ComicBooks For Kids! launches in the UK

By John Freeman on February 22, 2022

After establishing itself as a success in North America, ComicBooks For Kids! – a popular American charity that aims to promote fun and literacy for children in hospitals – has set its sights on the United Kingdom for the launch of the ComicBooks For Kids UK!

Founded in Chicago by Mark Weiss, CB4K started with a simple mission to put comic books into the hands of children in local hospitals and cancer centres. The non-profit organisation quickly grew from an Illinois-centred enterprise to one that supports over 200 hospitals in every state within the United States to all demographics.

Says Weiss, “When we started CB4K, little could we have imagined how quickly this would be adopted and expand. Over time, donations of comics, funds and increasing demand from hospitals continued to reinforce that we were making a positive difference for the kids. When the distributors, publishers and retailers joined us we knew that we could indeed support these kids on behalf of this incredible industry”.

To help launch the UK arm of the charity, Weiss turned to co-directors Will O’Mullane and Chris Thompson, who are veterans of the UK comics and pop culture scene, to bring his vision to the entire UK.

“I first met Mark when I was at C2E2 in Chicago to represent Titan Comics a number of years ago,” explains Thompson. “He told me what they were doing for kids in North America, and I immediately wanted to get involved. Titan became one of the key supporters of CB4K’s work so, when it came time to launch the UK side of the organisation, he came back to me and I suggested reaching out to Will.”

Says O’Mullane, “Witnessing the joy and magic that Mark had already built in North America, along with his infectious passion and enthusiasm for CB4K made this an easy decision. I’m incredibly excited to be on-board, and to see how we can help create this same magic for kids in the UK!”

Having worked behind the scenes throughout the pandemic to get the charity registered as its own entity in the UK, the entire team is excited to see it grow and find its own feet. Although there is still a lot to do in terms of getting inventory, making contact with hospitals, and encouraging donations, everyone is optimistic to make this a success.

• You can visit comicbookforkids.org to make a donation (there is a separate option for donating to the UK) while interested publishers, retailers, hospitals and press can make contact with the directors by emailing will@comicbooksforkids.org or chris@comicbooksforkids.org locally in the UK

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.