Kids Love Comics

Jon's Comics

2010-01-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

I got emailed the other day by Jon Esparza, a real nice guy and big Kids Love Comics fan (in fact, I quite remember having a big long chat about Don Martin with him at the last San Diego Comic Con)

Anyway, he's an aspiring cartoonist, dancing the 'how do I get people to notice my work?' dance that so many of us go through, and so I thought I'd share a few of them with all you whoever you are that read this blog! See?!? Never underestimate the power of asking people nicely to do things for you. Just don't over estimate it either.

Best of luck to you Jon!

A Very Ninja Christmas

2009-11-30T19:19:00.000-08:00

Just saw Jimmy's new book 'A Very Ninja Christmas' plastered all over the holiday display at a Barnes & Noble in LA. High Five Mr. Gownley!

What are the rest of you peoples up to, huh? Cuz I dunno...

Baltimore Comic Con

2009-10-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

Well, apparently the Baltimore ComicCon is this weekend. I won't be going, indeed, have never been, but I hear it's great, and I know KLC has a big honkin booth, so everybody have a baltimoretastic time, and post some groovy photos upon your return! Back East Kids Comics Fans: GO! Buy Books, have fun times, or else.

San Diego Comic Con 2009

2009-07-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd remindify everybody here who's coming to the San Diego Comic Con (in justa few days! So much stuff to do to get ready! Augh!) to come and visit us Kids Love Comickers! (Does any one else think we need a snappier nickname? Post comments suggesting clever ones, we'd love to hear.) Me, (Ray Friesen), and Jimmmy Gownley (Jimmy Gownley) are going to be sharing a booth and poking each other at #2207. Scott Christian Sava is going to be at booth 2002. You can remember them easily, since they both have two 2's in them. Also, Scotts booth, if it were a year, is the past, while Jimmy and mine are the FUTURE WOO. John Gallagher's gonna be floating around, but I don't think he's anywhere in particular. Anybody else gonna be there? I dunno.

I'll be unveiling some new product. BEHOLD! Plush toys of my characters! Pirate Penguin and Ninja Chicken!

Not too shamelessly plug myself TOOO much (just enough actually) but have you been reading their weekly adventures on my website? www.DontEatAnyBugs.com You totally should, they're hilarical. And I'm not just saying that because I'm incredibly biased.

Our special deal is, for every 100 plush toys you buy, you get another half of one for free. Such a bargain! I can personally vouch for the fact that they are LOTS of fun to play with. In fact, I'm playing with one right now. Using the tip of Pirate Penguin's sword to type thisasdj klajsdjk kjajkliowe jfh .

Oh, and Jimmy's gonna be giving out Solid Gold Poodles to everybody who votes for him to win the Eisner award. He's got a big pile of them, so feel free to nag him into giving you one, even if he pretends to have no idea what you're talking about. It will certainly be a lot of fun for me to watch! Check out his newly redesigned website, www.AmeliaRules.com, it's got all sorts of really exciting new features. Heck, just check out everybody's website, whydontcha?

After I get back, and accumulate some more free time, stay tuned for all ages friendly comic reviews and news and previews and special doodles and all sortsa cool junk!

Heroes Con Post Mortem

2009-07-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

Howdy all!

How is ya? Happy 4th of July weekend! I am lounging around a hotel at the moment, having taken my sister and her friends to the Anime Expo in LA. I have lots of time to get caught up on emails and web things, seeing as how I left all the other work I was supposed to be working on at home. I bleev I have gotten food poisoning though, I feel not at all well, and so am not enjoying it as much as I coulda shoulda.

I am perscribing myself lots of chocolate.

Anyhoo!

the Heroes Comic Book Convention was in North Carolina last week, and me and a buncha other KLCers were there, so I figured I'd talk about it!

I forgot to take any pictues, indeed, forgot my camera, so if anybody has any snaps of us looking googly, feel free to upload. Actuall, here's one sent to me by the awesomecooltastic Emileeeeeeeeeee, super KLC fan:

4anda1/2 members of Kids Love Comics were at the Show, Jimmy Gownley, Scott Christian Sava (Whom I had never met in person before, an excellent nice guy -- not that Jimmy isn't nice, it's just my allready knowing him that precludes him from being complimented.) Harold Bucholdz, KLC cofounder, and author of Apathy Kat, Lovable old me, and the 1/2th member, Dave McDonald, author of Hamster Sam! Dave and Jimmy went to separate schools together. He's not an official member, mostly because John Gallagher hasn't updated the website to include him yet, which is part of the KLC hazing process. John himself, as well as Josh Elder weren't at the show, but that's okay, because we replaced them with a giant inflatable penguin I just happened to have.

The show itself was very comic book showy, only more so. Very well organized and delightfully executed, the show runners should be proud. Certainly wish I was close enough to drive there rather than fly, but that's the gripe about all shows that are far away from you! I had a lovely time, even if I missed going to all the cool parties by dint of not being able to find them. Sigh. I try to be a social butterfly, but I'm not very good at it.

I did go out to dinner with everybody, including Jimmy's Librarian friend Snow, so that was totally fun. We stayed up way too late talking about *GASP* comic books. I had fun putting my foot in my mouth, and Jimmy said some things that caused us to question his wife Karen's sanity in marrying him. Everyone else was well behaved.

I would like to point out that, being a california boy, I am well used to Heat, that Humidity is just a terrible terrible design flaw, and I would like it stricken from the record. Everyone else was used to the back east humitude, and thought I was a total lightweight, but UGH.

I met a buncha other cool peops at the show, and will be doing some sort of link roundup when I can summon the wherewithall. I've typed rather alot of things now, and am going to stop right... NOW.

Next KLC Stop, COMICCON! Me and Jimmy are sharing a booth, and have promised not to kill each other. Although I'm pretty sure Jimmy had his fingers crossed, which is just a well, since I'm a liar and my promises are invalid.

Kids Read Comics and Heroes

2009-06-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Come and see us at these two shows!

http://www.KidsReadComics.org

Heroes

Well, at this Michigan one, it's just me, But EVERYBODY pretty much will be at Heroes! If you live anywhere nearby and DON't come and visit, we will cry.

Nick Magazine Shutting Down?

2009-06-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

It seems as if Viacom is shutting down Nickelodeon Magazine, which seems like crazysauce to me.

Where will America's children get their monthly comics anthology fix now? Kids Love Comics, and there are alot of us cartoonists who do things kids like, why is it so hard to get these two concepts to solve each other?

On a personal note, I've been attempting to get my cartoons published in Nick Mag for years now, me and Editor Chris Duffy have been emailing lately, I finally hit upon a simple, fun idea that he really liked, so the timing is Especially Doubly Frustrating.

My heart goes out to Chris and co-conspirator Dave Roman, I wish them and their displaced cartoonists all the luck they require in turning this annoying situation to their advantage somehow.

Stupid Economy: I BLAME YOU!

Free Comic Book Day Roundup EDIT

2009-04-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Okay! Here are where all of the Kids Love Comics Cool Cats are going to be for Free Comic Book Day! I haven't accumulated my data all that well, so please email me if it's innaccurate. I'm probably going to edit this post in a day or two.

Jimmy Gownley will be at Cosmic Comics in Harrisburg PA.

John Gallagher is going to be at a wedding, and therefore USELESS for the purposes of this blog.

Ray Friesen (Me) is going to be at Brave New World comics in Santa Clarita, CA (with a possible last minute pop in at Collectors Paradise in Winnetka CA. Edward there is having a major shindig he wanted me to be a part of if only I wasn't somewhere else first.)

