This is the old content from the old site, which ceased to exist in March, 2006.

Mouse Guard #1 Sells Out March 3, 2006

Press Release

Archaia Studios Press (ASP) is amazed and pleased to announce that David Petersen's Mouse Guard, which hit retailers' shelves last Wednesday, Feb 22, has sold out. ASP sold through its 8,000-copy print run with both initial orders and a stunning and rapid amount of reorders. Fans and retailers will be happy to know that ASP will solicit a 2nd printing through the March 15 Diamond Dateline Previews Plus. The 2nd printing will be available in early April, along with Mouse Guard #2.

“Wow,” said David Petersen. “Let me just say ‘thanks' first and foremost to all of the retailers and readers who have taken to my little band of mice. I love telling their stories and it's even more thrilling when readers are so supportive.”

“When Aki Liao, who runs ASP with me, and I first saw Mouse Guard, we were floored by David's visuals and the unique story,” said Mark Smylie, publisher at ASP. “Our initial order numbers were strong, so we knew we were on to something, but then the reorders hit---quickly. Add to that a busy ASP booth at New York Comic-Con where we sold 300 issues of Mouse Guard in three days, and we realized we were going to be out in a week. It's an exciting thing to have happen.”

Mouse Guard is the story of a band of mice trying to survive in a hostile medieval world, to prosper among harsh conditions and vicious predators. In the 1st issue, we met three members of the Mouse Guard on a mission to find a grain peddler who has disappeared on his journey from one protected mouse hold to another.

In Mouse Guard #2, coming in April: while Guards Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam are off searching for the missing grain mouse, another of the Guard, Sadie, is dispatched to a shore outpost of the mice territories. Conrad, the mouse posted there, has failed to stay in touch with the outside world for far too long… This next chapter follows the intrigue into how the grain mouse came to have the map of Lockhaven, home of the Mouse Guard.

Each issue of Mouse Guard releases bi-monthly and is 24-pages, full color, 8”x8” and retails for $3.50. It is recommended for ages 10+.

Robots and Mice: Two Reviews in One February 26, 2006

February has been a pretty good month for all ages comics. Two of the best come from the opposite ends of the spectrum. One is a serious book about rodents and the other is a silly book about a little boy and his robot nanny. I have been looking forward to both of these books, and I was not disappointed.

Marvel's Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius is one of the books that inspired this site. Early in the school year I taught a lesson using two pages of this book, and the artist, Chris Eliopoulos was nice enough to respond with a letter and a nice picture for the kids. Now this attention did not buy a good review. Fortunately for the creative team of artist/writer Eliopoulos and writer Marc Sumerak graft was not necessary. Any book that has a boy and his robot jetting through time collecting Christmas presents for his family (Excalibur for Uncle Johnny, an original Degas for Aunt Alicia) has to be worth the price of admission. Marvel, Eliopoulos, and Sumerak have another winner on their hands. This is a refreshing book that has enough heart and charm for the older readers and plenty of goofy stuff for the younger readers.

And now for something completely different.

I did say something about a book about rodents, but this is not a silly book at all. It is, in fact, a book that takes itself very seriously. But in a good way. Mouse Guard, from Archaia Studios Press, is the first comic work of any kind by David Petersen, but I hope not the last. This oddly shaped book (8x8, roughly the shape of the early Robert Munsch books) is an absolutely stunning work of fiction. This should be taken seriously by any children's literature lover. It has everything: cute animals, action, swords, honor, respect, snakes and mystery. My only complaint is that it will not likely be in bookstores next to “regular” children's literature until all six issues are finished in a year from now and collected into one volume (each issue will come out every two months). I would recommend this to anyone (anyone, not just kids) that enjoys Lord of the Rings type fantasy fiction. I would recommend going through it with any younger children before they are allowed to read it on their own. There is a scene where the heroes of the story destroy a nest of snake eggs that may need some explaining. I quoted Petersen in an earlier story:

In this 1st issue there are only 2 pages with any bloodshed and it is very tame and very clearly villains being vanquished. The only objectionable thing I can see in the next issue may be showing a mouse with a jug of rum.

I tried very hard to make it a book that any age can read. Even if the words are above that child's reading level, I feel they can read with an adult or older reader who could help them with words, the themes are not above them.

At conventions many parents ask me if the book is appropriate for their child, I open it to the 2 pages with blood and they buy the book.

Click HERE for a preview of issue two.

Really, you need this book in your home.

Both of them were worth my money.

Buy a Great Comic And Support The Sam Loeb College Scholarship Fund February 17, 2006

Last June Sam Loeb, the son of the respected comic writer Jeph Loeb died of cancer. This is an article that shows a father's love for his son and an industry's respect for young man taken before his talent could be discovered by the rest of us. Click HERE to read the article.

I hope you take the time to read this Newsarama article. It is touching and worth your time. This is not the kind of thing we usually do here at Comics in the Classroom, but this is something worth supporting. This comic is not really aimed at all ages; although I have read many of the earlier issues (but not this one) and I believe this issue will be fine for most kids.

Also, read the complete Sam's Story written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by long time collaborator Tim Sale. If you have never been interested in superhero comics before you need to read this touching tale.

J. TORRES - DEGRASSI Interview - February 9, 2006

Click HERE to read an interview with J. Torres, the Canadian writer of the new Degrassi: The Next Generation Graphic Novel.

