on some of their favorite mainstream and Manga comics
Workshops -- for educators on how to use comics to support their own academic lesson plans
Workshops – offering young artists hour long lessons in creating comics (drawing humans, backgrounds, technology, etc.)
Exhibits – of comic art by both professionals and students will be displayed showing the entertainment, as well as social, or political value of comics
Panels -- on choosing the right graphic novels, and on diversity in comics and the comics industry
Demonstrations -- by both pros and kids on how to create comics
Portfolio Reviews -- industry professionals will offer advice to young artists hoping to go to art high schools and the comic industry
Show Hours: 10:00 am -- 6:00 pm. Admission: FREE!
For more information contact: Alex Simmons at
(718) 601-0371 or Darkjack@aol.com
Or call Eugene Adams at Bronx Community College –
(718-) 289-5952
SCHEDULE:
10:00 am
Welcome—Alex Simmons, MC
Intro Convention events
First raffle
Marketplace opens
10:30 am-11:30 am
Youth Workshop A – The Art of Making Comics 101
11:15 am -12:00 pm
Professional Workshop I
The ABCs of Comics: What they are and their value to children past, present, and future.
Panelist: Chris Ryan,
11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Kids’ Corner A gathering area where kids can sit and read comics and relax during the convention.
12:15 pm – 12:45 pm
Professional Workshop II
Comics in the Classroom. Participants will be introduced to several successful methods and curriculums to aid in the use of comics to teach academic subjects.
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Portfolio Review Crew.
All day, professional writers, illustrators, and editors will review student’s portfolios and artwork to give them tips on how to improve their work.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
MoCCA Presents: Comics Then & Now – A brief walk along the time line of comics and cartoons, from the 1800s to 2006. Hosted by Fred Van Lente & Professor W.H. Foster. This event occurs on the main convention floor.
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Cartoon Alley: Kids will meet artist who have either worked on, or created comics characters that have gone on to TV or film. And after learning a little of how cartoons are created, kids will be allowed to sit and watch some of those cartoons characters on TV.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Youth Workshop B – How to Draw Manga (An Introductory class in how to create Manga style comics).
Youth Workshop C – Learning to Draw Fantastic Figures – An advanced art students class.
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Professional Workshop III
Comics in the Classroom. Participants will be introduced to several successful methods and curriculums to aid in the use of comics to teach academic subjects.
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Professional Workshop IV
Give it Some Color! JD Smith, artists and professional colorist will teach students some of the tricks of the trade in the wonderful world of coloring comics!
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Youth Workshop D – The Art of Making Comics
Youth Workshop E – Where the Action Is – Drawing Locations and Moody Settings. James Sherman, artist for comics, film story boards, toy designs and more) will show advanced art students how to put flash, style and atmosphere in their scenery and back grounds.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Professional Panel
“Looking for A Face Like Mine” – A panel on the cultural and racial colors of comics, and their impact on children. Moderated by Professor W.H. Foster, author of the book by the same name.
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
Youth Workshop F – The Art of Making Comics
Youth Workshop G – Star Ships and Cadillacs – Learn some of the tricks to drawing cool technology.
5:15 pm – 6:00 pm
Professional Workshop V
The ABCs of Comics: What they are and their value to children past, present, and future. This time the emphasis will be on the FUTURE of comics, literacy, and kids.
Panelist:
6:00 pm
Closing Remarks
“What we can imagine, we can often create.
What we can imagine ourselves as, we can often become.”
~ Yumy Odom, Founder, 1st World Komix, Inc.
Roster of Attending Comic Artists and Publishers
(as of 3/15/07)
1. Jamal Igle, Firestorm and Nightwing artist
2. Mike Siglain, DC Editor
3. Eric Battle, artist on The Spectre (to name a few)
4. Joan Hilty, DC Editor
5. Jim Salicrup, Editor-in-Chief of Papercutz, (publishers of Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys manga comics)
6. James Sherman, (comics artists, toy and storyboard designer)
7. Jerry Craft, cartoonist and creator of syndicated comic strip, Mama's Boyz
8. Chris Sotomayer, colorist for DC and Marvel
9. Members of ECBACC, East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention
10. Fred Van Lente, writer Marvel Adventures Spider-Man, Power Pack/Fantastic Four, & more
11. Tania del Rio, Manga artist for Archie Comic’s “Sabrina”
12. Professor William H. Foster, comic book historian
13. Akinseye Brown, comic artist/graphic designer, and members of his art in Ed program ECBACC STAR
14. Kyle Baker, artist/writer (Nat Turner, The Bakers)
15. Michael Wright, DC Editor
16. Roland Laird, writer/publisher of Black History graphic novel.
17. Members from the Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art (MoCCA)
18. Jane Fisher, from Wilson Place Comics, writer/creator/publisher of WJHC!
19. Mark Mazz, writer/ publisher
20. Scott Roberts, cartoonist for Rug Rats, Patty Cake, and more!
21. Danny Fingeroth, editor of Write Now! Magazine, author of Superman on the Couch, former Spider-Man editor.
22. N. Steven Harris, artist/writer on THE FRINGE.
23. Raina Telgemeier, artist on Scholastic’s “The Babysitter's Club”
24. Joe Staton, artist for DC Comics’ Scooby Doo series.
25. Shawn Atkinson and Carl Craig (Powersmith Comics)
26. Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules)
27. Don McGregor (Ragamuffin)
28. Hilarie Staton (writer and educational consultant)
29. Joe Illidge (Archaia Studio Press, & Verge Entertainment)
30. Diamond Kids Group
31. Jim Hanley’s Universe
32. First Second Books
33. Scholastic Books
34. Nickelodeon Magazine
35. Archie Comics
36. Hyperion Books
37. Tokyopop
Next Tuesday, the other great kids comic event and some info on the other big things in comics. Probably more on the Kids Comic Con, hope to see you there.
As always it is great to hear your thoughts and projects you’d like to see reviewed. Send the both here: mikep@silverbulletcomicbooks.com
Check out some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
JAN073390 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #150 $3.69
JAN073394 VERONICA #179 $2.25
JAN070076 USAGI YOJIMBO #101 (NOTE PRICE) $2.99
JAN070329 CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #31 $2.25
JAN073462 FUTURAMA COMICS #30 $2.99
JAN070326 TEEN TITANS GO #41 $2.25
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
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