This is the first week of 2009 that’s genuinely packed with events, with conventions in Dallas and Phoenix, workshops coast to coast, and appearances by everyone from Art Spiegelman to Rob Liefeld. Read on and fill your datebook…


Monday, January 19

Chicago, IL, Noon – 1 PMKevin Grevioux at Graham Crackers Comics

Actor, screenwriter (“Underworld“) and comics writer (NEW WARRIORS, ADAM) Kevin Grevioux signs his books and passes out free tickets to see the new Underworld flick at Graham Crackers Comics‘ Chigaco Loop location.


Monday, January 19

New York, NY, 2 PM – 4 PMUrban Empathy: Living with Compassion in the Big Apple

In honor of MLK Day, New York’s Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art hosts a workshop lead by Dian Killian, co author of the new graphic novel URBAN EMPATHY: TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES OF COMPASSION ON THE STREETS OF NY. The workshop explores how empathy can change the outcome of challenge situations, and is free, but registration is required.


Check out Tuesday through Sunday behind the cut!





Tuesday, January 20

Montreal, QC, 7 PMPascal Girard’s NICOLAS book launch and slide show

Quebecois cartoonist Pascal Girard presents his debut work, NICOLAS, the newest release in Drawn & Quarterly‘s Petits Livres series, at D+Q’s Librarie at 211 Bernard.


Tuesday, January 20

New York, NYComic Book Club with Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey

This week’s installment of New York’s live comic book talk show features guests Fred Van Lente (INCREDIBLE HERCULES) and RYAN DUNLAVEY (COMIC BOOK COMICS) talking with hosts Justin Tyler, Pete LePage and Alex Zalben at the People’s Improv Theatre. Admission is $5.


Wednesday, January 21

Toronto, ON, 5 PM – 7 PMTom Fowler at The Beguiling

Artist Tom Fowler drops by Toronto retailer The Beguiling to sign copies of the first issue of his new series MYSTERIUS THE UNFATHOMABLE, written by Jeff Parker and published by WildStorm.


Wednesday, January 21

New York, NY, 7 PMComics and the Jewish American Dream: Al Jaffee

MAD Magazine’s legendary cartoonist Al Jaffee is spotlighted in the first installment of a three-part series of discussions on Comics and the Jewish American Dream at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Series curator and moderator Danny Fingeroth will interview Jaffee on stage. Tickets are $25.


Wednesday, January 21

Los Angeles, CA, 7 PMRob Liefeld and Phil Hotsenpiller at Golden Apple Comics

Artist Rob Liefeld (X-FORCE, YOUNGBLOOD) and pastor-turned-scribe Phil Hotsenpiller will be signing at L.A. retailer Golden Apple Comics to promote their new book, the end-of-days saga ARMAGEDDON NOW.


Thursday, January 22

Seattle, WA, 6 PMComix Workshop with Shary Flenniken

As part of Seattle Public Library’s Comixtravaganza series, artist Shary Flenniken will teach a workshop on making comic books at the library’s Columbia Branch.


Thursday, January 22

New York, NY, 7 PMFrom Batman to Gandhi: Comics from Super Heroes to the Nonviolent

Mark Badger and Dian Killian launch their new graphic novel, URBAN EMPATHY: TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES OF COMPASSION ON THE STREETS OF NY, with a discussion at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, moderated by Keith Myerson of the School of Visual Arts. The presentation will include a Q&A and a discussion on the history of super hero comics. Admission is $5 and free for MoCCA members.


Friday, January 23 – Sunday, January 25

Mesa, AZPhoenix Comicon

Comics pros, fans and retailers descend on the Mesa Convention Center, for the convention that describes itself as “The signature pop culture convention of the southwest.” In addition to a Thursday preview night from 6 PM to midnight, the con will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to midnight, and Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM. Full memberships are $30 online if ordered by Wednesday, or $35 at the door.


