Tag Archives: dc kids

Middle-Grade Authors Dustin Hansen and Michael Northrop Talk about Dyslexia at 11:00 AM PT via Twitter

Posted on by

DC middle-grade authors Dustin Hansen (My Video Game Ate My Homework) and Michael Northrop (Dear Justice League) are having a live twitter Q&A with each other today at 11 am PT to talk about their personal experience with dyslexia for World Book Day. You can follow them and “watch” at @dusthansen and @mdnorthrop.

The authors will discuss their own struggles with school, how comics and graphic novels helped them, how dyslexia has influenced their writing and writing their first graphic novels.

ALA 2019: DC Reveals a Massive Slate of Graphic Novels Geared Towards Young Adults and Middle Grade Readers Releasing Through 2021

Posted on by

The 2019 convention for the American Library Association (ALA) kicked off with huge news that DC was consolidating its line under three “brands.” That left many to wonder about the future of the DC Zoom and DC Ink graphic novel lines. Launched last year, the new graphic novel imprints were focused on the young adult and middle grade readers and have been hits so far. DC followed up those concerns with an announcement of a slate of graphic novel releases aimed at those young adult and middle grade readers.

These graphic novels continue the focus on stories not part of DC’s ongoing continuity making them accessible to new fans. The releases also focus on the original mandate of YA titles being about “everyday aspirations, struggles, and triumphs,” while the middle grade releases being focused on stories about “friends, family, and growing up.”

Spring 2020 Lineup

Young Adult Titles

  • Gotham High – Written by Melissa de la Cruz and illustrated by Thomas Pitilli (February 2020)
  • The Oracle Code – Written by Marieke Nijkamp and illustrated by Manuel Preitano (March 2020)

Middle Grade Titles

  • Green Lantern: Legacy – Written by Minh Lê and illustrated by Andie Tong (January 2020)                       
Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime
Zatanna & the House of Secrets
  • Batman: Overdrive – Written by Shea Fontana and illustrated by Marcelo DiChiara (March 2020)
Batman: Overdrive
DC Super Hero Girls: Powerless
  • Anti/Hero – Written by Kate Karyus Quinn and Demitria Lunetta and illustrated by Maca Gil (April 2020)
  • ArkhaManiacs – Written by Art Baltazar and Franco and illustrated by Art Baltazar (April 2020)
ArkhaManiacs
My Video Game Ate My Homework

Upcoming Titles Debuting in 2020 and 2021

  • Upcoming Young Adult Titles (Not all titles are final)
    • Catwoman: Soulstealer – Adapted by Louise Simonson from Sarah J. Maas’ DC Icon prose novel and illustrated by Samantha Dodge
    • Galaxy: The Prettiest Star – Written by Jadzia Axelrod and illustrated by Cait Zellers
    • House of El Book 1 – Written by Claudia Gray and illustrated by Eric Zawadzki
    • I Am Not Starfire—Written by Mariko Tamaki
    • Mister Miracle – Written by Varian Johnson
    • Nubia – Written by L.L. McKinney and illustrated by Robyn Smith
    • Swamp Thing – Written by Maggie Stiefvater and illustrated by Morgan Beem           
    • Teen Titans: Beast Boy – Written by Kami Garcia and illustrated by Gabriel Picolo
    • Victor & Nora: A Mr. Freeze Story – Written by Lauren Myracle and illustrated by Isaac Goodhart
    • Whistle – Written by E. Lockhart and illustrated by Manuel Preitano
    • Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed – Written by Laurie Halse Anderson and illustrated by Leila del Duca
    • You Brought Me the Ocean – Written by Alex Sanchez and illustrated by Julie Maroh
    • Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend – Written by Alys Arden and illustrated by Jacquelin De Leon
  • Upcoming Middle Grade Titles (Not all titles are final)                         
    • Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld – Written by Shannon and Dean Hale
    • Batman and Robin…and Howard – Written and illustrated by Jeffrey Brown
    • DC Super Hero Girls – Written by Amy Wolfram
    • Dear Super-Villains – Written by Michael Northrop and illustrated by Gustavo Duarte
    • Green Arrow: Stranded – Written by Brendan Deneen and illustrated by Caleb Hosalla
    • Indestructibles Book 1—Written by Ridley Pearson
    • Lois Lane – Written by Grace Ellis and illustrated by Brittney Williams
    • Metropolis Grove – Written and illustrated by Drew Brockington
    • Primer – Written by Thomas Krajewski and Jennifer Muro and illustrated by Gretel Lusky
    • Superman Smashes the Klan – Written by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Gurihiru
    • Super Sons Book 3: Escape to Landis – Written by Ridley Pearson and illustrated by Ile Gonzalez          
    • Teen Titans Go! to Camp – Written by Sholly Fisch
    • Teen Titans Go! Roll with It – Written by Heather Nuhfer and P.C. Morrissey 
    • The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel – Written by Ryan North and illustrated by Derek Charm

DC Brings All Their Publishing Under a Single Brand

Posted on by
DC Logo

There have been rumors of a shake-up at DC with a lot of speculation as to what that means and now we know. Beginning in 2020, all DC content will be under one brand with age-specific labels to identify them. The labels are DC Kids, DC, and DC Black Label.

The segmentation with a new rating system will launch in January 2020.

This includes the recently launched, and successful, DC Zoom and DC Ink which both will now be under DC Kids and DC depending on the content and audience. Vertigo will also go away at the end of the year.

