By Candace Smith

Two iconic American figures have joined forces, but it may not be the ones you expect. All-American teen Archie Andrews has partnered with rock ‘n’ roll legend Kiss in an upcoming series called, eponymously, ”Archie Meets Kiss.”

The four-part series launches Nov. 30 and, in the words of writer Alex Segura of Archie Comics, “brings together two pieces of Americana for the first time.”

Jon Goldwater, CEO of Archie Comics, is a self-described “crazy Kiss fan,” even having a Kiss-themed party for his son’s Bar Mitzvah.

But Goldwater told ABC News that the idea of a partnership between Archie and Kiss came from Kiss bassist-vocalist Gene Simmons.

“One day, I was lucky enough to get a call,” Goldwater said.

Simmons flew him out to L.A. to discuss the idea of a partnership.

“His ideas were extremely inspiring, and we thought it would be a wonderful thing for Archie,” Goldwater said.

Simmons told ABC News that the partnership with Archie and Kiss seems natural.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Hi Gene,

Just watched “The Smurfs” … and guess what… they mentioned YOU !!
Playing Guitar Hero, sticking their tongues out… and yelling… GENE SIMMONS !!!

Yeah!! KISS IS EVERYWHERE !!

Longtime fan ..

Larry den Engelsen
Dordrecht
Holland

LETTERS

Halloween is just around the corner. What better time to KISS Halloween-themed merchandise, like glow in the dark tees, masks, accessories and more.

Visit the Official KISS Store to find more great KISS merchandise!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Hey KISS Fans... Here is an amazing advertisement for iPhone in Japan... The spirit of KISS is there as long as Paul doesn't bark ;) The dog is the mascot of the phone company there! Rock'n'Roll!!!! :)

Tony Errico

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

HI KISS!

Here's a cool new KISS billboard that we've seen in several places around town in the Richmond area this month!! 96.5 is the classic rock station for the city & surrounding areas. My daughter (& diehard KISS fan) Hannah even noticed this before me, so we thought we'd share this cool pic with KISSOnline!!

Cheers & Rock On!!
Ron & Hannah Whitmore, Richmond, Va.

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Thanks to our friends at KISS Army Argentina for sending KOL this photo of a toy machine vending machine featuring the Demon! Picture was taken in Pinamar (Beach city), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

LETTERS

Archie Writer Alex Segura Talks 'Archie Meets KISS' Comic Book

KISS, Sabrina the Teenaged Witch, and Archie Mix it Up in Riverdale

Eric Shirey, Yahoo! Contributor Network

As soon as I heard that KISS was making an appearance in Archie Comics, I wanted to get all the details right away. I am a huge fan of KISS and a huge fan of comic books, so you can understand my curiosity. I had a chance to interview Archie Comics writer Alex Segura about the upcoming "Archie Meets KISS" issue that is being released in comic specialty shops on December 28, 2011.

Talk to us about the concept of putting KISS in the world of Archie comics. How did it come about?

It was remarkably easy, actually. Gene Simmons gave Jon Goldwater, our Co-CEO, a call and said, "I want to do an Archie and KISS comic." Jon was all for it. I got wind of the project through my meetings with Jon and our President Mike Pellerito and put together a pitch. They liked it, and here we are! Plus, Dan Parent is drawing it. What could be cooler?

Are you a KISS fan? If so, what does the band mean to you?

Definitely a fan. I love, love, love music. So yeah, I listen to KISS and they're a big part of that. They're really bigger than music, though. What I tell people is that Archie Meets KISS is the crossing over of two key parts of Americana. One of my earliest comic reading memories actually involve KISS, but not in the way you'd expect. I remember ads for KISS's "Revenge" album and just wondering who the heck these guys were. If you'd told me then I'd be writing about them and Archie in a comic, I probably wouldn't have believed you.

Check out this promo clip for the new KISS Jumpin Jammerz Footed Pajamas!



Buy the KISS Footed Pajamas now at http://www.jumpinjammerz.com/

By DON KAPLAN

Only in a comic book could a freakish rock group like KISS team up with a bunch of squeaky-clean square pegs like Archie, Veronica and Jughead.

But given the hard-rock band’s penchant for popping up on items ranging from condoms to Hello Kitty toys, it was only a matter of time before they wandered into something like “Archie Meets KISS,” a new comic series featuring both groups.