Josh Elder is gonna be at Comix Revolution, 115 W Central Rd. Mt. Prospect, IL from 11 to 4.

Scott Christian Sava isn't going to be anywhere. Sorry Scott fans, this is not your lucky free comic book day.)

Rich Faber is going to be at Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark, DE
http://www.captainbluehen.com/free-comic-book-day/

Jimmy @ the Eisners

2009-04-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to KLC's Jimmy Gownley for what must be his one-million-and-sixth Eisner Award Nomination!

Although, when you think about it, last year you were nominated for FOUR Eisners, so you've actually slipped a notch this year.

We're all VERY disappointed in you.

But in a congratulatory way!

Hee hee hee.

(I'm still invited to the pizza party at Chuck E. Cheeze right?)

I've got my fingers crossed for you, and I do mean ALL of them. (I haven't crossed my toes though, that's actually bad luck. Everyone knows that, right?)

Congratulations to all the nominees actually, but Jimmy and the 4 other people I know in person f'reals ESPECIALLY! I hope all the people I'm rooting for win.

Linky Dinks

2009-04-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

Chris Wilson @ The Graphic Classroom just wrote a very thoughtful and in depth review of my book 'Another Dirt Sandwich' advocating it's vocabulary teaching potential, something I had offhandedly thought of but never seriously considered until he talked about it:

Please give it a read if you're in the mood for that sort of thing! I'll definately be quoting it on future back covers.

"To leave the book behind without giving it its due would be a serious mistake on the part of the teacher, librarian or parent. ANOTHER DIRT SANDWICH has so much to offer a child and it should be seriously considered."

Also! Webcomics reviews: I said I'd be doing them, recommending some good all ages webcomics. Here's the trouble: There don't seem to be that many, at least as far as I am aware. I read a number of webcomics every morning, and while there are plenty I enjoy, I wouldn't classify too many of them as being 'kid friendly' -- Please leave links in the comments and prove me wrong, I'd love to discover some new interesting webcomics. I feel the internet is still primarily the domain of collegey age people mostly, they have the free time and technical skills. While elementary age kids do use the internet, they still like to go outside and play too (a definate good thing I think).

I talked about this before a couple of posts ago, and got emailed by a Mr Caanan Grall who draws the webcomic 'Celadore' on Zuda -- saying his was an all ages webcomic, and would I recommend it to our readers? I said I'd give it a flip through, and if I liked it, I would. I haven't read it all yet, merely skimmied it (hooray for no real free time) and while it is well illustrated, he obviously knows what he's doing, and involves what appears to be children-vampire hunters, I can't honestly say it looks that 'All Agesy' -- if it were a movie, I'd say it would be rated PG 13 for action violence and some language (I saw several swears as I skimmed -- can't say they bug ME, but I'm all adultish, can't honestly recommend that sort of thing to children -- If your comfortable letting your kids watch The Simpsons, I'm sure you'd find it fine. Each person has their own taste on this sort of thing, to each their own.

So there you go Caanan! Wasn't the heartiest of recommendations, but I've done my part to help get you noticed.

I'll dig through my bookmarks, if I hunt around a bit, I'm sure there are some real KIDS style webcomics I just haven't remembered yet.

Stay tuned!

Boom Studios Kids -- Muppets & Pixar Comics

2009-03-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

Boom Studios is coming out with Muppet and Pixar comics! This fills me with glee. You all probably know about this, but just in case, I figured I'd talk about it, let you know what I know. First issues are allready on the stands, methinks, I haven't been to a comic shop in a few weeks. (My local one went out of business, the nearest one is now 2 hours away, *sob*)

Boom has set up a special website, www.boom-kids.com for their kids line of comics (I think so parents can feel safer, and that their kids won't wander over towards Boom's less kid friendly titles -- makes sense to me! Kids always seem to want to gravitate towards things they probably shouldn't -- I had a booth at a show once, the guy next to me had comics that Looked kid friendly, with simply drawn ducks and alligators, but then when you opened them up they were quite... pornographic? I discovered this noisefully when a 9 year old girl was reading them, her mom came up behind and asked 'whatcha reading sweety?' followed by lots of shrieking and running away. So, yeah, we don't want to give anyone a reason not to let their kids read comic books, we as the creators have to steer the kids in the right direction. That's the whole point of Kids Love Comics! Because kids do love comics, and any that cross their path will be read. Let's give 'em some good ones!

Might I recommend Boom's Muppet Comic book? They have a preview of nearly half the book on Comic Book Resources:

See if your willpower can prevent you from being spoiled and reading it now, mine certainly couldn't. Now I've read part of it, and MUST FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT via spending money on the real printed book.

Roger Langridge is writing and drawing the bulk of the first couple issues, I've been a fan of his Fred the Clown and all his other stuff for years now, in fact I've got a drawing of Popeye by him framed and on my wall, we as fans are in for a real treat. Even if you don't like the muppets (how is that even possible? You must have watched the wrong muppets) pick up this book.

Other artists and writers are supposed to start being a part of this series too, I've seen variant covers and spinoff titles allready (Muppet Robin Hood is first) and gosh would I LOVE to become a part of the muppets crew. I hope Boom has some sort of portfolio reviews at San Diego this year, writing and drawing Muppets in an official capacity has become my new lifelong quest.

Here's the sample I came up with for Boom's Submission Website, basically a spoof of the TV show's title sequence, with me installed. I wanted a chance to try and draw all the main characters, although I appear to have neglected Miss Piggy AND Fozzie, how terribly remiss of me.

MUPPETS © DISNEY/JIM HENSON, no infrigitude meant, I'm not selling anything, please no lawyers yell at me. I think this counts as 'fan art' moreso than anything else : )

EDIT -- Kidjutsu.com

2009-03-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

I got Brian Leung's website wrong last time, It's www.KidJutsu.com

To basically paraphrase their entire 'about' section:

About Us

What is Kidjutsu?
Kidjutsu [kid-joot-soo] is a kids comics website where kids can read, discover, and share comics. We built Kidjutsu to provide a fun activity for kids that encourages them to read for enjoyment and exercise their budding imaginations. We started off collecting the best all-ages kid-friendly comics into one place, but it's grown to be a website for kids, tweens, teens, and even the big kid in all of us.

What can I do on Kidjutsu?
At Kidjutsu, you can browse a large selection of kids comics brought to you by the best comics, webcomics, and manga creators. Every comic on our site has been screened and marked with an appropriate age rating. You can experience each comic using our high-resolution, fast-loading, super-responsive digital comic reader. You can read comics in fullscreen, zoom in on your favorite panels, and also bookmark your favorite comics. Most importantly, you can read all these comics online for free.

What is our vision?
We have two goals for Kidjutsu:
1) Introduce kids to comics, and
2) Build a sustainable revenue model for creators with a life-long passion for telling great stories.

alt="Read kids comics at Kidjutsu">

Here are some handy little embedded readers you can easily create if you want to share the comics on your site:

Comic powered by Kidjutsu

These ones I both KNEW were by KLC creators, There are tons more, but I haven't had a chance to read any yet to see how strongly I recommend them. Will do when I have a moment, and post again!

Cupcakes of Doom and other nonsense

2009-03-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Hivribody!

It hasn't been very lively around this blog lately, and as 1 of 5 contributors, that's 20% my fault!!!

So lets see, what should I talk about?

