Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival 2017 Announces Schedule

The Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival (A2CAF) has announced the programming schedule for this year’s show on June 17-18th at the Ann Arbor District Library. Guests include: Raina Telgemeier, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Ben Hatke, Kean Soo, Tory Woollcott, and more! RSVP on Facebook!

Friday, June 16

9:30-11:45 am A2Inkubate Roundtables
The kickoff event for the annual A2CAF preconference!
Getting Comics into the Hands of Readers (from the point of view of teachers, librarians, cartoonists, and retailers). We all want the same thing — more people reading comics. These sessions will explore the specific approaches and concerns each party faces and allow everyone to join in on the conversation.

• 9:30-10:00 am – Welcome, bagel breakfast, and roundtable topic suggestions.
• 10:00-10:45 am – Roundtable Session 1
• 11:00-11:45 am – Roundtable Session 2
  

The Shapiro Design Lab
Registration Required – Register Here

2:00-4:00 pm Secret Lab Hands-On Sessions
Experience and learn how to use screen printing, letterpress, and 3D printing tools.
AADL’s Secret Lab will be open for you to explore. You’ll get a chance to create your own design to print at our screen printing stations, or set some type and print your own business card or small print. There will also be a few surprise stations.
The Ann Arbor District Library
Registration Required – Register Here

4:00-5:00 pm Super Random Element Comics Challenge
Apply and level up your comics-making skills with a fun, interactive workshop. Take your comic-making skills to another level in this storytelling challenge! Participants will be given design constraints and a limited amount of time to create a mini-comic.
The Ann Arbor District Library
Registration Required – Register Here

Reception for Ben Hatke’s Exhibit “Art and Adventure”
Join us for food, a chance to mingle, and an overview of this great exhibit. We’ll also have our annual Draw Wall outside the Downtown Library on the corner of Fifth Avenue and William Street. Here’s your chance to draw along side some of the fabulous guests of A2CAF and help create a giant comics mural!

Saturday, June 17

11:00 am – 12:00 Noon

Kickoff Event – Iron Cartoonist!
Watch Ben Hatke, Raina Telgemeier, and even more of your favorite cartoonists battle it out in a series of themed drawing rounds with random elements thrown in by you! Will you help them draw toward victory, or make them squirm? Watch guest cartoonists fight for the title under the watchful eye of your host, Zack Giallongo! Your choices will help determine this year’s Iron Cartoonist!
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

Noon – 12:15 pm

The Dwayne McDuffie Award
The third annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids’ Comics will be announced at this year’s A2CAF. Named for the highly respected comic book and animation writer and co-founder of Milestone Media, the award honors Dwayne McDuffie’s values and his legacy as a champion for meaningful, top-quality and broadly inclusive comics for young people.
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

Noon – 6:00 pm

Artists Alley
Artist Alley features over 50 working artists and writers from the worlds of print and web comics, animation, book publishing, and videogames who’ll be displaying their work–with material for sale, the occasional free giveaway, and codes for AADL’s Summer Game. They’ll also be happy to talk comics with fans of all ages!
Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

12 Noon – 3:00 pm

Super Awesome Kids’ Spot! – Build a Buddy
Stop by the Youth Story Corner to participate in some fun comics and storytelling activities for kids. In need of a sidekick for your next adventure? Look no further! Make a sock buddy that will stay by your side!
Downtown Library 1st Floor Youth Story Corner – Kids

The Super Secrets of the Secret Lab

Lumberjanes Merit Badges
Make a totally rad merit badge to celebrate your top-notch triumphs!

Mighty Jack Seed Starters
Grow your own glorious garden with these DIY seed starters! (Biting pumpkins and mysterious dragons not included.)
Downtown Library Secret Lab – Kids

Screen Printing with Modati Studios
Bring in an item to print an A2CAF logo on! Or you can print on a tote we’ll provide. Learn the basics of screen printing from Modati Studios.
Downtown Library Secret Lab – All Ages

12:30 pm- 1:30 pm

Signing – Ben Hatke
The creator of Zita the Spacegirl and the Mighty Jack series makes a special signing appearance at Vault of Midnight!
Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

Signing – Raina Telgemeier
Stop by the A2CAF table to meet the author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts and get your copies signed!
Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm

Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with courage and cheer by our guest artists.

