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Gangbuster In The News!
Cops use comic books to fight gangs
West Palm Beach, FL -- For Immediate Release
A groundbreaking, gang-fighting tool made its debut at the Boynton
Beach (Fla.) Police Department’s National Night Out Event.
At this event -- hosted by the department’s Crime Prevention
Unit -- copies of the educational and informative comic book "Gangbuster”
were distributed.
The Gangbuster comic booklet is an 8-page intervention/educational
tool, designed to reach youngsters of all ages. Gangbuster harnesses
the excitement of full-color superhero action -- a sure "kid
magnet" -- and delivers a special message about the dangers
of gang associations. An instructor's guide emphasizes the key points
and ensures that groups will get maximum benefit from the book and
its lessons.
Children and parents alike lined up to get copies of the comic book
-- autographed by Gangbuster creator Dick Kulpa -- and to meet “Gangbuster"
himself, the book’s superhero role model. Gangbuster is portrayed
by Franklin Ireland, popular athletic director for a local community
center.
The Gangbuster cartoon booklet was first created in 1986 in Rockford,
Illinois, by nationally recognized artist Kulpa, who currently resides
in Boynton Beach, Florida. The initial 1986 release was "highly
popular," according to Kulpa and press reports at the time.
However, Gangbuster "sat on the shelf" after Kulpa took
a new position with a national newspaper in Florida.
A recent shooting at a local shopping mall -- occurring within 50
feet of his two daughters who worked in the mall's candy store --
spurred Kulpa to pull Gangbuster out of mothballs and update it
for contemporary needs. Kulpa presented Gangbuster to local crime
prevention officers, who readily agreed to implement the new version.
Gangbuster's current edition was revised with cooperation and input
from Officer Robert Kellman of the Boynton Beach Police Department’s
Crime Prevention Unit.
Cartoonist/writer Dick Kulpa is no stranger in the comics world,
having been nationally syndicated in newspapers around the world
three times the past 30 years. Among other properties, Kulpa created
Bat Boy -- which became a very successful off-Broadway musical.
Kulpa has utilized comic strip artwork for a number of educational
and promotional projects since 1977. "Comic books are colorful,
easy to read -- and inexpensive to produce," says Kulpa. He
expects the medium to grow as a communications tool, which is easily
distributed in a variety of venues.
More issues are planned as Gangbuster reinforces its vital anti-gang
message. The superhero will tackle the drug problem, prejudice,
and the need to solve disputes through techniques of peaceful conflict
resolution.
Gangbuster's debut made major headlines throughout Palm Beach County,
and press interest in this unique educational tool continues to
grow. Police departments, social agencies and school administrators
are studying the concept for additional implementation.
"I've harnessed the power of the comic book to win elections,
promote my city's economic development efforts and even sell Toyotas,"
says Kulpa. "I have every reason to believe that Gangbuster
will succeed beyond anyone's wildest imagination, just as my other
cartoon projects have.
"What I am really doing is taking exciting elements from pop
culture and using them in a beneficial way to educate young people."
Photos of the National Night Out Event can be found on www.gangbustercomics.com.
Gangbuster in the News
GangBuster
Comic Book
Cecilia Rodriguez
News12Now.com
Eager Boynton kids grab anti-gang comic
By SAM BHAGWAT
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Cops hope comic turns kids off to gangs
By KEVIN DEUTSCH
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Police use comic book to stop gangs
By MIKE ROTHMAN | Forum Publishing Group
August 8, 2007
Spanish language La Palma page 1 feature story
Las autoridades acuden al superhéroe
Friday, August 10, 2007
GANGBUSTER
On Saturday August 4 the Boynton Beach Police Department handed
out free full-color copies of Gangbuster at the National Night Out
Event in downtown Boynton Beach. Click
here to view images from this event.
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