The labels are:

  • DC Kids will focus on readers ages 8-12 and offer content created specifically for the middle-grade reader
  • DC, focusing on ages 13+, will primarily be the current DC universe of characters
  • DC Black Label will focus on content appropriate for readers 17 and older

In the announcement DC Publisher Dan DiDio said:

We’re returning to a singular presentation of the DC brand that was present throughout most of our history until 1993 when we launched Vertigo to provide an outlet for edgier material. That kind of material is now mainstream across all genres, so we thought it was the right time to bring greater clarity to the DC brand and reinforce our commitment to storytelling for all of our fans in every age group. This new system will replace the age ratings we currently use on our material.

DC Publisher and Chief Creative Office Jim Lee added:

What we’ve done here is apply an ages and stages organizing philosophy that will strengthen what we’re already doing well, whether that is our move into the young adult and middle grade audience or our long track record of success with creator-driven pop-up lines. We will also continue to publish creator-owned projects, and will evaluate and assign to the appropriate label to help our fans find the best books for their interests. These new labels not only bring greater consistency and focus to our characters, but they also open up a wealth of new opportunities for the talent working on our books.

(via DC)

It’s DC Kids Super Hero Month!

Posted on by

Calling all fans of DC Super Heroes! Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, announces its first annual DC Kids Super Hero Month, designed to engage new and existing fans in this interactive initiative with their favorite DC Super Heroes and be inspired to be their own Super Hero.

This multi-faceted campaign will run through the entire month of April and kick off today, March 31, with an all-new episode of the original YouTube series DC Kids. Each week, DC Kids will have DC Kids Super Hero Month-themed shows such as “Acts of Wonder,” “Call for Creativity,” “Stellar Support,” and “Super Smarts.” In addition, the campaign will feature fun challenges and activities, as well as brand new content that will come to life across multi-digital channels and social media. There’ll be lots of support, including Mattel, The LEGO Group, Rubie’s Costumes and more, as well as in-store and online support at various retailers, including Target, Toys‘R’Us,

There’ll be lots of support, including Mattel, The LEGO Group, Rubie’s Costumes and more, as well as in-store and online support at various retailers, including Target, Toys‘R’Us, Walmart and Amazon.

DC Super Hero Girls will lead the month-long campaign with the DC Super Hero Girls website, social channels, app and YouTube channel serving as DC Kids Super Hero Month headquarters. Kids won’t want to miss exploring the weekly “Super Hero Training Camp” challenges and activations, new content and games, digital activities and more.

DCKids.com and DC Kids YouTube Channel will also support the initiative with a DC Kids Super Hero Month take-over featuring new content, including Super Hero-themed printable activities and three new games from Teen Titans Go! and Justice League Action, and more. Fans can also participate on the Justice League Action and Teen Titans Go! social channels, as well as catch new DC Kids Super Hero Month content on the new DC Kids YouTube series each week.

“Super Hero Training Camp” is designed to teach fans of all ages what it means to be a DC Super Hero. With weekly challenges inspired by the iconic DC characters, training will highlight various qualities such as leadership, strength, kindness, creativity, friendship and more. Participating fans are invited to engage throughout the month by sharing how they train to be a DC Kids Super Hero using the hashtags #DCKidsSuperHeroMonth and #HeroesInTraining.

Kids also won’t want to miss the DC Kids Super Hero Month sweepstakes, to be featured on DCComics.com and promoted on DC Kids’ Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter platforms, as well as DC’s and WBCP’s social media channels. Fans will have a chance to be the grand prize winner of a DC Super Hero Girls, Teen Titans Go! and Justice League Action product package, as well as three runner-up prizes to be awarded with one of the DC Super Hero Girls, Teen Titans Go! or Justice League Action themed packages.

Mattel’s retailer exclusive DC Super Hero Girls:

LEGO DC Super Hero Girls:

Justice League Action:

Teen Titans Go!:

DC Entertainment Launches DC Kids and Justice League Action: Run

Posted on by

dc-kids-8Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, debuts the original YouTube series, DC Kids, a new show created specifically for young Super Hero fans. Geared for kids and tweens, the first episode is live with new episodes premiering every Friday.

From Telepictures Productions Inc., the same award-winning team that produces the popular YouTube series DC All Access, DC Kids introduces two super-fans as the hosts of this exciting new show,11-year-old Jett Bednar and 14-year-old Analei T. Song. The show will be filled with all things DC including fan-favorites such as DC Super Hero Girls, Teen Titans Go!, and Justice League Action. Jett and Analei will bring viewers into all the action, including interviews from the red carpet, exclusive access to San Diego Comic-Con and Toy Fairs, behind-the-scenes at Warner Bros. Animation,and even grand openings of DC theme park rides and attractions.

DC Kids will also be filled with non-stop fun and family-friendly content, including unboxings and demos of the latest DC toys and products, Super Hero-themed DIY crafts, hacks, activities, and even challenges that will let viewers get in on the fun! It will be a non-stop party at DC Kids!

In the premiere episode, fans will get a close-up look at The LEGO Batman Movie as Jett and Analei unbox LEGO construction sets inspired by unforgettable moments from the blockbuster film.

jla-run-splash-screenWBCP has also announced the global launch of the all-new Justice League Action Run mobile app now available in 12 languages on the Apple App Store and Google Play.The app is the ultimate DC destination for kids where they can catch the latest episodes of the new DC Kids original YouTube series, as well as animated videos from the DC universe, comic books, the latest DC news and more. The center piece of the app is an exciting mission-based runner-style game featuring Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and more members of the Justice League. Inspired by the new hit animated series, Justice League Action airing on Cartoon Network, kids can race into the action, complete with iconic super powers, heroic Super-Villain battles, and epic rewards. With new characters, content, and exciting features rolling out all year long, Justice League Action: Run will offer kids endless opportunities to engage and interact with their favorite Justice League characters.