• Kean Soo & Connor Bond – Ann Arbor Art Center (117 West Liberty Street) – All Ages
• Zack Giallongo & Jerzy Drozd – Robot Supply & Repair (115 East Liberty Street) – All Ages
• Jay Fosgitt & James Anderson – Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages
• Rachel Polk & Joe Foo – Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Animate in Photoshop! with Hannah O’Neal
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at animation but didn’t have access to the tools necessary to do that? Did you know that you can actually make pretty amazing animation in Adobe Photoshop? Animator Hannah O’Neal will show you some easy steps to getting started making your own cartoons. You’ll get some hands-on experience using the hardware and software in the Ann Arbor Art Center’s ArtLab. Seating is limited!
Ann Arbor Art Center (117 West Liberty Street) – Teens

Story Structure Is a Joke! with Bruce Worden
Do you know the secrets to how a good story is built? Have you heard of something called 3-act story structure? No? Well, that’s okay, because it’s just a joke! (And you’ve heard of jokes, right?) In this workshop you’ll make a four-panel comic of your very own, using unforgettable tips to tell a great story at ANY length!
Robot Supply & Repair (115 East Liberty Street) – All Ages

The Shake Ups Dance Party!
Your favorite Steven Universe/My Little Pony themed band is rocking the Library! Come down to the Multi-Purpose room for some awesome music and dancing.
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Quick Draw!
More improvisational drawing fun with our guest artists!

• Joshua Buchanan & James Anderson – Ann Arbor Art Center (117 West Liberty Street) – All Ages
• Ellie Moody & Courtney Hahn – Robot Supply & Repair (115 East Liberty Street) – All Ages
• Katie Shanahan & Bruno Hohn – Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages
• Joe Foo & Rachel Polk – Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Signing: Raina Telgemeier
Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts, makes a special appearance at Vault of Midnight!
Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Making Mini Comics! with John Novak
Try your hand at making mini comics with John Novak (colorist of Giants Beware!, Dragons Beware! and the Tricky Journey series). Learn how to come up with fun characters and story ideas. Discover new ways to tell your story!
Ann Arbor Art Center (117 West Liberty Street) – All Ages

Robot & Creature Creation Station, with John Martin
Doodle your way to an unstoppable robot and monster army! John Martin (Vordak the Incomprehensible, Sci-Fi Junior High) will show you how to draw everything from their appearance, function, and how to give them a role in their own comic stories.
Robot Supply & Repair (115 East Liberty Street) – All Ages

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Jarrett J. Krosoczka Presentation
The author of the Lunch Lady series, Platypus Police Squad, and the latest Star Wars: Jedi Academy is at the Library! Jarrett will demonstrate the process of making stories that people will care about, and you’ll be able to ask him some questions of your own.
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Lunch Lady Snackdown & Book Signing
Get your Lunch Lady books signed by Jarrett J. Krosoczka and create not just a snack, but a JUSTICE SNACK! Smack down your ingredients, roll up the power of goodness, and triumph over your hunger!
Downtown Library Secret Lab– All Ages

Art & Adventure with Ben Hatke
Get an up-close look at the original art behind Nobody Likes a Goblin, Zita the Spacegirl, Julia’s House for Lost Creatures, and a few surprises. The cartoonist behind the artwork will talk about his process of making comics and children’s books. Bring your curiosity and questions!
Downtown Library 3rd Floor Gallery Space– All Ages

Sunday, June 18

12:30 pm- 5:30 pm

Artists Alley
Artist Alley features over 50 working artists and writers from the worlds of print and web comics, animation, book publishing, and video games who’ll be displaying their work–with material for sale, the occasional free giveaway, and codes for AADL’s Summer Game. They’ll also be happy to talk comics with fans of all ages!
Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

12:30 pm -1:30pm

Signing – Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady series, Platypus Police Squad, and the new Star Wars: Jedi Academy, makes a special appearance at Vault of Midnight!
Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

Signing: Raina Telgemeier
Stop by the A2CAF table to meet the author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts and get your copies signed!
Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

Making Mini Comics! with John Novak
Try your hand at making mini comics with John Novak (colorist of Giants Beware!, Dragons Beware! and the Tricky Journey series). Learn how to come up with fun characters and story ideas. Discover new ways to tell your story!
Downtown Library Secret Lab– All Ages

12:30 pm -2:30pm

COLOR! CUT! CREATE! Superhero Paper Toys! with Merrill Rainey
Have you ever wanted to build your own Superhero toys and then be able to play with them? Join Master Doodler Merrill Rainey as he helps you cut, color, and create your very own 3D paper toy Superhero and paper play set.
Downtown Library Youth Area– Kids

1:00-1:30 pm

Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with courage and cheer by our guest artists.

• Seth Kimball & Joshua Buchanan – Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages
• Katie Shanahan & Sophie Bugala- Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

The Kids’ Comics Awards Ceremony!

Which comic in 2016 had the most rolicking adventure? Which character did kids love the most? Kids voted in these and other categories, including their favorite characters and graphic novels! Help us celebrate the third annual Kids’ Comics Revolution Awards as we reveal the winners! No black tie required, but you can wear your favorite comics-inspired costume! With live music and lots of laughs!

Hosted by Ben Hatke, Zack Giallongo, and Jerzy Drozd, with a bevy of special guests!
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Quick Draw!
More improvisational drawing fun with our guest cartoonists!

