I Have A Plan To Save Comics.*

[Shishio]

I have founded Comics For Communities, a non-profit organization (though not yet officially incorporated as such) whose goal is to utilize comics to enrich communities. (i.e. By promoting literacy).

I have all kinds of ideas I would eventually like to implement, but for now, what I'm focusing on is Comicopia Online, a site that will serialize all-ages comics. There is very little up at the moment. Presently, only a handful of artists have agreed to participate, and the problems I'm having with Wordpress prevent me from uploading most of the meagre amount of material I have. I realize this isn't a very strong debut, but frankly, I need much more help than I'm getting, so I decided to post about it now.

Anyway, in addition to serializing comics on Comicopia, I intend to, provided I get enough suitable material, and can keep my finances in order until I do, print a small anthology and distribute it to children (in grades 1-6) in one school, for free. I hope to organize a "Comics Day" where copies of the anthology will be distributed, local artists talk about making comics/give out sketches, etc. It is also my intent to publicize this event as heavily as possible by contacting all local and major media outlets and getting them to cover it.

This initial step is to demonstrate my committment. After (if) this is accomplished, I will solicit donations, ask artists to donate original art to auction off, etc to raise funds to print more anthologies, and distribute them to schoolchildren across Canada and the US. (And hopefully, someday, we'll distribute copies across the world). Another thing I'll probably do is try to get local businesses to sponsor the anthologies that get distributed in their cities by asking them to purchase ads. The format I have in mind is a black and white digest. The one I print out of my pocket will probably be about 50 pages, the "official" version will hopefully have more.

The anthology will, of course, direct kids to the site where they can read everything. I hope to promote the site as well through schools, libraries, and the media.

The idea behind all this is that kids will find comics much more enjoyable and easier to read than books, so by providing them with comics that are free and easily accessible, we will encourage them to read more, thus promoting literacy, thus demonstrating positive applications of comics, thus gradually enabling them to become more widely accepted. (By showing adults the good they can do, and by getting kids to enjoy them).

Additionally, I hope to provide lesson plans and exercises that use comics, (i.e. getting kids to practice writing by filling in word balloons on a comic page) assist librarians in selecting suitable material to stock, organize lectures, signings, and the like, meet with local educators at least once a month to address concerns/come up with more ways to use comics to enrich our communities, and so forth.

But like I said earlier, I need help to make this happen. First and foremost, I need comics to put on the site, for unless I can provide a wide range of quality material, this project cannot succeed. So if you have a comic you want to serialize, or a project you want to develop for the site, let me know.

Also, if there is anyone here who has experience with PR things like writing mission statements and such who would be nice enough to take a look at both sites and let me know how to phrase things better, that would be great, because frankly, I did a fucking horrible job of it.

Programmers would be nice as well, to implement search functions and such.

If you wish to discuss this privately, e-mail me at shishio [at] comicsforcommunities [dot] org. Please do not private message me; my inbox is almost full, and I'm too lazy to clean it.

*Truth be told, I don't think comics actually need saving. I believe that comics are becoming more and more widely accepted due to a number of factors, and will continue to do so. But given everything I've been through, the very least I deserve is to take a little dramatic license if I want.

**I realize that, due to the myriad of different values people have, that a truly all-ages site is impossible. No matter what I do, there will always be something that offends someone. All I can do is my best with whatever I get to work with.

[D.J. Coffman]

It definitely is great idea to get more kids reading comics. I know many many teachers who would welcome this sort of thing. From my own research I think you'll find too, that the real trick comes in working with different school boards, because almost everything has to be approved. I talked to one teacher who told me that one distribution company has "rights" that only their worksheet program be allowed in classrooms!

I look forward to watching your progress on this.

[Shishio]

Originally Posted by D.J. Coffman

It definitely is great idea to get more kids reading comics. I know many many teachers who would welcome this sort of thing. From my own research I think you'll find too, that the real trick comes in working with different school boards, because almost everything has to be approved.

