Comics 101 At Padre Pio Summer Academy

This summer, local students will have the opportunity to learn about the art of making comics from two working professionals in the field. I’m pleased to be one half of that team, along with my co-teacher, cartoonist Len Peralta (http://www.lenperalta.com/). Together we’re offering a course called Comics 101 for 12- to 18-year-olds as part of Padre Pio Academy’s summer programming.

Comics 101 will introduce students to the process of creating comics and help students of all levels develop their artistic and storytelling skills. The course is dedicated to guiding students to express themselves creatively and communicate effectively through words and pictures. No prior experience is needed--just enthusiasm and willingness to learn!

Peralta is a professional local cartoonist whose quirky, offbeat style has become synonymous with geek music and culture. His work has been featured on CNN's website and in The New Yorker. He was recently listed as one of the Top 100 Geeks to Follow on Twitter by Wired Magazine. Len has also illustrated several books, including There’s A Zombie In My Treehouse by John “Widgett” Robinson and Ken Plume, Silly Rhymes For Belligerent Children written by MST3K/Cinematic Titanic’s Trace Beaulieu, and Look by Robert Bowling.

Len has just completed work on an expansion set of Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, based on the popular web series The Guild, and an independent game, Wacky Obits, due out later this year. He is currently working on a graphic novel written by Rifftrax member Bill Corbett entitled Super Powered Revenge Chiristmas, due out this holiday season. He has taught comics and cartooning at the Beck Center and resides in Cleveland with his wife, Nora, six (soon to be seven) children and a gassy Wheaten Terrier named Snoopy.

I have over a decade of editorial experience in the comic book publishing field. As a member of Marvel Comics’ staff for over 5 years, I’ve worked closely with some of the industry’s premier writing and artistic talent on developing comic stories. My editorial credits include Invincible Iron Man, Stephen King’s Dark Tower and The Stand comic adaptations, and current series The Secret Service and Supercrooks. I relocated from New York City to Lakewood in 2010 with my husband and daughter, and work as a freelance comic editor and consultant.

Comics 101 is one of many classes that Padre Pio Academy offers at its Lakewood campus from June through August. More information is available at http://www.pioacademy.org/curriculum, or by calling (216) 571-0174.

Nicole Boose

Nicole is a stay-at-home mom and freelance editor. She and her family relocated to Lakewood at the end of 2010 from the Bronx, New York City.

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Volume 8, Issue 11, Posted 10:52 PM, 05.30.2012