Vote on the First Annual KCR! Awards!

The Kids’ Comics Revolution podcast is holding its own awards, and we’re asking kids everywhere to vote for the winners!

KCR hosts Dave Roman and Jerzy Drozd have teamed up with Chris Duffy (Nickelodeon Magazine) and the Ann Arbor District Library to honor some of the best kids’ comics to come out in 2012. You can vote by picking up a ballot in the Novella Room (2nd floor, Toronto Reference Library) at the Toronto Comics Arts Festival and Kids Read Comics, or use the online ballot below. Winners will be announced June 23rd at a special ceremony at the conclusion of Kids Read Comics in Ann Arbor, Michigan!

And here’s a printable PDF ballot for distributing at your school or library! Just be sure to send them in before June 10, 2013!
(click the image to download the PDF)

KCR! 08 – Working for Peanuts

Peanuts! Snoopy! Charlie Brown! Alexis Fajardo, and more!

Happiness is…a new episode of the Kids’ Comics Revolution!

Many of us have daydreamed about working on a book featuring characters we grew up with. It’s a dream job, right?

Be careful what you wish for, because now you’re now the caretaker of a creator’s legacy that’s loved by millions. How do you create new works that respect the legacy without falling into an endless reiteration of old ideas?

We talk with Alexis Fajardo about the new Peanuts comic books published by Boom Studios. He explains how he and his team combine creative sweat and exhaustive research to live up to the responsibility of making new stories featuring Charlie Brown and all of Charles Schultz’s iconic characters.

Book Recommendations:

• The Far Side
• Too Short for the Court

Comics and Artists mentioned:

• “Molly and the Bear” by Bob Scott
• “Jane’s World” by Paige Braddock
• “It’s Tokyo, Charlie Brown” by Vicki Scott and Paige Braddock

Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.

Theme music by Harry and the Potters.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Alexis on Twitter!

KCR! 07 – Superheroes with Gregg Schigiel

Spider-Man! Avengers! Hulk Smash! Stuff Said, and more!

For a long time superheroes were synonymous with kids’ comics. Many of us fell in love with the medium through the genre. But why are superheroes so compelling? Is it wish fulfillment? Do they operate as modern mythology? Or is it as simple as the joy of watching big muscley characters punch and blast each other?

We sort it out with the help of Gregg Shigiel of the Stuff Said podcast, as well as some other kids who lend their thoughts with more book talks on their favorite superheros old and new.

Book Recommendations:

• Avengers vs X-Men
• Maximum Ride
• X-Babies: Stars Reborn
• The Mighty Skullboy
• The Intrepid Escapegoat
• Defenders
• Tiny Titans
• Superman Family Adventures
• The Olympians
• Superman and Human Torch I’m With Stupid

Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.

Theme music by Harry and the Potters. This episode also featured the songs We Are Superheroes by Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine , (We Wear) Capes by Uncle Monsterface, and Super Hero Me by Let’s Audio.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Gregg on Twitter!

KCR! 06 – School and Library Visits with Jarrett Krosoczka

Fullmetal Alchemist, Giants Beware!, Lunch Lady Comics, and more!

We’ve talked about the importance of book launch parties in the past, but what about taking your show on the road? But how do you break into doing school and library visits? And how do you condense a lifetime of skill-building into an hour of presentation and performance?

We’ve got Jarrett Krosoczka of Lunch Lady Comics, who shares his experience in leading author visits. Together we explore the narrative of an author’s presentation, how the author visit promotes one’s work, and also helps get more kids excited about comics.

We’ve also got more book talks from teen contributors Randall and Kaprice, who demonstrate that it’s already here. It’s happening. It’s the Kids’ Comics Revolution!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Dan Santat
• Tomie dePaola
• Jeff Kinney
• Jack Gantos
• Lawrence Lessig
• The Star Wars Episode IV “pointer scene” in Powerpoint
• Mummenschanz

Book Recommendations (affiliate links):

• Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1
• Giants Beware!

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.

Theme music for this episode is by Harry and the Potters. Special thanks to Recess Monkey for the Lunch Lady Comics theme song. And extra-special thanks to Alyson Beecher for arranging one of the book talks for this episode.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Jarrett on Twitter!

