ICAF 2013 Guests & Schedule Announced
May 20, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Convention News, Oregon, Top Stories
The International Comic Arts Forum is an annual academic conference dedicated to promoting the scholarly study and appreciation of comic art, including comic strips, comic books, comics albums and graphic novels, magazine and newspaper cartooning, caricature, and comics in electronic media. This year’s speakers included Gabriel Ba & Fabio Moon, Mike Allred, Matt Fraction, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Greg Rucka, Megan Kelso, Brian Michael Bendis, Diana Schutz, Dmitry Yakovlev, and many more! RSVP on Facebook!
THURSDAY, MAY 23
9:00 AM: Opening Remarks: José Alaniz, ICAF ExCom Chair
9:30 – 10:30 AM: Plenary Speaker: Douglas Wolk
10:30 AM: Coffee Break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Panel Session One
1A. THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORM
Moderator: Toph Marshall
- Robert W. Lovejoy “Amusing Victorians: Nineteenth-Century Print Culture and the Rise of Respectable Comic Journalism.”
- Martha Kennedy, “Cover Art by Women Cartoonists and Illustrators for American Magazines: A Window into Women’s Professional Advancement and Gender Representation.”
- Walter Lai, “The Comic Book as a Work of Art – A Case of David Mack’s Kabuki: The Alchemy.”
1B. GLOBAL COMICS
Moderator: Carl Horn, Dark Horse Comics
- Jeremy Stoll, “Arguing the Auteur in New Delhi.”
- Azisa Noor Koesoema, “Alternative institutions in emerging national comic book industries: The case of Indonesia.”
- Héctor Fernández L’Hoeste, “On Historical Revisionism and The Chilean Experience: The Case of Historia de Chile en comic.”
12:30 PM: Lunch Break
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Panel Discussion: Contemporary Russian Comics. With Dmitry Yakovlev.
Moderated by Jose Alaniz.
3:30 PM: Coffee Break
4:00 – 5:30 PM: Roundtable: On the Theory and Practice of Comics Pedagogy. With Brian Michael Bendis, Diana Schutz, and affiliated teaching faculty within the UO Minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies. Moderated by Ben Saunders.
5:30 PM: Dinner Break
7:30 – 9:00 PM: A Celebration of Finnish Comics at Floating World Comics. With Ville Hänninen and Tommi Musturi at Floating World Comics (400 NW Couch Street). Pre-talk reception at 6:30pm. *Off-site venue*
2A. THE DISCIPLINE IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
Moderator: Toph Marshall
- Colin Beineke, “Disciplining Comics: A Case for the Institutionalization of Comics Studies.”
- Corey Creekmur, “Freud and the Funnies: The Psychoanalysis of Comics.”
- Franny Howes, “Drawing Comics in the Writing Classroom: A Decolonial-Disability Studies Approach.”
2B. PRESENTING GIRLHOOD
Moderator: Mark Heimermann
- Susan Kirtley, “Drawing Conclusions: Focalization in the Works of Lynda Barry.”
- Brittany Tullis, “The Angel in the House: A Critical Examination of the Feminine Ideal in Quino’s Mafalda (1964-1973).”
- Devon Kerslake, “Adolescence and Erasure in Mariko + Jillian Tamaki’s Skim and Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.”
10:30AM: Coffee Break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Panel Session Three
3A. CHALLENGING FORM
Moderator: Mark Heimermann
- Bruce Mutard, “Out Of The Gutter And Into The Panel: Comics closure as qualia of art imitating life.”
- Jayms Clifford Nichols, “Scrolls, Codexs and Flippy-throughiness in (digital) Comics.”
- David Brame, “Personal Poetics: A comic book and spoken word community development.”
3B. WOMEN AND POLITICS
Moderator: Qiana Whitted
- Alisia Chase, “Matrixial Graphics: Motherhood and Politics in Megan Kelso’s Watergate Sue.”
- Marni Stanley, “Where Do You Draw the (Front) Line: Women in War and Revolution.”
- Annabelle Cone, “Something to Laugh About(?): A Gendered Reading of Sexual Satire in the French Post-war Bande Dessinée.”
12:30 PM: Lunch Break
2:00 – 3:15PM: Roundtable: Beyond Auteurism - Creativity and Collaboration in Comics. With Gabriel Ba, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Matt Fraction, Charles Hatfield, Ben Saunders, Qiana Whitted.