“KISS is all things to all people,” frontman Gene Simmons told The Post.

And the rock star insisted that while an adult might see his wild, onstage persona one way, a kid would view it another.


DRAWN TOGETHER: “Archie Meets KISS” No. 1.
“A 5- or 10-year-old fan doesn’t look at the lascivious nature of my tongue the same way someone much older would -- such a thing is not obvious to a 5-year-old, and nor should it be,’’ Simmons said.

The series debuts later this fall.

Archie Artist Dan Parent Talks 'Archie Meets KISS' Comic Book

KISS Invades Riverdale! Lock Up Betty and Veronica

Eric Shirey, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Legendary rock group KISS is making an appearance in issue #628 of Archie Comics. The comic will be hitting specialty store shelves on December 28, 2011. I had the opportunity to talk to Archie Comics artist Dan Parent, who has worked on the comic series since 1987.

Are you a KISS fan? If so, what does the band mean to you?

I am definitely a KISS fan from all the way back in Junior High. The band is more than just a rock group to me. Its part of my personal history, as music often is with many people. KISS is also a part of Americana now, much like Archie. That may be why the two go so well together!

I rode my KISS Harley on a 9-11 Pride ride and we raised $538.00 for the Wounded Warriors. We had 30 riders in our group. We also stopped at the Soldiers home in Orting Wa. We donated Harley shirts, visited and gave our thanks to the disabled Veterans living there. Just want to say Thank you to KISS for your support of our country and everything you do for our veterans.

Rock on Jeff Hopkins

LETTERS

Dear KISS:

Today, we celebrate our Independece's Anniversary here in Mexico. So, my son Daniel decided it was a good idea to put on his special gear to mark the occasion. Here you have what he looked like: even Rodrigo, his brother, had to admit he looked great! Kiss Mariachi! There you have another business opportunity... Please come back to Mexico soon!

Felipe, Rodrigo and... Daniel Simmons!

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

My name is Logan "Robot" Gladden - I'm a 7 year old drummer and I recently got to do this interview video for Chuck E. Cheese restaurants. When they asked me who my favorite drummer was ..... I of course told them Eric Singer of KISS! The video even has a clip of Eric rockin' out at a KISS concert that I went to, and it's being shown every hour of every day in all Chuck E. Cheese restaurants nationwide as part of their Fall 2011 Show. Also included are clips from my "Bang the Drum All Day" video where I was dressed as a "Little Pasqually" - the pizza chef/drummer for the Chuck E. Cheese Fun Time Band. Both videos show close ups of my Pearl ES-1465 Eric Singer Signature Snare Drum!! So if you are in a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant this fall, look for me and Eric on the t.v. screens and be sure to tell them Robot sent ya!! I hope you enjoy the video & thanks Eric for being such an inspiration to little rockers everywhere! Rock On!!

Robot

Your Mind Cannot Handle the Arrant Awesomeness Of This Comic Book Cover

by Glen Weldon

... so we're showing you just this tiny detail from it first.

Look at it for a while.

Take it in.

We'll reveal the cover in its full splendor after the jump, once your body's had some time to adjust. We don't want you to get the cool-bends, after all, wherein tiny bubbles of coolness work their way into your joints to cause tremendous pain. We're miles away from a hyperbaric chamber.

Thus: Caution shall be our watchword.

While we're waiting, here's some details about the comic book in question.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the story at NPR.org

YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU'LL GET THE BEST: THE ITALIAN KISS EXPO!!

Following the success of the "One Nite KISS, Waiting for the Boom" in 2009, to celebrate the forthcoming KISS Monster album and related new Tour, DeuceNews proudly presents: "The Italian KISS Expo 2011" featuring the mighty KISS drummer Eric Singer!!

Eric will be the special guest at the 2011 Italian KISS Expo at the Dancing La Montagnola in Campogalliano (MO) on December 2.

Our friend Keith Leroux from KISSOnline will be also attending the event with the greatest Official KISS merchandise!

Tribute bands Live4Win and JulietKiss will perform the hottest KISS songs, KISS dealers and Washburn Guitars booth will be there for you and more...See you all there!!

A special thanks to our partner in crime Enrico Ronzoni

Tickets pre-order and detailed info soon at www.DeuceNews.com

The 2011 Italian KISS Fan Expo is a fan produced event. By the fans, for the fans!