Ellie Moody & Rachel Polk – Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

James Anderson & Courtney Hahn – Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Signing: Raina Telgemeier
Raina Telgemeier, author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts, makes a special appearance at Vault of Midnight!
Vault of Midnight (219 S. Main St ) – All Ages

Signing – Signing – Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Stop by the A2CAF table to meet, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady series, Platypus Police Squad, and the new Star Wars: Jedi Academy, and get your copies signed!
Downtown Library 1st Floor – All Ages

SF – The Stone Heart Signing

Faith Erin Hicks appears in conversation with Raina Telgemeier  (Smile, Sisters, Drama) at the Central Park Library on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:00 PM in celebration of the release of the highly anticipated second book in her Nameless City series, The Stone Heart! After their talk, they will be signing books. Priority in the signing line will be given to those with a Books Inc. receipt for Faith and Raina’s titles; Raina Telgemeier will sign a maximum of 2 books per person; Flash free photos will be permitted with both authors.

Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Santa Clara City Library – Central Park Branch
2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051

CA – Ghosts Signing

Raina Telgemeier (creator of SMILE and SISTERS) appears at Willow Glen Middle School on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 2:00 PM to celebrate her latest book, GHOSTS! Books and tickets sold via Hicklebee’s Bookstore.

RSVP on Facebook!

Willow Glen Middle School
2105 Cottle Ave. San Jose, CA 95125

NY – Ghosts Signing

Raina Telgemeier (creator of SMILE and SISTERS) appears at the Bethesda Episcopal Church on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 6:00 PM to celebrate her latest book, GHOSTS! Tickets and details available here… 

Bethesda Episcopal Church
41 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

SF – Ghosts Signing

Raina Telgemeier (creator of SMILE and SISTERS) signs at Comix Experience on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM to celebrate her latest book, GHOSTS!

RSVP on Facebook!

Comix Experience
305 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 863-9258

NH – Ghosts Signing

Water Street Books hosts Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters, Drama) for a signing at the haunted Three Chimneys Inn in Durham, NH on Thursday, October 20th at 5:00 PM.

Ticket info is at the link!

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahia de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahia de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake — and her own.

Raina Telgemeier has masterfully created a moving and insightful story about the power of family and friendship, and how it gives us the courage to do what we never thought possible.

Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award winning creator of Smile and Sisters, which are both graphic memoirs based on her childhood. She is also the creator of Drama, which was named a Stonewall Honor Book and was selected for YALSA’s Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens. Raina lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more, visit her online at www.goRaina.com.

Three Chimneys Inn
17 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824

CT – Ghosts Signing

Raina Telgemeier, New York Times bestselling cartoonist of SMILE, DRAMA, SISTERS, and THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, appears at the First Congregational Church on Monday, October 17, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM to sign her latest book GHOSTS!

Raina Telgemeier has masterfully created a moving and insightful story about the power of family and friendship, and how it gives us the courage to do what we never thought possible.

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea.

As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake — and her own.

Raina Telgemeier is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile, Sisters, and Drama, all #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-sitters Club series. Raina’s accolades include multiple Eisner Awards, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and many Best Of and Notable lists. Her next graphic novel, Ghosts, will be released in the fall of 2016. Raina lives and works in San Francisco, CA. Visit her online at www.goRaina.com.

$15.00 ticket per family, includes admission and (1) copy of Ghosts, sold via RJ Julia Books.

RSVP on Facebook!

First Congregational Church of Madison, CT
26 Meeting House Ln, Madison, CT 06443
(203) 245-2739

ON – Ghosts Signing

Raina Telgemeier, New York Times bestselling cartoonist of SMILE, DRAMA, SISTERS, and THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, appears at Chapters on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM to sign her latest book GHOSTS!

Event Guidelines:
• Line-up will be available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Individuals must have a purchased copy of Ghosts to be in line
• Author will personalize one book, and sign up to an additional two (2) backlist titles per person
• Proof of purchase required from any Indigo, Chapters, IndigoSpirit or Coles location
• Candid photos permitted; no posed photography
• NO FLASH photography at all

RSVP on Facebook!

Chapters Vega
3050 Vega Blvd, Mississauga, ON L5L 5X8
905-820-9910

QC – Ghosts Signing

Raina Telgemeier, New York Times bestselling cartoonist of SMILE, DRAMA, SISTERS, and THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, appears at the Rialto Theatre on Monday, October 10, 2016 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM! Tickets available at the link!

RSVP on Facebook!

Rialto Theatre
5723 Ave du Parc, Montreal, Quebec H2V 4H2
+1 514-770-7773

NYC – Ghosts Launch Party

Press Release:

Join Books of Wonder on Saturday October 8th at 11:00 AM in welcoming NY Times bestselling author, RAINA TELGEMEIER (Smile, Sisters) as she joins us for an open stock signing to celebrate her newest graphic novel, Ghosts. We invite you to bring all of your RAINA TELGEMEIER books from home for her to sign for you but request that you purchase one of her titles from the store to enter the signing line.

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake — and her own.

Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
(212) 989-3270

Next Page »