3:15 PM: Coffee Break
3:30 – 4:30 PM: The John Lent Award Lecture: ”How to Think About Comics as Social Objects,”
Benjamin Woo, Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Policy Studies on Culture and Communities.
Abstract: Comics can be defined in many ways. They are art works that create aesthetic experiences for their readers, cultural objects reflecting the time and place where they are produced, and commodities with a value on the market. But they are also social objects. They are made, read, and talked about by people who exist in a relatively stable set of institutions and relationships. This lecture addresses some of the possibilities and problems of a social-scientific approach to comics, placing them in the context not only of the “comics world” but also of a wider social world of geeks, nerds, and fans.
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: An Evening With Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon. Moderated by Matt Fraction.
4A. COMICS AND THE AMERICAN SOUTH
Moderator: Qiana Whitted
- Robert Loss, “Profluent Lingering, Trauma and the Individual in Mat Johnson and Warren Pleece’s Incognegro.”
- Jennifer Glaser, “Seeing Race in Comics: Photography, Drawing, and the Gaze in King and Incognegro.”
- Margaret Bostrom, “Graphic Narrative, Catastrophic Homelessness, and Stories from a Storm: Reading A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge.”
4B. GENDER AND SEXUALITY: EAST AND WEST
Moderator: Stanford Carpenter
- Tiffany Pascal, “Girl Power Gone Sour: Issues in Discussing Romantic Love Between Girls in Japanese Comics.”
- Nicholas Theisen, “Where the boys are[n’t]: the suspect gendering of shōnen manga (boys’ manga).”
- Amanda Murphyao, “From “I am gay!” in 1992 to “I’m gay!” in 2010: The Comics Code and Coming Out in Alpha Flight #106 and Veronica #202.”
10:30 AM: Coffee break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Panel Session Five
5A. SUPERHEROES AND EXTREMES
Moderator: Jose Alaniz
- Joshua Plencner, “Scopophilia and Sixties Marvel: Lensing the Self as Losing the Self.”
- Brannon Costello, “Superbodies and Fascist Aesthetics in the Comics of Howard Chaykin.”
- Andrea Gilroy, “Queer Sexuality and the Superhero in Batwoman: Elegy.”
- Hend Alawadhi, “Reclaiming the narrative: Muslims in comic books and The 99.”
5B. SELF, MEMORY, PERCEPTION
Moderator: Stanford Carpenter
- Jennifer Anderson Bliss, “Real Memories, Surreal Experiences: Autobiographical Tensions in David B.’s L’ascension du haut mal.”
- Christophe Dony, “The Rewriting Ethos of Vertigo Comics, or, Critical Perspectives on Memory-Making, Canonization, and the Logic of Fields.”
- Josina Robb, “The Spatiality of Voice: How Joe Sacco’s Palestine Takes Up the Ethos of New Journalism.”
12:30 PM: Lunch Break
2:00 – 3:30 PM: Roundtable: Comics and the Pacific Northwest. With comics creators Megan Kelso, Greg Rucka, and T. Edward Bak. Moderated by Ben Saunders.
3:30 PM: Coffee Break with Documentary Film, “The Comic King of Guatemala”
4:00 – 5:30 PM: Plenary Speaker: Scott Bukatman, “Sculpture, Stasis, the Comics and (oh yeah) Hellboy.”
5:30 PM: Closing Remarks: Ben Saunders, University of Oregon
Small scheduling adjustments are sometimes necessary. Please check in before the event to catch any last minute updates.
The ICAF conference welcomes interested members of the public – but please note that any beverages and snack foods supplied on the premises are for speakers and panel participants only. Panel participants and speakers should further note that lunch and dinner will not be supplied. However, the UO in Portland building is conveniently located with access to several restaurants and diners within short walking distance.
Dark Horse Wins Four Awards at Stumptown Comics Fest 2013
May 17, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under Comic Books, Con Reports and Photos, Oregon
Press Release:
DARK HORSE WINS FOUR STUMPTOWN AWARDS!
MAY 10, MILWAUKIE, OR—The Stumptown Comic Arts Awards were presented on April 27 at the tenth annual Stumptown Comics Fest, in Dark Horse Comics’ backyard of Portland, Oregon.
As reported via Twitter by comics’ own Jen Vaughn, Dark Horse walked away with four wins, a very impressive showing.
The nominees, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, journalists, and retailers, reflect the wide range of independent material being published in comic and graphic novel form today.
