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
How Cool Is This Week?
How cool is this week??
This is a big week in comics. An even bigger week in kids entertainment. This week sees the start of the San Diego Comic Con. It is easily the biggest event in comics and covers everything going on in comics from what is coming up, to movies and more. San Diego also has the Eisner awards (probably the most respected awards in the biz). We’ll take a look at some more nominations for younger readers. Oh and possibly the coolest thing on the Internet.
Each week this column probably gets written over and over a half dozen times mentally before the opportunity to actually write it happens. When the time to write is here not a lot of writing happens. To many previous versions all colliding and usually a good chuck of time is spent writing it out, goofing around on the internet and spinning around in the chair staring at the ceiling occurs before anything productive happens. But this week a quote put things in a somewhat better perspective.
In this Sundays New York times magazine there is a little Q&A with Matt Groening, The Simpsons creator. This first answer was as about as perfect an answer as anyone could give. 
"The Simpsons Movie," opening on Friday, reminds us of your substantial role in giving masterpiece status to cartoons and animation. Do you see yourself as an A-level artist?
No. Cartooning is for people who can’t quite draw and can’t quite write. You combine the two half-talents and come up with a career.
If interested you can read the entire Q&A here: NY Times.com
With the new movie rolling out there are always cool promotional things floating around. This might be the best and possibly the coolest thing on the Internet. Burger King is running a promo for the movie where you can have you picture turned into a Simpson drawing. Check it out: Simpsonize Me.com
The San Diego Comic Con is this week and as usual the center of the comic book universe moves to California for a few days. Among the hustle and bustle say hello to some of the Archie folks who will be out there. We Archie folks will be all over the show (not yours truly, happily dodging the hustle and bustle) here is the official press release with the run down:
Thursday
12:00-1:00 Andrew Pepoy’s Professional Networking Seminar - Get set for a weekend of pressing the flesh and selling yourself with this popular Comic-Con seminar! Being talented just isn’t enough—getting work and continuing to work in the comic book and comic strip publishing worlds often means knowing the right people as well. Inker and writer/artist Andrew Pepoy (Jack of Fables, Katy Keene) brings back his popular seminar to help teach you how to get out there and use Comic-Con to its fullest networking potential. Take advantage of this early time slot to put some of Andrew’s good advice to work over the next few days! Room 10
Friday
10:30-11:30 Spotlight on George Gladir - One of the most prolific writers ever in comics, Comic-Con special guest George Gladir has entertained readers with almost 50 years of stories for Archie Comics. Join Gladir as he talks about his incredible career in comics with friend and cartoonist Batton Lash. Room 3
8:30-11:30 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards—The 19th annual Eisner Awards, the "Oscars" of the comics industry, will be given out by celebrity presenters, including Reno 911’s Tom Lennon and Ben Garant, comedian Brian Posehn, cartoon voice actor Maurice LeMarche, British TV celebrity Jonathan Ross, and author Neil Gaiman. Other prestigious awards to be given out include the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award and the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award. The master of ceremonies is Bongo Comics’ Bill Morrison, who will be aided by the Go-Gos’ Jane Wiedlen. Gardner Fox and George Gladir have been selected to receive the 2007 Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. The choice was made unanimously by a blue-ribbon committee chaired by writer and historian Mark Evanier. Admission to the Eisners is free to all Comic-Con attendees—just be sure to bring your badge. Doors open for pros and VIPs at 7:30 and for attendees at 8:15. Ballroom 20
Sunday
10:30-11:30 Archie Comics - Archie comics creators Tania del Rio (Sabrina), Bill Galvan (Jughead & Friends), George Gladir (Archie, Betty, Betty & Veronica), Rich Koslowski (Archie & Friends, Jughead, Sonic), Dan Parent (Betty & Veronica, Veronica), Andrew Pepoy (Archie & Friends: Katy Keene, Betty & Veronica, Sonic) and staff members Victor Gorelick (VP/managing editor), Fred Mausser (VP/director of circulation), and Rik Offenberger (public relations coordinator) discuss upcoming plans at Archie Comics, talk about comics for kids, and take questions from the audience. At the conclusion of the panel there will be free copies of Archie Digest #236 for fans, while supplies last. Room 4
