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
Is It Worth It? Plus- Showcase Presents- Batman Vol. 1
Is it worth it?
We talk a lot about how kids comics help stores grow tomorrow’s full time comic book readers, otherwise known as customers. But, is it worth the time and the effort for comic shops to do all this extra work? Well seeing something the other week sparked a through on how it might be more worth it more than ever.
It might take a minute or two to get to the point this week, but there is a point.
Took a friend to the Apple store to help her pick out a new Mac computer. Having to be able to work both PC and Mac at Archie Comics HQ and for years having one of each at home (thought I was so cool) it was a good excuse to head over to the mall and look at some of the new things Mac has to offer. The line was massive. The help in the store was great. One glaring thing popped out, a lot of adults were there picking up Macs, but a ton of college bound students were there. Why?
Then I happened to stumble upon an Amazon review:
Macintosh in high schools. (Apple microcomputers) (Macintosh Special Issue supplement): An article from: T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education) Macintosh in High Schools
In 1984, when the Mac was first introduced, industry pundits questioned for whom it was developed. Its memory (then 128K) and power were, at the time, considered insufficient for business users, and there was little software available.
Others recognized early on that its simplicity made it ideally suited to education, and even to relatively young computer users. In fact, it was rumored that one member of the original Mac development team wanted to make the machine easy enough for his 13-year-old brother to use.
They focused on tomorrow’s customers.
Growing up every school seemed to be getting Mac computers for their computer labs. Parents were complaining for lot of reasons but most common was that most homes had PC’s. Fast-forward a few decades later and the computer of choice; the cool computer is the Mac. Granted the i-Pod didn’t hurt put Mac in demand.
After becoming accustomed to using a Mac every day, it becomes the norm and preferred computer. So how does that relate to comics?
Schools and Libraries are for the first time in history openly and in large numbers going after comics and Graphic Novels to feed the shelves and minds of kids. Seeing the point develop?
We have an opportunity now for the first time in comics to have some real support in the mainstream. How do we capitalize on this?
A lot of this falls on the comic book store. With their support and efforts the industry benefits and the comic shops will really benefit.
The first and most important plan should be to hit these kids up with comics fast and early. The standard thinking here works:
• Place the kids comics and graphic novels near the front of the store
• This way the kids stay in one spot and don’t wreck the place. The hardcore comic readers like yours truly don’t mind traipsing through the store. We are there every week anyway we know where everything is.
• All the kids’ stuff should be in one section. Graphic Novels and comics all together. Most kids and their parents have no clue of the difference. They may think a graphic is too expensive and opt for the $2.25 comic instead. Which is fine, the kid will probably want more and they will be back later.
• FORGET Alphabetical order! Think like Blockbuster Video stores, you know those little signs “If you like this movie you like this movie” Sonic X and Teen Titans Go! should be together. Amelia Rules! and WJHC next to each other and so on.
• Remember “think: LOW!”. Kids have historically been shorter than most adults through history. Keep stuff for kids below 4 feet! Use that upper wall space for a “Hey, Kids Comics” or “Free Comic Book Day” poster. Or even better, toys that kids would love and you would love to sell.
Another great idea by Mike Bullock, a comic’s writer and creator of the All Ages smash hit Lions, Tigers and Bears; (Review: CLICK HERE) had come up with a great program to encourage interaction between comic shops and libraries. The same program would work with schools or camps. CLICK HERE
Is it worth it? If you want to comics to be around stronger than ever in 20 years, then yes. Is it a lot of work for the local comic stores? Yes.
However if you comic shop people don’t have the time to do the work, bribe some kids to do it. They volunteer if you offer free comics!
If you are a comic storeowner or employee, drop an email. It would be great to hear your thoughts on this!
Another thing in life that I’ve always felt was worth it, is marriage. My fellow Archie co-worker and all around great guy Stephen Oswald just tied the not. Congratulations!
Stephen also has offered to do some reviews of All Ages comics. Here is his first review.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: BATMAN
Review by: Stephen Oswald
The best description of Showcase Presents: Batman (as well as the many other Showcase Presents titles) is FUN! It’s the element that is missing from most modern superhero books. Sure the stories are a bit outlandish and at times completely ridiculous, but that’s part of the charm and innocence that makes them so fun to read. There are the occasional items or lingo that date the stories. Example in the story “Two Way Gem Caper!” Batman shows Robin a new upgrade to the Batmobile- “A hot-line phone... directly to Commissioner Gordon’s office!” whose phone is a rotary phone. This was actually quite ahead of its time for 1964, in fact it was probably the first use of a mobile phone in comics (and no Dick Tracy’s watch doesn’t count, it was a radio!). None of these occasional pieces of outdated equipment is enough to detract from the stories them selves. One of my personal favorites is “Genius of the Getaway Gimmicks!” in which Batman and Robin are subdued by there own bat-emblem and “R” symbol! This is great stuff! The many talented creators involved in these stories include writers Ed Herron, Gardner Fox, John Broome, and Bill Finger (the often unrecognized co-creator of Batman). Pencillers Bob Kane (credited but most probably not his art), Shelly Moldoff, Joe Giella and Carmine Infantino. Inkers Sid Greene, Murphy Anderson with a few stories a piece, but with the vast majority of inking by Joe Giella whose magnificent inking over many different pencillers gives the whole book that classic slick DC silver age look. Of course I’d be remiss not to mention the terrific cover coloring by Alex Sinclair. All in all, $16.99 for over 500 pages of Batman and Robin stories is a bargain and well worth your hard earned dollars!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: BATMAN
Price: $16.99 US $22.99 CAN
Format: 552 Pages B&W
ISBN-10: 1401210864
ISBN-13: 978-1401210861
Diamond Item Code: JUN060165
Age Level: All Ages
CONCERNS: Comic book violence, nothing gratuitous.
Next Tuesday we’ll have some more reviews and some surprises.
As always 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 and Younger Reader comic reads on sale this week:
JUN073256 JUGHEAD #184 $2.25
JUN073259 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #179 $2.25
JUN073266 TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #23 $2.49
JUN070035 USAGI YOJIMBO #105 $2.99
JUN070230 CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #36 $2.25
JUN070226 TEEN TITANS GO #46 $2.25
JUN073545 CASTLE WAITING VOL II #8 $3.95
Also, check out some great All Ages comic reviews here at Silver Bullet Comic Books. Thanks especially to reviewers Penny Kenny, Kevin Powers and Ray Tate!
Sonic X #22
CLICK HERE
Jughead's Double Digest #133
CLICK HERE
Veronica #182
CLICK HERE
Spider-Man Family #4
CLICK HERE
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
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