This year’s convention has an impressive slate of programming devoted to comics for children and teens, from a panel on using comics in the classroom to anime screenings to a workshop on how to create superhero characters.
But that barely scratches the surface. The weekend is filled events for children, teens and parents. Here’s just a handful:
1. Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! It’s Kids Day, filled with cartooning workshops and classes for children and teens, competitions and Light Saber Training. Children 12 and under are admitted for free on Sunday.
2. All things Avatar (The Last Airbender): As an unapologetic fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, I’m compelled to recommend the “Nickelodeon Presents — Avatar Comics” panel at 6 p.m. Friday, with storyboard artist Johane Matte (aka Rufftoon), comics editor Dave Roman, comics writer Alison Wilgus, and comics artist Amy Kim Ganter.
Then at 3 p.m. Saturday, “Into the Inferno: Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Finale.” (Yeah, that makes me a little sad, too.) Creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino will provide sneak peeks at the remaining episodes, and debut the official trailer for the two-hour series finale.
3. Teen beat: There’s plenty of programming for teen-agers who want to make comics. At 1 p.m. Sunday, Jessica Abel and Matt Madden lead the “Comics Workshop,” while Raina Telgemeier and Marion Vitus play host to “Turn Your Life into a Comic!” Those are followed at 3 p.m. by “MoCCA Presents: Webcomics 101,” with Jennifer M. Babcock.
4. Parents’ primer: If you’re bringing your kids to the convention, odds are you’re fairly familiar with comics. In case you’re not, there are several panels that will serve as a crash course to what your children may be — or should be – reading: “Flight Explorer: A Conversation with Kazu Kibuishi and Creators,” focusing on the new all-ages series (11 a.m. Sunday); “Comics 101 for Parents” (noon Sunday); “Why Manga? Trends in Teen Graphic Novels” (noon Sunday); “Comics for Girls,” with Barbara Slate (Angel Love, Archie, Barbie), Mike Pellerito (Archie), Allison Barrows (Pre-Teena, Goofyfoot Gurl), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Buzz Dixon & Marlon Schulman from RealBuzz Studios (Serenity, Goofyfoot Gurl), Raina Telgemeier (The Babysitters Club), moderated by Christine Norrie (2 p.m. Sunday); and “Read Comics to Your Kids — We Telll You Why!” (3 p.m. Sunday).
5. Cartoons! Cartoons! Cartoons! Beyond the aforementioned Avatar, there are plenty of screenings throughout the weekend, including previews of Igor and the brand-new Ben 10: Alien Force, behind-the-scenes looks at Dragonball Z, Shin Chan and One Piece, and viewings of favorite episodes of anime series like Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece, xxxHolic and Dragonball Z.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Wow! As a parent, I’m really impressed at how NYCC is reaching out to kids. Too bad I’m much too far away. Anyone know if Wizard World Chicago is at all kid-friendly? I think I’m gonna go this year. I’m kicking myself for missing the Dark Knight movie panel last year.
Sounds like the Avatar panels at NYCC will be fun, but it’s such drag that the series — one of the best animated shows EVER — is ending much too soon. At least it’s good to know Nick hasn’t forgotten about the show, and that they’re finally going to air the back half of season 3 sometime soon. If they announce the dates, Kevin, would report that here please?
I’m hoping someone in attendance will ask why they’ve decided to end the show now. Ratings have been great, and the show’s got a strong following (I see that it won the Nick Kids Choice Award for favorite animated show again this year, that’s at least two years in a row). Both with kids and grown-ups.
My guess is that it’s all about money. Why keep making shows when they can rerun what they have (and sell DVDs) forever, and they probably feel there’s a lot more money to be made as a film franchise. Perhaps, but I think interpreting Avatar, er, I mean “The Last Airbender” (screw you, James Cameron!) is a huge risk. Putting Shyamalan in charge is an even bigger risk given his track record. Good luck with that…
April 21st, 2008 at 11:25 am
So… Nothing (that I saw) reported about what was said at the Avatar panels themselves? Is there anything to report? I’d like to know 1.) When the hell Nick will finally start airing the rest of season 3 (and why they’ve waited so long), 2.) Why the decision was made to end the season after just three seasons when the show has proven to be a big hit, and 3.) Any tidbits or teasers regarding the remaining episodes.
Oh, and if there was any discussion as to what Shyamalan’s film is going to be about (a rehash of the cartoon, or a new, original story?) would be nice too. I still think letting that hack make this movie’s a a bad idea, but since it’s happening I’ll hope for the best.