Free Comics! No, Really February 7, 2006

Click HERE to visit the site and see the list of this year's Free Comic Book Day issues.

What? You've never heard of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD)? FCBD started in 2002 and is exactly what it sounds like. It is a day you and your children can walk into a comic shop and pick up a stack of FCBD books absolutely free. There is a wide selection of books available: all ages books, books for teens, and a few very literary books if you are looking for that sort of thing (if you are relatively new to comics, these ones may surprise you).

Comicsintheclassroom.net plans to offer a complete shopping list of books that would be suitable and of interest to the young people in your life. If you are a teacher, I will be providing lesson plans, lesson ideas, and even worksheets for a number of the books offered on May 6 th – so be sure to check back in April for that (and everyday between now and then please).

Dark Horse for the Whole Family: Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures and Scarlet Traces February 4, 2006

Picks for your younger children, for your teenagers and for you.

For those new to comics, Dark Horse is one of the top four comic publishers. They have earned a good reputation over the years by putting out good books and dealing heavily with licensed properties like Conan, Aliens, Predator and creator owned books like Sin City (obviously NOT a book I am recommending for your kids).

Dark Horse also publishes all of the comics in the Star Wars franchise. In general the Star Wars books are fine for your kids. If you are comfortable with what they saw in the movie, then you should be fine with what they see in the comics. They do put out one book especially for the all ages crowd though – STAR WARS: CLONE WARS ADVENTURES. You may be familiar with the Clone Wars Adventures cartoon shorts that aired on the Cartoon Network.

Before I go any farther I want to say that I am a Star Wars fan. The only Christmas Gift I ever begged my parents for was a Snow Speeder from Empire Strikes Back. I still have it, and it is in awful shape, because I played with it all the time (my favorite thing to do was to have it attack my GI Joe army). But, I am not a die hard fan and I have never read any other Star Wars books on a regular basis. I never cared about them at all…until now.

These digests (6.95 US ) are the perfect thing for a Star Wars fan of any age. I know, I know. This is an easy thing to say, but I read a digest a day for four days, and on the fifth day I really missed it. I wanted more. I want more. There was more action in the four short stories that make up each book than in the first two new movies combined. There is no politics, no love story - just plenty of great story telling and all out action. There is drama, humor and heroics. Fun for everyone.

SCARLET TRACES on the other hand, is NOT for everyone, but it may be for you and the high school students in your family. Essentially it is a sequel to the original H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds . It is ten years later and England has used the technology left over by the invading aliens to create a technological utopia. I don't want to ruin it for you, but let's just say that things aren't as great as they seem.

Don't tell your kids, but this is the kind of stuff that just might lead to reading books without any pictures. I read the original War of the Worlds when I was in high school, and I enjoyed Scarlet Traces more for it. If I hadn't read it though, this graphic novel would have made me want to – I just may have to read it again now. There are a couple of disturbing images and a couple of disturbing ideas in the story, but if your teen can handle a Simpsons Halloween episode, I think they will be able to handle this (I don't mean to be flip – Scarlet Traces is a serious book, with serious ideas, but not gory). Dark Horse has rated it for 14+.

Scarlet Traces is a great companion to the original book, and also worth a read if you saw the more recent Tom Cruise movie adaptation. The Clone Wars Adventures digests and Traces are available for order now at your local comic shop, from http://www.amazon.com, or from any online comic service like http://www.mycomicshop.com.

Press Releases
Click HERE for press releases from all ages books and books you might want to check out to see if they would be good for the young people in your life.

Valkyries

Cry Wolf

Degrassi Graphic Novel

The Miscellaneous Adventures of STYKMAN

Zoom Suit

Rabbit and Bear Paws

Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Lame joke, I know, but it got your attention though. Click HERE to find a free Lions, Tigers and Bears story by Mike Bullock and Runemaster Studios as well as worksheets for your students. The story and sheets are good for grades 3-5, but parts could be used for younger or older grades.- January 3, 2006
UPDATE- - - - - - - - January 31, 2006
comicsintheclassroom gets a great mention in Mike Bullock's new column at http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=1162 Thanks Mike. It would be a terrific article even without the plug, so check it out.

Press Release - January 27, 2006

THE HAMMER FALLS AT ALIAS

Alias Comics and Kevin Grevioux release a series of new titles, beginning with The Hammer Kid!

January 25, 2006 (San Diego, CA) – Screenwriter/Creator Kevin Grevioux brings his comic book imprint, Astounding Studios, to Alias Comics with a series of new releases, beginning in February with THE HAMMER KID!

THE HAMMER KID #0, coming this February by writer Kevin Grevioux and artist Jack Lawrence, tells the story of a 12-year old named Kevin Erikson, who accidentally inherits the power of Thor's hammer and must now use it to save Asgard and Earth from the evil schemes of the Trickster, Loki! How will a mortal boy from Minnesota go from juggling algebra and bullies to the awesome responsibility of wielding the hammer of Thor?

Grevioux is perhaps best known as the creator/associate producer and original screenwriter behind the popular UNDERWORLD film and franchise - as well as playing the role of Raze in the first film. He has also appeared in a variety of comic book themed acting roles, including MEN IN BLACK II, STEEL, BATMAN FOREVER, THE MASK, and recently as the voice of Solomon Grundy in The WB's animated series, THE BATMAN!