DARK HORSE STUMPTOWN 2013 AWARD WINNERS
Best Artist
Juanjo Guarnido (Blacksad: A Silent Hell)
Best Publication Design
Blacksad: A Silent Hell, designed by Cary Grazzini
Best Cartoonist
Carla Speed McNeil (Finder: Talisman)
Best Letterer
Carla Speed McNeil (Finder: Talisman)
About Stumptown Comics Fest
The Stumptown Comics Fest was started almost on a whim in 2004 by a small group of Portland-area cartoonists lamenting the lack of local convention-style outlets. While there were certainly other comic book shows in town, there weren’t any that gave much attention to the artists themselves. The dream was to design a festival with the creators as its focus, rather than dealers and work-for-hire publishers.
About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.
OR – Ladies Night at TFAW
May 16, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Oregon, Signing and Appearance Profiles
Joëlle Jones, Rachel Edidin, Dylan Meconis, and Leia Weathington sign at Things From Another World on Friday June 7th from 8:00 till 10:00 p.m.
Press Release:
A women-only event! Meet and mingle with your local female comics community at Ladies Night June 7 at the Portland Things From Another World. Bring your questions for a Q&A with local women of comics Joëlle Jones (Helheim), Rachel Edidin (Wired.com), Dylan Meconis (Family Man), and Leia Weathington (The Legend of Bold Riley) from 7 to 8 p.m., then participate in a Drink & Draw and t-shirt “remodeling” demonstration from 8 to 10 p.m. Complimentary snacks and beer/wine provided (for those 21+ with valid ID).
“Portland has an incredible network of women connected to the comics community–whether they create comics, write about them, or read them,” said TFAW Public Relations Manager Elisabeth Allie. “We’ve had two previous Ladies Nights, and there’s just nothing like seeing an entire store filled with women who love comics–they’re very special events.”
In addition to the Q&A and Drink & Draw, Dark Horse Comics’ Events and Community Manager Kari Yadro will lead a demonstration of how to transform men’s t-shirts into cool, stylish tops for women. Bring your own t-shirt (or purchase one at TFAW) to join in!
Do you make comics, love comics, or just want to learn more about them? Mark your calendars for Ladies Night at the Portland TFAW June 7, and make sure to spread the word!
Things From Another World
2916 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
OR – The Shining Girls Signing
May 14, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Oregon, Other, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Signing and Appearance Profiles
Author Lauren Beukes signs at Powell’s City of Books Saturday, June 8th at 4:00 pm!
Powell’s Books
1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
OR – NOS4A2 Signing
May 12, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Horror, Oregon, Other, Signing and Appearance Profiles
Author Joe Hill signs at Powell’s Books on Friday May 17, 2013 at 7:30 pm!
Powell’s Books
1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
OR – Daytripper Signing
April 29, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Oregon, Signing and Appearance Profiles, Top Stories, Webcomics
Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon sign at Things From Another World on Wednesday May 22 from 7:00 till 10:00 p.m.
Press Release:
Superstar Brazilian artists–and twin brothers–Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon are signing at the Portland Things From Another World May 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. Meet the multiple Eisner Award-winning talents behind B.P.R.D. Vampire, Casanova, Daytripper, The Umbrella Academy, and more! Attendees will enjoy free food and beer (those 21+ with valid I.D.) and receive raffle tickets to win an original sketch by Fábio Moon (pictured in the event poster, above).
SIGNING POLICY: Get anything purchased at TFAW (with receipt) signed! Outside items (not purchased at TFAW) limited to three per customer.
Gabriel Bá rose to prominence as artist for The Umbrella Academy in 2007. Written by Gerard Way, it won the Eisner Award in 2008 for Best Limited Series. Fábio Moon delighted fans worldwide with Sugarshock, a one-shot written by Joss Whedon that won an Eisner Award for Best Web Comic. The brothers often work alongside one another, including on such acclaimed series as Casanova, with writer Matt Fraction, B.P.R.D. 1947, with Mike Mignola and Josh Dysart, and B.P.R.D. Vampire, with Mike Mignola. Their creator-owned series, Daytripper, won the 2011 Eisner Award for Best Limited Series.
In addition to their signing at the Portland TFAW, the brothers are also guests of The International Comic Arts Forum May 23-25, where they will have two tables on Friday, May 24th.
The Portland TFAW will have a wide variety of books by Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon available for purchase. Mark your calenders for this signing May 22 for your chance to meet these talents in person and enter to win an original sketch!
