The First Asian American ComiCon (AACC)

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), in collaboration with Secret Identities Universe Media, Asian American Writers’ Workshop, Asian CineVision, AsianAmericanComics.com. NYU Asian/Pacific/American Institute and Diamond Comics Distributors, presents a day-long event that explores the unique contemporary role and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of comics and graphic fiction.

Unlike most comic cons, AACC is designed as a full-day experience, giving you the chance to listen to, learn from and engage with top creators in both casual and structured settings. In fact, you might want to think of the “Con” in Asian American ComiCon as representing not “convention,” but “conference”—or even “conversation.”

The event will bring together leading Asian and Asian American creators, fans and readers of mainstream and alternative graphic fiction, and the larger Asian American community for a one-of-a-kind gathering, incorporating education, dialogue, spontaneous creativity, intergenerational outreach and the chance for established and emerging talent to show off their work.

The day’s program includes both free-form opportunities to interact with artists, writers and fans (the Artists Alley, signing sessions and “meet & greets”), dynamic panels, workshops and one-on-one interviews, and a special keynote and award presentation honoring comics superstar and G.I. Joe mythology creator Larry Hama.

Featured Guests:
• Fred Chao (writer/artist, JOHNNY HIRO)
• Bernard Chang (artist, WONDER WOMAN)
• Cliff Chiang (artist, GREEN ARROW)
• Sean Chen (artist, IRON MAN)
• Larry Hama (writer, GI JOE)
• Derek Kirk Kim (creator, SAME DIFFERENCE)
• Greg Pak (writer, INCREDIBLE HULK)
• Khoi Pham (artist, MIGHTY AVENGERS)
• Christine Norrie (artist, BREAKING UP)
• Christine Strain (colorist, Marvel Comics)
• Tak Toyoshima (writer/artist, SECRET ASIAN MAN)

AND MORE!!

In addition to an exhibition room and an Artists’ Alley, the Asian American ComiCon will feature three concurrent programming tracks:

• The SPOTLIGHT features high-profile comic creators in one-on-one settings discussing some of the ways in which the comics and non-comics worlds are overlapping and interleaving. Scheduled to participate in these sessions are Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile, Same Difference & Other Stories) and Larry Hama (G.I. Joe: Origins, Barack the Barbarian).

• READING COMICS, curated by AAWW Executive Director Ken Chen, explores comics as literature, as texts, and as cultural artifacts, with speakers including non-comics creators and critics as well as comics artists and writers.

• Finally, MAKING COMICS, programmed by Marvel writer Greg Pak, allows creators to share their insights on the industry and profession with those wanting a behind-the-scenes look at comics or advice on how to pursue a career in the field.

Ticket Information:
VIP Pass: $75*
Adult: $25
MOCA or AAWW Member: $15
Student (with a valid ID) and Senior (65 and over): $15
Child (age 10 and under): Free with Adult

*The tax-deductible VIP Pass not only helps to support MOCA, it also guarantees the richest possible experience at this event! Including:

• Priority reserved seating at all panels and workshops

• One Original Sketch drawn by an artist from the AACC Artists Alley–artist availability based on first-come, first-serve basis

• One classic Asian American graphic novel, signed by its creators–choose from:
Secret Identities: The Asian American Anthology (The New Press),
Good As Lily (DC Comics), or
Johnny Hiro Volume 1 (AdHouse Books)

• Admission to the invitation-only, post-Con VIP Reception

Click here for more information and registration. Purchase your tickets before they sell out!

The First Annual Asian American ComiCon is presented by:

The Museum of Chinese in America (www.mocanyc.org): Founded in 1980, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history, heritage, culture and diverse experiences of people of Chinese descent in the United States. Through innovative exhibitions as well as educational and public programs, MOCA promotes dialogue and understanding among people of all cultural backgrounds.

SIUniverse Media (www.secretidentities.org): SIUniverse Media is the editorial and production team behind the pioneering Asian American superhero anthology Secret Identities, as well as its affiliated video, online and educational resources. Committed to raising up new voices from the Asian American community and creating original, authentic and engaging stories with an organically multicultural perspective, we strive to create work that pops eyes, drops jaws and opens minds, all at the same time.

The Asian American Writers’ Workshop (www.aaww.org): Founded in 1991, the Workshop is the largest non-profit devoted to the creating, publishing, developing and disseminating of creative writing by Asian Americans. A community of readers and writers and the country’s preeminent authority on Asian American writing, the Workshop dedicates itself to empowering emerging writers of great promise to make the transition to a career in the literary arts.

Asian CineVision (www.asiancinevision.org): Asian CineVision is a nonprofit media arts organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Asian and Asian American media expressions by helping to develop and support both emerging and experienced Asian American film and video makers and other media artists working in a range of genres and styles; and helping to ensure that the full spectrum of Asian and Asian American media works reach diverse audiences in Asian American communities and beyond.

Asian American Comics (www.asianamericancomics.com): Edited by Greg Pak, writer of Incredible Hulk and creator of the Marvel superhero Amadeus Cho, AsianAmericanComics.com is devoted to spreading the word about Asian American comic books, comic book characters and comic book creators. We hope AsianAmericanComics.com will help neophytes find interesting reading material, point existing readers towards new creators and books and provide fans and pros a place to read all the latest news. For more about Pak’s work, visit Pakbuzz.com.

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. (www.diamondcomics.com): The world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books and related merchandise, Diamond Comic Distributors is based in Timonium, MD, with strategically located Distribution Centers servicing more than 4,000 specialty retailers worldwide.