Boys Rule Boys Read!: Billy Batson and The Magic of Shazam

Showing posts with label Billy Batson and The Magic of Shazam. Show all posts

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Byron Vaughns Sells Artwork to Support the Library!

Hey, dudes, the plight of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has reached not only the undead but also a very-much-alive artist named Byron Vaughns. He worked for DC Comics on Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam. Bill was a big fan and wrote about his comic. Well, it turns out that Mr. Vaughn heard about the library's budget cuts and wanted to do something to help, so he's going to sell original artwork and donate part of the proceeds! Here's a press release from Betty, his publicity agent, that explains it all:

Emmy award winning cartoonist, Byron Vaughns is starting a 3-day original art sale on Friday, June 25, 2010, at http://shop.byronvaughns.com in support of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System and elementary school-age boys who love to read comic books. He is asking for your help with his personal donation.

“This is unusual for me as an artist ….…selling my original comic book pages from the DC Comics Billy Batson & the Magic of Shazam series, http://byronvaughnsshazam.blogspot.com hard for any artist really, but I was moved by the critical funding issues of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/06092010/rallies-rallies-everywhere-final-budget-votes-loom which in turn affects the library’s unique, Boys Rule Boys Read Blog http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com, created for elementary school-age boys to encourage reading; a place for boys to find terrific books and tell other boys about great reading. Because of the boys’ enthusiasm for the Billy Batson stories (a boy’s positive superhero image and exceptional relationship with his superhero sister), I felt this was a great cause to support. Hey, remember how good it felt to read comic books when you were a kid??”

“So….I am selling about 70 pieces of original, signed comic book pages and personally donating a portion of my proceeds (40%) to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System and as the donator, I will retain the tax deduction rights. I am also donating FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING, USA for each purchase at no cost to you!
ORDERS OUTSIDE USA MUST CALL FOR SHIPPING CHARGES. BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE ARTWORK TO ENLARGE THE PAGE!

The 3-day sale starts on FRIDAY, June 25, 2010 at 6am Eastern Standard Time and ends MONDAY, June 28, 2010 at 10pm Eastern Standard Time. BUY NOW THROUGH PAYPAL! OR ORDER BY PHONE (818-749-8536) THIS IS FASTER AND WILL ALLOW ME TO HELP THE LIBRARY’S IMMEDIATE FUNDING GAP. I CAN ALSO ACCEPT CHECKS BY PHONE.
If you would like a personal greeting on the comics page, call and let me know!
For more information on Byron Vaughns: http://www.byronvaughns.com

The Boys Rule Boys Read Blog, http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com was created by the library staffers, Carl Schwanke, Bill Corder & Zack Moore. They have been avid supporters of the Billy Batson & the Magic of Shazam series (especially Bill Corder) http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com/2009/07/mario-kart-shazam-and-star-wars-nuff.html Unfortunately, Bill and Zack were laid off due to budget cuts but Bill, Carl, and Zack have started another blog, Boys Rock, Boys Read.

For more information about the Boys Rule Boys Read Blog, contact Carl Schwanke at cschwanke@cmlibrary.org (704) 416-4630. Also check out Boys Rock, Boys Read! at http://boysrockbr.blogspot.com a new boy’s blog by Carl Schwanke, Bill Corder & Zack Moore!

Thanks, Betty! And especial thanks to you, Mr. Vaughn! We are very touched by your generosity. So get to it, guys! And you grownups too! Here's a chance to purchase some original artwork by a fantastic comic artist and help the library.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Byron Vaughns of Shazam, New Guys Read Look, and the Latest From Rick Riordan

Hey, everybody, we've got a comment from a comic book artist and some news that all reader guys will want to know.

First up, we have a comment form Byron Vaughns, an artist who does the Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam comic books:

Thanks for the great review of Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam #5. Issue #8 has recently been released and I hope you enjoy it. Check out my blog, http://byronvaughnsshazam.blogspot.com and feel free to comment.

Byron Vaughns

Man, this is too cool. Thanks for writing in. I really enjoy your work and the kids here love the book. I know I and others look forward to more of your work. You Rock!!!!

Darth Bill

Thanks, Byron! Bill really liked this comic--check out his review. Hope we see issue # 8 soon.

Secondly, the Guys Read website has gotten an overhaul and really looks great!! It's run by the

great Jon Scieszka, the king of Guy Reading and author of The Time Warp Trio and other fantastic books. If you ever want to find good stuff to read, that's the place to go!! (outside of US, of course!!) Take a look--their site is the first one in the list of Links on the left-hand side of the page.