Well, first up, to be all self promotiony, I have a new book out! Cupcakes of Doom:

It's TOTALLY the best piratey graphic novel I've written this whole year!

and here are some nice words from the American Library Association:
The cookie-loving pirates from previousYARG! efforts return as the featured players in this unrelentingly pun- and gag-filled adventure. Escaping from a desert island, the pirates tackle everything from the justice system and going into business to relationships and dealing with mothers (all in an age-appropriate fashion, of course) as they trade blows and jokes with a bunch of rather hoity-toity Vikings. The point here is not serious social commentary but rather to offer as many jokes per page (and panel, and word balloon) as possible. While some will fly over the heads of the intended readership, it hardly matters given their extraordinary density. It’s notable that if manga is the reigning graphic format art style for young adults these days, the style for younger readers is quickly settling upon what is on display here—a lighthearted, animation-inspired use of cartoon figures, digital colors, and rough backgrounds—so that the transition from reading to television and back is becoming disturbingly seamless.
— Jesse Karp

Besides that 'disturbing' in there -- pretty darn lovely! I'll post more reviews as they exist. Scott Tingley of Comics in the Classroom did a 'sort of' review -- his daughter won't give him the book back yet, so he hasn't read it, but loves all the sea serpenty fun.

Here's a picture of my filing cabinet celebrating it's release:

Did you KLC guys who also write this blog get a chance to see Cupcakes at the New York ComicCon? You were very nice and let me mail some for you to stick on the table, I hope you all snuck a copy for yourself. I included instructions that you could do so.

Gosh I'm a doofus, I haven't had a chance to even call any of you folks yet and see how the show all went for you guys. Can we expect som photographs on this here blog anytime soon? Mail them to me, I'll upload them for ya's. I'd like to help out the KLC anyway I can, and since flying to any of the eastcoast shows doesn't seem very likely at the moment, I'd love to handle a bit more web duties. We should have a meeting about that. When I get some time : )

I saw John Gallagher at the Miami Bookshow in November -- I should post some photos of that, and now here I am doing so:

Gosh, I only took one photo, and it's of me., Have I mentioned that I'm a doofus?

Has anyone here heard of KidJutsu.com -- ? They're trying to become THE place for http://www.kidjutsu.com/> free kid friendly comics on the web -- cool little reader programs, and they hope to become advertising supported to be able to pay you for the amount of times people read your comics." I'd suggest all the KLCers upload some cartoons you don't mind people reading for free to the site (I saw BananaTail on there allready!) I've uploaded something, and hope to do more. They look very nifty, and like they have their act together.

I think it would be nice if we did a big link roundup of some of our favorite kid friendly webcomics. I read alot of webcomics, but I don't know how many are strictly kid friendly...

Alot of webcomics seem to be more adult oriented,which is fine if you're into that sort of thing, but we need to get more kids on the internet, methinks. Someone should do some bold new initiative about that. Not me though, I'm busy. I do a webcomic too actually! Daily! It's my tbyrd character, which always seems to be slightly too sophisticated for kids, slightly too childlike for adults. I'm in one of those gray zones you hear so much about. Check out the ""Has anyone here heard of KidJutsu.com -- ? They're trying to become THE place for free kid friendly comics on the web -- cool little reader programs, and they hope to become advertising supported to be able to pay you for the amount of times people read your comics."
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How's everybody doing finances wise? This stupid economy thing is getting everybody down, I'm sure, but nobody's in any dire trouble right? We all love comics to death, and I'm sure would be doing them even if it was impossible to make any money on them (just less often because of boring day jobs) but I really hope we can get everybody's demand and audience up into the stratosphere, so we can all concentrate on making tons more comics round the clock. That's the dream. Everybody loves entertainment, and Kids Love Comics, so I think if we can keep on keepin' on we'll be allright.

Did I also mention I'm now a kazoo virtuoso? And I've been wearing a zorro mask all day to see if anybody noticed -- hundreds of people looking at me strangely, but only one person actually asked. I decided to take it off before going in to the bank, I'm not totally stupid. Just about 20% stupid.
EDIT! >> Brian at www.Kidjutsu.com emailed me -- I got his link spelled wrong (how embarassing!) and he told me a little about referencing tags for the google bots to increase your page ranking. I've known that these exist and that I should be using them, but I haven't had the time to figure out how to do them properly. Brian gave me a few to changify here, so they should be working more groovfully. Expect me to know what I'm talking about more properly next time. I got contacted by a company that new all about these reference tags, and wanted to optimize me for alot of money, and while i was intrigued, I simply couldn't afford it. Expect me to get a book or two on the subject and acquire just enough knowledge to mess things up (my usual modus operendi)

Merry Fishmas!

Ray

Baltimore Comic-Con, 2008

2008-09-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, we know it's been quite a while since our last post, but it's been a trying summer for the KLC crew. A few of us have had some family illnesses, and that, as well as work obligations, have kept us away. However, we're very pleased to let you all know that Kids Love Comics will be exhibiting at The Baltimore Comic-Con, this weekend, September 27-28. KLC members and friends at the KLC booth include:

Jimmy Gownley
Scott Sava
John Gallagher
Rich Faber
Steve Conley
Mark McKenna
Art Baltazar/Franco Aureliani/Jamie Cosley
Dean Trippe/Jason Horn
Scott Cohn/Scott Neely
Ted Tucker
Frank Cammuso

... and some other surprise guests! There will also be some special items we'll be giving away free, as well as the books and merchandise we normally have for sale. Please come by the show and say hello. Marc Nathan puts on a spectacular family-friendly show, and we know you'll want to bring the kids!

We hope to see you this weekend!

Heroes Con and stuff...

2008-07-06T08:43:00.001-07:00

Hi All...
Thought I'd post some updates and links.

The Kids Love Comics gang had a wonderful time at Heroes Con.
What a great con for bringing kids and meeting friends.
Here's a wrap up report...
http://www.thedreamlandchronicles.com/?p=1002

The Graphic Classroom just posted a nice review of The Dreamland Chronicles Book One on their site.
http://graphicclassroom.blogspot.com/2008/07/dreamland-chronicles-book-1.html

We're hoping to get a sketchblog up soon. So you'll hear from us on a DAILY basis.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Scott

FCBD 2008 Pictures

2008-05-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

As promised, we have pictures from this year's Free Comic Book Day! Kids Love Comics was well-represented. Jimmy Gownley, John Gallagher, and Steve Conley appeared at Marc Nathan's Cards, Comics, and Collectibles in Reisterstown, MD, while an hour north of there, Rich Faber was joined by John, and KLC friends, Jamar Nicholas, Mike Manley, and Scott Neely in the afternoon at Captain Blue Hen Comics, in Newark, DE. (and yes, John is so dedicated to Kids Love Comics, and Free Comic Book Day, that he managed to be in two states, and appear at two different stores on the same day!) As you'll see from the below pictures, kids (and families), comics, and fun were the order of the day!

Steve Conley (left) and Jimmy Gownley with their outstanding sketches.

Conley, Gownley, and Cards, Comics, & Collectibles owner Marc Nathan.

The crowds line up outside Captain Blue Hen Comics for FCBD '08!

Just look at them all!

Jamar Nicholas and his new pal.

(Blue Hen owner) Joe Murray and His Amazing Friends!

More super friends.

A prized Hulk from Mike Manley.

John Gallagher sketches for the kids.

With the movie opening that weekend, it was no surprise that Iron Man was the most requested sketch subject for Rich Faber.

Rich and John do a little white board demo on creating superheroes.

Learning how to create superheroes.

Scott Neely sketches Scooby Doo for a new friend

All in all, the theme of the day was that "Kids Love Comics!" And we're all thrilled about that!

