Portland Comic Expo Returns on October 29th

Press Release:

The Portland Comic Expo, presented by Casablanca Comics, returns on Sunday, October 29, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. PCE is a one day comic convention with comic writers and artists, dealers, cosplayers, programming and more!

Currently announced guests include:

• Erica Henderson (Eisner-winning artist: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Jughead)
• Andrew MacLean (Head Lopper, Apocalyptigirl)
• Paul Pelletier (Aquaman, Fantastic Four, She-Hulk)
• Zack Giallongo (Broxo, Star Wars: Ewoks)
• Alterna Comics (Publisher)
• Skelton Crew Studios
• 25th Anniversary Alpha Productions Reunion
• Bill Brock (Host, Rogue Mysteries)

Lots of dealers! Lots of artists in Artist Alley! Cosplayers!

Admission is only $5.00, tickets available at the link…

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Portland Exposition Building
239 Park Avenue Portland, ME 04102

ME – Poe: Stories and Poems Signing

Gareth Hinds appears at Casablanca Comics from 5:00 till 6:00 PM on Sunday August 13th.

About the Artist:
Gareth Hinds is the creator of critically-acclaimed graphic novels based on literary classics, including Beowulf (which Publisher’s Weekly called a “mixed-media gem”), King Lear (which Booklist named one of the top 10 graphic novels for teens), The Merchant of Venice (which Kirkus called “the standard that all others will strive to meet” for Shakespeare adaptation), The Odyssey (which garnered four starred reviews and a spot on ten “best of 2010” lists), Romeo and Juliet (which Kirkus called “spellbinding”), and Macbeth (which the New York Times called “stellar” and “a remarkably faithful rendering”). Gareth is a recipient of the Boston Public Library’s “Literary Lights for Children” award. His books can be found in bookstores and English classrooms across the country, and his illustrations have appeared in such diverse venues as the Society of Illustrators, the New York Historical Society, and over a dozen published video games.

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 780-1676

ME – Croak #1 Signing

Alterna publisher Peter Simeti (creator of THE CHAIR) and Cody Andrew Sousa (creator of CROAK) appear at Casablanca Comics from 1:00 till 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 23rd.

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 780-1676

ME – FCBD: Cyborg Signing

Artist Paul Pelletier (Cyborg, Aquaman, Justice League) signs at Casablanca Comics on Saturday May 6, 2017 at 11:00 AM to celebrate Free Comic Book Day!

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 780-1676

MeCAF Partners with Portland Public Library

Press Release:

The Maine Comics Arts Festival (MeCAF), an annual comics event that brings over one hundred cartoonists to Portland each year, has announced a new partnership with the Portland Public Library for the 2016 show. The show will be held at the Portland Public Library’s Main Branch at Five Monument Square on Friday and Saturday, June 3rd and 4th, 2016. Over 120 comic writers, artists, publishers and cartoonists are expected to attend and exhibit at the eighth annual event. The 2016 event will be free to attend and open to the public.

Show organizers Rick Lowell and Laura O’Meara of Casablanca Comics in Portland started the festival in 2009 as a way to promote comics and provide the public with an opportunity to meet the creative talent behind the comics. “We are excited to bring this festival to the Portland Public Library. It is the perfect venue for this event, and we welcome the partnership of working with the library.” says Lowell. The show has been especially popular with families. The festival is not a typical comic book convention in that there are no stores or dealers set up selling books. Instead, the exhibitors are the creative people behind the comics. The artists will have their own work on display and available for sale.

“Comics and graphic novels are so hugely popular with Portland Public Library patrons of all ages, and Casablanca Comics is one of our long-standing community collaborators, so hosting MeCAF here seems like such a natural fit.” says Kelley Blue, Teen Librarian & Teen Team Leader at the Portland Public Library. “We’re excited to use our space in this creative way, and for the programming potential around the festival that we can bring as a partner.”

The mix of writers and artists covers a wide spectrum and includes many best-selling and award-winning comic creators. There will be programming running all day Saturday including cartooning workshops and an “Iron Cartoonist” competition. In addition, there are plans for events on Friday as part of the First Friday Art Walk.

