LOST IN THE SHUFFLE?By Mike Pellerito LOST IN THE SHUFFLE?
Lately both here and in the day job as an editor for Archie Comics things have been going very well. It seemed an appropriate time to tell you that, well, you rock. So, thanks for the positive feedback. One drawback to when things move well is things move fast, and consequently, things get lost in the shuffle. Because of this it seemed a good time to go over a few things that deserve the spotlight, and explain why you rock.
Everyone who reads this column that I have ever had the pleasure to meet has been wonderful. Seriously. From industry people, to the everyday reader reaction has been so positive and always full of suggestions to make things even better. (Feel free to email anytime: MikeP(at)SilverBulletComicbooks(dot)com). The goal has always been to makes things better and shine alight on some good comics for kids that can get lost in the shuffle.
 Two books that are out in comic shops this week from Archie deserve a little more spotlight than usual. Betty & Veronica Digest #239 is the first. When first hearing about this story the letterer and all around comic industry legend John Workman was just raving about this story featuring an old jalopy car. When the printed copies finally made it into the office it was fairly obvious that this is a great story especially to the Archie reader with a sense of history.
 Sonic X #26 has turned into an instant classic in the office before it ever was printed. There was this idea in my head about working in wrestling, luchador wrestling in particular, into Sonic X. Since Sonic X is far less serious than the Sonic The hedgehog comic, actually it is usually pretty much a comedy book with action heroes. Just to digress a few kind people mentioned how it was reminiscent of the Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis's run on Justice League and The Tick. Can’t think of a bigger compliment.
Well a friend who worked for WWE was unable to bring life to this idea due to some contract no compete complications. After a year of holding onto this crazy idea and the writer in mind unable to work on it was a no brain to turn to Mr. Reliable, writer Ian Flynn. After a few suggestions from Archie cover colorist and office next-door neighbor Tito Pena, Ian built up a terrific story for Steven Butler, James Fry, Terry Austin, John Workman and Josh Ray to work on the next two issues.
Usually in the office you get some encouraging words after an issue comes out. This issue people were coming into the office to read the pages as they came in from the inker! That has never happened before!
If anyone out there gets aholdof the next two issues, it would be great to hear you thoughts.
The first look link for Betty & Veronica Digest #239 & Sonic X #26 are here. Take a look!
Sonic X #26 and Betty & Veronica Digest #239
CLICK HERE
A big source of pride has been being involved in the much acclaimed and popular remake of Sabrina The Teenage by writer/artist Tania Del Rio. Sabrina is celebrating her 45th anniversary with the first ever certified Archie Authentic signed by writer/artist Tania Del Rio Sabrina Graphic Novel. In addition to that, there are a bunch of new Sabrina merchandise on the way and new stuff already.
The full press release
CLICK HERE
SABRINA THE MAGIC REVISITED - Signed!
CLICK HERE
Plus, new Sabrina shirts on Café Press
CLICK HERE
Don’t forget to vote for Archie Comics artist Fernando Ruiz in Zuda’s web comic competition. It is geared to a younger audience, juvenile audience of course, and it is a blast to read!
Vote for LEPRENOMICON at Zuda Comics.com
Zuda Comics.com have TEN webcomics up and people get to vote for their favorite. At the end of THIRTY days, the webcomic with the most votes gets picked up as a regular feature.
LEPRENOMICON is a comedy about an unlucky guy and his surly
Leprechaun. You'll love it! Please check it out and if you like it, please give it your vote. You can check it out here:
Zuda Comics
You have to register in order to vote, but it's a pretty quick and easy process. If you get a chance, please e-mail it to your friends and leave a positive comment because DC will be monitoring that sort of activity.
Thanks for everyone's attention!
Fernando
Fernando Ruiz
FernViewArt.com
e-mail:FernView007@gmail.com
Finally, one of the most influential and often over looked comics for kids, Shonen Jump has a “massive” announcement. Filled with tons of great stories and art and a must read for most kids has some good news for readers this month.
VIZ ANNOUNCES LARGEST-EVER ISSUE OF SHONEN JUMP
Press Release
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the most expansive issue to-date of its hit monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP™. The December 2007 issue will run a hefty 416 pages and is expected to hit retails shelves nationally on November 6.
 Among other the notable content, the issue will offer the conclusion of the epic Yu-Gi-Oh! saga, which raised generations of Duelists and has dominated the trading card world. SHONEN JUMP also interviews YU-GI-OH! creator Kazuki Takahashi and gives a retrospective on the impact and history of the internationally loved manga. However, fans needn’t despair because YU-GI-OH! GX will continue its popular ongoing run in the magazine.
Also included will be a sneak preview of Takehiko Inoue’s influential and long-awaited basketball manga series, SLAM DUNK. The critically acclaimed series has sold over 100 million copies in Japan and is a winner of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award. Catch all the on- and off-court action of the entire first chapter, which is featured in full color in this issue.
For NARUTO fans, SHONEN JUMP offers a manga short story that creator Masashi Kishimoto drew before he dreamed up the hyperactive and unpredictable ninja that millions of North American fans have come to know and love. They will be interested, and perhaps a bit surprised, to get a fascinating glimpse of a Naruto that might have been.
Rounding out the issue is an expanded Games We Love section — lengthened this month into a 10-page blowout covering the magazine’s picks for the best video games of 2007. The issue also includes some extras such as Nintendo DS cards for the latest NARUTO and BLEACH games that let readers unlock special features.
“This is a special issue for SHONEN JUMP as it’s not every day that a long-running series like YU-GI-OH! reaches its conclusion,” says Marc Weidenbaum, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, “But that’s exactly what happens in this issue, and creator Kazuki Takahashi closes things off in a very satisfying way that fans will definitely not want to miss. We’ve also got the early NARUTO short story that offers an intriguing look at Masashi Kishimoto’s initial idea for the beloved series, and we publish the first chapter of the highly anticipated basketball series SLAM DUNK, one of the most popular manga of all time, in color!”
This impressive issue is estimated to reach over 1.9 million readers as reported by the recently released Spring 2007 Simmons Youth study in which SHONEN JUMP is measured.
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:
JUL070018 GROO HELL ON EARTH #1 (OF 4) $2.99
SEP070228 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #39 $2.25
SEP070233 LOONEY TUNES #156 $2.25
SEP072207 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #33 $2.99
AUG073383 ARCHIE DIGEST #239 $2.49
AUG073386 BETTY & VERONICA #231 $2.25
MAY073150 GARGOYLES #6 $3.95
AUG073397 SONIC X #26 $2.25
Also, check out some great All Ages comic reviews here at Silver Bullet Comic Books. Thanks to reviewers Penny Kenny and Dave Wallace!
Astérix et ses Amis HC
CLICK HERE
Sabrina the Teenage Witch #89
CLICK HERE
Sonic the Hedgehog #181
CLICK HERE
Simpsons Summer Shindig
CLICK HERE
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