Stay tuned for more news, events, and info soon!

Karen Gownley, KLC Executive Director speaks!

2008-05-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hello! It's been quite an exciting few weeks as convention season gets underway. I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by the Kids Love Comics booth at NYCC. It was great to meet so many parents & teachers who were interested in finding graphic novels for the kids in their lives. I also got the opportunity to meet some amazing little artists! I'm hoping to see their work on our Recommended Reading List some day.

I'm pleased to announce that there are 3 "Amelia Rules!" books now available for FREE from the great website Wowio. Once you register on the site, you can download "Amelia Rules!" issues 1, 2, & 18. Again, it's absolutely free, so go for it!

The link is:
http://www.wowio.com/users/searchresults.asp?txtSearch=%22amelia+rules%22

Issue #18 is the book nominated for "Best Single Issue" at this year's Eisner Awards. So if you haven't gotten a chance to read it, you'll certainly want to do that. (and if you're an industry professional, don't forget to vote for the Eisner Awards: link: http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_main.shtml )

The next KLC event I'll be attending is Heroes Con. I really look forward to seeing everyone there!

-Karen
Executive Director, KLC

Some pictures from NYCC '08

2008-05-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hey there, everyone! Things have been crazy here at KLC Central, but we're all working very hard to bring you the best and the latest about kids comics. A lot of great things came out of this year's New York Comic-Con, so please continue watching this space for some exciting announcements in the coming weeks and months!

We all had a terrific time at the show, and recruited some spectacular new members to KLC! We'll have some announcements about membership in the near future, so keep checking back.

Thanks to everyone who came by the KLC booth to chat and show support. We really love hearing all the fantastic suggestions and words of encouragement, and appreciate you all stopping by to say hi! We met so many great supporters of Kids Love Comics and look forward to seeing all the kids, educators, librarians, and retailers at upcoming shows!
For now, we'll leave you with these pictures of the KLC booth and members:

A young fan stops by the KLC Kids Day table.

Todd Webb sketches for the kids!

Josh (Mail Order Ninja) Elder, John (Buzzboy) Gallagher, and Scott (Dreamland Chronicles) Sava take a break for a photo op!

Rich (Roboy Red) Faber and John Gallagher manning their booth!

Jimmy Gownley with Amelia! (photo by Dan Kois, and borrowed from this nice NYCC interview with Jimmy on the Hermenautic Circle Blog)

We'll see you all in Charlotte, NC next month for Heroes Con!

Free Comic Book Day, May 3, 2008

2008-05-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's May already! We here at KLC Central have barely had time to catch our collective breath from the New York Comic-Con (a report is forthcoming. Please forgive our tardiness as most of the crew have been fighting colds and family crises since the big event), and now Free Comic Book Day is upon us! On Saturday, May 3, many of your favorite Kids Love Comics creators will be attending events at participating local comic book shops across the nation! Among them will be Jimmy (Amelia Rules!)Gownley, Steve (Astounding Space Thrills, Star Trek)Conley, and John (Buzzboy, Roboy Red, NASCAR Heroes)Gallagher at Cards, Comics and Collectibles, in Reisterstown, MD; John Gallagher (can the man really be in two states in one day?!?) and Rich (Roboy Red, Buzzboy) Faber will be at Captain Blue Hen Comics, in Newark, Delaware, along with KLC friends Jamar (Grosse Adventures) Nicholas, Scott (Scooby Doo) Neely, and Mike (Monsterman, Brave and the Bold cartoon, Superman Adventures) Manley, among others. Other friends of KLC who are making appearances include Mark (Banana Tail) McKenna, at Grasshopper Comics in Williston Park, NY; Art Balthazar and Franco, of Tiny Titans and Patrick the Wolf Boy fame, at Challengers Comics + Conversation, in Chicago, IL; and Mike (Herobear and the Kid) Kunkel at Atomic Comics – Metrocenter, in Phoenix AZ. For more info on where to find your favorite comics creators check out the FCBD website!

Oh, in case you want to know what to look for, here are some of the covers of the KLC FCBD comics. First is Amelia Rules! Comics and Stories:

Next,the Kids Love Comics "Comic Book Diner" anthology features fun stories, how-to's, and more, by some of comics' top all-ages creators! John Gallagher's Buzzboy! Scott Sava's Dreamland Chronicles! Patrick the Wolfboy! Roboy Red! Banana Tail — and more! All hosted by Jimmy Gownley's Amelia Rules! characters! Plus: A Super-Cool Guide and Recommended Reading List of the best in Kids' Comics! A great introduction (and helpful guide) to comics for readers of all-ages:

Finally, NASCAR Heroes All Stars Special:

Please check the above link to the rest of the Free Comic Book Day offerings for more! We hope we'll see you at your favorite comic shop on May 3rd, Free Comic Book Day!

Gownley Rules! Amelia Receives 4 Eisner nominations!

2008-04-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

We at Kids Love Comics are proud to announce that KLC co-founder, Jimmy Gownley and Amelia Rules! are up for 4 Eisners! Congratulations, Jimmy!

From the Press Release:

The 2008 Eisner Award nominees have been announced, and we are honored and thrilled to have received 4 nominations for Jimmy Gownley/Amelia Rules!

Nominations are:

Best Single Issue: Amelia Rules! #18, “The Things I Cannot Change”
Best Publication for Kids: Amelia Rules! & Amelia Rules! Funny Stories
Best Colorist: Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules!
Best Lettering: Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules!

This ties Gownley for the most individual nominations this year!

Issue #18, up for Best Single Issue, deals with one of Amelia’s friends coming to terms with her father being sent overseas for his job in the US Military.
An excerpt from the issue can be found in this year’s Free Comic Book Day edition of “Amelia Rules!”, available on May 3rd.

Additionally, the entire issue #18 can be downloaded from our website:
http://www.tweeniezeenie.com/downloads.html
Click on “Free Comic!”

We appreciate your consideration as ballots go out soon!

Don’t forget to check out our entire new website, with frequent blogs by Jimmy Gownley, Podcasts from Amelia herself, and lots of fun stuff to do.

After NYC, we're HeroesCon bound!

2008-04-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

from our friends in Charlotte:
HEROESCON INCREASES EXPOSURE OF ALL-AGES COMICS
New Section To Be Headed By “Kids Love Comics” Creators

This week Heroes Convention 2008, long known for its family-friendly environment, announced the creation of a special section of the convention dedicated to all-ages comics and creators! Headed by the respected Kids Love Comics group of creators, the section is tentatively being called “The Kids Love Comics! Garage,” in honor of Charlotte, North Carolina’s long association with NASCAR and the stock-car racing community.

HeroesCon is no stranger to comics for kids, being an early and ardent supporter of creator-owned books like Mark Crilley’s Akiko and Jeff Smith’s Bone. The convention has, since its inception in 1982, worked hard to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, where both kids and their families can feel comfortable in a fun-filled environment. By teaming with the Kids Love Comics group, they have created a special area of the fan-favorite convention dedicated to just this idea, and headed by some of the most recognizable names in all-ages comics.

Kids Love Comics is a non-profit (status pending) group that promotes literacy through comics and graphic novels. They are an organization of professionals and patrons of the comic book, publishing, and children’s book industries, dedicated to making kids comics readily available to the general public through both new and traditional venues.

