Kid’s Comic Con 2009

Every year, for the past few years, Papercutz has been at the two biggest comicbook conventions in the United States — Comic Con International: San Diego, out on the West Coast, and New York Comic Con, right here on the East Coast.  As much as we love these super-mega-comic-cons, we also enjoy attending the much smaller Kids Comic Con in the Bronx.  Held at Bronx Community College, the convention is small enough that you can experience most of the programming and spend lots of time talking to the guests, in a very casual environment.  This is the third Kids Comic Con (I’ve been to ‘em all), and I’ll be there to have a great time talking about my favorite comics and graphic novel publisher.  If you’re in the neighborhood, why not drop by and say hi?  Here’s all the official info:

THE KIDS COMIC CON 2009 IS COMING!

FUN, ADVENTURE AND EXCITEMENT FOR ALL AGES

(and it promotes learning, thinking and reading, too!)

 

            Hey kids (and parents! And teachers! And comic fans! And, yeah, you at the computer, too!), the KIDS COMIC CON 2009 is right around the corner! That’s right, The KIDS’ COMIC CON 2008 went so well that we’re doing it again! Get ready for fun, fantastic guests, and action — all for kids! (Okay, parents are allowed to have fun, too.) Most exciting is that’s there are more things for kids to do than at last year’s con!

The KIDS COMIC CON 2009 is set for April 25th at Bronx Community College (181^st Street & University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453). And yep, even though the economy is struggling like Superman surrounded by Kryptonite, the KIDS COMIC CON 2009 is still free for children 17 and under (and hey, Mom and Dad, its just $5 for you — making the KIDS COMIC CON one of the best entertainment values around).

            KCC creator and founder Alex Simmons, writer for Archie, Scooby-Doo and oh, so much more, said he’s especially excited about this year’s KIDS COMIC CON because of all that’s happened since the first-ever KCC in 2007.  “One of the guests at that con was Jay Williams, a representative of the humongous New York City Comic Con. He was so thrilled with our KIDS COMIC CON he asked if I would help redesign the Kids Day at the NYCC to incorporate what we do at the KIDS COMIC CON. In 2008 and 2009, along with others, we did that, and helped expand what was offered to hundreds of kids.” he said.

            One of the added benefits of having worked with the NYCC is that Simmons and other volunteers organizing the KIDS COMIC CON were able to improve and expand on workshops that will be offered at KCC 2009, which will be here in just a few short weeks.

            “Our primary goals at the KIDS COMIC CON are to promote reading and creativity in kids’ lives,” Simmons said. “Now more than ever it is imperative that we supply kids with a continuous flow of positive ideas, skills, and outlets for their thinking as well as self-esteem building activities, like creating from their own imaginations. No matter what path a kid’s life takes, having a solid habit of reading and being able to think, synthesize ideas, and come up with new concepts or fresh ways of looking at things will help them succeed. That’s what we do here, and it’s fun, fun, fun for all!”

            Events scheduled for the KIDS COMIC CON 2009 include:

10 a.m.:             Welcome—Alex Simmons, MC

Intro to convention events & First raffle

 

Marketplace & Kids’ Art Gallery Opens

 

10:30 AM - Kids Emotes Drawing Competition — On the convention floor children will be given a chance to win a prize by drawing their favorite Emote character.

 

11:00 to 11:45 PM –How To Have Fun Reading Comics — Peter Gutierrez will lead a workshop for educators, and parents on how to make using comics in an educational way, fun for all concerned.

 

11 AM – 6 PM: Kids’ Corner:  where kids can sit and read comics.

 

11:30 AM -12:15 PM:              He Really Is An Alien?  Join author Marc Nobleman as he reveals how two teenage boys created one of the greatest comic book icons in the world.  Marc will share a few great tales and images from his book, “BOYS OF STEEL,” the exciting inside story of Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel the creators of Superman!”

 

11:30 AM – 5 PM:             Portfolio Review Crew.

All day, professional writers, illustrators, and editors will review students’ portfolios (artwork) to give them tips on how to improve their work.

 

 

11:30 a.m. – 12 PM:             Youth Workshop A – Triangles, Circles, and Squares, Oh My! Is a fun introductory class in drawing kooky comics book characters by starting with ordinary shapes.  Artist: Neil Numberman, illustrator of JOEY FLY, PRIVATE EYE.

 

11:45 AM -12:30 PM:              Professional Workshop I
The ABCs of Comics and Graphic Novels: What are they and what is their value to children past, present, and future?  (Panelists:  TBA)

 

 

12 PM – 1 PM:  Where the Action Is, Part 1 – Young people learn how the pros put so many dynamic poses and so much motion into drawing characters.

 

 

12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.:        Youth Workshop B – Get A Clue!  This fun and clever workshop will show kids how to write and draw mystery comics, complete with suspects, clues, a climatic capture. The program is lead by Fiona Robinson, creator of THE 3-2-3 DETECTIVES AGENCY book

 

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.            The Art of Making Comics 101, an introductory class in creating simple and wonderful comic book characters, lead by artists Andrew Arnold, illustrator of the fun book, ADVENTURES IN COMICS.