12:30-2:00 Secret Origin of Good Readers - It’s back, bigger and better than ever! The 7th annual Secret Origin of Good Readers panel features Dr. Robyn A. Hill (National University, San Diego), Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics, Salt Lake City), Bill Morrison (creative director, Bongo Comics), Jesse L. McCann (noted children's author), Bill Galvan (creator/artist The Scrapyard Detectives, artist Archie Comics) and Frank Beddor (creator/author/producer, The Looking Glass Wars). The panelists will discuss how teachers, librarians, retailers, authors, artists, and publishers can work together to bring comic books into the classroom for use as an innovative and motivating cross-curricular teaching tool and a vehicle for promoting reading and literacy. Through a multimedia presentation, personal remarks, and a question-and-answer session, the speakers will present an overview of the medium and highlight specific ways that comic books and graphic novels have been used to engage a variety of learners. Breakout sessions will follow the main presentation. The 70-page resource book The Secret Origin of Good Readers is available online for free download - CLICK HERE to download it, courtesy of X Mission.com. Room 3
The most exciting part of all this is the Bill Finger award going to Archie’s own George Gladir. George has been writing for Archie since 1959 and still puts out tons of stories! For someone well passed his teen age years he is amazing well versed on the new "it’ things teens like and how to turn them into true comic gold for Archie and the gang. Here is the blurb about George and the awards: Comic Con.org
If it is not too soon can we throw a name for next year into the hat? Victor Gorelick the managing editor at Archie will be celebrating his 50th year at Archie in 2008. He has probably edited more pages of comics than just about any editor in history considering all the comics, Digests, Double Digests and Graphic novel collections that come out of Archie each year. Expect more on this as the year progresses.
While you are there take a look for Archie artist and Scrapyard Detective collaborator Bill Galvan. Here is an excerpt from his email with the updates on what is going on for San Diego 
I will have a booth (#833) at Comic Con. We will, be giving a limited number of graphic novels
away on Saturday from 2-3pm (while supplies last) while Batton Lash and Jesse McCann are in the booth signing copies. Teachers that want to find out more about the books can come to
the Secret Origins of Good Readers panel on Sunday as well.
The Diversity Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to teaching children about diversity and teamwork through the comics. Here is a link about the books Comi Con.com our website is The Diversity Foundation.org Here's also a flyer about the graphic novel. CLICK HERE
Thanks again!
Bill
If you are there go by and check it out.
The list below is for this years Eisner nominees for best publication for a younger audience. We review Chickenhare last week which you can find here: http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/allages/118465770574347.htm
Best Publication for a Younger Audience
* Chickenhare, by Chris Grine (Dark Horse)
* Drawing Comics Is Easy (Except When It’s Hard) , by Alexa Kitchen (Denis Kitchen Publishing)
* Gumby, by Bob Burden and Rick Geary (Wildcard)
* Moomin, by Tove Jansson (Drawn & Quarterly)
* To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel, by Sienna Cherson and Mark Siegel (Simon & Schuster)
This week we have a review of Drawing Comics Is Easy (Except When It’s Hard), and To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel.
DRAWING COMICS IS EASY (EXCEPT WHEN IT’S HARD)
This is certainly the most difficult comic to comment on due to it’s unique nature. While it is more of a how to book than an actual comic it was nominated for the 2007 Eisner Award Best Publication for a Younger Audience. The typical adult would probably find the book cute. Most adults and even most traditional comic readers probably would not be interested in this book. The typical kid might not even appreciate this book. However, if this was placed in the hands of a young artist you probably jus hit gold.
The fact that a 7 year old, Alexa Kitchen is putting this together would probably inspire more kids to draw and ultimately read comics than most typical how to books and maybe most comics. Certainly her father Denis Kitchen along time veteran of the comic book biz must have influenced his young daughter. The book is very warm in its tone and certainly cute would bean adequate way to describe how Alexa takes the reader through the various steps of creating a comic. If you have a young budding cartoonist at home this might be what you were looking for.
DRAWING COMICS IS EASY (EXCEPT WHEN IT’S HARD)
Price: $19.95
Format: 176 pages Color and B&W
ISBN-10: 097100806X
ISBN-13: 978-0971008069
Diamond Item Code: JUN060040
Age Level: All Ages
CONCERNS: None. 