Creators who will be attending HeroesCon under the auspices of Kids Love Comics include: Jimmy Gownley, creator of the quintuple Eisner-nominated Amelia Rules; Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja, Batman Strikes!); John Gallagher (Buzzboy, NASCAR Heroes), Rich Faber (Buzzboy, Roboy Red); and Scott Sava (Dreamland Chronicles, The Lab). They will be joined by an always-impressive lineup of all-ages creators, behind works including Archie, Scooby-Doo, PowerPuff Girls, and many more.

Fleshing out a record-breaking guest list and publisher lineup at one of the most fan-favorite comics conventions in the country, the Kids Love Comics Garage section of HeroesCon 2008 expands and reaffirms HeroesCon’s support of and dedication to all-ages comics.

Bookmark This Blog: Word Balloons

2008-04-14T20:19:00.000-07:00

KLC is proud to welcome the crew of Word Balloons to the kids' comics blogosphere! One would be hard-pressed to find a more capable cabal of kid-centric critics and commentators (including Brigid Alverson, Robin Brenner and Eva Volin among others), and we can't wait to see what they do with their little corner of the Internet.

In their own words:

Word Balloons is a group blog about comics for kids. We will cover all ages from preschool through young adult, but we won’t lump all ages together; we’re smart enough to know that a three-year-old has different abilities and interests than a 13-year-old.

Our goal is to be the morning newspaper for anyone interested in kids’ comics: creators, editors, teachers, librarians, retailers, and most importantly, readers. We will present interviews, reviews, and opinions and link to the best of what other folks are writing. We expect to have frequent guest posts, and we invite our readers to send us a heads-up whenever they see something interesting about kids’ comics on the internet or even in print.

Also, we will cover all the comics kids read, as opposed to the comics grownups think they should read. That means we will cover works of great literary and artistic merit, but we won’t ignore the formulaic crap either. If it’s fun, it’s in.

So pour yourself some milk, grab the cookies, and join in the conversation!

Kids Love Comics Comes to Beantown!

2008-04-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Comic Book Question & Answer with Josh Elder
April 22, 7 p.m.

I'll be hosting a session on all things comics at the main branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square where I'll be answering any and all questions about comics: how they're made, how they work, how you can make your own, etc.

I will also be leading workshops for children and teens earlier in the day as well as giving a mini-symposium on graphic novels in schools and libraries for any interested teachers and librarians.

For more information call 617.536.5400 x 2334 or visit www.bpl.org

Hope to see you there!

Kids Love Comics at New York Comic-Con!

2008-04-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Kids Love Comics at New York Comic-Con!
April 18-20, 2008

KLC has joined with New York Comic-Con to help make this year's NYCC better than ever, participating in Sunday's KIDS DAY at the show.

"We were thrilled & honored when they asked us to help design programming for the convention's Kids Day," says KLC Executive Director Karen Gownley. "Our whole mission is to let people know how great comics can be for children - and here was this huge convention looking to share that message, too. It's a win-win."

Working together with kid-friendly publishers, retailers, and others in the industry, KLC put together several presentations and panels which will be a part of the convention's "Kids Day" (Sunday, April 20th) http://www.nycomiccon.com/app/homepage.cfm?moduleid=4524&appname=100453&campaignid=61372448&iUserCampaignID=38193330
The panels will touch on topics from creating comics, to publishing to marketing, and everything in-between.

Also, Kids Love Comics will have a presence in the "Kids' Stage" on Sunday. A "green screen" area will be set-up where kids can get their photos taken in a variety of virtual comic book worlds. KLC members will also be on-hand to offer advice to young cartoonists, talk to parents, teachers, and librarians about the best in children's comics, and detail the benefits of becoming a KLC member.

Additionally, we are proud to have Scott Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja), John Gallagher(Buzzboy, NASCAR Heroes), Rich Faber (Roboy Red, Green Lantern), and Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!) appearing at the convention all weekend. Stop by their booths to get some autographs, chat with the artists, and get the latest books from these kid-friendly talents. As an added bonus, KLC will have previews of their Free Comic Book Day comics on display, so fans can get a sneak peak at some of the coolest offerings for next month's awesome event!

Please be sure to come by the Kids Love Comics Booth #2242. KLC looks forward to seeing you in New York!

KIDS DAY THIS WEEKEND AT JIM HANLEY'S UNIVERSE

2008-04-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Kids Love Comics' own living Perpetual Motion Machine, Josh Elder, is on the move once more. Josh is organizing a "Kids Day" at Jim Hanley's Universe, on Saturday, April 21st (this weekend! Hurry to New York!). The following is liberally borrowed from Newsarama:

Press Release

Jim Hanley's Universe cordially invites you to join us on Saturday, April 12th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for an extravaganza of comics, cookies, and creativity.

With special guests Nick Bertozzi, Frank Cammuso, George O'Connor, Kevin Pyle, Aaron Renier, Misako Rocks!, Dave Roman, Raina Telgemeier, Sara Varon, Fred Van Lente, and MC, Josh Elder, Jim Hanley's Universe invites you to a day of celebration and creative comics creation at their Manhattan location (4 West 33rd Street). With live drawing, readings, activities, there's something for kids of every age, and a cookie to finish the day off with. Helping oversee the event will be Josh Elder, creator of the graphic novel series and nationally syndicated comic strip Mail Order Ninja, writer for The Batman Strikes and Chief Awesomeness Officer of the American Awesomeness Association.

"Comic books are enjoying a renaissance right now, and it seems that now, after so many years, kids are interested again in comics," said Vito Delsante, the Events Coordinator at Jim Hanley's Universe. "We thought that with this new popularity, the fact that librarians and teachers are looking to comics as teaching tools and the timing of the New York Comic Con, the time was right to dedicate an entire day to the kids and their love of comics."
__

Creator Schedule:

10 – 12: Sara Varon (Sweater Weather, Robot Dreams), Geoffrey Hayes (Benny and Penny in Just Pretend), and Aaron Renier (Spiral Bound)
12 – 2: Misako Rocks! (Biker Girl, Rock and Roll Love) and Kevin Pyle (Blindspot) and Fred Van Lente (Marvel Kids)
2 - 4: Dave Roman (Nickelodeon, Astronaut Elementary), Raina Telgemeier (The Baby-Sitters Club), Frank Cammuso and Jay Lynch (Otto's Orange Day)
4 – 6: George O'Connor (Journey Into Mohawk Country) and Nick Bertozzi (Houdini: The Handcuff King) and Matt Manning (Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century)

and

All Day - Kids Comic-er Extraordinaire: Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja)

AWESOME!

New Amelia Rules Website!

2008-03-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Gownley's award winning character, Amelia McBride has her own new Website, complete with games, an Amelia podcast, and a slew of other cool features!

You can even play a nifty "Whack-A-Mole" type game, but with none other than Amelia Rules characters Pajamaman and one of the dreaded Ninja kids from across the neighborhood!

Visit the Amelia Rules Website! Also on the site is mention of the Scholastic version of Amelia Rules-- a lot of All-Ages Comics for just 5 bucks!

All-Ages Webcomics: Butterfly

2008-03-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Dean Trippe is the super talented creator of Butterfly, the story of a sidekick of....well, another sidekick! The stories range from super heroic to simple slice of life strips, with masks included!

Check it out at Lunchbox Funnies!

Create your own comic book pages with art from AMULET Book One!

2008-03-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

Amulet is a fine new all-ages GN by Flight's own Kazu Kibuishi, and you should check out this story, which I find on par with Harry Potter in complexity and excitement...

here's the scoop from the scolastic site:Critically acclaimed comic artist Kazu Kibuishi has created an incredible adventure series set in a magical and dangerous world filled with man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, deep family secrets and two courageous kids.