 

12 – 2 PM – LIVE MAGICIAN

 

 

1 PM – 2 PM – Motion Potion: The Magic of Animation – A panel and demo on cartoon shows and animation with our special guest SCOTT GIMPLE, creator/producer of Disney’s Fillmore.

 

1:30 p.m. – 1:45 PM:             Professional Workshop II — Comics in the Classroom.  Participants will discuss benefits, methods, and curriculums for using comics in the classrooms and libraries to support understanding of academic subjects.  (Panelists: To be announced.)

 

2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.:    Toon Books Readers Theater Performance. See one of the Toon Books come alive with a performance by Geoffrey and Leigh.

 

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM:            Youth Workshop – Star Ships and Cadillac’s. Learn some of the tricks to drawing cool vehicles, weapons, and diabolical machines.

 

 

2:30 – 3:15:            Toon Book Reheals for Kids presentation

 

2:30 – 3:15:      Make Mine Manga.  This a wonderful introductory class in how to create Manga style comics led by artist Yali Lin.

 

 

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM:                    SPECIAL EVENT — on the convention floor.  TBA.

 

 

3 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.:    All Age Workshop– ARCHIE’ WAY – Join this members of Team Archie (old and new school) as they show how one of America’s longest running icons can be fun, fresh, and educational! New stories, looks, and plenty surprises. 

 

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Give it Some Color!  A profession artists and colorist will teach students some of the tricks of the trade in the wonderful world of coloring comics! (Artist:  TBA.)

 

3:15 – 3:30:            Toon Books Performance by Kids

 

3:30 PM – 5:15 PM:            Youth Workshop F – The Art of Making Comics

The Art of Making Comics 101, an introductory class in creating comics.  (Artists: TBA)

 

3 PM – 3:30 PM:                    SPECIAL EVENT — on the convention floor.  TBA.

 

 

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.:             Professional Workshop III – The ABCs of Comics. What are they, and what is their value to children past, present, and future? This time the emphasis will be on the FUTURE of comics, literacy, and kids. (Panelists:  TBA)

 

 

6 p.m.                                      Closing Remarks

 

 

* (Schedule subject to change up to 24 hours before the convention opens.)

            Simmons also noted that excitement is building on both sides of the KIDS COMICS CON. “At our first KIDS COMIC CON, artists, writers, and creative folks from all aspects of the comic industry were impressively generous with their time, but many found themselves energized by the excitement and enthusiasm of our kids. And since then word has spread. This year they know what to expect and so many have told me they can’t wait to see the kids again,” he said.

          Comics pros and publishers already committed to this year’s con include:

Archie Comics (Mike Pellerito, Fernando Ruiz, Tito Pena, Fred Mauser, etc.)

Soriah Chauvel, cartoonist on CAPTAIN KC!

Peter Gutierrez, writer

Brian Leung of Kidjutsu

Janna Miroshima of Diamond Kids Group

Dave Roman, of Nickelodeon Magazine

Raina Telgemeier, artist on Scholastic’s Babysitter Club graphic novel

James Sherman, illustrator

Andrew Arnold, illustrator of Adventures in Cartooning!

John Gallagher, illustrator, creator, publisher of …Boy

Danny Fingeroth, writer

Maurice Waters and ECBACC

Kerry Milliron and Random House for Kids

Ali Kokmen, and Random House Del Rey (manga)

Kyle & Liz Baker

Fiona Robinson, creator of The 3-2-3 Detectives Agency book  (Abrams)

Christina Siravo, children’s book illustrator

Michael Wright, editor DC Comics

Ashanti Freeman, indy artists

Emotes

Jessica Weiss, tween publisher of the comic, Geezerville.

Samuel Vera, artist, publisher, creator of “Alien in My Toilet”

Marc Nobleman, author of BOYS OF STEEL about the creators of Superman

Ray Felix, artist, indy artist & publisher

Jim Salicrup, editor-in-chief of Papercutz

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MOCCA)

Joe Staton, illustrator of Scooby Doo and so many other comics

Yali Lin, illustrator (Manga)

Dave MacDonald, creator of Hamster Sam Comics

Neil Numberman, illustrator of Joey Fly, Private Eye, from First Second Books

Scott Cunningham, writer of kids’ comics for Archie, DC, etc.

Phyllis Novin, inker for Bongo Comics

PalOOza Toys

Mark Mariano, creator, artist of Happloo comic book series

Reggie & Dionne Byer, creators of Kidz of the King Comics

Kevin Pyle, artist

Ed Mouzon, illustrator

Gary Camp, illustrator

Rich T., illustrator, and teaching artist

 

 

For information on how to donate time, money, or books to support the Kids’ Comic Con, write to Alex Simmons at:  Alex@SimmonsHereAndNow.com