Now having jumped from screen to print with two all-new comic book imprints, Astounding Studios and DarkStorm Studios, Grevioux says making the move to Alias Comics wasn't a hard decision to make.

"Alias is a company that has a little something for everyone: it's not just superheroes, it's also action, horror, all-ages, spiritual and just all-around fun that really stokes the imagination.  They have a very eclectic taste and style to their books and I just wanted to be part of that,” said Grevioux. 

Here's how Alias describes THE HAMMER KID #0:

THE HAMMER KID #0

Written by Kevin Grevioux, with art by Jack Lawrence

Screenwriter/actor Kevin Grevioux, Co-Creator and Star of the blockbuster movie UNDERWORLD, makes his comic book debut as a writer in January with Alias! Somewhere over the rainbow takes on a new meaning when young Kevin Erikson finds himself pulled across Bifrost, the rainbow bridge leading to Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, only to become the heir to the most powerful weapon in the universe...the Hammer of Thor! Can a teenage boy grow up fast enough to become the hero both Earth and Asgard need? The adventure of a lifetime begins here, illustrated by fan favorite Jack ‘Lions, Tigers and Bears' Lawrence !

-- 24-pages, full-color one shot -- $3.50

Future books coming from Astounding Studios include VALKYRIES, GUARDIAN HEROES, VINDICATORS and more! Grevioux is also preparing titles such as DARKSTORM, LEGIONS, ALIUS REX, and THE PALE HORSEMEN for his DarkStorm Studios imprint – all to be published under Alias Comics in 2006!

"Coming from the film industry, I like high-concept stories - and I want to try and bring that sensibility to my comic book work,” said Grevioux.  “I wanted to throw my hat into the ring and try to create cool and interesting stories like the ones I watched when I was growing up."

THE HAMMER KID #0 ( DEC052754 ) is a full-color 24-page one-shot shipping this February from Astounding Studios and Alias Comics for only $3.50!

For more information on THE HAMMER KID and other titles listed here, visit Alias Comics on the web at http://www.aliasenterprises.com – or visit your local comic book shop! Also check out Astounding Studios at http://www.astoundingstudios .com and DarkStorm Studios at http://www.darkstormstudios.com !

Sunny Bear's Rainy Day January 27, 2006

It may not be a comic, but this new project by Canadian comic artist Noel Tuazon may be worth a look for guidance teachers looking for hard to find classroom resources.

Here is the solicitation provided by Open Book Press:

"Sunny Bear's Rainy Day"
Author: Caryn A. Tate
Illustrator: Noel Tuazon
Photography: N/A
Cover: Noel Tuazon
ISBN: 0-9739465-4-7
Publisher: Open Book Press - www.openbookpress.com
24 pgs. FULL COLOR, Hardcover laminate, $16.99 US

SUNNY BEAR IS A GREAT READ FOR KIDS!

A fantastic story with a positive message. A great teaching or counseling
tool!

Sunny Bear is usually cheerful, bouncy, and bright, but not today-she feels
like she's not really good at anything. Though her best friend Polar Bear
tries to cheer her up, Sunny can't seem to get rid of that dark storm cloud
that's following her around.

The book began an advanced release just prior to Christmas, and is now
available to order at most major and fine book retailers as well as on-line.

The book centers on Sunny Bear. A glum little bear who wanders the forest,
depressed because she feels like she can't do anything and is down on
herself. Along the way she meets up with friends, and makes new ones
constantly running into other woodland creatures who need her help.
Eventually Sunny realizes that she can do lots of things and that her help
is really important to those around her.

The book is a first for the author, and spreads a very important and helpful
message to parents and children. The subject matter also makes it the
perfect tool for youth counselors and others who deal with troubled youth.

Electric Girl In Your Library

January 23, 2006
Press Release

Mike Brennan and Electric Girl are storming into libraries in March with a one-of-a-kind poster created with librarians in mind. But librarians get to have a say into how Virginia (a.k.a. Electric Girl) will look when she gets there when Electric Girl's Shock the Vote and Read a Book campaign debuts at this weekend's ALA Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio (Jan 20 - 25).

Brennan has created three poster designs on which librarians can vote. A large sign will be on display featuring all three posters at the Diamond Book Distributors booth #155. Librarians are encouraged to stop buy, scrutinize the candidates, then vote at www.electricgirl.com/vote beginning Monday, January 23. Voting flyers will also be available at the booth so librarians remember to vote when the polls open.

Librarians who vote may also enter a raffle to win Electric Girl graphic novels Volume 1, 2 and 3, plus a free Blammo doll!

Polls will close in March, just after the Public Library Association show in Boston (Mar 21 - 25), where Mike and Electric Girl will make a final push in their campaign. The winning candidate will quickly be produced in a limited print run and sent out to libraries that request them while supplies last.

"Librarians have always been so supportive of me," said Brennan, "I just wanted to give something back to them. Yet I didn't want to just make a poster without their input. I thought the Shock the Vote campaign would be a way everyone could get involved and have fun."

Electric Girl features the hilarious adventures of Virginia the Electric Girl, Oogleeoog the magical mischievous gremlin and Blammo the world's cutest and most trouble-finding dog. The first two volumes have received outstanding reviews, been mentioned in Publishers Weekly, and been named to numerous "best-of" lists, including The Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults 2002 Graphic Novels List. Electric Girl Vol. 3 (AiT/Planet Lar, $13.95, ISBN: 1-932051-38-4, 160 pages, b&w) just released last month and is in stores and libraries now.