The Maine Comics Arts Festival is a production of Casablanca Comics of Portland, Maine. Casablanca Comics is an award winning comic book retail store with two locations in southern Maine. Store owners Rick Lowell and Laura O’Meara have been sharing their love of comics with the public since 1987.

 

ME – The Sculptor Signing

Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Zot!) appears Casablanca Comics on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 6:00 PM to sign his latest graphic novel The Sculptor

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 780-1676

ME – Cafe Racer Signing

Artist Sean Murphy (The Wake, Punk Rock Jesus, Interstellar) appears with writer Katana Collins and artist Clay McCormack at Casablanca Comics on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm for a special signing of CAFE RACER!

About the book:

As a toddler, Orchid and her father barely escaped Japan during the Doolittle Raid of WWII. Years later, Orchid is still an outcast as she speeds her way into London’s Cafe Racer motorcycle society. Defying both racial and sexist stereotypes, the half-Japanese teenager is unbeatable in a race–much to the disappointment of her father, who forbids her from riding his mysterious motorcycle. After discovering friendship in the most unexpected places, she soon uncovers the truth of the bike, along with its connection to the disappearance of her mother in pre-war Japan.

Cafe Racer is a story told through seven vignettes, also including extra features such as pencils, concept art, and other behind the scenes artwork.

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 780-1676

MeCAF 2014 Announces Programming Schedule

The Maine Comics Arts Festival (MeCAF) has released their programming schedule for the 2014 show to be held on Sunday May 18th:

10:00 – 1:00: Book signing with Big Nate creator Lincoln Peirce (in the main hall)

10:30 – Unusual comics! Choose your own adventure! with Jon Chad
How does your comic become a book? If you thought that a book is just made up of a cover, back cover, and all the business in-between, think again! Explore a variety of folding and book construction techniques and make your own unfolding, choose-your-own-adventure minicomic!

11:30 – DRAW ON YOUR CREATIVITY:
Comic book artist Jay Piscopo invites students to try their hand at cartoon art and demonstrates how anyone can learn to draw and create comics. Using simple geometric shapes, Jay teaches kids how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Stand by for adventure with this interactive workshop! Watch a short video clip at the link…

12:30 – Ben Hatke: The Three Secrets of Comics:
Discussing images in a narrative, gesture, and drawing from life, Ben Hatke (Zita the Spacegirl) talks about three secrets behind making amazing comics.

1:30 – Iron Cartoonist:
This competition will determine the MeCAF Iron Cartoonist Champion! Watch as three talented cartoonists draw against the clock, with suggestions from the audience. Special guest judges will determine the winner.

2:30 – A conversation with Jimmy Gownley and Kazu Kibuishi:
Join us as we discuss comics with Jimmy Gownley (The Dumbest Idea Ever, Amelia Rules) and Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet, Flight).

3:30 – Panel discussion about gender and race issues in current comics, with artists Melanie Gillman, Kori Handwerker and others.

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The Maine Comics Arts Festival will be held in Portland, ME on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Featuring over 100 comics writers, artists and publishers, this will be a celebration of the comics art form. This year’s show will be at the Portland Company Complex (58 Fore Street, Portland, Maine 04101)! There will be everyone from mini comics publishers to seasoned professionals. There will be comic book writers and artists, gag cartoonists, newspaper cartoonists, web comics creators and more. The guests will have their own work available for sale. Some people will be doing sketches and selling original artwork. Others will have t-shirts, buttons and posters. All of them have one thing in common… a love of comics. Featured guests include: Kazu Kibuishi, Sean Murphy, Jimmy Gownley, Ben Hatke, James Sturm, Shelli Paroline, Braden Lamb, Joe Quinones, Zack Giallongo, Maris Wicks, and many more!

ME – Klaus Janson Signs

Artist Klaus Janson, newly announced inker of Superman, signs at Casablanca Comics on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm!

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Press Release:

Klaus Janson has worked for Marvel and DC Comics since the 1970s, and has worked on numerous titles. He is well known for his work on Batman, Daredevil, Defenders, Howard the Duck, Amazing Spider-Man and many other titles. We are thrilled to provide an opportunity for his fans to meet him.

Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101

ME – B + F Signing

Gregory Benton signs at Casablanca Comics on Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm!

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101

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