Is It A Trick?

By Mike Pellerito

IS IT A TRICK?

Halloween is fast approaching and every year someone writes a column about how great it would be to hand out comics instead of candy. It is actually a great idea especially for some one who has a column on All Ages comics and has tons of this stuff piled up around the house. Some might talk about cool characters that would make great costumes and kids would love. Some might talk about some of the completely inappropriate Halloween pranks played in years past now that the statute of limitations is up. But we are going to go into a completely different direction this week. Read on to find out what exactly.

No, just kidding we will talk about comics giveaways and kids comic character costumes and the cool books the come from. What didn’t you read this weeks title?

Most comic shops have some sort of a back issue section. Most kids comics are not very expensive. Dig through and get a few handfuls of Archie, Sonic, Scooby-Doo, Teen Titans, Disney and whatever you can find. Then leave them out for kids to take on Halloween.

You do two things, one, help you local comic shops out by moving some merchandise, and if you tell them what you are doing they will probably cut you a deal. Second, you might help get the industry some new readers. Which of course ensure the future of your hobby so you can read comics for years to come.

Better than giving away candy, you only really help dentists with that thinking.

Granted what will be said is a tough truth. Basically kids are jerks and Halloween kind of taps in to that. Norman Rockwell's Gramps at the Plate (1916) painting points out how rotten we were as kids. It is brilliant; the kid calls for a fastball on the outside corner so Gramps will swing at a junk pitch and look like a fool. Granted this was done way before we ever did it in our neighborhood, but we did it, as did kids obviously before and since. Between April Fools, 4th of July fireworks and Halloween it is a miracle kids in our neighborhood lasted so long. If we didn’t try to injure ourselves, we certainly had a few old timers chasing us down the streets hoping to cause some damage.

Every Halloween we all dressed up as things we thought were cool or wanted to be, cops firefighters, soldiers, hobo’s, baseball players and of course Superheroes.

The thing that kids are always attracted to with superheroes is the power and all the things they would do if they had powers. Nobody ever seemed to want to be the self-sacrificing, selfless hero. Still those do-gooders always attracted us. That was some of the appeal growing up; we know we are a bunch of rotten kids but we always wanted to be better. Not that would be ever said out loud. It is probably why that line from the Spider-man comics and now movies, “With great power comes great responsibility”; resonates so strongly.

A couple of all ages comics haven’t quite entered the realm of popularity of a Spider-Man, yet, but any kid or kid at heart would love to fly around and cause some trouble as these guys. Maybe even do a good deed or two.

ZAPT! VOLUME 1
Synopsis:

In addition to getting his homework done on time and dodging local bullies, 12-year-old Armand Jones has to squeeze in the duties of being an intergalactic policeman! Inducted into the ranks of POOP Corp, Armand saves alien civilizations, defeats invading armadas and battles scurvy space pirates...all before recess!
• Co-written by the super-team of Eisner Award-winner Keith Giffen (Legion of Super Heroes, Justice League, Marvel Comics’ The Defenders, Battle Royale, I Luv Halloween) and comic veteran Shannon Denton (Fox Kids Network X-Men, Spider-Man series, Oscar-nominated Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius movie, the Emmy-nominated Osmosis Jones TV series, Teen Titans, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.)

As you can see by the above info from Tokyopop, this book is ridiculous. Armand is the perfect hyperactive kid doing silly things. His sidekick is even worse.

If you want to have nonstop fun reading a comic, Zapt! Is it.

ZAPT! VOLUME 1
Tokyopop.com
Price: $6.95
Format: 96 pages B&W
ISBN-10: 1-59816-588-7
ISBN-13: 978-1598165883
Diamond Item Code: S
Age Level: Ages 9-12
Concerns: None


BUZZBOY SIDKICKS RULE 1 & 2
Synopsis:

A new 3 Issue Buzzboy Miniseries starts here! Meet Buzzboy, the "World's Most Upbeat Super Hero!" When the Earth's greatest adult heroes disappear, Buzzboy and his super sidekick buddies must keep New Paradise Metrogrove safe from alien invaders, time-traveling ducks, and evil robot wiener dogs? "Buzzboy:Sidekicks Rule!" is a great way to introduce young readers to the magic of comics, and features all new stories, comic tutorials for kids of all ages & more! ALSO: A brand new Roboy Red adventure--thermonuclear-powered, boy-robot fun!

Again from the above release from series creator john Gallagher you may get the idea that this is a fun comic. Both issue were a blast to read. Buzzboy is silly quirky fun that makes you remember those crazy days of your own youth. While kids of today think of new ways to have some fun.

For a free preview check out: CLICK HERE


BUZZBOY SIDKICKS RULE 1
Sky Dog Comics.com
Price: $2.99
Format: Comic book 32 pages full color
Diamond Item Code: JUN063363
Age Level: Ages 9-12
Concerns: None

BUZZBOY SIDKICKS RULE 2
Sky Dog Comics.com
Price: $2.99
Format: Comic book 32 pages full color
Diamond Item Code: JUN063364
Age Level: Ages 9-12
Concerns: None

Next Tuesday, the last Tuesday before Halloween-expect a treat.

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:

AUG073395 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #181 $2.25
AUG073391 JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #24 $2.49
AUG073385 BETTY #169 $2.25
AUG073393 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #116 $3.69
AUG070291 SCOOBY DOO #125 $2.25
AUG072237 MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #6 $2.99
AUG073452 BART SIMPSON COMICS #38 $2.99
JUN073919 OWLY VOL 1 THE WAY HOME TP $10.00
AUG074112 ALTER EGO #73 $6.95
JUN073584 DISNEYS DUCKTALES BY MARV WOLFMAN SCROOGES QUEST TP $15.99

Also, check out some great All Ages comic reviews here at Silver Bullet Comic Books. Thanks to reviewers Ray Tate, Matijn Form and Penny Kenny!

Clockwork Girl #1
CLICK HERE

Betty #168
CLICK HERE

Simpsons Comics #135
CLICK HERE

Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #29
CLICK HERE

Marvel Adventures Avengers #17
CLICK HERE