TO DANCE: A BALLERINA’S GRAPHIC NOVEL
This story reads more like an illustrated book than a comic. The traditional comic audience probably would not have any interest in this however for just those reasons you can see why libraries and schools have been singing the praises of this graphic novel. The story is very simply the story of the author Siena Cherson Sigel and her desire to become a ballerina illustrated by her husband Mark Siegel.
This actually read like a book any parent would love to read to their daughter at bedtime. While it is not all a perfect world, far from it things do workout in the end. Aside from some concerns about her "boobs" becoming too big to become a dancer and some tough scenes about divorce and death, all done tastefully with the real emotion of a child, this could easily become a young girls favorite bedtime book.
TO DANCE: A BALLERINA’S GRAPHIC NOVEL
Price: $17.95
Format: 64 pages Color
ISBN-10: 0-689-86747-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86747-7
Diamond Item Code: JUN060040
Age Level: Younger readers Middle School
CONCERNS: One scene of language.
Two more reviews on comics that just hit the stands. Both of these came out really well and deserved a little bit of the spotlight.
ARCHIE DIGEST #236
Archie has been celebrating quite a bit lately. 2006 was the 65th anniversary of the company and 2007 is the anniversary of the first Archie comic book. Granted it is just a way to stretch out the party a little but who doesn’t want to stretch out a good party?
Archie Digest #236 has the first appearance of Archie and the first issue of Archie reprinted in this special issue. The Classic Archie is much different than the one we know today. The story was well done and fun to see the crude beginning of an American pop culture icon. Almost all the pieces were in place of the cast that we have come to know-Betty, Jughead and eventually Veronica. Also, plenty of funny animal stories, which was the norm during the time period. Additionally, there is a new story which the modern day Archie goes down memory lane and meets the Archie of yesteryear. Oddly enough with the two Archie’s in the same spot nothing totally calamitous happen that would end the universe as you might think. Just the usual laughs.
Price: $2.49
Format: 96 pages Color
Diamond Item Code: MAY073197
Age Level: All Ages
CONCERNS: think we are ok here.
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #22
Some ideas are just plain old good, and this one is a winner. Best buddies for life Archie and Jughead are now enemies? At the center of this crisis is the almighty dollar and the Riverdale teen’s allowances in part one of the three part Civil Chore.
This is probably one of the better stories written by writer/artist Fernando Ruiz. Considering most of his stories are really good that is saying something. It is hard to give a way too much but by the end of the story all of Riverdale teens are picking sides and turning friends into enemies.
Civil Chore is the star story of this Digest, but with plenty of the Archie gang, some Animated Sabrina stories, Cheryl Blossom and a fun Veronica as Powerteen story this digest has enough for everybody.
Price: $2.49
Format: 96 pages Color
Diamond Item Code: MAY073197
Age Level: All Ages
CONCERNS: think we are ok here.
Next Tuesday well go over Moomin and Gumby (if an issue can be found) and see who actually won. For the record my money is on Alexa Kitchen. And another Archie project that is perfect for the season!
Thanks for the opportunity to talk about comics! See you next Tuesday!
If you have a great All Ages project, let us know!
Get in touch: mikep(at)silverbulletcomicbooks(dot)com
Check out some new All Ages comic reads on sale this week:
MAY070017 USAGI YOJIMBO #104 $2.99
MAY070194 CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #35 $2.25
AUG062109 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS VOL 1 HEROES ASSEMBLED TP $6.99
MAY072134 MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #3 $2.99
MAR072146 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN VOL 6 BLACK COSTUME TP $6.99
MAY072138 MARVEL ADVENTURES TWO-IN-ONE #1 $4.99
MAY072099 SPIDER-MAN FAIRY TALES #3 (OF 4) $2.99
MAY073278 FUTURAMA COMICS #32 $2.99
MAY073279 SIMPSONS CLASSICS #13 $3.99
MAY073479 UNCLE SCROOGE #368 $7.99
MAY073480 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #683 $7.99
MAY073141 PETER THE PIRATE SQUID $4.95
JUN073201 WEIRDLY WORLD OF STRANGE EGGS GN $7.95
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