Electric Girl Volume 1 ($9.95, ISBN: 0-9703555-0-5, 152 pages) and Electric Girl Volume 2 ($13.95, ISBN: 0-9703555-1-3, 160 pages) are also available.

Star Wars for $0.25

Wondering if Star Wars comics would interest your kids/students? There is no better time to try them out. You can't beat the price of this one.

Taken from www.darkhorse.com
January 18, 2006

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/Rebellion Flip Book

By: Various
Genre: Action/Adventure , Science-Fiction , Star Wars

A primer for the first new series in Dark Horse's exciting relaunch of the Star Wars line, this flip book features two brand new stories (one on each side) and never-before-seen concept designs for both Rebellion and Knights of the Old Republic . The Knights of the Old Republic side presents a world four thousand years before the birth of Anakin Skywalker, where the Jedi Order flourishes, the Sith are at their most deadly, and the legendary Mandalorian army are on the verge of a devastating march across the galaxy. It's here that Zayne, a young Jedi with a grand destiny, takes his first steps into a larger and more dangerous world.

Set prior to the event of The Empire Strikes Back , the Rebellion half gives a glimpse into the lives of Luke Skywalker, Rebel Jorin Sol, and Imperial Officer Janek Sunber, just before the events of the new series. All this and more for only twenty-five cents!

In stores March, 2006
Price: $0.25

All Ages Comics shipping in
January, February and March 2006 NEW!
Taken from Previews - the monthly comic catalog. Some titles from January may still be available in February at your local comic shop.

A Lions, Tigers & Bears Preview January 16, 2006
Go to Newsarama to read a five page preview of the new Lions, Tigers and Bears series due in March from Mike Bullock and Jack Lawrence.

Taken from the Newsarama story: "A pure love of storytelling permeates every page. FAR AND AWAY one of the best all-ages concepts I've seen anywhere, comics or otherwise, in ages." - Gail Simone (Current comic writer - Birds of Prey, Villains United)

See the LESSON PLANS page for a complete LTB story, with worksheets and lesson ideas.

Click HERE for a free online version of issue #1 volume 1 from Image Comics. NOTE: Other things on that page may not be appropriate for your young children.

Cover to issue 1 Vol1.

Bike Helmets and Dinosaurs
Brain Injury Safety Education & Prevention January 16, 2006

TBDEINC KIDS is a comic book that incorporates BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS into a science fiction storyline. I am not familiar with the characters, but the overall message is an important one to me personally. Give it a try; I think teachers would find it useful during "Bike Safety Week" if you have it.

It is distributed to hospitals across Canada and a PDF of it can be found HERE, and you can visit the website HERE.

Mr. Big: a Nature Documentary / Murder Mystery for Your Elementary /Middle School Class January 4, 2006

Are you looking for something different for your students? Having trouble getting them to care about the ecosystem of a pond? Looking for something to spice up your thematic unit on habitat, or for a differentiated learning approach to a nature theme? Mr. Big by Matt Dembicki and Carol Ault Dembicki is a beautifully drawn serialized story that starts out by giving the reader a tour of a pond through the eyes of a giant snapping turtle – this is HIS pond. The second part of the story beautifully shows the pond at night. It further supports the idea of Mr. Big as the boss of the pond. The third part of the story takes a sharp turn. Fish is looking for her children. It turns out that they have been eaten, and Mr. Big is being blamed. She knows that is part of nature's balance, but she doesn't care. Here begins the plot to kill Mr. Big, thus ending his rule over the swamp. This chapter of the story gives a great alternative explanation for how the balance of nature and the food chain works, and how easy it is to upset this delicate balance.

Collective nouns could be discussed with issue three and four. Chapter/issue four is entitled “Waiting for the Murder”, a play on the collective noun “a murder of crows”

Issue four is available for purchase at waspcomics.com . This story is seven issues long, but 1-4 can be used effectively for a differentiated learning approach to a nature theme. Schools / classes can purchase any of the Mr. Big comics at cost – 1$ (US) per issue.

Click HERE for the online Mr. Big comics. If you have your students type the address http://comicsintheclassroom.net/MrBig.htm they will go directly to the Mr. Big links.

If you decide to have your students write stories or reports using Mr. Big (you could write your own ending) you can send their stories and drawings to:

Matt Dembicki
3148 Hartwick Lane
Fairfax , VA 22031

Be sure to include you return address if you want Matt Dembicki to send you a response.

High School teachers, check out the Wasp Comics site for comics more appropriate for your students. History teacher might find the "War Chronicles" stories useful.

Free Preview of Zoom Suit #1

January 2, 2006

Zoom Suit is a new comic due out in April from Superverse Productions. Read the press release below to see what Superverse has to say about it. Click HERE to read a FREE preview of it. And click HERE to visit the Superverse site and watch the 10 minute Zoom Suit cartoon (The Superverse site has a PG rating with the cartoon, so you may want to check it out first if you want to watch it with your children). The comic is suitable for your own middle school aged children and up. A full online copy of Zoom Suit #1 will be available here in the new year. Enjoy.

Solicitation information provided by Superverse Comics.

