Happy Anniversary, Archie!
Archie Andrews and his Riverdale pals were "born" in December 1941, so this month is the official 65th anniversary, but Archie Comics has chosen to make the anniversary a yearlong celebration for 2007. Michael Silberkleit, son of one of the Archie founders, Louis Silberkleit, discussed the anniversary and more in an interview on the Comic Zone of World Talk Radio.
In the report, Silberkleit alludes to the long-awaited "Archie" movie as a possibility for 2007 (it was put on the back burner a few years ago for the "Josie and the Pussycats" movie). He also talks about his early days at Archie Comics, starting work for his dad in the lower levels of the company and learning all the different facets of the business.
"When the comics industry started, all the publishers were very friendly," Silberkleit says of his early days in the biz, when he knew the folks at DC, Marvel and the like. "They were fierce competitors, but they were also good friends." Times have changed substantially since then, he says.
He discusses why Archie Comics has stayed afloat all these years, while other comics (even Disney titles) have come and gone. "Archie is something kids look up to, as a role model," he says.
On the controversial topic of longtime Archie artist Dan DeCarlo, now deceased, who worked on several key Archie characters including the aforementioned Josie and BRBTV's fave, redhead Cheryl Blossom, Silberkleit is mostly mum, but does say: "He probably was the finest cartoonist / illustrator of women that ever walked on the face of this earth. He was a great artist, wonderful talent. And a nice guy. ... He had a great style, that has never been emulated since."
Some (eastern) Indian characters are coming to the Archies realm, as well as a reality TV show and more partnering with the singing duo "The Veronicas." Listen to the whole interview at: http://www.worldtalkradio.com/archive.asp?aid=8554
No comments:
Post a Comment