You're quite right. I was thinking very big at first, but honestly, what I think will end up happening is I will have to limit myself to working with local schoolboards. I will probably limit myself to the Durham Region and Toronto School Boards of Ontario, and hopefully, I can get others to work with the boards in their respective areas. I hope to manage the anthology like this as well - I'll handle distribution in my area, and hopefully others will volunteer to manage their own areas.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words. I hope you'll pass word of what I'm trying to do along to any cartoonists you might know who would be interested in helping out.

[JamieRoberts]

This is a very positive thing. I was initially sceptical, because frankly, terms such as 'saving comics' are thrown around with no real meaning all the time. This seems much more real, and it's great that you have the intelligence to know your limits and strengths.

I'll point people in your direction where I can.

[Shishio]

Originally Posted by quones

This is a very positive thing. I was initially sceptical, because frankly, terms such as 'saving comics' are thrown around with no real meaning all the time. This seems much more real, and it's great that you have the intelligence to know your limits and strengths.

I'll point people in your direction where I can.

Yeah, like I said, I just wanted to use a little dramatic license. I don't want to derail my own thread, but I believe that comics will become more widely accepted and appreciated with or without my help. I just want to speed things along.

Oh, and in case anyone was going to bring it up - in addition to schools and libraries, I intend to work with local literacy groups and other social service agencies.

[mohaps]

I have found that summer programs at the local public library are a good way to reach out to the kids about comics and reading in general.

if you want to start small get in touch with your local library's young adult section and start off from there.

[Shishio]

Originally Posted by mohaps

If you want to start small get in touch with your local library's young adult section and start off from there.

That's just one of the many things I intend to do.

[spider]

Dang, I was going to steal your idea.
Like we discussed I want to branch out with this idea of yours,
alas I still have no money however little I need to do what I want to do.

[mohaps]

i did a little workshop about writing comics at my local library this summer and it was an interesting and satisfying experience. We did some stuff about basics of plotting and writing a story etc. along with an ad libs type story session where each kid moves the story along by contributing a character or a situation based on a larger three act structure.

if you have the time and the inclination it is a very fun thing to do and kids have a high level of clarity of thought that might well pleasantly surprise you (and unbridled enthusiasm / imagination once you get past their initial barriers and reach through to them).

[Shishio]

I finally have a decent logo for Comics For Communities courtesy of C.W.

This is definitely on the right track, but the middle panel strikes me as aesthetically awkward, which I suspect is due to the comic being larger than the child.* But, I really don't have any eye for design or anything like that, so I'd appreciate if you all could take a look and give me any feedback you may have.

[D.J. Coffman]

It just looks like people reading books to me, or a myspace type logo reading a book. Design wise, I'd make it look more like comic pages with panels being flooded into the windows of people's homes or something.

[tlbowen]

That's actually really good DJ. Like the front of a house with comic panels for window panes.

[sabba]

another good way to promote literacy with comics is to create a comic tbook hat mixes prose with comics. especially now a days kids attetion span wavers sometimes.

[Shishio]

Originally Posted by D.J. Coffman

It just looks like people reading books to me, or a myspace type logo reading a book. Design wise, I'd make it look more like comic pages with panels being flooded into the windows of people's homes or something.

I'm having trouble picturing this. Could you be more specific please?

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Shishio

You're quite right. I was thinking very big at first, but honestly, what I think will end up happening is I will have to limit myself to working with local schoolboards. I will probably limit myself to the Durham Region and Toronto School Boards of Ontario, and hopefully, I can get others to work with the boards in their respective areas. I hope to manage the anthology like this as well - I'll handle distribution in my area, and hopefully others will volunteer to manage their own areas.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words. I hope you'll pass word of what I'm trying to do along to any cartoonists you might know who would be interested in helping out.

Hey, another Canadian!

I can't draw. But maybe when I have some comics done. I've actually got some experience teaching comics too if need be.