Rutland’s Iconic Halloween Parade to Appear in New Archie Comics Story!
Rutland City’s annual Halloween Parade is set to gain national attention as it becomes the focus of an upcoming Archie Comics story! The new comic features Scarlet Saltee, a pioneering character who represents the neurodiverse community and highlights the value of inclusion and friendship for children who see the world differently.
Scarlet Saltee’s journey not only celebrates her unique perspective but also highlights Rutland’s history with comic books. The Halloween Parade takes center stage in the story and pays tribute to its long-standing presence in comics, honoring Tom Fagan, a local figure known for his passion for comics and superheroes. The story also supports animal welfare by addressing spaying and neutering cats, using the parade’s float as a creative way to start conversations.
Fans can preview a comic panel of the float at the Downtown Rutland Partnership before Saturday night’s parade. As part of the organization’s pre-parade activities for children and families, a panel from the comic story will be a coloring page.
Archie Comics, renowned for witty storytelling and popular titles such as “Graphic Novel 3000” and “Writers of the Lost Art!”, is excited to collaborate with the Rutland community. Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO of Archie Comics, shares, “I would be delighted to hear from Vermonters or fans of The Rutland Halloween Parade on a title for this fun story!” If you have a creative title idea, submit your suggestion through the submission form at the bottom of this webpage!
The story is penned by R. Alan Brooks, with art by Colleen Doran, lettering by Amal Desai, and coloring by Dheeraj Kumar Mishra. The writer R. Alan Brooks shared, "I read lots of Archie comics when I was a kid, and I felt like the best ones reflected open-heartedness. So, I wanted to honor that when I got the chance to write one!" Silberkleit said, “It's an honor to have Colleen Doran pencil this very special comic. She is a fan of Tom Fagan and is thrilled to be a force in bringing Rutland's Halloween Parade into an Archie Comic!” The comic is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
This partnership between Archie Comics and Rutland celebrates the city’s Halloween Parade and its spirit of creativity and inclusion. As the parade and comic release approach, this collaboration highlights the power of community and storytelling. Join the fun—at the parade or in the pages of Archie Comics—as we honor Rutland’s tradition and look forward to new stories.