Comments on: SDCC – Day Two and Three http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158 Comics for kids and kids at heart Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:46:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Brian Fies http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158&cpage=1#comment-161 Brian Fies Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:23:13 +0000 http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158#comment-161 Scott, I can't speak for Abrams ComicArts and haven't specifically talked about this with exec. editor Charlie Kochman, but I know he would LOVE to find another Wimpy Kid. He's real proud of that series. I think Charlie's open to work of any kind that gets his attention and fits Abrams' reputation and niche in the market. At the same time, I doubt he's deliberately targeting children's titles, but don't quote me on that. My upcoming book for Abrams ComicArts, "Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow?," isn't specifically a children's or young adult title but will be good for all ages. I think a kid with a taste for Space Agey history and tech would appreciate it. Mr. Campbell acknowledges his own crankiness, particularly on the topic of "Gee, comics aren't just for kids anymore!" I think he thinks comics should be past the point of having to prove themselves as literature for adults, making his frustration understandable. I hear the complaint about people not understanding how to read comics a lot. That's hard for us to grasp but I think it's true. The most challenging synthesis of words and pictures many adults have experienced for decades is probably a three-panel newspaper comic strip. I don't know what's to be done about that--you can't force adults to read stuff they don't enjoy--except continue to do the best work we can and let time take care of the rest. Good coverage of the Con, and a great site. Scott, I can’t speak for Abrams ComicArts and haven’t specifically talked about this with exec. editor Charlie Kochman, but I know he would LOVE to find another Wimpy Kid. He’s real proud of that series. I think Charlie’s open to work of any kind that gets his attention and fits Abrams’ reputation and niche in the market. At the same time, I doubt he’s deliberately targeting children’s titles, but don’t quote me on that.

My upcoming book for Abrams ComicArts, “Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow?,” isn’t specifically a children’s or young adult title but will be good for all ages. I think a kid with a taste for Space Agey history and tech would appreciate it.

Mr. Campbell acknowledges his own crankiness, particularly on the topic of “Gee, comics aren’t just for kids anymore!” I think he thinks comics should be past the point of having to prove themselves as literature for adults, making his frustration understandable.

I hear the complaint about people not understanding how to read comics a lot. That’s hard for us to grasp but I think it’s true. The most challenging synthesis of words and pictures many adults have experienced for decades is probably a three-panel newspaper comic strip. I don’t know what’s to be done about that–you can’t force adults to read stuff they don’t enjoy–except continue to do the best work we can and let time take care of the rest.

Good coverage of the Con, and a great site.

]]> By: ZEITGEIST / Scholastic and Jeff Smith to Extend Bone Relationship Past Volume Nine? http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158&cpage=1#comment-160 ZEITGEIST / Scholastic and Jeff Smith to Extend Bone Relationship Past Volume Nine? Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:06:21 +0000 http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158#comment-160 [...] and Jeff Smith to Extend Bone Relationship Past Volume Nine? Apparently, according to Scott Robins, some peripheral material will be adapted for young readers after Scholastic finishes its [...] [...] and Jeff Smith to Extend Bone Relationship Past Volume Nine? Apparently, according to Scott Robins, some peripheral material will be adapted for young readers after Scholastic finishes its [...]

]]> By: Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Comic-Con Notes http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158&cpage=1#comment-159 Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Comic-Con Notes Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:19:49 +0000 http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158#comment-159 [...] At Good Comics for Kids, Scott Robins reports that Scholastic has plans for more Bone after Vol. 9 is released next spring. [...] [...] At Good Comics for Kids, Scott Robins reports that Scholastic has plans for more Bone after Vol. 9 is released next spring. [...]

]]> By: Kat Kan http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158&cpage=1#comment-156 Kat Kan Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:58:04 +0000 http://www.goodcomicsforkids.com/?p=158#comment-156 As a librarian who has promoted graphic novels and comics in libraries for about 25 years now, I've observed that adults do tend to resist the comic book format. Most older librarians even find graphic novels with very straightforward and easy-to-follow panel layouts challenging. They're oriented to words and simply can't "read" the pictures! The situation has been changing, as more and more young people who have grown up with visual material (comics, tv, video games, etc.) are becoming librarians. In the school where I work part time, I did find that Free Comic Book Day comics were popular among the adult teachers and staff members, not just the kids. But, if I were at that panel, I would have wanted to tell Mr. Campbell (who is brilliant, BTW) that libraries are beginning to explore putting more adult content graphic novels (such as his books) in their collections. Building the market for adult graphic novels is happening; it will take time, but it is happening. As a librarian who has promoted graphic novels and comics in libraries for about 25 years now, I’ve observed that adults do tend to resist the comic book format. Most older librarians even find graphic novels with very straightforward and easy-to-follow panel layouts challenging. They’re oriented to words and simply can’t “read” the pictures! The situation has been changing, as more and more young people who have grown up with visual material (comics, tv, video games, etc.) are becoming librarians.
In the school where I work part time, I did find that Free Comic Book Day comics were popular among the adult teachers and staff members, not just the kids.

But, if I were at that panel, I would have wanted to tell Mr. Campbell (who is brilliant, BTW) that libraries are beginning to explore putting more adult content graphic novels (such as his books) in their collections. Building the market for adult graphic novels is happening; it will take time, but it is happening.

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