Things From Another World
2916 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
OR – Free Comic Book Day 2013
April 16, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Free Comic Book Day, Oregon, Signing and Appearance Profiles, Webcomics
Terry Dodson, Erika Moen, Michael Avon Oeming, and more sign at TFAW on Saturday May 4, 2013 for Free Comic Book Day!
Press Release:
Saturday, May 4 is Free Comic Book Day, and we’re throwing a fantastic celebration the entire family can enjoy. Choose up to 10 free comics while supplies last, save up to 60% on thousands of items, and shop $5 doorbusters.
Portland FCBD Schedule:
9:00 am: Doors open!
11:30-1:30 pm Signings:
* Terry Dodson – Uncanny X-Men, Captain Marvel
* Erika Moen – Bucko, DAR
* Jeremy Barlow – Mass Effect, R.I.P.D.
2:00-4:00 pm Signings:
* Joshua Williamson and Vicente Navarrete – Captain Midnight, Sketch Monsters
* Michael Avon Oeming – Victories, Powers, Thor
Special Guests: Free demos by Espionage Cosmetics from 12-3; the Pirates of PDX YAR from 10-2.
Things From Another World
2916 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
OR – Husbands Signing
April 14, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Oregon, Other, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Signing and Appearance Profiles, Television
Jane Espenson and Brad Bell, creators of Husbands, sign the new graphic novel with artists Ron Chan, Ben Dewey, Natalie Nourigat, and Tania del Rio at Powell’s Books on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 7:30 pm!
Powell’s Books
1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
OR – Relish Signing
April 12, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Oregon, Signing and Appearance Profiles, Webcomics
Lucy Knisley signs at Floating World Comics on Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm!
Press Release:
Lucy Knisley loves food. The daughter of a chef and a gourmet, this talented young cartoonist comes by her obsession honestly. In her forthright, thoughtful, and funny memoir, Lucy traces key episodes in her life thus far, framed by what she was eating at the time and lessons learned about food, cooking, and life. Each chapter is bookended with an illustrated recipe—many of them treasured family dishes, and a few of them Lucy’s original inventions.
A welcome read for anyone who ever felt more passion for a sandwich than is strictly speaking proper, Relish is a graphic novel for our time: it invites the reader to celebrate food as a connection to our bodies and a connection to the earth, rather than an enemy, a compulsion, or a consumer product.
Lucy Knisley was born in New York City, raised in Rhinebeck, NY, and educated in Chicago. She has come home to roost in a tiny apartment in Manhattan, where she can be closer to her mom’s cooking. Her comics about life, food, travel and her adventures have gained her a devoted audience on the Internet, and she is now doing food comics for the magazine Saveur, who just sent her to Africa. Lucy’s first book, French Milk, is a travelogue about a trip to Paris. Relish is her most recent work.
Floating World Comics
400 NW Couch Street, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 241-0227
OR – Task Force Rad Squad Signing
April 11, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Oregon, Signing and Appearance Profiles
Caleb Goellner and Ryan Hill sign at Floating World Comics on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 6:00 till 8:00 pm! RSVP on Facebook!
Caleb Goellner is a blogger based in Portland, OR. He’s originally from Kansas City, where he first met Buster Moody, colorist of Bayou and Screamland: Death of the Party. The duo bonded with Portland illustrator Ryan Hill, artist and colorist of the Dark Horse Comics Avatar: The Last Airbender Free Comic Book Day 2013 issue, over a shared love of tokusatsu, manga, and LEGO. Task Force Rad Squad is the trio’s first team-up in an ongoing war against space monsters.
Earth’s legit-est teenage protectors have vanquished evil and are settling into sleep mode… until their new mentor accidentally unleashes a fresh batch of cosmic monsters, forcing them to engage evil once again as Task Force Rad Squad.
Task Force Rad Squad #1 is a 32-page, full-color calamity by writer Caleb Goellner, artist Buster Moody, and colorist Ryan Hill that introduces readers to three teens with radditude, their substance-addled “mentor” and the weary AI known as PhRANCIS. Powered by the specious cosmic tech of an extinct Space Wizard civilization, the team has inherited a universe of messes that they rightfully resent having to mop up. But who knows? Maybe their struggle to protect Earth from sentient birthday cakes and hot garbage will wind up teaching them the true meaning of friendship? Maybe??? Seriously, we have no idea!
Floating World Comics
400 NW Couch Street, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 241-0227
