5/15: This One Summer Talk & Signing in New York, NY
As part of the book launch tour for their new acclaimed graphic novel, This One Summer (First Second), authors and cousins Jillian and Mariko Tamaki will be giving a talk and Q&A, as well as signing copies of the book on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Society of Illustrators in New York City, New York. The book follows two girls whose childhood friendship begins to fray as they enter into puberty. The pair will also be at WORD bookstore in Brooklyn, New York for a talk, Q&A and signing on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets to the Society of Illustrators event are $20 for non-members, $15 for members, and $10 for seniors/students; the WORD event is free to the public. The Society of Illustrators is located at 128 E. 63rd St., New York, NY 10065; WORD Bookstore is located at 126 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222.
5/15: Julie Delporte and Pascal Girard in Montreal, Quebec
Join creators Julie Delporte and Pascal Girard for a double launch party of their new books, Everywhere Antennas and Petty Theft (Drawn & Quarterly), on Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at Librarie D+Q in Montreal, Quebec. Both will be giving presentations and signing copies of their books. Everywhere Antennas is a collection of wistful musings about modern life presented with loose and vibrant art; Petty Theft humorously chronicles Girard's scant love life and romantic fantasies. This event is free to the public. Librarie D+Q is located at 211 Bernard Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H2T 2K5.
5/16-5/18: Dallas Comic Con in Dallas, TX
Dallas Comic Con (presented by Fan Expo Dallas) is taking over the Dallas Convention Center from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18 for a comic book and entertainment extravaganza worthy of the Lone Star State. Comic attractions include a one on on interview with Stan Lee and Jimmy Palmiotti, creator spotlights, sketch duels, figure drawing sessions, a cosplay masquerade, signings and more (full show program available here). Comics guests include Mark Bagely, David Finch, Amanda Conner, Tony Harris, J. Scott Campbell, Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, Greg Land, and Joe Kelly. Single day tickets range from $25-40; 3-day deluxe tickets are $79; child passes are $10 (5 and under get in free); and premium deluxe pass is $109. The Dallas Convention Center is located at 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75202.
5/17-5/18: Big Wow! ComicFest in San Jose, CA
Geeks unite at the Big Wow! ComicFest, taking place on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at Hall 2 of the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California. Big Wow! is a fan-organized pop culture celebration that brings together fans of comics, science fiction, horror, gaming and more for a truly enjoyable con experience. Programming includes publisher spotlights for IDW, Aspen, Madefire, Neko Press, creator workshops, panels such as "Diversity in Comics," "Collecting Batman!," and "Webcomics from Script to Print" (full listing here). Comics guests include Greg Rucka, Charlie Adlard, Art Adams, Brian Stelfreeze, Mark Schultz, Andrew Robinson, Humberto Ramos, Mike Mignola, Terry Moore, Dave Johnson, Gerhard, Frank Cho, Joyce Chin, and Sergio Aragones. Single day tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids; 2-day tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for kids; admission is free for children under 8. The San Jose Convention Center is located at 150 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, CA 95113.
5/17-5/18: Appleseed Comic Con in Fort Wayne, IN
Comics take center stage at the Appleseed Comic Con, taking place on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After successfully funding their efforts through Kickstarter, the organizers of Appleseed Comic Con are ready to give the comics community a real-deal comic convention without all the big media hoopla. Guests include Jim Steranko, Ed Piskor, Peter Bagge, Tom Scioli, Mike Norton, Jim Rugg, and more. Single day tickets are $10, 2-day tickets are $15, and children under 12 get in free. The Grand Wayne Center is located at 120 West Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802.
5/17: Daniel Clowes Exhibition Opening in Columbus, OH
"Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes," a new exhibition showcasing the art of one of the industry's most renowned and admired creators, opens on Saturday, May 17 at the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University in Colmbus, Ohio. Oragnized by the Oakland Museum of California, the show collects over 90 pieces of original art, including pages from such books as Ghost World, Wilson, and David Boring, as well as paintings and other works. Also on display, Clowes, in collaboration with the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, is curating a selection of classic comics that have inspired and informed his own work. Then, join Clowes for a special screening of Ghost World on May 17 at 2 p.m. Finally, comics historian Hillary Chute (Outside the Box: Interviews with Contemporary Cartoonists) will engage in a conversation with Clowes about the show and his work on Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. The exhibition will run from May 17 to August 3. General admission is $8, $6 for seniors, and free for members and students. The Wexner Center is located at 1871 N. High St., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.
5/18: Maine Comics Art Festival in Portland, ME
Celebrate comics and support creators at the Maine Comics Arts Festival (MeCAF) on Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Portland Company Complex in Portland, Maine. Now in its 5th year, MeCAF cultivates a creative environment with over 100 creators, both professional and aspiring. Programming includes panels such as "Unusual Comics! Choose Your Own Adventure!," "Draw on Your Creativity," and "The Secret of Comics," the "Iron Cartoonist" competition, and more. Guests include Kazu Kibuishi, Maris Wicks, James Sturm, Sean Murphy, Zack Giallongo, and Jimmy Gownley. Admission is $5. The Portland Company Complex is located at 58 Fore St., Portland, ME 04101.
