Here are some more great photos from the recent KISS Expo in Italy!

Here's KISS on the cover of the new "KISS Edition" of Germany's Rock Hard magazine! KISS Army member Wolfgang Snijders sent us this image of the cover and writes, "Greetings from Germany. Here is the brand new KISS edition from German Rock Hard magazine. This KISS-only magazine features 116 pages of classic and new interviews and 8 giant KISS cover posters. (debut cover, Dressed To Kill, Alive!, Destroyer, Love Gun, Dynasty, Creatures Of The Night and Sonic Boom) I bought 2 copies to hang all 8 posters in my KISS room."

Thanks for sharing this with KISSonline!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Look at the KISS Army inspired shirt just released at Chuy's Restaurant (a Mexican style restaurant chain in Texas and the South!!) KISS is everywhere!

Aaron, Nashville

LETTERS

KISS Navy member Steve F. had so much fun on the KISS Kruise in October that he recently gave up his longtime KISS Army-themed license plates. We think he's the first in the nation to sport these awesome "KISS NAVY" plates on his vehicle! They look fantastic in the official Navy colors too!

Thanks for sending the photo to KISSonline.

Though they may be known for their blood-spewing theatrics and hard rock riffs, the leaders of chart-topping band KISS also have a long legacy in comic books -- one that continues today with "Archie Meets KISS," the four-part story that launched this week in "Archie" #627. In celebration, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley showed up in the CBR TV Studios in LA earlier this week (sans makeup) to discuss the project and their long-standing connection to the comics medium.

"This whole comic book thing was invented in America. It's really an art form," Simmons said in a wide-ranging conversation where he name checks legendary creators from Bob Montana to Vince Colletta to Jim Steranko (much to his partner's consternation).

"This KISS thing of ours has grown by leaps and bounds, and we like teaming up and co-branding with iconic brands that have existed throughout the ages," he continued. "Archie has been around for over 50 years. And if you're going to point at something iconic that goes at a slightly different audience, you've got to respect something that stands the test of time. And it's a wacky idea -- KISS and Archie?"

Stanley added, "Since we did the Marvel comics, there have been many permutations of KISS through the comics -- starting with Marvel and starting with Howard The Duck. That's where we made our initial introduction into comic book world."

And the rockers don't plan on letting their four color legacy end with the gang in Riverdale. The pair teased plans for a project with IDW Publishing involving superhero comic books and Simmons noted, "At the same time I was talking with Jim Lee and the DC folks about doing something with 'KISS DC' -- Superman meets KISS and all that kind of stuff, which would be exciting." When reached for comment, a DC Entertainment spokesperson confirmed there are no plans for a project with Gene Simmons or KISS.

For the full scoop, check out the video and find "Archie Meets KISS" part one in comic shops now!

In October, the Jumpin' Jammerz crew boarded the KISS Kruise to throw the largest KISS pajama party in KISStory! Here's a video chronicling their adventures aboard the ship... and if you were on board at the party, you just might be in their video too!

KISS Jumpin' Jammerz are sold online at Jumpinjammerz.com, Kissfootedpajamas.com and Amazon.com

The characters of Archie comics have a history of having some truly off-beat crossovers and guest appearances. From classics like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Punisher, along with recent fare such as Obama and Palin, the gang from Riverdale has certainly met their fair share of characters. Add to that list, the foursome of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, collectively known as KISS. Is this story destined to go down in history as one of the more memorable, or does it seem like a stunt? Read on for my opinion!

Archie meets KISS is a 4-part story, and as such, that usually means that the first issue is purely setup. That’s the case here as well, but the setup is compelling enough that I forgave a lot. KISS themselves don’t actually appear until page 11, in fact. Those first pages are spent establishing that Archie and friends (including Sabrina, which is important) have started the Riverdale Monster Society. It starts off innocuously enough with the gang wanting to help out their community with a simple protection spell. Luckily, they have a friend in Sabrina, the teenage witch who is uniquely equipped to do such a thing. All is well and good then, right? Wrong. Veronica and Reggie’s egos come into play and wreak their usual havoc. Soon, Riverdale is infested with monsters, and the only people who can turn the tide are the members of KISS!

