Heroes read: DC partners with schools and libraries to promote reading
As we quickly approach the upcoming American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Conference, DC revealed plans on January 18 for a new campaign – “Be a Hero, Read a Book” –that will promote graphic novels across libraries and schools nationwide by providing librarians with DC Super Hero-themed materials, resources and activities. The campaign will bring awareness to DC titles, particularly upcoming DC Zoom and DC Ink books, and generally encourage kids to read graphic novels.
As part of the program, DC will debut new, custom artwork every month that will be featured on various promotional materials such as posters, bookmarks, and stickers, among other items, that librarians can display in their libraries and/or pass out to students and patrons. Each art piece will depict an iconic DC character reading a DC Zoom (middle grade) or DC Ink (YA) graphic novel.
The first piece of promotional art debuting in January 2019 is by acclaimed artist Francis Manapul and features Batman reading Ridley Pearson and Ile Gonzalez’s upcoming DC Zoom graphic novel, Super Sons: The PolarShield Project, which hits shelves April 2, 2019.
In addition to promotional items, “Be a Hero, Read a Book” will also offer librarians excerpts from upcoming DC Zoom and DC Ink graphic novels.
The ongoing campaign will kick off at this year’s ALA Midwinter in Seattle, WA from January 25-28, 2019. Attendees visiting the DC booth (#720) will receive free promotional tote bags and bookmarks, among other items – all featuring Manapul’s January artwork.
“Be a Hero, Read a Book” will also be a key component of DC’s participation in Booklist’s first annual “Graphic Novels in Libraries Month” slated for July 2019 which was also announced on Friday. The month-long program organized by Booklist encourages librarians to host events and promote reading graphic novels at their libraries in July. Participating libraries have the opportunity to receive DC graphic novels and comics, and “Be a Hero, Read a Book” promotional materials to use at their events.
(Source: DC Comics)
Also see:
- DC Zoom: New graphic novel series debuts with ‘Dear Justice League’
- Hardcover ‘Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman the Deluxe Edition’ and ‘Detective Comics #1000’ being released this March
- ‘Young Justice: Outsiders’ returns to DC Universe on January 4
~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
