Alex Simmons talks about Archie's World Tour
Archie: How did you get involved with Archie Comics?
Alex Simmons: Good question. Over the past year or so, I've talked with some of the editors and artists working for Archie, but I never got around to pitching anything. When I began putting the KIDS' COMIC CON together you and Mike Pellerito immediately got into the spirit of the event. Our talks about the convention lead to conversations about story ideas and such. So, after the convention was over, I pitched some plots to Mike and the team, and here we are.
Archie: Had you been an Archie fan growing up?
Alex Simmons: Absolutely -- despite the fact that like many comics of my youth, the images of African-Americans were either slight, or non-existent. Archie was no different, but the growing up humor was entertaining. I even remember reading some of the Little Archie stories. Aside from the jokes, most young men like the idea of being the center of attention for two beautiful girls.
Archie: What attracts you to all ages comics?
Alex Simmons: You might be sorry you asked that questions.
There are many reasons, not the least of which is that -- I like good stories and characters no matter what the age of the intended audience. Good art is good art. But one reason that stands out in my mind is that kids need their childhood. As developing, whole human, beings we need time to assess life and find our place in it. We need to feel strong when weak. We need to dream of impossible possibilities. We need to laugh and embrace the absurd. Talking ducks, flying mice, and friendly ghost makes life seem more fascinating. The power and bravery to face great evils and save lives -- that's something that makes the overwhelming aspects of childhood endurable.
Comics used to be escapist entertainment for kids and adults. Some of my friends were inspired to careers in science and law because of their comic books heroes. Comics were also a great first step to reading, though many adults never saw them that way. For some kids comics were the only things they read for many of their formative years. Did reading stories about ape men and aliens limit their literary appetite? Maybe for some. But for others it was the only reason they read at all.
When comics stopped being for kids, and the marketplace put more of its attention and material towards older readers, they abandoned and lost readership and revenue. And all the kids that might have been reading more often weren't reading at all. Classics Illustrated, brought biographies and historical accounts into the lives of many kids. I have worked with kids as a performer in children's theater, and as creative arts teacher of several disciplines. I listen to them as much if not more than they listen to me. They are different than my generation in places where the influence of these times apply. That is the truth with every generation. But deep down inside, kids are the same, and their needs have not changed. Only the ways in which we attempt to meet them.
So, what attracts me to children's comics? The children and the infinite possibilities to discover the world all over again.
Archie: When not writing for Archie you are the Educational Outreach Director for the Museum for Comic and Cartoon Art in New York City. What does that entail?
Alex Simmons: Actually, I held that position during MoCCA's early days, and for a couple of years. I worked with a committee to develop goals for in-school, after school, and on site at MoCCA workshops with students from elementary to high school age. Several times I brought in groups of students from all over the city. Along with artist Steve Ellis and others, we gave demonstrations in how comics are created, published, and marketed. MoCCA's unique exhibitions were great backdrops for these workshops, after which students could view the art with a more enlightened attitude. As I said, I did this for a few years, but now my work with MoCCA is more as a consultant... I've gone on to become a member of the board for the New York State Alliance for Arts and Education (NYSAAE), as well as the Arts In Education Director for a nonprofit organization called, the Children's Art Carnival.
Archie: You also created the Kids Comic Con. Aren't all comic conventions for kids?
Alex Simmons: Not in the strictest since of the word. As I mentioned earlier, over the past 25 years comics have taken a turn away from the kids marketplace and move steadily into more ... adult oriented material. I don't mean just the elevated levels of sex and violence. Even the storylines have become more complicated, with a great deal of deep emotional and psychological elements. I am not saying there isn't room for these comics. There is, but like books, TV, movies, and music, comics are trying to reflect more of the changes in present day social themes and taste. The benefits of that depends a lot on the subject matter and the presentation of same.
Still in doing this, they completely turned their backs on the children. The conventions began to reflect those changes in the way many were setup, and the type of material that was being displayed or sold. It is only in the past two or three years that we have begun to hear a louder call for books aimed at the children, and all audience market. A convention for that audience was needed and after suggesting that others do it -- I decided to try myself.
Archie: Why take Archie out of Riverdale for your first story “Archie’s World Tour”?
Alex Simmons: Why not? Actually, one reason was that I wanted an opportunity to play with and explore the characters more. Not only for the audience, but also for myself. When you take people or characters out of their comfort zone, you learn more about them. Though I had read the books when I was young, and still checked in on them from time to time -- I wanted to see where I could go with them now. I wanted to see what kind of spin I could put on them. The one thing an artist always brings to a job is themselves. Another reason is that we all know comics can be fun and entertaining, but I also wanted to throw in a little pinch of learning. I just wanted the readers to think about the places Archie and the gang were going to -- maybe pick up a fact or two. Who knows?
Archie: Where do the kids go on their world tour?
Alex Simmons: Without it becoming a travel log, or an educational documentary, the kids visit London, Madrid, Nairobi, Rome, and Zurich. I leave it to your young readers to figure out which city goes with which country.
Archie: Which member of the Riverdale High faculty chaperone the Archie and his friends?
Alex Simmons: Well we have one of my tried and true favorites, Ms Grundy. That dedicated matriarch of education, with the humorous light heart side. But I've also added a new face, Mr. Adams. He's the new Humanities teacher. He's cool, cares about kids, is socially conscious, a bit of a globetrotter, and he's black. I felt that these two would make a good mix as conscientious chaperones who -- for the sake of the story -- manage to be somewhere else when the gang gets into trouble.
Archie: Many Archie stories are 4 to 6 pages long. Why do you need a longer length of your story?
Alex Simmons: I was trying to create a more panoramic view of the Archie world -- making it bigger and bringing more of the outside world inside. This gave me more time and space to explore the characters. For instance, in book one; we learn a little something about one of the supporting characters. It's something that even Archie didn't expect. I felt this added another level to the character, and that gives me more to play with, in this and future stories.
Archie: How does Archie fit into the role of an international teen of mystery?
Alex Simmons: Quite comfortably. There are a number of ways to take him and his friends globetrotting and not take them too far away from their series current tone. In fact, in Archie's World Tour, I have set up something that would allow me, or other writers, to do just that -- should the Archie folks like this go 'round.
What is it? Well, that's another story.
Adieu!
