FCBD 2010: Exclusive Interview with DC Kids Mega Sampler 2010's Art Baltazar & Franco

Being a super-hero doesn't always have to be such a serious thing, as creators Art Baltazar and Franco have proved with DC Kids series like Tiny Titans and Billy Batson and the Magic of SHAZAM! For this year's Free Comic Book Day, the duo contributed kid-friendly stories to the DC Kids Mega Sampler 2010, DC's Silver title this year.

In this exclusive interview with Freecomicbookday.com, the two discuss the fun of kids comics and FCBD.

Freecomicbookday.com: Set your project up for those that might not know much about it. What can we expect to see in terms of story and art?

Art Baltazar: In Tiny Titans, it’s all about fun!  This time around we get a peek at the Fortress of Solitude and how birthday parties are celebrated there.  Tiny Titans are all the same Teen Titans you know and love (Robin, Kid Flash Wonder Girl, Superboy, Beast Boy, Starfire, Cyborg, and many others) but really, really small.  The comics are designed to attract young readers to the DC Universe.  Find out what the school day is like at SidekickCity elementary school and see what the day in the life of a Tiny Titans is like! 

Also we have an awesome preview of Billy Batson and the Magic of SHAZAM!  Find out what the power of one magic word can be!  Seeing may be believing in this glimpse of a larger story in the adventures of Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel as they investigate UFO sightings! Can cows fly on their own or is this some sort of extraterrestrial plot against Earth? All brought to you in amazing Mike Norton artwork!

Freecomicbookday.com: What’s your favorite part about being able to work in comics?

Baltazar: My favorite part about working in comics is being able to draw all day and being able to put my own cartoony style on classic DC Comics characters.  I love it!  It’s a dream come true!

Franco: Yes!!  Definitely!  Being able to add to the mythos of characters such as Captain Marvel (SHAZAM!) is so cool!  I love it also!  It’s the awesomest of the awesome! 

Freecomicbookday.com: Why do you think FCBD is so vital to the industry?

Baltazar: For some kids it will be their first exposure to these characters and for some it may be their first comic book ever!  So it’s an honor to potentially be the creators behind that first comic!

Franco: We were part of this for the past two years and we see it first hand when we meet people and they tell us they have become fans of the book, and kids tells us how much they enjoy it!  It gets more exciting every year!

Freecomicbookday.com: Since FCBD has now been a yearly event since 2002, do you, your creator friends and/or your family have any annual FCBD traditions?

Baltazar:  It means travel!  The best thing is seeing different comic shops and meeting people and then doing a little bit of shopping afterward! (laughs)

Franco: Yes!  The best part for me is actually the days after FCBD because of all the fan mail we get from the people!

Freecomicbookday.com: Franco, what’s the biggest challenge when creating a FCBD book as opposed to a standard comic? Do you have to approach it differently knowing you might have a broader audience?

Franco: Trying to write the best, funniest story possible!

Freecomicbookday.com: Art, what was your favorite character, setting, or sequence to illustrate?

Baltazar: I like being able to draw all of the super characters, like Superboy, Supergirl, and the Super pets…even Superman, in a short story, and also some villains like Lex Luthor and Brainiac, in the Tiny Titans style, of course!

Freecomicbookday.com: Knowing that so many readers are sure to pick up the issue, does that put more pressure on you, or is that something that gets you more excited about what you’re working on?

Baltazar: No pressure, but I am more excited that this will bring in more people to the comic stores, and they get to read more of our awesome stories!

Franco: No pressure – just fun!!

Freecomicbookday.com: In the spirit of potential newcomers picking up comics, what was the first comic you remember reading or that inspired you to get involved in the industry?

Baltazar:  The one where Batman and Superman had to fight the Sportsmaster!  The villains challenged the heroes to a Baseball game, and if the bad guys won, the heroes would be doomed!  But Plastic Man saved the day by making a fake base with his foot!  That comic was awesome!!

Franco:  I just liked any comic that had a whole bunch of superheroes in it!!!  The Justice League was always my favorite; they were always in space, or on a satellite, or on the moon and sometimes they would be underwater with Aquaman!  I think Aquaman is the best, except for maybe Hawkman!!

Freecomicbookday.com: What comic(s) or graphic novel(s) would you recommend to someone that enjoys your FCBD book and is looking for something like it to read next?

Baltazar: Any and all Tiny Titans trades!  Volumes 1, 2, and 3 are available now!  Highly recommended by Franco’s mom!

Franco: I agree with that, and also Billy Batson and the Magic of SHAZAM! is out in single issue and trade form… and anything written by Geoff Johns is pretty good, too!  Aw yeah FCBD!!!!

Be sure to visit Freecomicbookday.com often to check out previews of this year’s books and to learn more about our FCBD Sponsors, what merchandise and downloads are available this year, where favorite creators will be showing up for signings, and much more. You can also follow all the latest FCBD news on Facebook and Twitter.