Once the band actually makes their presence known, the awesomeness dials is turned up to 11! Taking a page from the classic Marvel KISS tales, writer Alex Segura casts the band not as their real-life counterparts, but as their stage personas, complete with supernatural powers. Their greatest power is of course the power to ROCK, leading to the best panel in the issue. As part 1 concludes, we’re left with a shocking cliffhanger of the town full of mindless zombie-like denizens! Never has anything made me laugh and simultaneously creeped me out as a zombie-fied Li’l Jinx. I’m eageraly awaiting to see how the story plays out. Surely an Archie/Kiss team up will have the two bands rocking together, which is truly something to anticipate.

Dan Parent’s art style lends itself especially well to the crossover. I find the way he draws faces especially appealing. The teens have rounded, fresh faces, whereas KISS has a much more angular, square-jawed style that just plain works. Everyone is instantly recognizable, which is doubly important, given the iconic nature of the guest stars. As for the writing, I praised Alex Segura on his first Archie outing a few months ago, and I just want to reiterate it here. I would love to see Mt. Segura on a monthly book.

In closing, if you’re even the least bit curious, it behooves you to pick up Archie Meets Kiss. Check out the preview below if you’re unsure, but trust me, this is the best KISS team up since KISS Saves Santa!

More preview images at this link.

By Kristie Griffith
Photo: Erik Kabik

Celebrities ranging from Big Bird to Robin Leach took part in the “These Boots are Made for Rockin’” photo campaign to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, a favorite charity of the band KISS.

The photo campaign features celebrities wearing KISS boots, and the photos will be auctioned off at the grand opening of KISS by Monster Mini Golf, a rock n' roll amusement destination opening in Las Vegas in January 2012 that’s centered around KISS.

The 15,000-square foot facility will have an 18-hole black-light, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course, a private party room, a VIP room, the biggest KISS gift shop ever, arcade games, a KISS all night rock 'n' roll cafe, and the Hotter Than Hell Wedding Chapel.

"Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] have been very involved," says Christina Vitagliano, owner of KISS by Monster Mini Golf. "We've worked hand-in-hand with them from the ground up. Everything...has to be approved by them."

The "These Boots are Made for Rockin'" photo fundraiser features boots from the KISS Destroyer Tour, and a myriad of celebrities enjoyed their moments of rockin' out in true kiss fashion.

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons celebrated the release of 'ARCHIE MEETS KISS' with an autograph session at Golden Apple Comic in Los Angeles last night. They were joined at the signing by writer Alex Segura and artist Dan Parent. This issue is the first of four in the 'ARCHIE MEETS KISS' comic book series.

_{Photos by Dean Snowden for KISSOnline.}

ARCHIE #627

'Archie Meets KISS Part 1: Riverdale Rock City.' The biggest band in rock history invades Riverdale! When the Archies find their town overrun by monsters because of a spell gone wrong, can the KISS gang save the day? Find out in part one of this four-part epic featuring KISS! Features a regular cover by Dan Parent and a variant cover by Francesco Francavilla.

Script: Alex Segura
Art & Cover: Dan Parent
Variant Cover: Francesco Francavilla

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 11/30/11
32-page, full color comic - $2.99 US.

Collect the entire 4-issue arc when you Subscribe to ARCHIE MEETS KISS!

Here are some photos from the KISS Fan Expo in Enschede, Holland. What a great event! This past Sunday, over 500 fans from around Europe gathered to celebrated all things KISS! Eric Singer spent the entire day signing autographs and posing for photos, fans shopped for KISS kollectibles and merchandise, and KISS on the Rocks ended the evening with an explosive set of KISS classics!

KISSonline had a wonderful time talking with old and new friends! Thanks to everyone for stopping by to say hello! Thanks to Rutger, Rikk, KISS on the Rocks, and of course, KISS Army Europe for making this a great fan event!

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 at www.DeuceNews.com

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

KISS Army member Joe shares this video of his son, Jace, age 5, attending his first KISS concert in Atlanta. He writes, "Right before your eyes... in just seconds he becomes a KISS FAN!"

Here is my KISS ticket stub from a concert that happened 36 years ago. The best concert from the best band in the world!!

Jason DeLong
Elsie, Michigan

LETTERS

Thanks to John Wicker for sending KISSOnline this KISS page from the 1980 JC Penney Christmas Catalog. Check out all those vintage KISS items!