Events

Been too busy with my regular Monday duties for a full MoCCA Festival wrap-up -- look for more photos and observations tomorrow, but in the meantime, as usual, it was a fun filled festival of comics and camaraderie. All of the many social events were great; the turnout at Saturday's Strange Tales/Beat/CBLDF fundraiser party was fantastic and we kept hearing all about what a great time everyone had. The same night there was a Comics Journal party at an LES bar which was also off the hook with great cartoonists, conversation, dancing and carrying on. As for the show itself, the crowd was perhaps a bit lighter than last year and the Law Of The Show came down from the mountain again: people with lots of great new books like D&Q and Fantagraphics did great. People without a lot of new material didn't do as well. More in the full report.

We don't know much about this newish comics shop Locust Moon Comics, but based on the verve of their PR, they seem to be one of the kinds of comics shop we need. They are hosting the great Todd Klein tonight -- if you are around, stopping by would probably be a good idea.

WOW -- so much going on, as usual. Luckily, with a little cab fare, you can party hop and see 'most everything: Strandicon, TWO Peter Bagge signings, a Strange Tales party, a wine tasting at MoCCA, the Rabid Rabbit release party, a kickoff concert and more more more!

UPDATED with a big opening at Tara McPherson's new gallery.

Hey Mocca Attendees -- to anyone who is hanging around New York for a day or two afterwards, here are some things you might want to check out. New York is a greenhouse of comics-y/arty events and there are several good ones going on right now.

The MoCCA Fest social scene is already jam-packed, but we wanted to alert you to this one, which takes place just around the corner from the Armory and leaves you plenty of time to get a signed book, have a brew and a bite, and then head off to wherever you next need to be. It's being co-hosted by the CBLDF and The Beat, and will feature tons of your favorite cartoonists, so come on by!

Please note that the Mad Hatter also has a patio so if the weather is nice we can stand outside and talk about comics! They are also giving us happy hour specials so even someone on a comics budget can have a good time. See you there!

Besides being a lovely flyer, several new guests are revealed in this flyer by Craig Thompson, including Diane Noomin and Chester Brown. Thompson's long awaited HABIBI comes out this fall and should be a HOT topic of conversation.

This Tuesday is the date for a unique cartooning conversation between Frank Quitely and Jose Villarubia, with ticket proceeds to benefit the CBLDF. One fan will also win a one-on-one conversation with Quitely. Tickets are available now. PR below:

More info here.

To do

The Cartoon Art Museum, The Hero Initiative, IDW and Berkley Breathed are all getting together for a party at WonderCon.

Programming maven Brian Heater has posted the 2011 MoCCA panel lineup. There will be TWO tracks of programming this year, with lots of spotlights -- Al Jaffee, Jerry Robinson, Gahan Wilson, Dash Shaw, Peter Bagge, Pizza Island, Will Eisner -- a Carousel, an animation panel, and looks at most every genre of contemporary indie/alt comix. It's in some kind of table, so we can't reproduce it here, but check it out.

From Edel Rodriguez, some nice photos of last week's R. Crumb art opening at the Society of Illustrators.