KCR! 05 – Zita the Spacegirl (Book Club)

Zita the Spacegirl! Ben Hatke! Book Reviews!

Welcome to a special BOOK CLUB edition of Kids Comics Revolution! This episode is dedicated entirely to the graphic novel Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke, published by First Second Books.

We hear from kids, teachers, cartoonists, librarians, and maybe even a few aliens to find out what they thought of Zita and her out of this world adventures. Also included with this episode is a lesson plan (PDF) with activities to participate in the world of Zita. Use it in the classroom or in the home!

We even have an exclusive reading of a chapter from Zita the Spacegirl by the book’s author and his family!

Our thanks to everyone who sent in clips and comments for this episode, including:

• Eti Berland
• Alison Beecher
• Jackie & Lily
• LibLaura 5
• Rodney
• Karen & Nancy of Kidsmomo.com
• Olivia
• Kaprice
• Jason Viola
• Kelly Farrow
• Maria

Check out Maria’s Space Camp photos here:

Music for this episode is by Field Mouse.

If you liked Zita The Space Girl be sure to check out:

• Flight Explorer for a short Zita tale that predates her own graphic novel
• The Akiko series by Mark Crilley
• Sardine in Outer Space series by Emmanuel Gilbert and Joann Sfar

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.

Follow Jerzy and Dave on Twitter!

KCR! 04 – The Best Kids’ Comics with Scott Robins

Reed Gunther, Binky the Space Cat, Naruto, Eisner winners & more!

Discovering what comics are right for you or your kids can be a lot more difficult than it might seem. Do you judge by the art? The writing? Can these two even be evaluated separately? And what about cartoony art coupled with mature themes? We’re joined by Scott Robins, librarian and co-author of A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comics, who helps us unravel this challenge.

And we have more great book talks by guest contributors Jen Vincent, teen contributor Isabella, and sister team Shelby and Sarah!

And don’t forget about the KCR Book Club! Next episode we’ll have an in-depth discussion on Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl. You can be a part of the discussion by submitting a 1-3 minute talk on the book (in .mp3 or .wav format) to kidscomicsrevolution AT gmail DOT com. Or you could just send us a good ol’ email about what you thought about the book. Your contribution might be run on the show during our conversation.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• No Flying No Tights
• Nancy Pearl
• The School Library Journal
• SLG’s Good Comics for Kids blog
• Bone
• The 2012 Eisner Winners

Book Recommendations:

• Legends of Zita the Spacegirl
• Broxo
• Reed Gunther
• Binky Under Pressure
• Naruto
• Dragon Puncher Book 2: Dragon Puncher Island
• SNARKED: Forks and Hope
• Anya’s Ghost

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Scott on Twitter!

Podcast (kidscomicsrevolution): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:34 — 41.3MB) | Embed

KCR! 03 – Creating the Kids Read Comics Celebration

Comics conventions in the U.S. have historically been a place to meet your favorite authors, get a book signed, and maybe sit in on a few panels to find out what’s coming next from your favorite creative teams.

And while this can be a lot of fun, how much better might that experience be if you could participate in creating something with your favorite author?

We’re joined by the organizers behind the Kids Read Comics Celebration, an annual event held in Michigan. Together we discuss why such an event is important and how others can start up similar events in their areas.

We’ve also got more book talks from teen reviewer, Kaprice, and Maria Selke, an elementary school teacher and Nerdy Book Club member.

And don’t forget about the KCR Book Club! In two episodes we’ll have an in-depth discussion on Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl. You can be a part of the discussion by submitting a 1-3 minute talk on the book (in .mp3 or .wav format) to kidscomicsrevolution AT gmail DOT com. Or you could just send us a good ol’ email about what you thought about the book. Your contribution might be run on the show during our conversation.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Kids Read Comics on Facebook
• The Chelsea District Library
• The Chelsea Center for the Arts
• The Ann Arbor District Library
• Kids’ Comic Con
• Reading with Pictures
• Green Brain Comics (comics store)
• The Beguiling (comics store)
• Casablanca Comics (comics store)
• Small Press Expo
• SNAP! Comics Show by Green Brain Comics
• Ryan Estrada and his experience at Kids Read Comics (audio)
• Dave’s photos from KRC 2011
• The Comics Quickfire!