After a family tragedy, Emily, Navin, and their mother move to an old ancestral home to start a new life. On the family's very first night in the mysterious house, a strange noise lures them into the basement where Em and Navin witness their mom's kidnapping by a humongous, tentacled creature who drags her down behind the basement door. The kids give chase down a twisty spiral stairway and find themselves in a world filled with shadowy enemies and unlikely friends.

Kazu Kibuishi is the editor of the popular Flight comics anthologies, as well as the creator of Daisy Kutter, a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. He lives in Alhambra, California.

You can visit the amulaet site and create your own comic!

Download the first 16 pages here!

Some cool all ages titles from the big guys!

2008-03-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

We at KLC often focus on those undiscovered gems in all-ages publishing, but there are some very good titles that deserve attention-- most notably Marvel's "Adventures line, and DC's Johnny DC titles-- especially the Teen Titans-centric titles of Teen Titans go! and Tiny Titans!

Marvel's Spider-Man book is great, but it is the Marvel Adventures Avengers (say that 3 times fast!) that really shines, especially when written by Jeff Parker!

take a peek!

New All Ages Humor: Another Dirt Sandwich by Ray Friesen

2008-02-02T12:20:00.001-08:00

Hivribody!

This is my first official post since becoming a team member of the KLC blog (Kids Love Comics having graciously let me insinuate myself into the group a few months ago anyway) So I thought I should introduce myself and shamelessly plug my work!

My name is Ray Friesen, I'm a cartoonist living in California. A few years ago, I was nominated for the Ignatz Award for Most Promising New Talent. I have delightfully poofy hair, a flamboyant taste in hats, and am fond of drawing penquins.

I have 3 published graphic-novels-of-the-humorous-persuasion: "A Cheese Related Mishap", "YARG!" and my latest and greatest, "Another Dirt Sandwich" which, by a strange coincedence, is available in this month's Previews catalog (Page 293, publisher Don't Eat Any Bugs Productions, order # Feb083715 in case you were wondering.) It got one of those cool 'kid friendly' icons, which I didn't even know they had....

Here is my shpiel for 'Dirt':

ANOTHER DIRT SANDWICH
Some Rambling & Hilarious Exploits of Tbyrd Fearlessness

Feeling a bit peckish? Try Another Dirt Sandwich! It's a graphic novel of the humorous persuasion with all the fixin's: Swindling! Mustard! Birds wearing hats! It's just chock full of cartoony goodness. A must read for kids and kids at heart. If you like silly, then giggling is guaranteed.

This book chronicles the ramblings adventures of inept ostrich con-man Tbyrd Fearlessness, and his gullible rube-turned-sidekick Hopalong Cassowary in their search for fame and fortune, or at least lunch.

If you eat only one book this year, make it this one. Chomp. Mmm! You can barely taste the gravel.

$12.95
100 pages
Full Color

Here are some nice things people said about me:

"...Friesen’s humor tends toward younger readers, while his language and ideas seem better suited to a more sophisticated audience. The art, however, ranges so widely (from digital Claymation to outright cartoons) that the pages remain visually engaging throughout, and the humor comes at a furious pace, with sometimes four of five jokes crammed into a single panel. Lots to look at here."
-- Jesse Karp, American Library Association Booklist

"Gr 5-8–The most impressive thing about this book is the author, who started his cartoon career at age 12 and is now 17. The comic follows the zany adventures of two young teens and a penguin as they race to save exploding cheese from chicken ninjas. ... it is a worthy effort from a young writer who obviously has a bright future."
--Scott La Counte, School Library Journal

"Raymond Q. Wonderfull’s madcap adventures get wierderand more hilarious with each issue. Writer/artist Ray Friesen packs his whimsical story with crazy characters and concepts..."
--Wizard Edge Magazine

"One of the first things you’ll notice about RQW is that there isn’t so much of plot, as an extended ramble. It’s sort of like those jokes that meander on and on with no signs of ending for a solid ten minutes… except that unlike most of those jokes, RQW is funny, and quite frequently at that. Plot twists happen at the drop of a hat, as do random shopping expeditions, goofy jokes, and shifts of location. It works, I think, because Friesen doesn’t seem to ever take RQW seriously. He may or may not be making it up by the seat of his pants, but he certainly does his best to give you that impression. As each non-sequitur shows up, it’s more over the top and bizarre than the one before, and it’s hard to keep from laughing. Each cliffhanger is resolved in a humorous way rather than trying to fit in strange plot twists, and that really sums up the entire book—humor over plot. We’re starting to see more all-ages adventure books hit the market these days, but RQW is definitely the silliest."
--Greg McElhatton, iComics.com

Well, that's about it really. All the pertinent tidbits anyway. Thanks for letting my ramble. You can read the first chapter of all my books, and my free weekly strip on my webular site, www.DontEatAnyBugs.com

Ray

Educator Resource: Judy Moody's brother Stink goes Graphic!

2008-01-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

To educators, parents and comic shop owners...

Megan McDonald, author of the fantastic Judy Moody books, has offered up a create-your-own-comic pdf for kids, tying in with last year's Stink graphic novel/book hybrid. Story ideas, panel and page designs and more are offered up in a fun and inventive way-- I will be downloading this for my kids tonight!

YALSA ALEX Award Winners

2008-01-15T12:40:00.000-08:00

YALSA ALEX Award Winners were announced today-- congratulations!

From the site: 2008 Alex Awards

YALSA, the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association, named the recipients of the 2008 Alex Awards, ten adult books with specific teen appeal. The awards, sponsored by Booklist, were announced at the 2008 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, January 11-16.

The 2008 Alex Awards winners are:

American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China, by Matthew Polly, published by Penguin/Gotham Books (ISBN13:978-1592402625)
Bad Monkeys, by Matt Ruff, published by HarperCollins (ISBN13: 978-0061240416)
Essex County Volume 1: Tales from the Farm, by Jeff Lemire, published by Top Shelf Publications (ISBN13: 978-1891830884)
Genghis: Birth of an Empire, by Conn Iggulden, published by Delacorte (ISBN13: 978-0385339513)
The God of Animals, by Aryn Kyle, published by Scribner (ISBN13: 978-1416533245)
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah, published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux/Sarah Crichton Books (ISBN13: 978-0374105235)
Mister Pip, by Lloyd Jones, published by Random/Dial Press (ISBN13: 978-0385341066)
The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss, published by DAW (ISBN13: 978-0756404079)
The Night Birds, by Thomas Maltman, published by Soho (ISBN13: 978-1569474624)
The Spellman Files, by Lisa Lutz, published by Simon & Schuster (ISBN13: 978-1416532392)

The Alex Awards were created to recognize that many teens enjoy and often prefer books written for adults, and to assist librarians in recommending adult books that appeal to teens. The award is named in honor of the late Margaret Alexander Edwards, fondly called ìAlexî by her closest friends, a young adult specialist at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. She used adult books extensively with young adults to broaden their experience and enrich their understanding of themselves and their world.

ALA report: TOON BOOK Launches

2008-01-14T12:32:00.001-08:00

One of the most exciting KLC functions this week was the launch of Art Spegleman's TOON Books. With an introduction by Michele Gorman, TOON Books was launched, as Spiegleman, Francoise Mouly, and collection of cool graphic novelists met and greeted other creators, publishers, and some very eager GN Library experts, including Ally lyga and Robin Brenner The age rage is around 4-8, and Spegleman's clout should draw some much needed attention to Kids' Graphic Novels...

