PRESS RELEASE
Kids Love Comics returns to the 2017 Baltimore Comic-Con this September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at the Baltimore Convention Center. Kids 10 and under are free with the purchase of General Admission tickets.
Jamar Nicholas launches his all-ages graphic novel at BCC! What do you do when you’re a kid hero with the rarest super-power of all: common sense? Award-winning cartoonist and educator Jamar Nicholas tries to answer that question with his new graphic novel, LEON: Protector of the Playground, premiering in the Kids Love Comics (kidslovecomics.net) area at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Jamar joins over 30 all-ages comics creators in this special family-friendly section of the show, where kids can meet artists and writers, and participate in comics workshops and classes throughout the weekend.
LEON_ Protector of the Playground
LEON combines a hip latchkey kid super-hero with hilarious super villains, such as Broccoli Ron, Mr. Nipsey the hamster bad-guy, and rogue hall monitors. All this, plus daily life in public school, makes a smart, super fun graphic novel read. LEON was created as part of the Comic Book Diner trilogy of books (including Buzzboy by John Gallagher and Roboy Red by Rich Faber, both of which will be available in the Kids Love Comics section). LEON combines elements of Jamar’s childhood with a diverse cast of kids and almost every child’s fantasy of being a super hero. But Leon must also face the harsh realities of a working mom, learning to work with others, and to clean up after himself when he eats. “I wanted to create characters that kids could relate to,” said Jamar, adding, “LEON is a hero, but he also makes mistakes. And kids need to know that’s okay, as long as they work to make things better.”
Besides LEON, convention goers will also be able to get Jamar’s work on the BCC show program guide as well as on a special collectible BCC t-shirt. Why all the fuss? Well, one of Jamar’s biggest fans is none other than Marc Nathan, founder and director of the Baltimore Comic-Con. “Jamar is a good soul, and a true friend of the show” said Nathan. “And we at the Baltimore Comic-Con want to help everyone discover what that looks like in Jamar’s work.” In fact, the Baltimore Comic-Con has been helping to promote kid-friendly comics and creators since the show’s beginning, and now brags the largest kids’ section in any comic-con across the United States. So it seemed only natural to premiere the graphic novel in Baltimore. “I just hope that everyone enjoys LEON as much as I enjoyed working on it,” said Jamar. “And I’m proud to be a part of the Kids Love Comics crew in Baltimore!”
LEON: Protector of the Playground, an original graphic novel, is a 144-page, full-color graphic novel, available at Jamar’s booth on LEON LANE in the Kids Love Comics section, for the first time anywhere. More information is available at JamarNicholas.com.
This year, the Kids Love Comics Pavilion also welcomes New York Times best-selling author Kazu Kibuishi! Kazu’s Amulet graphic novels have been read by millions of readers across the US and beyond. Kibuishi was also chosen as cover illustrator for new editions of the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling.
Kazu will be set up in the KLC area in one of four kid-friendly “avenues,” featuring some of the best kids and young adult comic creators. A diverse group of writers and artists will be on hand in Amulet Avenue, Amelia Rules Road, Aw Yeah Avenue, and Leon Lane – each of these centered around some of the most beloved creators in the Kids Love Comics area. Besides Kazu’s Amulet Avenue, Jimmy Gownley’s beloved Amelia Rules! series gets its own designated row, as well as Tiny Titans and Aw Yeah Comics by writer/artist Franco. One special addition is Leon Lane, in which cult comics favorite Jamar Nicholas gets the spotlight, as he premieres the long-awaited Leon, Protector of the Playground graphic novel. Families will also enjoy the Kids Love Comics Workshop, where hourly presentations will be given in character creation, drawing imaginary creatures, and making comics, and young sidekicks can even attend and graduate from “Super Hero University!”
Parents, bring your kids to the Baltimore Comic-Con the weekend of September 22-24 at the Baltimore Convention Center! Tickets are now available and, as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult admission (does not apply to early VIP admission or Special Event tickets).
TICKETS
General Admission and VIP Package tickets for Weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the Ringo Awards, are now on sale! Visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/ for more information and to purchase your advanced tickets now, and as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult General Admission!
In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Ringo Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
