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Readers' Mailbag: An Inspiring Story

January 24, 2018 by Chris Bolton in Readers' Mailbag, Blog, Book One, Fan Letters, Kids' Comics, Letters

We just have to share a wonderful email that we received from a woman named Dianne, about a young reader's experience with our first book, SMASH: TRIAL BY FIRE.

Mason is nine, in my daughter's 4th grade class, and carpools with our family to school in the mornings. We practice spelling words and math flash cards in the kitchen before the carpool as a way to get the kids ready for their school day. Mason had no problems with flash cards, but struggled mightily with spelling words. We practice the week's assigned vocabulary every morning to prep for Friday spelling tests, but when he gets his tests back, his scores are  often 10/20, 12/20, maybe 13/20. But Mason said that he wasn't bothered by his low spelling grades because he didn't really like to read anyway.

Well, I was on my way to the library to pick up some books I had on hold and I resolved to find something that Mason would like to read. In the graphic novels section I picked up some Marvel books, a retelling of Tom Sawyer, and Smash. Now here's what I like about Smash, for a boy like Mason, who says he doesn't care about reading, and struggles with 1st-grade vocabulary: The protagonist is his age, the premise of small kid as super hero is immediately sympathetic, the dialog text is easily legible, the vocabulary is easy to grasp through context but not dumbed down.

From the moment I showed Mason your book and he began to understand the characters and story, he was hooked. Even though a single page spread could take him 15 minutes to read, he was committed to learning every word. We used his enthusiasm to encourage his vocabulary list practice: if he would spell five words from his list correctly, he could read Smash until the carpool left for school. He did this for the entire month, and I'm proud to say that this morning he finished the entire book. He was so proud of his accomplishment. My husband made a list of the new words he learned as he encountered them in Smash and read them on his own. 

In addition to finding that he really does like to read, Mason has also dramatically improved his spelling performance. Last Friday was the second Friday in a row that he achieved a spelling test score of 20/20. It's amazing to see the transformation in his results, but more importantly in his recognition of what he can accomplish.

Thank you for writing such an amazing book and for providing the catalyst that is changing this kid's educational direction.

Thank YOU, Dianne! In our eyes, Mason is a champion and what he achieved is on a par with anything Smash can do. Your email made our day, our week, maybe even our year. It's always gratifying to know the hard work we put into a passion project like Smash pays off in dividends with young readers.

If you want to send us your story or ask us a question (we'll answer 'em!), email us at smashcomic@gmail.com. Replies guaranteed! 

January 24, 2018 /Chris Bolton
mailbag, Smash, smash: trial by fire, smash book one, kids rock, kids are awesome, kids comics, kid lit, kids graphic novels, kids books, reading, education, email, letters, learning, Mason
Readers' Mailbag, Blog, Book One, Fan Letters, Kids' Comics, Letters
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SMASH2_cover_051917.jpg

Welcome to 2018—The Year of Being Fearless!

January 08, 2018 by Chris Bolton in Book Two, Blog, Coming Soon, Kids' Comics, Publishing, Publicity

We're so excited that SMASH BOOK 2: FEARLESS is dropping May 8, 2018!

As we approach the publication date, we'll have lots of previews, behind-the-scenes peeks, giveaways, and other goodies to whet your appetite. Check back often and let us know what you think!

January 08, 2018 /Chris Bolton
smash: fearless, smash, smash book two, smash book two: fearless, smash comics, Smash, Fearless, coming soon, Book Two, Chris A. Bolton, kyle bolton, comic, comics, graphic novels, kids graphic novels, superhero
Book Two, Blog, Coming Soon, Kids' Comics, Publishing, Publicity
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Click on the image for a larger view.

Presenting... SMASH Book 2: FEARLESS!

August 28, 2017 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Book Two, Coming Soon, Kids' Comics, Press, Publicity, Publishing, Smash Art

We're thrilled to announce that SMASH Book 2: FEARLESS will be published on May 8, 2018!

Here's your first look at the cover. And the publisher blurb:

Superhero. Super young. Super freaked out! In his second adventure, Smash has his hands full with old enemies and a few new ones — not to mention homework.

Thanks to a strange twist of fate — and a massive explosion — Andrew’s dream of having the strength and abilities of his superhero idol came true, and Smash was born. Great, right? Wrong! As superhero Smash, Andrew finds himself in a losing battle with the one emotion no hero should ever feel: fear. And he definitely didn’t count on becoming the prime target of Magus, the vilest supervillain of all time, who will stop at nothing to steal Smash’s powers. It’s going to take Andrew everything he’s got to conquer his fears, safeguard the city, keep his identity a secret . . . and pass the fifth grade.

August 28, 2017 /Chris Bolton
smash comics, smash: fearless, smash book two, smash book two: fearless, chris a. bolton, Kyle Bolton, Fearless, Smash, comics, graphic novels, kids graphic novels, coming soon
Blog, Book Two, Coming Soon, Kids' Comics, Press, Publicity, Publishing, Smash Art
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Famous last words...

Famous last words...

How (Not) to Head-Butt a Monster!

September 08, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Webcomic

The newest page is up for our weekly webcomic, "Monstrous!"

Each week we present a new page and they're all free to read! (Although, if you want to help us make more comics, your support on Patreon is always appreciated.)

