Rose City Comic Con‘s wildly popular Book Fair returns to the Pacific Northwest’s premier comic convention, Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 8 at the Oregon Convention Center. This year, the Rose City Comic Con Book Fair is proud to continue their partnership with the world’s largest independent bookstore and a local staple, Powell’s Books. Book Fair allows literature lovers to purchase books, get them signed, discover up-and-coming writers, and enjoy special panels from a variety of esteemed authors.
Now in its twelfth year, Rose City Comic Con is thrilled to welcome a range of bestselling and rising star authors including: Nnedi Okorafor, Max Brooks, Peter V. Brett, Olivie Blake, Terry Brooks, Laini Taylor, Kimberly Lemming, Joe R. Lansdale, Elaine U Cho, Matthew Lyons, Jared Pechaček, and Kasey Lansdale.
The Book Fair also features panels all weekend in Room E145-146 followed by author signings at the RCCC Bookstore powered by Powell’s at Booth #365. This year’s Book Fair boasts two Early Con Exclusives for sale, as well as an exclusive book plate signing featuring Kristian Nairn and his new biopic “Beyond the Throne,” available for pre-order at the RCCC Bookstore. Early Con exclusives include the Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks in trade paperback with new cover art in which fans can get their copy four days before the official release. “In the Mad Mountains” by Joe R. Lansdale will also be available six weeks before the novel hits bookshelves.
And for the first time ever, Rose City Comic Con is serving up a pair of writing Master Classes from two of the industry’s greatest talents, including: Sometimes Magic Works – A Master Class with Terry Brooks, and Doomsday Writing – How Story Telling Can Save the World – A Master Class with Max Brooks. Limited to just 25 aspiring writers, each class also includes a Rose City Comic Con pencil and notebook.
Outside of the Book Fair, Rose City Comic Con is proud to be collaborating with more comic book publishers than ever before, including DC Comics, Rebellion (Booth #803), and Portland’s own comic book publishing houses Dark Horse Comics (Booth #701), Oni Press (Booth #1001), and DSTLRY. Fans of exclusives won’t want to miss rare goodies like:
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Rebellion Booth #803: The exclusive Slaine: The Horned God slipcase editions, Judge Dredd tote bags with an exclusive convention-only design by Robin Smith, signings with Simon Bisley
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Oni Press Booth #1001: An exclusive hardcover of Covenant you can’t get anywhere else, and a convention exclusive EC Comics enamel pin set
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Dark Horse Comics #701: Signings with the Minor Threats team (Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum)
Aspiring comic creators will get the chance to have their portfolios evaluated by a few of these, including DC Comics, Rebellion, and Dark Horse Comics. This incredible professional opportunity is part of Rose City Comic Con’s Creator Pro programming track which also features a number of panels about breaking into the industry, a networking mixer, and the two previously mentioned writing Master Classes.
Rose City Comic Con’s first ever Silent Auction, with proceeds benefiting BINC (Book Industry Charitable Foundation), will take place Friday through Sunday and will feature a myriad of celebrity-autographed items as well as one-of-a-kind art from comic creators. Fans can see all the items that are available as well as make a big by heading to Room G132 and the Ginkoberry Concourse during Rose City Comic Con, as well as look for the Silent Auction to be live online before the show.
After the con shuts its doors on Friday, September 6, the third annual Drink & Draw will take place down the block at Spirit of ’77, 500 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. This separately ticketed event has sold out two years in a row and lets fans and creatives “draw for a cause” while enjoying drinks and socializing. Guest judges include comic creators Christopher Priest, Jody Houser, Zack Davisson, Jordan Blum, and celebrity comic creator Patton Oswalt. Prizes include amazing gifts valued at over $500 from Wacom, Oni Press, Dark Horse Comics, and more! There will also be a live auction featuring art from our comic guests and other collectibles with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Hero Initiative. Last year’s event garnered $3,450 for comic creators in need.
Author Panel Highlights
Friday:
- Found Family – Recipe for a Good Crew ft. Peter V. Brett, Elaine U Cho, Joe R. Lansdale, Matthew Lyons
- Trope-Tastic! Ft. Kasey Lansdale, Kimberly Lemming, Matthew Lyons, Jared Pechaček
- Nnedi Okorafor Spotlight
Saturday:
- Plot and Pacing ft. Peter V. Brett, Elaine U Cho, Joe R. Lansdale, Matthew Lyons, Nnedi Okorafor
- Horny on Main ft. Olivie Blake, Kimberly Lemming, Sam Magggs, Jared Pechaček, Laini Taylor
- Terry Brooks Spotlight
Sunday:
- The Art of Worldbuilding ft. Peter V. Brett, Terry Brooks, Elaine U Cho, Jared Pechaček, Laini Taylor
- Writer vs. Author ft. Olivie Blake, Terry Brooks, Joe Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, Kimberly Lemming, Laini Taylor
- Max Brooks Spotlight
Fans can take a stroll down Author’s Lane and connect with fresh faces from the world of science fiction, fantasy, YA, horror, and more. Venture into Artist Alley to find these authors, all labeled with table signage showing that they are a part of Author’s Lane.
Comic Panel Highlights
Friday:
- A Spotlight On Chip Zdarksy
- Dark Horse Manga
- Jack Kirby’s Greatest Comics: An All-Star Tribute to the King ft. Mike Mignola, Steve Leiber, Christopher Priest, Mark Russell, Stephanie Williams
Saturday:
- DC Comics Spotlight
- THIRTY YEARS OF HELLBOY: An Anniversary Celebration ft. Mike Mignola and others
- Building New Worlds with DSTLRY & Live Draw ft. Chip Zdarsky, Becky Cloonan, Mirka Andolfo, Joëlle Jones, David Brothers
- Dark Horse Presents: Minor Threats with Patton Oswalt and Friends ft. Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, Heath Corson, Brian Michael Bendis, and Mike Allred
Sunday:
- The Kingdom of the Panther ft. Christopher Priest, Nnedi Okorafor, Stephanie Williams
- FUTURES PAST AND PRESENT: Reintroducing 2000 AD – the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic! ft. Matt Fraction and Mike Molcher