Press Release
Zoom Suit #1

Covers by Bob Layton, Bill Tucci and Billy Dallas Patton
Written by John Taddeo Penciled by Billy Dallas Patton
Additional art by Kris Justice, Rob Hunter & Alitha Martinez

Finally! The book that will change the face of comics forev . . .How many times have we heard that one?

At last! The story that will have lasting repercussions . . .hmm, probably not.

The Universe will never be the same after . . .uh . . .actually, it will. In fact, it will be exactly the same. That's how comic series work. You put it back the way you found it.

Twelve year old Myles Mason is bummed about not being able to afford a Halloween costume. When suddenly! . . .from the sky an alien armor crashes to earth just a few feet behind him. Hilarity and superhero antics ensue in Zoom Suit, a classical “Ugly Duckling” type story set in a superhero universe. Zoom Suit is The Greatest American Hero meets Cinderella.

Fans can spend hours searching the panels to find the book is loaded with hidden gags, inside jokes, an inter-net challenge and a ton of pop culture references. Zoom Suit is not your ordinary 10 minute read.

More news and free previews coming soon. Special thanks to Superverse Productios head, John Taddeo for providing Comicsintheclassroom with its first comic preview to host.

December 17, 2005
Laughing Lass Laughs at Lawbreakers!

Press Release

SUPERHERO ABC
By Bob McLeod

HE WEARS A MASK! HE HAS MIGHTY MUSCLES! MULTIPLYING MIKE BECOMES MANY MORE MEN IN MOMENTS! HIS MOM MAKES THEM ALL MIND THEIR MANNERS!

Silly and zany, and armed with the most unusual skills, these heroes are out to save the world—one letter at a time! Bubble-Man blows big bubbles at bullies, and Laughing Lass Laughs at Lawbreakers! Together, these one-of-a-kind defenders represent the ABC's in a way never seen before.

Each of these larger than life characters jumps off the oversized pages and into young children's hearts. Even as preschoolers, kids are drawn to superheroes and the powers that make them irresistible. Now, SuperHero ABC makes learning the alphabet a snap by combining it with the magical thrill of comic book action. These are no ordinary superheroes—they're people you always wished lived in your neighborhood. From the "Odor Officer" who obviously objects to offensive odors to "Night-Man"—noises at night never make him nervous—the colorful and kooky characters are the perfect introduction to a child's literacy.

Renowned comic book illustrator Bob McLeod has worked on such projects as Spider-Man, Superman, and The Phantom. SuperHero ABC is his first children's book. He lives with his wife, Lucy; their three children, Molly, Jeff, and Andy, and their dog, Penny, in Pennsylvania. Visit Bob online at www.bobmcleod.com .

SuperHero ABC
By Bob McLeod
Feb. 2006
0-06-074514-2
$15.99, Ages 3-6
www.harperchildrens.com

New Franklin Richards!
December 14, 2005

From Marvel.com:

Because you demanded it -- FRANKLIN RICHARDS returns for another one-shot! Join Franklin and H.E.R.B.I.E. as they head back into Reed's lab for all kinds of fantastic fun, amazing adventures, and more trouble than you can shake an Ultimate Nullifier at! Featuring two brand new FRANKLIN tales (as well as two shorts previously featured in issues of X-MEN and FANTASTIC FOUR), this package is bound to bring out the kid in every reader!
Don't let a sell-out keep you from getting your hands on one of Marvel's most talked about new comics! Order your copy NOW!

That's good advice. Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos have created one of the best all-ages books put out by any of the major comic companies. It takes the son of Sue and Reed Richards - half of the Fantastic Four - and puts him in a Calvin and Hobbes type world. The difference being that everything that happens to Franklin actually happens to him, it is not a figment of his imagination. Read an online version of one of his earlier adventures HERE. The book is due out on January 8, 2006.

Read an interview with the creators at Comic Book Resources

.

Free Comics Online December 14, 2005

Marvel comics has updated their online comic site on Marvel.com. To quote their home site:

They're Comics, but like Digital! In this stunning rebirth of one of our most popular features, you can now read some of our hottest comics from yesterday and today right on Marvel.com. Digital Comics are being added almost daily, so go there now!

Right now there is one of the four Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius stories from the one-shot (see the press release farther down on this page. This is perfect for you and your kids to read together, as well as being a good story starter for your class. I have had grade one students read one of his stories and then write Franklin Richards stories telling about crazy machines that he has invented (like a candy cane machine that covers the planet in candy canes – great fun for early years kids). We then send the stories to the artist/co-writer Chris Eliopoulos.

Not all of the online comics will be suitable for all ages, so check them out with your child.

Mouse Guard Preview December 11, 2005

Let me draw your attention to the greatest looking comic that I have only read ten pages of. In February Archaia Studios Press and writer / artist David Petersen will be publishing Mouse Guard #1. It's about mice, but this is not a cutesy story with cutesy little mice. This is the story of mice struggling for survival in a world that wants to eat them. These mice are guards and guides. Warriors. They are protection for and the line of communication between the widespread mice cities. And yeah, they're kind of cute.

This book looks amazing. It is a creative concept coupled with great art and amazing colors. It is truly a book that the whole family could pick up and enjoy. After I read the preview, I couldn't get out of head that I was reading a cross between THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE meets LORD OF THE RINGS meets ROBIN HOOD. It looks like a book that fans of the Narnia books and movies would enjoy.

