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
IN THE MOOD FOR JAZZ?
IN THE MOOD FOR JAZZ?
John Romita’s art style is the classic example of superhero comics. He is also master of romance, and all sorts of high adventure comics. Although the versatile Romita is probably most famous for giving life to the look of Spider-Man we all know. John Romita is certainly a personal favorite. Roy Thomas and Jim Amash have just put out a great book on Romita featuring tons of wonderful interviews. Jim Amash was nice enough to share some of that with us this Tuesday.
I've seen my share of different creative personalities. For almost nine years, I ran Acme Comics in Greensboro, NC, putting on seven conventions. I’ve worked in the Fine Art world (earned my MFA from UNC-Greensboro), written and drawn for newspapers, done a radio talk show, and since 1992, inked for all the major companies, the last 12 at Archie Comics. The fact that the comics industry is populated by so many good and decent people is something I feel never gets enough notice. While I could give you a long list of those people, let’s concentrate on John Romita, Sr. for reasons you'll quickly understand... after two paragraphs of digression.
These days, besides inking Sonic the Hedgehog, Sabrina, and Veronica for Archie Comics, I am also the main interviewer and an associate editor for Alter Ego, the magazine devoted to studying the Golden and Silver ages of comic books. Last year, I decided that while there have been numerous John Romita interviews, I wanted to delve further into John’s career than I had in Alter Ego #35. My editor Roy Thomas loved the idea, even though he did a fine interview with John some years back. To make the new one different than the others - most of which usually focused solely on John's own art and career - I decided to also examine John's work experiences in the Marvel offices (1965-1996), and his take on fellow employees and freelancers.
The interview proved to be wayyyy too long to fit in Alter Ego, so Roy, TwoMorrows publisher John Morrow, and I decided to make a book out of it. We added Roy's and my previous interviews to the mix, and created John Romita... And All That Jazz!, a revealingly honest look at Marvel during John's tenure, something I felt was sorely needed for historical purposes.
The key word in that last sentence: "honest." John Romita is one of the most honest, sincerest people I've known in comics. Yes, his art was an intrinsic part of the Marvel house style for many years, but so was his influence on those around him. John trained countless numbers of wannabes and turned them into solid professional cartoonists. Though I was not one of the "Romita's Raiders" who worked in the Marvel Bullpen, John graciously went out his way to give me inking lessons and my work improved as a result of his solid advice. Okay, so I would have become a pro eventually, but John sped that process up through patience and firm kindness. I've had a few other mentors like Sam Grainger, Alex Toth, Pat Boyette, Dan Barry, and Jack Kirby, but John is special. Through our new book, I was able to partly repay him for what his work meant to me as a youngster, and for his guidance in my adult years. This book details John’s work as one of Spider-Man's most definitive artists, his other projects and character designs like Wolverine and The Punisher, what he meant to Marvel Comics and the lives he touched by teaching us what it means to be a professional. There are a lot of great people in comics, and if you don't know why John's universally respected as one of them, check out John Romita... And All That Jazz!, and see for yourself.
Check out a Review by Jason Sacks on John Romita ... and All That Jazz!CLICK HERE
For more on Alter Ego magazine
CLICK HERE
While this book is certainly family friendly, the middle to high school artist with an eye toward comics would probably appreciate this more than younger readers. For the rest of us so called adults with an appreciation of comics will love it too. It is more than just a retrospective on one man’s career it is an inside look at the art and business of comics.Next Tuesday a couple of back to school comic graphic novels and a reminder on a good way to drum up some money for your school. Plus, the next big challenge for yours truly at Archie and how you have helped! Finally.
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:
AUG070289 LOONEY TUNES #155 $2.25
AUG072217 FANTASTIC FOUR AND POWER PACK #4 (OF 4) $2.99
AUG072234 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #32 $2.99
AUG072300 SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE VOL 4 DIGEST TP $7.99
JUL073284 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #113 $2.25
JUL073290 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #155 $3.69
MAR073685 BUZZBOY SIDEKICKS RULE #3 (RES) $2.99
JUL073365 FUTURAMA COMICS #33 $2.99
JUN073584 DISNEYS DUCKTALES BY MARV WOLFMAN SCROOGES QUEST TP $15.99
JUL070012 MARVEL ADV IRON MAN HALLOWEEN MINICOMIC 2007 PI
JUL070010 LITTLE ARCHIE HALLOWEEN MIN COMIC 2007 PI
JUL070011 UNCLE SCROOGE 60TH ANNIV HALLOWEEN MIN COMIC 2007 PI
Also, check out some great All Ages comic reviews here at Silver Bullet Comic Books. Thanks to reviewers Robert Murray, Ray Tate and Penny Kenny!
Betty & Veronica Spectacular #79
CLICK HERE
Archie's Pal Jughead #184
CLICK HERE
Usagi Yojimbo #106
CLICK HERE
Marvel Adventures Iron Man #5
CLICK HERE
Entertainment for Every Age is © Mike Pellerito 2006-
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