Book Recommendations:

• Zita the Spacegirl
• Calvin and Hobbes
• Cow Boy

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, Dan Mishkin, Dan Merritt, Edith Burney, and Kids Read Comics on Twitter!

Podcast (kidscomicsrevolution): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:08 — 41.4MB) | Embed

KCR! 02 – Working in a Vacuum vs. Instant Gratification with Kazu Kibuishi

In this episode we have a discussion with Kazu Kibuishi of the popular Amulet series about a topic he inspired recently on Twitter:

The slow pace of publishing has actually helped me take a calmer, more measured approach to work. Instant feedback can at times be damaging.

— Kazu Kibuishi (@boltcity) May 31, 2012

There’s never been a greater focus on sharing on the internet and the benefits of the immediate feedback an author can receive from their fans. Success stories abound of creators who have bypassed traditional publishing and met great successes by connecting directly with their readers. It’s fantastic–you create a comic, an illustration, or a snappy line of prose, and you can instantly distribute it to the whole world at virtually no cost. Update early, update often, and you will find your legions of fans.

But can we get hooked on this immediacy? Where’s the line between making something interesting and getting caught up in an online popularity contest? We’re grateful to be joined by Kazu who helps us step back, take a breath, and look at publishing our work from a more pragmatic perspective.

We also have some more book recommendations provided by some students from Grand Rapids, Michigan!

And don’t forget about the KCR Book Club! In three episodes we’ll have an in-depth discussion on Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl. You can be a part of the discussion by submitting a 1-3 minute talk on the book (in .mp3 or .wav format) to kidscomicsrevolution AT gmail DOT com. Or you could just send us a good ol’ email about what you thought about the book. Your contribution might be run on the show during our conversation.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Amulet
• Daisy Kutter: The Last Train
• Copper
• Explorer: The Mystery Boxes
• Calvin and Hobbes

Book Recommendations:

• Zita the Spacegirl
• Smile
• Sidekicks
• Babymouse
• Mal & Chad
• Amulet
• Sticky Burr
• Binky the Space Cat

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Kazu on Twitter!

Podcast (kidscomicsrevolution): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:23 — 35.4MB) | Embed

KCR! 01 – Book Launch Parties with Raina Telgemeier

Kids’ Comics Revolution is go! Dave Roman and Jerzy Drozd have teamed up to create a series of audio shows connecting the worlds of comics, graphic novels, and kid lit. The series will feature interviews with and contributions by the people who help make the kids’ visual storytelling landscape a better place for all involved.

We wanted our inaugural episode to have a celebratory feel, so we sat down with Raina Telgemeier (Smile, The Baby-Sitters Club, and the soon-to-be-released Drama) for a talk on creating book release parties. After discussing the benefits of creating such an event, Raina instructs us in where to begin when creating your own event. How do you find a venue? Who pays for the promotional materials and food? What kinds of unique items/activities can you add to your event to make it wholly unique?

Video from the Teen Boat! launch party:

We then have a book talk by guest contributor Colby Sharp, who offers some enthusiastic thoughts on Jennifer and Matt Holm’s Squish #3: The Power of the Parasite. Afterwards we’re treated to another book recommendation by kid contributor Kaprice, who tells us why we need to read To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel.

The episode closes with an announcement about the KCR Book Club! In four episodes we’ll have an in-depth discussion on Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl. You can be a part of the discussion by submitting a 1-3 minute talk on the book (in .mp3 or .wav format) to kidscomicsrevolution AT gmail DOT com. Or you could just send us a good ol’ email about what you thought about the book. Your contribution might be run on the show during our conversation.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Bergen Street Comics
• John Green
• Teen Boat! and the Teen Boat! launch party wrap up
• The Astronaut Academy book launch photo gallery
• The Smile book launch photo gallery
• Cookies & Comics photo gallery
• Mark Mariano
• McCain Smile Fries
• Mobile Libris
• Kids Read Comics Celebration

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.

Follow Jerzy, Dave, Raina, and Colby on Twitter!

Podcast (kidscomicsrevolution): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:05 — 30.4MB) | Embed