Panels
Saturday, June 1st:
11:30-12:30 THE OCCULT IN COMICS
Symbols and motifs from the occult find their way into new stories again and again, from the apple to the ghost. Comics have been used to tell deeper stories about the human condition, to shock (in the Pulp sense) and awe (in the Old Testament sense), and by meddling kids to create fun and spooky adventures. This panel explores the many different approaches to how visual and narrative imagery from mythology, folklore, and the occult are used in comics and illustration. Join storytellers Corinne Halbert (Hate Baby), Rosemary Valero-O’Connell (Laura Jean Keeps Breaking Up With Me), Anders Nilsen (Big Questions, Tongues) and Isabella Rotman (Siren School) as they discuss their different utilizations of the supernatural, and how it allows them to tell deeper, more intricate stories. Moderated by Anya Davidson (Band For Life).This panel is sponsored by MCA.
1:00-2:00 SPOTLIGHT ON EZRA CLAYTAN DANIELS AND BEN PASSMORE
Ezra Claytan Daniels’ acclaimed Upgrade Soul has revitalized the science fiction genre by mixing high concept ideas with a touching story about the human experience. Ben Passmore’s Your Black Friend is a humorous yet poignant ‘letter’ that furthers the discussion of race, racism and friendship in America. Ezra and Ben’s latest collaborative project, BTTMFDRS is an urban renewal horror story, blending the strengths and experiences of both creators into a haunting and thought provoking opus. Join in as this amazing creative team discusses post-apocalyptic America, the reemergence of Afro sci-fi, science fiction as social commentary, collaboration, and a preview of BTTMFDRS! Moderated by Kevin Czap (Futchi Perf) This panel is sponsored by BLICK.
3:00-4:00 BEST COMEDY BRAIN ON THE PLANET: An Hour with Michael Kupperman
He’s made readers laugh, he’s made them cry. Michael Kupperman takes you through his career as a comic artist, illustrator and writer, starting in the zine world of the nineties, through working for the New Yorker and the New York Times, animations for Comedy Central and Saturday Night Live, his own comics and graphic novels (including his latest, serious book All the Answers), dressing up as Mark Twain, working and performing with comedians, and his Twitter adventures. You will not be bored.
This panel is sponsored by Spudnik Press.
Sunday, June 2nd:
11:30-12:30 SPOTLIGHT ON ANDERS NILSEN
Anders Nilsen is the award-winning comics creator of Big Questions, Dogs and Water, Don’t Go Where I Can’t Follow, and Tongues. His stories are deep-rooted in mythology and philosophy, told through lusciously detailed illustrations and experimental narratives. Whether spending time with the pontificating animals of Big Questions, the heart-breaking experiences in Don’t Go Where I Can’t Follow, or wandering the wastelands of Dogs and Water, readers will always be drawn into the worlds Anders creates. Join us for a discussion with Anders, exploring his entire body of work, his creative process, and a look at his newest issue of Tongues. Moderated by Tyrell Cannon (Victus, Speculative Relationships). This panel is sponsored by CHIRP Radio.
1:00-2:00 GRAPHIC MEDICINE: Comics as Treatment
Many cartoonists struggle with anxiety in their lives and have found comics to be an effective tool for managing and coping with the struggle of mental health. Join cartoonists Whit Taylor (Ghost, Fizzle), Sage Coffey (Sweaty Palms, Wine Ghost), Bianca Xunise (Say Her Name, In My Feelings, In My Thirties) and Vreni (West Coast Husk) for a discussion about how they process negative thoughts and feelings through comics, taking care of themselves while working through difficult personal topics and how comics about mental health have helped connect people through shared experience. Moderated by Kevin Budnik. This panel is sponsored by Busy Beaver Button Co.
3:00-4:00 KRAMERS ERGOT: Then and Now
The preeminent art comics anthology hits double digits and returns with the first new volume since 2016! Encompassing a vast variety of styles, genres, formats, and geographical origins, Kramers continues to present a roster of talented creators who push the boundaries of the comics form. This panel traces the history of the series up through its most recent iteration with series editor Sammy Harkham and contributors including Anders Nilsen, Anya Davidson, Ivan Brunetti and CF! Moderated by Rian Murphy of Drag City Records!This panel is sponsored by Fantagraphics.
Workshops
Saturday, June 1st:
11:30-12:30 LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT: Drawing Food and Recipe Comics
How do you take the multisensory story of a meal and turn it into comics? Join illustrator and comics artist Sarah Becan (I think You’re Sauceome, The Adventures of Fat Rice, Let’s Make Ramen) as we talk about the tricks and challenges of food illustration, different styles of drawing recipe comics, and how comics as a medium is uniquely suited to instructions. Learn how texture, color, and composition can help communicate our cherished memories, family histories and heirloom recipes with the world. Come with your favorite short recipe for food or drink, and we’ll turn them into beautiful illustrations to share. This panel is sponsored by Quimby’s.
1:00-2:00 THE IDEA KITCHEN
Nicholas Gurewitch of The Perry Bible Fellowship joins Jackie Davis of Underpants and Overbites in simulating comics IN REAL LIFE. Directed by Nick and Jackie, participants may help create changes to a scene, using dry-erase word bubbles as outlets for crucial self-reflection! Part performance, part scene building exercise, this workshop blurs the lines between improvisational workshop and comics brainstorming session, where the key ingredients are the emotions and experiences of the participants involved.
This panel is sponsored by 826chi
3:00-4:00 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES
How do I keep myself organized? Where do people find freelance jobs even?? And omg HOW MUCH DO I CHARGE??? These questions and more plague the minds of artists and illustrators the world over. Come get some answers and insight from creators Isabella Rotman (Siren School, Not On My Watch) and Marnie Galloway (In the Sounds & Seas). This informational workshop provides vital information and best practices for working artists on topics such as time management, maintaining online presence & sales, finding support in your community, reviewing and writing contracts, wellness, and more!
This panel is sponsored by Print Ninja.
Sunday, June 2nd:
11:30-12:30 MAPMAKING ADVENTURE
Ahoy there matey! Cast off into the seas with Eisner Award-winning illustrator and author Captain Aaron Renier (Spiral-Bound, Walker Bean, and Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon) and embark on a mission to create the most vivid and imaginative maps to your fantasy worlds! This all ages workshop will teach you the how to’s of world-making and character building for your own seafaring (or landlubbering) adventure story!
This panel is sponsored by Revolution Brewing.
1:00-2:00 YOUR IDEAS MATTER! Advocacy Through Buttons
Like comics, buttons are a form of self-expression that can be used to tell personal and political stories. Buttons are wearable and shareable; they have the ability to spread your message and promote the causes and issues you’re passionate about. In this workshop you’ll learn how to put your own messages to action with the button making experts of Busy Beaver Button Co. You’ll leave the workshop with 2-4 buttons of your own making.
This panel is sponsored by First Aid Comics.
3:00-4:00 STORYTELLING FLOW
Feeling stuck? Like you can’t figure out which way to turn? Not sure which idea to build on? Are you overwhelmed or underwhelmed by your own ideas? Bring your comics making conundrums to Tom Hart ( Hutch Owens, Rosalie Lightning). Using his many years as a comics professional and educator, Tom will guide you through different exercises to release your inner cartoonist, allowing you to loosen up and follow your ideas from beginning to end. This story-generating workshop is suitable for all ages, but especially those looking to escape their comics-related quagmire.
This panel is sponsored by Challengers Comics.