Friday, January 23

Seattle, WA, 7 PMComix Workshop with Greg Stump

As part of Seattle Public Library’s Comixtravaganza series, artist Greg Stump will teach a workshop on making comic books at the South Park Community Center.


Friday, January 23

Miami Beach, FL, 8 PMDave Kellet at Books & Books

Cartoonist Dave Kellet speaks at Books & Books about his webcomic SHELDON and the book HOW TO MAKE WEBCOMICS. He will also be signing and sketching for fans.


Friday, January 23

San Francisco, CA, 8 PM – MidnightJeff Parker and Tom Fowler at Isotope Comics

Artist Tom Fowler and writer Jeff Parker celebrate the launch of their new WildStorm series MYSTERIUS THE UNFATHOMABLE at an Isotopes Comics party scheduled to last all night long.


Saturday, January 24

San Francisco, CA, 11 AM – 5 PMThe Art of Coraline opens at CAM

The Cartoon Art Museum unveils its newest exhibition, which showcases original works of art from the upcoming stop-motion feature film “Coraline” based on the novel by Neil Gaiman and directed by Henry Selick (THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS). The exhibition runs through February 15.


Saturday, January 24 – Sunday, January 25

Dallas, TXDallas Comic Con

Artists Michael Lark, Howard Chaykin, Herb Trimpe, Mark Brooks and others, as well as actor Thomas Jane are among the guests at this year’s Dallas Comic Con, held in the Richardson Civic Center. Admission is $10 per day.


Saturday, January 24

New York, NY, 1 PM – 4 PMWorkshop: Making Comics in Adobe Flash

Mark Badger, illustrator of URBAN EMPATHY, teaches a workshop on drawing and storytelling for print and Web using Adobe Flash at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. Participants must bring their own laptops; registration is $20, or $10 for MoCCA members.


Saturday, January 24

Glendale Heights, IL, 2 PM – 4 PMInside Writing and Publishing at Glenside Public Library

Josh Elder (MAIL ORDER NINJA), Russell Lissau (THE BATMAN STRIKES!) and Gene Ha (Top 10) discuss the process of creating comics and graphic novels, and answer audience questions at the Glenside Public Library. Ha will also provide sketches for a limited number of participants.


Saturday, January 24

Fremont, CA, 3 PMS. Clay Wilson benefit at The Mojo Lounge

Fremont bar The Mojo Lounge hosts a benefit for alternative comix artist S. Clay Wilson (ZAP COMIX), who suffered a severe brain injury in November. A $10 donation is requested, and there will be a raffle, artwork for sale and food provided.


Saturday, January 24

Hartford, CT, 7:30 PMAn Evening with Kevin Smith

Filmmaker and comics writer Kevin Smith (DAREDEVIL, GREEN ARROW) takes audience questions at at Q&A at The Bushnell performing arts center. Tickets are $36.50 – $42.50.


Sunday, January 25

San Francisco, CA, 1 PM – 4 PMGolden Gate Comics Workshop

Artists Briana Miller and Thien Pham, who recently installed a poster series on San Francisco’s Market Street, will present a free workshop of comic book techniques and the process of silk screening at the Cartoon Art Museum.


Sunday, January 25

Boulder, CO, 4:30 PMArt Spiegelman at the University of Colorado

Renowned cartoonist Art Spiegelman (MAUS, RAW) speaks at the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Macky Auditorium.

Posted by Aaron Humphrey

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks for the plug, Heidi!

    Additionally, I’ll be signing comics and hosting a live reading at the Deer Park Barnes & Noble in Deer Park, IL, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday!

  2. Please note that there’s an at-the-door-only secret-word $10 (CHEAP!) ticket price for my interview of AL JAFFEE at YIVO. (You can’t get the deal online.) Say the secret word “Fold-In” and you get in for ten bucks (CHEAP!). The event is at 15 W. 16th Street in Manhattan at the YIVO Institute (which is in the Center for Jewish History). It’s this Wednesday night, Jan. 21, 7:00 pm. Contact me at [email protected] with any questions.