Archie Comics prepares for Earth Day with comics, study guide
Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22, and in advance of the day, a comic publisher is making environmental stories and a study guide available.
Archie Comics will celebrate Earth Day with two classic Archie Comics stories focused on earth-friendly activities along with a special guide for educators available free online.
Archie Comics co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit is spearheading the effort.
“I like it because not (only are there) the two free stories, you will also see the teacher’s study guide,” Silberkleit said. “I feel teachers may be hesitant in using comic books in an academic subject; this guide provided support.”
The stories and the link to the study guide can be found at https://archiecomics.com/celebrate-earth-daywith-free-stories-getting-drasticwith-plastic-and-bottle-battle/
Silberkleit, herself a former teacher, heads up Education and Theater in her role at Archie Comic Publications. She also has established the Rise Above Social Issues Foundation, Inc., as a nonprofit that addresses social issues including bullying, discrimination and environmental concerns through comic books.
“By enhancing literacy and encouraging self-confidence and knowledge through age-accessible, non-threatening reading materials, such as specially created, topical comic books, we strive to stimulate creativity and tolerance in young people, giving them the tools to become a positive influence on their peers through overcoming social challenges,” Silberkleit said on her web site at http://riseabovesocialissues.com/
The first story, “Bottle Battle,” by Angelo DeCesare, Pat Kennedy, Mike De
Carlo, Pat Owsley and Barry Grossman, features Archie and friends learning about plastic waste and ways they can reduce their environmental impact. The story can be found in “Archie Spring Funhouse Annual” #26.
‘Getting Drastic with Plastic’ by comic book writer/illustrators Batton Lush and Bill Galvin is from issue number 31 of the “Archie & Friends” Digest series.
In the story, Veronica is inspired into action by a speaker at a school assembly to look for ways to limit, reuse or recycle plastics.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.