I had a chance to check these books out, and was especially excited to see work by the greatFrank Cammuso (Max Hamm: Fairy Tale Detective), with Jay Lynch on Otto's Orange Day.

More from ALA

2008-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Just a few pics tonight-- KLC members Scott Sava, Jimmy & Karen Gownley, Rich Faber, Jamar Nicolas and others were in attendance at the show today-- here are a few pics...

ALA Starts with a Bang!

2008-01-11T22:22:00.001-08:00

We saw a great start to the ALA Mid-Winter Conference, as attendees were enticed into the hall by mini-cheesesteaks, Philly style pretzels and cool books today. While it was a tight fit for all four of us in the 8x8 booth, we never had time to notice, as librarians came by in droves to take sample comics, reccomended reading lists and get a signature or two...

Michele Gorman came by to talk about her new book, "Getting Graphic: Comics for Kids." It seems it is really doing well in spreading the word on GN's for kids, and the best part-- it has a cover by KLC's own Jimmy Gownley!

The book is a comprehensive look at GN's and comics for kids, every libaraian and educator should have of a copy of this handy guide to elementary entertainment!

I told Michele about my new job as editor of the NASCAR-related all-ages "NASCAR Heroes," and we discussed a possible KLC workshop in Charlotte at her Uber-Library the week of Speed Week (a NASCAR related festival in NC)-- I can't wait!

Kids Love Comics Heads to Philly for ALA!

2008-01-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

Kids Love Comics creators and publishers will be on hand at this year's American Library Association Conference, in the ever-popular graphic novel pavilion.

John Gallagher (Buzzboy, NASCAR Heroes), Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), and Scott Sava (Dreamland Chronicles) will all be in the KLC Booth, part of Diamond Book's mega-booth at the show.

Hello, and welcome to all our new library friends! Come back later for pics and reports on the ALA experience!

News Release - KLC at New York Comic-Con '08!

2007-10-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Excerpted from the official press release; link to full release here:

NEW YORK COMIC CON NAMES PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Kids’ Day Among First of New Initiatives; “Kids Love Comics” a Key Contributor to Programming Events and Ideas

Norwalk, CT, September 30: New York Comic Con (NYCC) has announced that it has appointed senior staff member Jay Williams to the post of Manager of Programming & Education.

In a related announcement, show organizers note that one of Williams’ first initiatives is the launch of Kids’ Day, a significant all-day program on Sunday, April 20 which will focus on events and activities designed to attract and entertain young fans. A key partner in the development of this program is Kids Love Comics (KLC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and growth of children’s comic books in North America.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone like Jay to step to the plate,” notes Greg Topalian, Show Director for the Con. “Our kids’ stuff is only one small part, though a very important part, of a comprehensive schedule of approximately 125 special events that we’ll be offering, including author activities and conversations, screenings and premiers, and many panel discussions,” Topalian concludes. “As always, our goal is to provide something challenging, entertaining and educational for everyone who attends New York Comic Con.”

New York Comic Con will be held April 18 – 20, 2008 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

We at Kids Love Comics are very excited about this news, and can't wait to share updated info about the programming! Check back here for new information, as it happens! See you in New York in April!

Baltimore Comic-Con Wrap

2007-09-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Kids Love Comics at the Comic Book Diner in Baltimore. Left to right, Harold Buchholz, Jimmy Gownley and Steve Conley.

Well, it's been over a week since the Baltimore Comic-Con wrapped up, and we at Kids Love Comics are only just now catching our collective breath! The Comic Book Diner was a huge hit, and the free posters we had were flying off the tables! In all, we had 15 all-ages creators at the Diner, and folks were clamoring to have each and every one of us sign their posters! The coloring stations for kids were extremely active throughout the two day show, and kids of all ages, crayons flying, were creating new drawings by the minute! Many of the creators at the Comic Book Diner remarked that they'd never had so many kids visit their booths before, with KLC proving once again that kids really DO love comics! All in all, it was an outstanding weekend, both in terms of outreach to kids and families, as well as sales of the all-ages material we all had at our tables.

In addition, many of the CBD participants and friends attended KLC-sponsored panels for kids. On Saturday, KLC co-founder Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!) and John Gallagher (Buzzboy) hosted a panel called "Kids Love Comics. Why Don't Comics Love Kids?" In it, they discussed the general industry trend of comics getting away from kid-oriented material, and what Kids Love Comics is doing to reverse that trend.

On Sunday, Rich Faber moderated the "Kids Love Comics" panel, featuring an interactive session of creating comics. Panelists were Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani of Patrick the Wolf Boy fame, and the brand new Tiny Titans from DC's all-ages Johnny DC imprint, as well as their super-enthusiastic editor, Jann Jones and their pal, Jamie Cosley; Jamar Nicholas of Tokyopop's Grosse Adventures; Thom Zahler of Love and Capes; and Mark McKenna, whose Banana Tail is a favorite of kids as well as Kids Love Comics. Kids and parents who attended the panel were treated to lessons on how a comic book is created from some of today's best all-ages creators, and were thrilled to be able to work with those creators to make their own comics and characters. All in all, it was a fun time for everyone involved!

Here are some pictures to hold you over until next year's show. We hope we'll see you there!

John Gallagher introduces the panel, as Mark McKenna looks on.

Jamar Nicholas teaches his new pals how to lay out the borders on a comics page.

"Aw, yeah man!" Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani show the kids how to create characters, as Jamie Cosley looks on.

Jamar got right into it with the kids!

Thom Zahler teaches the finer points of lettering and sound effects to Jann and the kids.

Even parents were getting into the act! Parents Love Comics too!

This young man is destined for museum work! Excellent dinosaur!

Art attempts to add to the Sky-Dog pantheon of characters with this entry... Roy Buzz Pink! Art will soon be hearing from Gallagher's attorney!

Rich Faber and John Gallagher show that even Babies Love Comics (and baseballs)!

Well, that's it for now. See you all soon!

Baltimore Comic-Con Welcomes KLC at the Comic Book Diner!

2007-09-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

News Release: Kids Love Comics hosts the Comic Book Diner in Baltimore!
Sept 8-9, Baltimore Comic-Con Welcomes All-Ages Comics Pavilion, featuring Kids' Comics Creators.

Baltimore Comic-Con is recognized as a star-studded, family-friendly show; one of the few major conventions still focused primarily on comics. Kids Love Comics is a non-profit organization made up of comic creators, publishers, fans, educators and journalists, as well as those involved in the marketing, promotion, distribution, and retail end of the comic book medium. Together the Baltimore Comic-Con and KLC have formed the Comic Book Diner, an all-ages comics pavilion, offering up comics that are cool for all kids, from age 6 to sixty!

All-ages creators will be on hand in "The Diner" include Steve Conley (Star Trek, Astounding Space Thrills), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!), John Gallagher and Rich Faber (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Art Baltazar and Franco Aurleani (Patrick the Wolfboy, Tiny Titans), Scott Neely (Scooby Doo), Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja), Dean Trippe (Butterfly), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail, DC Countdown), Scott Cohn (Krypto, Ben 10), and Jamie Cosley (Fearnots). Also, Disney artist Ted Tucker will be on hand to draw super hero caricatures all weekend!

KLC will be presenting panels on the subject of the kids comics industry, as well as a special Sunday HowYaGonna comics tutorial session, with cool stations designed for kids and parents to learn how to create comic books. Comic Book Diner creators will be on hand to give personalized instruction in the process of creating a comic book, from initial ideas through completion. Also, a unique Comic Book Diner print featuring all of the Comic Book Diner creators' characters will be available for fans to have signed. Baltimore Comic-Con promoter Marc Nathan has been working with local libraries, as well as the Baltimore County Boy Scouts to make sure the Sunday panel is well attended, even offering up free admission to kids with a paying adult (Sunday Only).

