September 26, 2012 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Comic Strips, Convention News, Horror, Other, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Top Stories, Webcomics
The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo has released their Panel and Workshop Schedule for 2012
WORKSHOPS
11:00AM – 11:50AM
September 16, 2011 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, Comic Strips, Convention News, Horror, Massachusetts, Other, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Video Games, Webcomics
The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo has released the schedule for this weekend’s show!
Workshops & Artist Demos
Panels
Comics & …! is a day-long program of panel discussions exploring diverse topics in independent comics. Each panel will take place in University Hall’s Amphitheater, 2nd Floor.
11:00 AM - Comics such as Spiegelman’s Maus and Satrapi’s Persepolis have found a solid foothold as legitimate classroom texts. However, there are many other noteworthy graphic novels that could also find their way into the K-16 curriculum. This panel will explore specific strategies for teaching comics and teaching with comics, looking past the “canonical” texts noted above.
MODERATOR: David Marshall PANELISTS: Michael Gianfrancesco, Director, New England Comic Arts in the Classroom; Educator, North Providence High School; Maureen Bakis, author The Graphic Novel Classroom; Alexander Danner, instructor, Emerson College Graphic Novel Program; Robert Shreefter, Professor, Lesley University.
12:15 PM – This panel of writers, artists, and reviewers will discuss today’s comics storytelling for kids, the challenges of appealing to different age groups, and the changing roles of such “gatekeepers” as librarians, comic shops, publishers, parents, and digital portals.
MODERATOR: J. L. Bell, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators PANELISTS: Robin Brenner, creator of noflyingnotights.com, Jef Czekaj, author-illustrator. Gareth Hinds, author-illustrator, Shelli Paroline, artist, Colleen AF Venable, scripter and designer
1:30 PM – Our panelists discuss ways in which the comics medium can be valuable in political discourse, and how independent comics can be an important focus of community activism as well as provide voices for — and representations of — minorities and other marginalized groups.
MODERATOR: Che Salazar PANELISTS: Rebecca Migdal, World War Three Illustrated; Colin Tedford, Trees & Hills Comics Group; Tak Toyoshima, creator Secret Asian Man; Anna Mudd, Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies
2:45 PM – Since 2006 the Project : Rooftop website has examined the trend of independent illustrators redesigning superhero costumes, and now the discussion goes live at MICE! This panel will focus on a few comic book characters, looking at how they’ve been visually interpreted over the years by professionals and fans alike.
MODERATOR: Braden Lamb PANELISTS: Joe Quinones (Wednesday Comics, Amazing Spider-Man), Ming Doyle (Tantalize, The Loneliest Astronauts), and Jennifer Ngan (Instructor, Art Institute of Boston).
4:00 PM – Many of the best comics and graphic novels are created through collaboration between a writer and artist. This panel will present several experienced teams of artists and writers, to share their insights on the pleasures and pitfalls of creative teamwork. How are comics partnerships formed and successfully maintained to produce the optimum results? What surprises have writers and artists encountered in the process of collaboration? What should less experienced creators seeking collaborators look for or be wary of?
MODERATOR: Alexander Danner PANELISTS: TBA
5:15 PM – Digital creation and distribution of comics are here to stay and will only get more important to the future of the medium. What are the best platforms – currently, or on the horizon — for the production and delivery of digital comics? How can artists and writers adapt themselves to new devices and software, and what improvements can be anticipated? What are the implications of these new technologies for the artist’s work and income?
MODERATOR: Dirk Tiede (Paradigm Shift) PANELISTS: Kevin Church (Writer, The Line), Christopher Baldwin (Little Dee) Box Brown (Everything Dies)
July 5, 2011 by Colin Solan
Filed under Art Show, Comic Books, Comic Strips, Massachusetts, Other, Signing and Appearance Profiles, Webcomics
PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Press Release:
Team ZombieBomb!, Hub Comics, and Bloc 11 Gallery host an art fundraiser event for the family of former Hub Comics owner James Welborn on Sunday July 10, 2011 in Somerville, MA. James passed away very recently and we as a community want to give back to his store, his child, and his family. James was very supportive of all our efforts, as well as to the rest of the local comic scene.
Come see us at the Bloc 11 Gallery Sunday, July 10th from 2-6pm to participate in a silent auction featuring work from comic book artists of every stripe who have come together to honor James’s memory. With A-list work both on display and available for sale, this is a unique opportunity for art fans to get their hands on some amazing original artwork, and to help a great cause while doing it. Contributions include pages by superstar artists John Byrne, Tim Truman, Esad Ribic, Dick Ayers, Jim Mahfood as well as pieces donated by local artists such as Joe Quinones, Maris Wicks, Adam Miller, Liz Prince, Rich Woodall, Meghann Brideau, David Marshall, Andrew Houle, Josh Morrissette, and many more. Several of these locals will be on hand Sunday.
Additionally, Hub Comics will have a storewide sale all day with savings from 10% to 50% off almost everything in the store. Hub is located right next door to Bloc 11, making Bow Street a prime destination for any comic book and zombie fan within driving distance.
Fundraiser for James Welborn
Sunday, July 10th
Hub Comics – all day sale, 10am-6pm @ 19 Bow Street, Union Square, Somerville, MA
Bloc 11 – art auction, 2pm-6pm @ 11 Bow Street, Union Square, Somerville, MA
James Welborn, founder of Hub Comics, died on May 23rd, 2011. Originally from Nevada, James came to Massachusetts to work in the computer industry. He always loved comic books, and wanted to raise awareness that comics could tell any story and be read by anyone of any age. He built Hub Comics to be not only a comic shop, but a friendly neighborhood destination for fans, artists, children, and families. His smile and gentle greeting of “How’s it going?” will be missed by Union Square.
A trust fund has been set up to provide for James’s family. Please contact Hub Comics for more information.
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