Local comic art and
entertainment in
Flint, Michigan!

MEET THE STAFF OF FLINT COMIX

In early 2009 a new publication came to the Flint Michigan area. Birthed in the imagination of a local graphic artist, Flint Comix and Entertainment, is emerging to provide comics, light-hearted reading, information, and entertainment for all.

Not long ago, Randy Zimmerman, a local graphic artist and comic book illustrator approached longtime friend, Ted Valley of Vertigo Theatrics with the idea of producing a local publication. Brainstorming they decided on the format and market. Catering to the younger adult audience and college students, the publication is designed to carry a unique blend of comic strips, cartoons, and comic book style stories from local, as well as national artists. In addition to comics, and again utilizing local talent for contributions whenever possible, the publication will also feature articles designed to highlight local events and entertainment within their readership area.

As a key point to their publishing plan, Randy and Ted decided to make Flint Comix and Entertainment free to their readers. Being a free publication it will encourage many more readers as compared to other products with a cover price. This is obviously a strong selling point for the advertiser. Flint Comix and Entertainment, unlike many other publications in the area, is designed to directly hit a specific demographic sorely overlooked in our community. This fact is another strong selling point for advertisers desiring to better utilize their advertising dollars and to target a specific audience.

The only piece missing from the secret formula was that particular someone to head up the sales and marketing. Finishing off the core team, Leigh LaForest was approached to fulfill this position. Once Leigh was on board everything is in place for Flint Comix And Entertainment to begin delivering fun, comics, and entertainment to the community where they all live.

Coordinating our charge against boredom is Editor-in-chief Randy Zimmerman, who for most of his adult life has been a graphic and sequential artist (Just say "cartoonist".) here in the Flint area. In addition to having developed and produced comics and cartoons for a number of different markets for over a decade and a half, Randy also served as Art Director, and then Editor-In-Chief of Michigan based independent comic book publisher Arrow Comics, as well as Cartoon Editor for many years at The Uncommon Sense. Recently Randy has been running his own graphic arts business, Zimm Graphix, as well as contributing to a number of nationally distributed comics and magazines. "Comics are so entrenched in our media and entertainment anymore that it really bothers me there aren't more outlets for these works to be available to the people who want to read them," stated Randy. "In addition to spotlighting local talent, I'm thrilled about some of the outside material we are pursuing the rights to print in our paper. A newspaper publication like this has never been attempted before that I know of, and I'm excited by the very opportunity to produce it, especially here in my hometown."

Stepping into the role of Publisher, Ted Valley has been a long time figure in Flint and the surrounding areas. His theatrical production company, Vertigo Theatrics just celebrated the opening of it's eleventh season to numerous sold-out crowds. Ted has been in the performing arts for over 25 years and was once the editor for On The Town Magazine. Active in numerous non-profit fundraisers and local events he has lent his talents to help raise awareness. "Flint has so many things to offer from theatre to concerts, art exhibits and special events. There is no reason anyone should ever say there is nothing to do here. They just need to be made aware of what is happening in the area," stated Ted Valley. Ted is also taking on the responsibility of coordinating the distribution of the newspaper, a task that he takes very seriously.

Leigh LaForest has taken the mantle as the paper's Sales Manager. Leigh brings over fifteen plus years of sales experience in working with multi-media advertising. "It is a pleasure working within our market to help Flint Comix and Entertainment find advertisers and promoters. This will prove to be a great venue to reach an audience that is growing in Flint. Our colleges, University of Michigan, Kettering, Mott Community College and Baker have created a constantly growing audience that has been sorely overlooked for the most part here in Flint." She is excited about using her experience in print, television, radio and internet advertising to help Flint Comix and Entertainment to be read, enjoyed, and become popular to our growing market.

Randy, Ted, and Leigh will be working hard to make Flint Comix and Entertainment successful on every level. Upcoming plans include a presence on the web (www.flintcomix.com), acquiring the assistance of national syndicates for more amazing content, as well as adding more staff, collaborators, and contributors as needed. "We want to be a powerful, positive force for fun and entertainment in our community" Randy said. "I honestly can't wait for folks to see what we have in mind for them. I think they'll be amazed." Of course, all announcements on further developments will be made as soon as legally possible.

"Now I can honestly tell folks 'see you in the funny papers' and mean it" Ted concluded jokingly.