I asked Mr. Petersen if there were any parts of his book that might not be for kids. He answered:

In this 1st issue there are only 2 pages with any bloodshed and it is very tame and very clearly villains being vanquished. The only objectionable thing I can see in the next issue may be showing a mouse with a jug of rum.

I tried very hard to make it a book that any age can read. Even if the words are above that child's reading level, I feel they can read with an adult or older reader who could help them with words, the themes are not above them.

At conventions many parents ask me if the book is appropriate for their child, I open it to the 2 pages with blood and they buy the book.

The first issue will be in stores in February, so order now to guarantee that you will get a copy. There is a lot of buzz around this book, but Petersen is a newcomer and your local store may not carry this book in great numbers.

Click HERE for a ten page preview on Archaia Studios Press' Mouse Guard page.

NEW! Newsarama interview with David Petersen

Cover to Mouse Guard #2

Pirates of the Elementary
Time spent with Ted Naifeh and his young Swashbuckler - December 2, 2005

Artist / illustrator Ted Naifeh and Oni Press have put out the second issue of their acclaimed new series Polly and the Pirates. Join the adventures of Polly, the dullest girl in the world according to her best friend, as she is shanghaied by pirates and enlisted to aid them in their time of need.

I had the good fortune recently to have a couple of questions answered by Polly's creator:

CitC: Who is your book aimed at? Girls, boys or both. It looks like it is aimed at girls, but would be something that boys would like as well.

Ted: I hadn't consciously aimed the books at any particular audience. What I wanted was for them to be inclusive, and not shut out female readers, or male readers for that matter. If you work too hard to aim for a particular gender or age group, I find that you end up with a predictable formula. This kind of thinking has all but strangled the mainstream comics market, catering to the same dwindling group of 15-25 year old male readers almost exclusively. Women and younger readers are a tiny minority now, and most mainstream comics don't evince the slightest interest in catering to them.

CitC: This question may seem annoying coming from regular comic people, but again, comicsintheclassroom is mostly aimed at parents and teachers that know little or nothing about comics. The question is: do you know when Polly and the Pirates will be collected into a Trade Paper Back (Graphic Novel, monthly magazines collected into regular book format)?

Ted: I'm not offended at all. Most of my readers wait for the trades, chiefly because they're not comic book enthusiasts, and buy collected editions in mainstream bookstores rather than from local comic shops. To answer your question, It will probably be September or October of 2006.

Thanks to Ted Naifeh. I really enjoyed issue one (The Fourth Rail review here), and to be honest, I don't think that I have ever read a comic that would appeal to little girls more. It is shaping up to be a good old fashioned pirate romp. Issue two of Polly and the Pirates is out now. Read The Fourth Rail's review of issue two here.

Not convinced? An eight page preview can be found an Oni Press' Polly and the Pirates page.

A focus on Top Shelf Productions November 26, 2005

If you have never had any interest in comics before, but are on this site to find out about something interesting that may appeal to a child in your life, you may not be aware that we long time comic fans love to say “There's nothing good out there for kids.” We've all said it. And if you only look at the big companies (DC, Marvel, Image and a couple of others) you could make that argument (even though they have begun to put out some quality books – look around on this site to find many examples – but more on them another time). On the other hand, if you take a look at what some of the smaller companies have been producing you will find some great books being put out by some very creative and dedicated people.

Top Shelf Productions, in my opinion, is producing some of the best books ford kids. They are a smaller, but well respected company with some of the most talented and innovative creators in the entire industry. They do not publish a high volume of all ages books; only five or six out of the approximately 120 according to Brett Warnock, one of Top Shelf's publisher s. To quote Brett Warnock:

Since we're more knowledgeable about the market for more mature content, that's where we put our focus. But as you can see, when a wonderful kids book lands on our desk, and we feel it fits the Top Shelf aesthetic, we're more than happy to put it out.

It's all about quality – not quantity.

The book of theirs that seems to get the most press within comic news circles is Owly by Andy Runton. These books, two full length graphic novels and one Free Comic Book Day comic, tell the story of Owly, his best friend Wormy, and a supporting cast of very cute – but not cutesy – woodland creatures. There are no words to tell the story; it is done with facial expressions, great sequential art, and pictographs - a horseshoe in a word balloon means “Good luck”, and so on. The lack of words does not mean that this is a book only for nonreaders or preschoolers. I wouldn't call it a hard read, but it is not simple. The reader has pay close attention to what is in each panel in order to follow what is going on. I always find something new when I reread any of Owly's adventures. You can find a number of examples on Andy Runton's web page. The third volume is supposed to be out in December.

Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters by Jef Czekaj is the funniest anything that I have experienced in the last few months. I won't waste space repeating myself; you can read my review below on this page. If you want to feel like a kid again, check this out. Read it before you give it to your child though, because you might not get it back for a while. – Of all the books I mention here this is the only full color one of the bunch.