Last, and certainly not least, is great news from Rick Riordan, the Percy Jackson man. His blog has reported some extremely exciting things, like The Ultimate Percy Jackson Guide, scheduled to come out in February in time for the Lightning Thief movie. As Mr. Riordan says, "The Ultimate Guide is a compendium of information and full-color illustrations of Percy Jackson's world, including a bestiary of Greek monsters, and scrapbook of Percy's life, a guide to life at Camp Half-Blood, a tour of the Underworld by Nico di Angelo, a trip through the Labyrinth, and much more. " Sounds exciting!! And, as if that's not enough, there will be a PERCY JACKSON GRAPHIC NOVEL out on October 10, 2010. Wow! Will that be great?? Wait--that's a whole year form now!! Aaaauugghhhh!!! Well, to fill in that long waiting period, we have maybe the best news yet. Mr. Riordan's first book in his new Egyptian mythology series will be released on May 5, 2010!! And that's only---oh, about 8 months away. I guess I can wait that long!

Carl

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A New Reviewer, Mario Kart. Shazam and Star Wars; Nuff Said

Hello all in the Land of Blog!!!!! Darth Bill returns with more groovy and hip news to report. So hang on to your hats, you hepcats cause here we go:

The first super cool thing I have is a Captain Underpants Series Review by Khar Johnson:

Captain Underpants is the name of the series and it is written and is drawn by Dav Pilkey. This is a great series and the three main characters are George, Harold and Captain Underpants. I like this series because it is funny and has comics in it also. I love Comic Books.

I am sorry to report that I have yet to have the chance to read any of the Captain Underpants books but will be sure to do so in the near future. I know this is an extremely popular series that is always being checked out at our library. As always sense this was Khar's first review for us we gave him a free book. We also tried to take his picture but he turned out to be quite invisible. Check it out and see what I mean:

Khar Johnson

Okay what's next...ah yes;

What: In The Spangler Tween Area there will be a head-to-head online Wii Mario Kart competition with another library/kids in Ann Arbor, Michigan!!!!
How can I participate: All you have to do is call 704-416-4630 to make a reservation and be between the ages of 8 - 12 years old starting on 7/1/09.
When: The Online fun begins on July 18 from 2 - 4 pm.
Where: This tournament will be held at ImaginOn in the Tween Area of The Spangler Children’s Library!

Okay now I have some Comics and Graphic Novels to talk about!!!!!!

Billy Batson and The Magic of Shazam written by Art Baltazar& Franco and drawn by Byron Vaughns - ImaginOn has just started receiving this great new comic that is funny and also filled with heroic adventures. In this issue (#5, Family Affair) Billy, Shazam and Billy's sister Mary Marvel take on Mr. Atom who happens to be a giant robot made for destruction. The Evil Dr. Sivana is the one behind Mr. Atom's path of terror and Shazam and Mary Marvel are in for one heck of a fight. How does this end????? You will have to come by the library to read it or buy a copy of this excellent title to find out!!!!!!

Star Wars Adventures: Han Solo and The Hollow Moon of Khorya by Jeremy Barlow and Rick Lacy - This Graphic Novel takes place before the star wars movie "A New Hope" and stars Han Solo and his partner/best friend Chewbacca. Per usual Han finds himself in trouble with a powerful gangster. Both Chewbacca and himself are captured by this evil gangster who forces Han to go on a mission to steal something of importance from the Empire. As insurance, the gangster holds Chewbacca as a prisoner until Han completes the mission with and old friend and con artist named Bilal Batross. Once Han is gone on his mission the gangster puts Chewie in the arena to fight for his life. Will Han complete his mission successfully? How will Chewie do in the arena? Read this excellent Star Wars Graphic Novel to find out!!!!!!

That's all for now my friends. Take it easy and peace,

Bill

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If you don't know how to post comments or reviews to our blog or if you want to read what we and other boys have written, here's what you do:

1. Every post has a place underneath it that says "Comments". Click on it and it will take you to a place in which you can write something. When you're done, click on a way to identify yourself. You don't have to create a Blogger/Google account (unless you already have one); you can click on "Name/URL" or even "Anonymous." Then click "Publish Your Comment." We try to get your comments and reviews posted right away, but sometimes we get busy with other duties. So, if you don't see your comment right away, don't panic. We'll post it soon.

Don't forget--any boy can get a free book the first time he writes a review. If you live too far away to come to the Myers Park library, go ahead and write to us anyway. We'll try to find a way to get a book to you. Besides, all the other boys out there would love to hear from you.

When you tell us about a book, please give the title, author, what the book is about, and why you did or didn't like it.

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The Iron Guy's Review Policy

1. Since the Iron Guy works for the terrific Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, I review only books that the library already has or will get soon.
2. If you are an author or publisher or agent and think you have a book that boys will go crazy over, please leave me a comment (with your email address so I can contact you) under any post. I will look and see if we have the book. If not, and if the book looks good, I will contact Those Who Order Books and see if CML would be interested. (Please note--CML does not usually order self-published books) PLEASE do not just send me a book! I appreciate the offer but but first I want to see if CML has it or will get it soon.