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
Ever Wonder? Part 1 of 3
By Alex Simmons
Ever wonder how a Kids Comic Convention is made?
Welcome back to our weekly chat on all things, All Ages. As usual every Tuesday, this is the hot spot for what is hot in younger readers comics and graphic novels. This Tuesday is no different, but is a little special. Two of the bigger comic events coming up in the next few weeks, that are not to be missed, are the first annual Kids Comic Con Saturday April 28th in New York and the sixth annual Free Comic Book Day held at every participating comic book shop on Saturday, may 5th. Both happen to be FREE and a great way to get kids reading and both happen to have one of the leaders in All Ages comics involved, Archie Comics.
The Kids Comic Con is turning out to be a must see event despite its relative newness. So it seemed like a good idea to talk to the man behind this event, Alex Simmons and see how he took a simple idea to what is shaping up to be one of the most talked about events in the industry.
The KIDS COMIC CON: In the Beginning
By Alex Simmons
Part One: Day Dream Believer
Greetings and salutations, all!
Well, there are few things that quickly determine if a person is totally out of their minds – among them are … attempting to French kiss a hungry lion, attending a Boston Red sox game wearing a Yankees cap, and trying to produce a kids’ comic book convention on a wing, prayer, and the kindness of strangers.
Of course, if you accomplish these things, it makes a hell of a great story to tell the grandchildren … or anyone else who will listen. Guess you been elected.
This started out (as does most of my endeavors and projects) with me day dreaming -- imagining what if, and remembering when.
Back in my youth, we rode horse drawn carriages and … uh … skip that. Comic conventions were usually held in some nice size New York City hotel, taking up a banquet hall, or meeting room, along with a couple of corridors. 
Young kids, mostly with a lot more money than I had, were buying up original pages of art from the stars of those days. Sure I met Stan Lee and Neal Adams, and a few others, and I drew a little independent publication called Detectives Inc., a series created/written and published by Don McGregor.
When I began publishing my own comics (“Blackjack,” and “Race Against Time”) in the late 1990s, I remember San Diego Con was thrilled to boast that their attendance had reached a whopping 25,000 strong.
But, like anything else, this industry has changed, grown even. Over the past 50 years we’ve changed directions with many of the main stay titles and tones. Stories have become hardcore, horrific, and highbrow (having fun with “H” alliterations here).
Our village has become a city joined by huge toy and clothing giants, mainstream book publishers, and film studios. I understand that last years San Diego Con scored 100,000 attendees … give or take a security guard or two.
So where does that leave us?
That’s a question for those looking to project the future of the industry as a whole. I have a different focus. I’m more interested in the kids, the readers that were lost over the years. That readership could have become the buyers of today, but more importantly for me, those are the kids that lost out on the other benefits of comics.
What benefits? Well let’s try these …
Lots of comics are made for kids to enjoy and grow on.
I started teaching my Art of Making Comics in schools, libraries, and universities years ago. Partially due to the work my creative team and I were doing with two comic book series we were publishing. I knew then, and have continued to see signs, that comics offer kids not only a chance to simply have fun, but to also improve academic, literacy, and communication skills. This can occur through individual or shared reading experiences, dialogs or debates over stories and themes, as well as exposure to concepts and possibilities that stimulate the imagination while necessitating the need to learn more about mythology, history, and the sciences.
Bottom line, I knew that comics had a lot to offer young people and we shouldn’t lose sight of that, or them. So, with many conventions geared towards the older end of the spectrum I knew we needed one that was focused on kids. How to bring about that experience is another story which I will share in part 2 of this article.
Part 2 – Next Week
Next Tuesday, expect more insight from the brilliant Alex Simmons, the usual from yours truly and a few more treats and surprises!
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:
JAN073385 ARCHIE #574 $2.25
JAN073388 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #178 $3.69
FEB070308 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #12 $2.25
FEB072113 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #7 $2.99
FEB072134 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #23 $2.99
FEB072198 MARVEL ADVENTURES FF VOL 5 ALL 4 ONE 4 FOR ALL DIGEST TP $6.99
FEB072114 SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE #17 $2.99
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