"This is a great way to showcase the large variety of kids comics available," said Comic Book Diner organizer John Gallagher, whose own Buzzboy will be a part of the Comic Book Diner. "Marc Nathan has always supported kids comics, and when he offered us the opportunity to create an entire section at the Baltimore Comic-Con specifically devoted to kids, we jumped at the chance! Oh, and I almost forgot... we'll have an actual diner booth set up too!

There are plans for the Comic Book Diner to hit many of next year's comic shows, including the New York Comic Con, Charlotte's Heroes Con, San Diego's Comic-Con International, and of course, back to Baltimore for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con. But first, we'll save a seat for you this weekend, at the 'Diner!!

Pet Robots

2007-08-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

More San Diego Comicon News!

We'll have more Comic-Con/ Kids Love Comics News and pics soon, but here's some breaking excitement: Scott Sava, KLC friend and super cool creator of Dreamland Chronicles, The Lab, and Ed;'s Terrestrials, has announced that his latest project had been optioned by Disney-- way to go Scott!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969503.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

While KLC's mission is to promote literacy through comics and GN's, it is always cool to see the valodation of how all-ages comics canb transition to other mediums.

Stay tuned for more KLC news soon!

2007-07-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

San Diego Comic-Con continues for KLC!

It's been a very busy Comic-Con for all of us at Kids Love Comics, from speaking with fans, talking with entertainment companies, and prepping up for the year ahead, as KLC really gets rolling. It has been great seeing all the all-ages creators out here at the show-- we've even been considering a giant KLC booth for next year.

Here's some more quick picks for your amusement:

2007-07-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Kids Love Comics Comes to the San Diego Comic-Con!

KLC is set up at Booth 1732, with creators Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), and Rich Faber (Roboy Red). If you are in San Diego, come by and say hi! We will be handing out posters, signing copies of our books, and handing out the KLC reccomended reading list, featuring cool graphic novels every kid will love!

Meanwhile here are some pics, courtesy of the many sirtes out there promoting the show!

2007-06-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

KIds Love Comics Day - Revisited

Since many of you may hjave stumbled upon KLC trhrough the blogosphere, I am taking it upon myself to link up to some early grass roots efforts to get kids reading (and creating) comics and graphic novels.

Organized by Jim Gownley and the Whitaker Center of Harrisbutg, PA, and with some support by Diamond Books, the KLC crew joined together one Saturday in March to share insights into the fun and creation of comics, as described by Rich Watson at the Blog@Newsarama - ...

Here's an excerpt ____________________________________________
KLC Day was held at the Whitaker Center, a science and arts cultural center on Market Street. The event took up parts of two floors, mostly inside the Kunkel Gallery on the second floor, a small but spacious area which contained a smaller room towards the rear for workshops. In attendance, besides Gownley and Buchholz, were Buzzboy’s John Gallagher, Jane Smith-Fisher of WJHC, and Nickelodeon Magazine cartoonist Todd Webb...
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And here's a report by KLC friend Chris Mautner at Panels and Pixels (where I swiped afew of these pics-- thx Chris!)..

2007-06-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Kids Love Comics Heads to ALA!

This weekend, members of Kids Love Comics, including Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!) and John Gallagher (Buzzboy) will be attending the American Library Association conference in Washington DC! Please visit us at Booth 2467, part of the Diamond Book Distributors Pavillion.

There will be signings, FREE GN samples, and KLC will be handing out the newly published KLC reccommended reading list sheet-- a must for any librarian or educator starting or expanding a kids graphic novel section in their library or classroom.

We hope to see you there!

2006-06-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

ALA Report
KLC heads to the American Library Conference!

From ALA, here's my Graphic Novel Pavilion report, as I helped run the brand new KIDS LOVE COMICS! booth:

Although ALA attendance was apparently down a bit (this was my first ALA) in comparison with past shows (still over 20k, by official standings), you would not know it by the throngs (that's right, throngs!) of eager librarians packing the Graphic Novel Pavillion! While the big publisher booths were generally busy-- the Graphic Novel Pavillion was BUSY!--packed with librarians searching for the scoop on kids, and young adult GN's, manga, and anime. They were greeted by Diamond Books Library Division (the always friendly Allan Greenburg and Terry Hellman), as well as publishers and creators as varied as DC, Dark Horse, Batton Lash (Supernatural Law-- a big hit with the Law Libraries), TokyoPop, Viz, ADV, PaperCutz (which, to the uninformed) is a sister co. to NBM, publishing the super-popular Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys graphic novels...

Now, is where I've just lost some comics people-- Nancy Drew? Hardy Boys? Those books don't sell big numbers, right? Wrong! Terry Nantier of PaperCutz let me know sales on the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books are nearing hundreds of thousands in sales-- to libraries and book stores! I didn't know they were popular-- and, with my Buzzboy comics and trades, I am aimed squarely at this same market. The librarians agreed-- kids of all ages love comics and GN's-- they are just heading to their library to read them-- which I really hope leads them into the retail environment, for the sake of the direct market-- if the direct market steps up and supports these books... which brings me to my booth: KIDS LOVE COMICS!

KIDS LOVE COMICS! (www.kidslovecomics.com)was put together as an advocacy group to promote kids comics and graphic novels to yound people-- because kids are the most ignored audience in comics today. In retail shops, this is an uphill battle, but at the libraries, this organization is being welcomed, just if to offer up a list of kid friendly and appropriate comics to parents and librarians who can't make heads or tails of whether a comic is appropriate for a 12- or 21 year old. At ALA, Jimmy Gownley was there, promoting his new printings of Amelia Rules, Jane Fisher from WJHC and I was there with Buzzboy. But we were also pushing other Kids Comics-related projects, like Dave DeVries' Monster engine, and Mark McKenna's Banana Tail. Unfortunately, Top Shelf was unable to get the Owly books to us, but many libarians were already singing Owly (and Andy Runton's) praises. Okay, enough plugging, back to ALA...

Tying in with KLC, the biggest concern of the librarians was age-appropriate placement of the GN's in the library. DC and TokyPop were mentioned more than once as publishers in need of better descriptions of content (TokyoPop does have age ratings, but one librarian mentioned almost dropping DC's Identity Crisis in her juvenile section). Other librarians mentioned wantiong to have more creators come in and talk about creating comics. Many school librarians cited challenges in proving comics are educational, and I directed the to Diamonds's Bookshelf website, which offers up lesson plans, as well as Ally and Barry Lyga's book about using GN's in the Media Center.

Panels on graphic novels were PACKED! Like 200+ people in every GN panel, covering topics mentioned above, as well as the growing trends in GN's and Anime-- Robin Brenner, Michele Gorman, and Kat Kan may not be well names in comics shops-- but as librarian experts on GN's they are ROCK STARS!

Can you tell I had a good time! New Orleans was quieter but everyone was super friendly, and boy, do librarians know how to party!

In closing, let me plug my website, www.skydogcomics.com, you can see a preview of my new Buzzboy miniseries, launching in August from Sky-Dog Press. Thanks!

2006-06-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Kids Love Comics-- working hard to get comics and Graphic Novels in the hands of kids! We hope to be an advocacy group for parents, librarians, and educators across the world!

--John Gallagher
creator of Buzzbot
www.skydogcomics.com