I have not had the opportunity to read it yet, but every time I am recommended books by another comic creator Spiral Bound by Aaron Renier is one of them. Just read these reviews by two of the biggest writers of fiction for young readers:

"Brilliant! Aaron Renier has created a playfully mysterious universe, complete with its own dreamlike logic. It's a delightfully inventive treasure." -- Dav Pilkey, Author of Captain Underpants

"Aaron Renier's Spiral-Bound is exactly the sort of novel I have been looking for when the weather outside is glum and I want to spend the afternoon on my couch with Nico on the stereo and a pot of toasted rice tea simmering on the end table. If you want anything more from a graphic novel than a noble elephant, a shadowy mystery, an intrepid bird, an underwater monster, an impeccable rabbit, an underground tram, a devoted dog, an aquatic sculptor, a corrupt mayor, a maze of secrets, a secret maze and not one but two performances by my new favorite musical ensemble Kodiak & Calico, you should be ashamed of yourself." -- Lemony Snicket

Glowing endorsements indeed.

Pinky and Stinky, the story of two young space traveling pigs just sounds like fun. It is drawn by James Kochalka, a superstar in the small press comic industry. I have not read this either, but I have read other books by Kochalka, and he always produces quality (though not always kid-friendly) work.

All of these books are available from Top Shelf's web site and through your local comic shop.

November 6, 2005
All Ages Blog

Scott Robins has an all ages blog dedicated to “reviews, commentary, and more from the exciting & growing world of comics for kids.” He has been doing this for a while and his site has some very nice information on it.

Comicsintheclassroom.net gets a mention on October 31, 2005 , along with a pamphlet about using graphic novels in the classroom put out by Scholastics. He also has a great review of the book we reviewed here last week, Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters.

Click on image to load pdf of the pamphlet.

October 29, 2005

Shark Hunting for Beginners: A review of Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters

"Remember Moby Dick? I never read it, but it can't possibly be as funny as this Shark Hunters book. They should teach this in school. Maybe not in High School, but definitely in Funny School." -- James Kochalka , Monkey vs. Robot and countless other books

This being my first official comic/graphic novel review ever I should probably refrain from repeating - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! – over and over again. It would be unprofessional and childish of me to repeat - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! – over and over. Moreover it would do you, the reader, a disservice to repeat - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! – over and over again. Plus it could get annoying if I kept repeating…

Have I been too subtle with my feelings towardsTop Shelf Productions' collection and adaptation of the semi-regular Grampa and Julie comic strips from Nickelodeon Magazine? Jef Czekaj has tapped into his inner six year old in order to tell us a story of such adventure and goofiness that it is hard to stop reading once you get started. Yes, I'm calling this funny-book a page turner. I didn't want to set it down and put off seeing where Grampa and Julie would end up next, and I did not want to flip ahead, spoiling the next jump in logic that Mr.Czekaj had in store for me (we are not so much asked to travel down his stream of consciousness form of storytelling as we are asked to portage around it).

This “loopy epic adventure yarn”, as the author/illustrator puts it, is told by young Julie who is presenting her “What I did on my summer vacation” report to her completely uninterested elementary classmates. This is a great way to begin this book since the whole thing has the feel of a story told by a precocious six year old. Every weird plot turn makes complete sense to anyone who has listened to a child tell of an adventure had with a best friend – or worst enemy. “Then there was this rapping duck and squirrel and they went under the water and Grampa was drying his pants and I helped the monkey's peanut butter and the boat got stolen and the cats wanted the shark for food…” Really!? And then what happened?

Czekaj's art fits perfectly with his story telling style. His clean lines and vividly colorful pages are a match for anything else on my bulging bookshelf of children's books. It's drawn in a playful style that I hesitate to call ”childlike” for fear of being taken the wrong way. The art is not childish. It's more like he found some pictures he drew in grade one and then redrew them when he became a professional artist. Even though their art styles are nothing alike, in this way Shark Hunters reminds me a lot of the “David” books by David Shannon.

This is an adventure quest that never really gets hung up on the whole quest part of the equation. Grampa is a world famous Ichthyologist (fish scientist) that seems more interested in silly things than he is finding the world's largest shark (Stephen). For instance he figures out foolproof ways of selling lemonade in the North Pole, and of winning an intergalactic dance contest. Tell me that doesn't sound at least as fun as the popular kids books being put out now.

This is a piece of children's literature that would be at home on any teacher's bookshelf and in any child's hands.

Oh, and by the way- Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! - Buy This Book! Just the NASA rocket part and the Snow Queen bit will make it worth it for you to Buy This Book!

Published by Top Shelf
$9.95 (US) 128 pages

November 11, 2005
All Ages Graphic Novels Make It Into Top 100 For October

Diamond Comics Distributors, the major distributor (the only one most comic shops use) of comics and Graphic Novels has released their monthly lists of the top 100 selling comics and Graphic Novels (comics printed in a square bound book format). While no individual comic issues for all ages cracked the top 100 (the highest was Spider-Girl #91 at 102), several made it onto the top 100 Graphic Novel list and three of those were in the top 50.

#30 DONALD DUCK ADVENTURES VOL 14 (Gemstone)
#41 LITTLE LULU VOL 6 LETTERS TO SANTA (Dar)
#46 TEEN TITANS JAM PACKED ACTION VOL 1 (DC)
#53 BATMAN STRIKES VOL 2 DARKEST KNIGHT (DC)
#66 MARY JANE VOL 2 HOMECOMING DIGEST (Marvel)
#73 COMPLETE PEANUTS VOL 4 1957-1958 HC (Fan)
#95 LIFE & TIMES OF SCROOGE MCDUCK (Gemstone)

November 10, 2005
Manga Comics for Girls

Check out this Newsarama article on a new Manga style book aimed at pre-teen and early teen aged girls. Sort of Mean Girls attitude meets Nacy Drew.