We recently heard from a fan who worried that reading "Monstrous" would spoil Book 2. Not to worry! The webcomic is all-new, online-only material that will NOT be in Book 2 and doesn't spoil a single surprise -- we promise! So, feel free to read "Monstrous" as you please.

September 08, 2015 /Chris Bolton
webcomics, webcomic, kids webcomics, smash webcomic, smash comics, smash, smash: trial by fire, comic, comic books, comics, kids books, kids graphic novels, kid lit, kids comics, all-ages, Kyle Bolton, Chris A. Bolton, Monster Fighters, monstrous, monster fight, monsters, giant monsters, superheroes, superhero, superhero comics
Blog, Webcomic
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Whap! Wham! Poor Smash...

Whap! Wham! Poor Smash...

New SMASH Webcomic Page!

August 11, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Comic, Webcomic

Smash vs. the Monster! (Well, he gives it the ol' 5th grade try, anyway.)

We post a new page of our webcomic every Tuesday. Click here to read it now!

August 11, 2015 /Chris Bolton
webcomics, webcomic, smash comics, smash webcomic, smash, kids books, kids comics, kid lit, kids graphic novels, kids are awesome, superheroes, superhero comics, Kyle Bolton, chris a. bolton, monsters, Monstrous, monster fight, giant monsters
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Back in print... and it feels so good!

SMASH Book One Is Back In Print!

August 07, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Book One, Publishing

After selling out the first print run of our all-ages graphic novel, SMASH: Trial by Fire, we're pleased to announce that the second printing is available now! You can buy it at your favorite independent bookstore or order it online here:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indie Bound
Powell’s

And iust a reminder of how critics feel about the book:

School Library Journal:

[A]n action-packed crowd-pleaser….The full-color artwork is full of kinetic energy....Smash pays homage to the genre while adding tweaks that make it all feel fresh. This is sure to be a draw for superhero fans and reluctant readers alike.

The Horn Book:

Mixing humor with action makes for a winning combination; a vivid palette and classic comic book-style greatly enhance the graphic novel package.

2014 Children’s Choice Book Awards:

The comic book art and fast-paced story hooks readers in the first of a new series.

Good Comics for Kids:

Kids and adults can enjoy this superhero title that’s filled with humor, action, and art that makes it a fun ride for everyone.

100 Scope Notes blog:

There’s no shortage of superhero graphic novels, but Smash: Trial by Fire is more well done than most….[I]t’s full of drama, humor, and seriously thrilling action sequences. To summarize: kids are going to love it.

August 07, 2015 /Chris Bolton
smash: trial by fire, smash book one, smash, book one, trial by fire, kyle bolton, Chris A. Bolton, publishing, second printing, all-ages, graphic novels, kids graphic novels, top 10 circulated graphic novels, kid lit, kids webcomics, kids comics, kids books
Blog, Book One, Publishing
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New SMASH Webcomic Page!

August 04, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Comic, Webcomic

The message of this week's webcomic is, "Run for your life!"

Click here to read the latest comic now!

August 04, 2015 /Chris Bolton
webcomic, webcomics, kids webcomics, smash webcomic, smash comics, smash, kyle bolton, chris a. bolton, superhero comics, comics, kids comics, kids graphic novels, kids books, kid lit
Blog, Comic, Webcomic
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You said it, big fella!

You said it, big fella!

Monster Rampage Begins... Now!

July 28, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Comic, Webcomic, Teasers

Over on our webcomic, there is monstrous rage afoot! Every week we'll feature this big, green guy going wild and destroying more stuff as Smash tries to stop him. Don't miss it!

July 28, 2015 /Chris Bolton
webcomic, webcomics, kids webcomics, smash webcomic, kid lit, kids books, kids graphic novels, kids comics, comics, superhero comics, superheroes, smash, smash comics, Kyle Bolton, chris a. bolton, Monstrous, monsters, giant monsters
Blog, Comic, Webcomic, Teasers
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Danger: Nefarious Schemes Ahead!

Danger: Nefarious Schemes Ahead!

This Week's Webcomic Comes Early!

July 20, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Comic, Webcomic

We're so excited about this week's page of our SMASH webcomic that we couldn't wait until Tuesday to share it. So here it is, a day early!

July 20, 2015 /Chris Bolton
webcomics, webcomic, kids webcomics, smash webcomic, monstrous, monster fight, monsters, Monstrous, giant monsters, kid lit, kids graphic novels, kids books, kids comics, comics, comic books, graphic novels, tumblr, smash, smash comics, Chris A. Bolton, Kyle Bolton
Blog, Comic, Webcomic
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Making trouble for Smash!

New Bad Guys!

July 16, 2015 by Chris Bolton in Blog, Book Two

Why, yes, we ARE hard at work on SMASH Book 2. Want proof? Here is Kyle Bolton designing a brand-new bad guy to make life a little more difficult for our 10-year-old superhero.

More to come soon!

July 16, 2015 /Chris Bolton
smash, Kyle Bolton, sketchbook, design, characters, bad guys, new characters, Book Two, blue sketchbook, Bullet, superhero, kid lit, kids comics, kids graphic novels, kids books
Blog, Book Two
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