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
What Are Your Expectations?
What are your expectations?
Expectations play a huge part in our lives and just as big of a part in our entertainment. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. This column came about because of personal frustrations and the lowered expectations and attention people had for All Ages comics. The past few weeks had two great All Ages comic events set up one right after the other. Archie Comics was right in the middle of things as was several great publishers, artists, and writers. And to be honest expectations were mixed.
Imagine getting hit in the head every time you turn around. That sometimes feels like a day in the life of an Archie employee. When someone mentions that they work at Archie, the first questions is " Do they still make those?" my answer is "Well, they still make kids, so we still make Archies". Despite being the 12th largest selling periodical in the Wal-Mart chain, (that's all magazine not just comics), and selling nearly a million copies a month for the line, mostly outside of the traditional comic shops, sometimes people take Archie for granted. It is a bit of a smart-alek answer, but if someone hears that you work at Archie Comics and they ask if Archie Comics is still in business - well - they kind of asked for it. It's not like we said something truly delusional like we rode in on a unicorn or something.
When we hear complaints from retailers, they usually want us to do something different. When we do stuff like the manga influenced Sabrina The Teenage Witch, the new re-launch of Katy Keene in Archie & Friends or the upcoming "New Look" for the Archie kids in Betty & Veronica Double Digest #151 the retailers complain that we are changing too much. Talking with a comic book aficionado the other day, he complained that Archie doesn't have any "big" name creators on the Archie books. We do, several creators have big name among the various Archie loyal. What he was looking for was a big name to him. There is one Archie project in the pipeline where one of the names involved would be "big" to him, so I name-dropped. This comic aficionado then went on why this "big" name would work on Archie, and "how the mighty had fallen". Unfortunately, his small-minded thinking met my expectations.
It is a similar no win situation with a lot of comic book conventions. Archie as a rule has a limited amount of comic conventions appearances. Archie constantly gets slammed for being "cheap" and not doing all the shows. Although once the real reasons are discussed it actually makes sense. Basically, it usually is the wrong place for Archie to be. There have been times Archie has been placed next to adult comic publishers at comic conventions. Think about that: would you let you kid walk to the Archie booth, if a scantly clad women was in the way?
When Alex Simmons had first proposed his Kids Comic Con to Archie at another comic con as we were wedged between some edgy cartoons and a series of toys based on something you might find in an unflushed toilet, well you could say it was a no brainer.
This is what All Ages comics has been hoping for. Usually we want just to be near other All Ages and younger reader type material. This is one step better, everything All Ages.
Again here is where expectations come into play. A lot of people hear The Bronx and some post-apocalyptic landscape comes to mind. The truth was quite far from reality. The Bronx Community campus was beautiful, on a particularly bright and sunny day. BCC seemed like a real community college, with Saturday the day of the Kids Con, having many scheduled events for kids already going on. So it was natural that kids funneled in during the day. For this con we were placed between Actionopolis, a great All Ages publisher, and Secret Identity a pair of very cool guys who do podcast interviews. And no, they are not getting a shout out because they interviewed Archie. But we will work out something when the interview of Archie VP Fred Mausser and yours truly is up.
Check them both out here:
Actionopolis.com
Secret Identity.Pod O Matic.com
Lots of great All Ages folks were walking around. Kyle Baker, the mastermind behind (among other things) THE BAKERS (which you can read a review of here), John Gallagher of BUZZ BOY fame (you should be reading this comic) of Sky*Dog Press Sky Dog Comics.com
and Rich Faber of ROBOY RED http://www..com Roboy Red.com
were there and we finally got to all talk.
Lots of great things went on and I was lucky enough to be on a panel with Jane Smith Fisher creator of the All Ages graphic novels WJHC ON THE AIR, the stories of a group of kids who get to run their own radio station. Well worth checking out, WHJHC is at: http://www..com
kidslovecomics.com Kids Love Comics.com
Another person on the panel was George O'Connor. His Graphic Novel JOURNEY INTO MOHAWK COUNTRY, a forgotten story on how New York was nearly a lost colony. It was a nice surprise to actually hear about a historical comic that I couldn't wait to read.
Of course it was nice to meet Shannon Denton, whom you may know for his work on ZAPT!. Another Graphic Novel, which I can't wait to get my hands on. Check it out here: Shannondenton.com
It was a wonderful day and it was a real thrill to be a part of it. The Archie people, Tania Del Rio writer/penciller of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Rosario "Tito" colorist of Katy Keene and all the Archie covers, Joe Pep Archie Art Director and even Fred Mausser got into the fun, came down talked and did signings all day long, everyone seemed to have a blast.
Afterwards we noticed that it was the only time anyone could remember actually being charged up, not exhausted after a show. The other thing we all noticed was how nice everyone was. Every kid said thank you and good-bye as they walked away. No parental prompting. The rudest kids just screamed "how cool" and ran off to read the comics. Even after the show there was no garbage on the floor, despite free snacks being in every goodie bag.
The other event was the annual Free Comic book Day. This year Archie Comics had two books up for grabs: LITTLE ARCHIE and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. There were several Archie signings. Victor Gorelick managing editor, Bob smith ARCHIE Inker, Tania Del Rio SABRINA Writer/artist and yours truly Archie editor extraordinaire made our way to Phoenix Comics and Cards in Scarsdale, NY.
Here's a quick article on Archie-with a picture of Stephen Oswald, lead Archie production artist among many other things, leader in walks for the Archie lunch Wiffle Ball squad, and a regular EFEA column reader.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS0207/70503009/1281/NEWS0226
Another highlight was Steven Butler one time SONIC and SONIC X penciller and current penciller of the New Look Betty and Veronica, set to debut this month. Steven painted a B&V mural in the stores window. Checkout the Archie Site for a picture
www.archiecomics.com 
Also check out a five-page preview of Betty and Veronica's new look:
http://www.archiecomics.com/blogs/management/
At both events Sonic readers were talking about Sonic #175. The cover is chilling, and readers are begging to see what will happen. When Sonic cover artist Spaz and I were kicking around ideas; the goal was to capture the shock of the story in one image for the cover. Wow, was it successful. And almost instantly the talk of SONIC X #19's cover, with the rotund villain Eggman dressed as Elvis would pop up. For some reason this cover really struck a cord. You have to give Pat Spaziante credit, the dark evil looking Sonic # 175, super silly and Sonic Archives Volume 4 I think were all done in one month. Each comic with its own look all by one dude. Spaz wanted to be involved with both events, but this year things just didn't go right. As long as he keep s cranking out those great covers all is forgiven.
Ok, one last bit on expectations, Roger Clemens just signed on to pitch this year with the NY Yankees. Anyone's expectations just change?
A very special thanks to Maurice Waters for the photos of Kids Comic Con 07'.
Expect more reviews and rambles on All Ages comics next Tuesday!
As always it is great to hear your thoughts and hear about projects you'd like to see reviewed. Thanks for reading!
Get in touch: MikeP@SilverBulletComicbooks.com
Check out some new All Ages reads on sale this week:
FEB073167 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #151 3.69
MAR070233 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #13 $2.25
MAR072073 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #8 $2.99
MAR072092 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #24$2.99
FEB073175 VERONICA #180 $2.25
MAR072146 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN VOL 6 BLACK COSTUME DIGEST TP $6.99
MAR072145 SPIDER-MAN AND POWER PACK BIG CITY SUPER HEROES DIGEST TP $6.99
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
Logo Designed by Joe Pep