Yes, girls like to read this stuff too.

I know, they didn't when you were their age, but trust me.

Comics in the Classroom is Here!

October 22, 2005

Here at last is a site dedicated to helping parents, teachers and librarians bring this form of literacy to the children in their lives. This site contains all-ages comic reviews, lesson plans and articles to help you bring these high interest books to reluctant readers, and to help you support an interest that is already there. For some kids comics can be just another type of book to read, along with novels and magazines; but to some kids reading is not important, and comics can change that. It is important that we value all of the appropriate forms of print that the children in our lives are reading, be it a motor cross magazine, or a novel, or a comic book.

I am hoping to fill a gaping void here on the web. Please be gentle with us, for we are new, but dedicated to this (and grammar was never our strong suit). Please share any comic book or comic strip related lesson plans with us. If you sent them to me in plain text, we will post them. We hope you like what we have here. Let us know.

Lesson Plan Page From readwritethink.org

October 22, 2005

Looking for a new way to teach the same old thing? At readwritethink.org there is an online Comic Creator provided for you and your kids/students to create comic strips complete with dialogue and captions. For use with this creator there is also provided 17 lesson plans for kindergarten all the way to grade 12.

Having trouble getting your students to care about the book report you assigned? There is a great book report lesson for 6-8 (the idea is easily adaptable for earlier or later grades) that will encourage your students to actually read the book so they can create a comic version of it. They have provided a Comic Strip Planning Strip that allows you to include important pre-writing strategies to any comic creating project.

FRANKLIN RICHARDS ONE-SHOT SELLS OUT

Marvel Press Release

    Despite a significant overprinting, Fantastic Four Presents Franklin
Richards: Son of a Genius has sold out at Diamond. And the newfound success of creators Chris Eliopoulos and Marc Sumerak¹s tiny Franklin tales can mean only one thing: more Franklin tales coming this winter as Marvel continues to show support for an all ages line of comics.

    Ain¹t It Cool News described the Franklin stories as ³the most fun I had reading a comic in a very long time. Chris Eliopoulos and Marc Sumerak are making comic book gold.²

    More of that comic book gold is to come in the Spider-Man Halloween Ashcan, available through Diamond Comics, which will include a Franklin Richards tale. Then in December, X-Men #180 and Fantastic Four Special 2005 will feature all-new Franklin stories, finding the son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman getting himself into even more trouble alongside his robotic sidekick/nanny H.E.R.B.I.E.

    David Gabriel, Marvel¹s Director of Sales reminds retailers and fans to³ keep in mind that these Franklin backup stories, similar to the back up tales in Amazing Fantasy and the upcoming Ultimate Vision story in the Ultimate books, are EXTRA content added to these itles. We are not cutting the regular story pages, and in most cases tossing out ad space. So fans get extra story at no extra cost, and at no shortening of the main title¹s story.²

    "Wow! Talk about the little comic that could!² says writer Marc Sumerak.³Who'd have thought that we'd go from back-up strips in POWER PACK to a sell-out one-shot? Congrats to the tiniest member of the FF family for finally getting some time to shine! I'm truly honored by all the support that both Marvel and the fans have given this title. It's exciting to see that readers of all ages have been discovering this fun little strip. Thanks to everyone for trying something new!"

    Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius has proven to be one of those rare commodities where both young children and adults enjoy the story equally. The Riverside Consolidated School and teacher Scott Lingley have even taken to using the Franklin Richards tales to teach children to read.

    ³I'm proud to be part of the creative team that is expanding the comic market and developing the next generation of comic fans,² says co-plotter, artist, and letterer Chris Eliopoulos. ³As a father of twin boys, I know how hard it is to find age-appropriate comics for kids that adults can enjoy as well, and we worked really hard to give everyone something fun to read.²

    While some may credit the success of the Franklin tales with the incredible wit and youthful exuberance the stories are overflowing with, Sumerak thinks there may be another reason.

    "If the outstanding support for Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius has proven one thing to me, it's this: People love H.E.R.B.I.E. No matter how they may bash him online, they really just can't get enough of the little guy! That being said, look for our high-strung robot pal to be joining the New Avengers, the New X-Men, and the New Warriors in the near future. No? Ooookay... then just look for him in the new Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius strips coming this winter!"

    Fans be advised that some copies of this one shot, Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius may still be available in your local comic shops. Call ahead.

Released October 7, 2005 Thanks to Marvel and Chris Eliopoulos

Note: teacher's name is Scott Tingley, not Lingley

A CitC Pick For Teens

From Marvel.com
McKeever and Udon's Sentinel Makes a Comeback

The story of young boy and his giant government-built, mutant-hating robot returns as Eisner Award-winning writer Sean McKeever and UDON return for the next chapter in the life of Juston Seyfert and his Sentinel in the pages of Sentinel #1.
Click here for the rest of the story at Marvel.com.

For this title think Iron Giant meets teen drama. The last series was a well written tale about a boy and his robot. This series is written for young teens and up without trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The previous series was collected into digest form and available for order and the first issue of the new series began October 13th and may still be on the shelves of your local comic shop.