Author and children's advocate writes for Archie & Friends

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK , NY – Archie Comics announces acclaimed writer and children’s art advocate Alex Simmons’ first story for the Archie & Friends title. Simmons' work has been seen throughout other comics like Blackjack, Batman, Tarzan, Superman, Race Against Time and Scooby-Doo.

Over the past 11 years, he's written stories that have spanned the genres of high adventure, sci-fi and mystery. Now he's taking a walk down the streets of Riverdale as he pens his first Archie story in an adventurous tale that spans four issues.

"This is a real kick for me," Simmons says. "In my career I have been fortunate enough to write stories for several of the fictional characters I grew up with, including a modern play and two books involving Sherlock Holmes. Writing for Archie just raised the enjoyment bar another level."

In a career spanning 20 years, Simmons has written juvenile mystery novels, stage plays, documentaries, biographies and more. He also travels the country as a speaker and a teaching artist, conducting creative writing workshops. He is the educational outreach director for New York City’s Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. He also works as a voiceover artist for commercials and podcasts and runs a family-friendly kids comic convention each year.

On his first Archie story, Simmons says, "Rex Lindsey is the man!!! His artwork on 'Double-A Seven' is fantastic! I especially love the view from the London Eye observation wheel. What a shot. Rex's art will definitely pull our readers into the exotic settings of our story, and that's a big part of this wild ride."

Simmons’ “Archie World Tour” will begin its globetrotting tale in Archie & Friends #117 and continue through Archie & Friends #120. "Archie & Friends #117 will be available at the March 29th Kids' Comic Con, where I will be happy to sign free copies for the first 300 fans at the Archie booth," Simmons says.



ARCHIE & FRIENDS #117
"Archie World Tour Part 1 of 4: Double-A Seven": When Archie and friends embark on a whirlwind world tour, their first stop is London , where they soon find themselves embroiled in an international spy mystery!
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale at comic specialty shops: March 12, 2008
On sale on newsstands: March 25, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.