Comic Strip Powerhouse Andrews McMeel Publishing Launches New Kids’ Line: AMP! Comics for Kids

Targeting young readers with the biggest names in comic strips

(October 1, 2012) Most widely known as the premier producer of cutting-edge comics and best-selling nonfiction, Andrews McMeel expands its focus with its AMP! Comics for Kids line of comic stories targeting younger readers.  August 2012 marks the launch of AMP! with Lincoln Peirce’s BIG NATE MAKES THE GRADE.  Already a New York Times bestseller with more than 4.5 million copies in print, Big Nate is a power-force in the comics and children’s literature arena.  This month, AMP! follows up with kids’ collections of FoxTrot by Bill Amend, Lio by Mark Tatulli, and another Big Nate collection, this one all-Sundays and all-color. 

As a leading publisher of comic strips, Andrews McMeel has brought the reading public best-selling authors such as Gary Larson, Bill Watterson and Scott Adams.  “For years Andrews McMeel has helped to define American popular culture by giving voice to storytellers of our age,” said Kirsty Melville, the President of the Book Division.  “Andrews McMeel has discovered, nurtured and published some of the most noteworthy comic creators of our generation.  Now for the first time, we are bringing this rich heritage of comic talent to the kids’ section.” 

AMP! books are designed to bridge the gap between today’s mostly older-skewing comic book content and the demand from kids for comic books that are age appropriate.  A boy genius, bickering siblings, and a comic book reading scientist – along with zombie bunnies, a robot maid, and a mischievous iguana – will have kids anticipating new offerings from AMP! season after season. 

Enriching kids’ reading experience, AMP! delivers innovative online enhancements such as games, widgets, avatars, and downloads to delight this new and emerging generation of comic readers.  Future publishing plans include Pearls Before Swine and other popular series. 

About Andrews McMeel Publishing and AMP! Comics for Kids

Andrews McMeel Publishing, a division of Andrews McMeel Universal, is a leading publisher of general nonfiction trade, cookbook, gift and humor books, publishing as many as 200 new titles annually. Andrews McMeel is also the nation's top calendar publisher, selling more than 15 million calendars each year.

BIG NATE MAKES THE GRADE

ISBN: 9781449425661

$9.99/$11.99 Canadian

On sale 8/21/2012

Ages 8-12

BIG NATE ALL WORK AND NO PLAY: A Collection of Sundays

9781449425678

$14.99/$16.99 Canadian

On sale 10/23/12

Ages 8-12

AAAA! A FoxTrot Kids Edition

9781449423056

$9.99/$11.99 Canadian

On sale 10/2/12

Ages 8-12

LIO: THERE’S A MONSTER IN MY SOCKS

9781449423049

$9.99/$11.99 Canadian

On sale 10/2/12

Ages 8-12