8/27: Wayward Launch Party in Toronto, ON
Join writer Jim Zub and cover artists Kalman Andrasofsky, Alina Urusov, Adam Warren, and Chip Zdarsky as they mark the debut of their new comic Wayward (Image) on Wednesday, August 27 from 6–8pm at Guu Sakabar in Toronto, Ontario. The series, illustrated by Steven Cummings, follows a young woman who travels to Japan in search of her mother, but instead engages in battle with traditional Japanese monsters. This event is sponsored by The Beguiling Books & Art and is free. Guu Sakabar is located at 559 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y6, Canada.
8/28: Jack Kirby Birthday Celebration and Beer in Clifton Park, NY
Celebrate the birthday of Jack Kirby on Thursday, August 28 from 4–8pm at the Schmaltz Brewing Company in Clifton Park, New York. To mark the event, Schmaltz will be selling limited edition beers in honor of the "King": Messiah Nut Brown Ale and Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale. Guests include Paul Harding, Ron Marz, Tom Raney, Fred Van Lente, and Crystal Skillman, who will be signing and sketching throughout the night. Tickets are $20, with all proceeds will going to the Hero Initiative. The Schmaltz Brewing Company is located at 6 Fairchild Sq., Clifton Park, NY 12065.
8/28–8/31: Fan Expo Canada in Toronto, ON
Canada's largest comic convention, Fan Expo Canada, is taking place August 28–31 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The show is a mammoth-sized sendup to comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, and more squeezed into one weekend of pop culture paradise. Comics programming includes panels and workshops such as "Batman 75: The Eternal Dark Knight," "Writing for Yourself: Tips & Tricks for the Cartoonist," and "Crowd Funding with Kickstarter: How to Fund Your Dream," publisher spotlights, sketching duels, portfolio reviews, screenings, and more. Comics guests include Stan Lee, Steve Epting, Brian Azzarello, Adi Granov, Andy & Adam Kubert, Jeff Lemire, Steve McNiven, Tony Moore, Ivan Reis, Greg Pak, Esad Ribic, Dan Slott, Ehtan Van Sciver, Bernie Wrightson, Cary Nord, Camilla D'Errico, and Yanick Paquette. Single day tickets are $25–50; Deluxe 4-day passes are $115; children under 5 get in free. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building is located at 255 Front St. W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6; South Building is located at 222 Bremner Blvd., Toronto, ON M5V 2W6, Canada.
8/30: Safari Festival in London, U.K.
Support the UK's avant-garde comics community at the Safari Festival, presented by Breakdown Press, on Saturday, Aug 30 from 11am–6pm at Protein's Studio 2 gallery in London, United Kingdom. Exhibitors include Will Sweeney, Jack Teagle, Grace Wilson, Sina Sparrow, Susumu Mukai, Eyeball Comix, Matt Swan, Laura Callahan, Puck Collective, and Donya Todd. Admission is free. Protein's Studio 2 is located at 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EY, United Kingdom.
