Once again, plenty to do and see this week. Europe’s best graphic novelists invade NYC as part of the New Literature from Europe festival, Chip Kidd and Alison Bechdel both continue their tours, Atlanta’s Super Con brings cosplay to the Big Peach, and MORE MORE MORE. Read on for the week’s events, and as always let us know if we missed something!

Monday, November 17

New York, NY, 6 PMIgort at New York’s Italian Cultural Institute

Igort_cucu.jpg

Ccartoonist Igort will discuss his new book FIVE IS THE PREFECT NUMBER, and exhibit watercolors from his Ignatz book BAOBAB at the Italian Cultural Institute as part of the New Literature from Europe series. Admission is free, but registration is required; call (212) 879-4242 ext. 375.

Monday, November 17 – Wednesday, November 19

New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MOChip Kidd on tour

batmanga.jpg

Author and designer Chip Kidd continues his tour in support of BAT-MANGA, which includes the art of Jiro Kuwata. He will appear at Kinokuniya Bookstore in New York on November 17 at 6 PM, at Chicago Comics on November 18 at 6 PM and at the Kansas City Public Library’s Plaza Branch on November 19 at 6:30 PM.

Fill in your calendar with the rest of the week after the break…


Monday, November 17 – Wednesday, November 19

New York, NY; Cambridge, MA; Northampton, MA – Alison Bechdel on tour

essentialdykes.jpg

FUN HOME author Alison Bechdel hits the Northeast this week to promote her new book THE ESSENTIAL DYKES TO WATCH OUT FOR. She will appear at New York’s Barnes & Nobel on 82nd & Broadway on November 17 at 7 PM, at Lesley College’s amphitheater in Cambridge on November 18 at 7 PM, and at Northampton’s Broadside Bookshop on November 19 at 7 PM. Hit the links for more info!

Tuesday, November 18

Los Angeles, CA, 7 PMLynda Barry and Matt Groening in conversation at The Hammer

barrygroening.JPG

Lynda Barry (WHAT IT IS) and Matt Groening (LIFE IN HELL, THE SIMPSONS) have a long shared history, dating back to their days at Washington’s Evergreen State College in the ’70s. They will share the stage and swamp stories at UCLA’s Hammer art museum, as part of the museum’s Conversation series.

Tuesday, November 18

Seattle, WA, 7 PM – 9 PMJesse Reklaw, Theo Ellsworth and Kaz Strzepek at University Books

Jesse Reklaw will present a Q&A session and reading from his book THE NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE, which collects strips from his SLOW WAVE dream comic. Joining him will be fellow cartoonists Theo Ellsworth (CAPACITY) and Kazimir Strzepek (THE MOURNING STAR).

Tuesday, November 18

New York, NY, 8 PMBrian Heater, Tom Hart, John Kerschbaum and Sarah Glidden at The Comic Book Club

comicbookclub.jpg

This week’s installment of New York’s live comic book talk show features guests Brian Heater (Daily Cross Hatch), Tom Hart (HUTCH OWEN), John Kerschbaum (PETEY AND PUSSY) and Sarah Glidden (SMALL NOISES) at New York’s People’s Improv Theatre. Tickets are $5.

Wednesday, November 19

Toronto, ON, 6 PM – 8 PMCarolynn Unknown and Noel Tuazon at The Beguiling

Writer/poet Carolynn Unknown and artist Noel Tuazon (ELK’S RUN), both of Toronto, celebrate the launch of their graphic novel ONCE with a casual party at The Beguiling. A musical performance will begin at 8 PM. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, November 19

New York, NY, 6:30 PMGraphic Novels from Europe

David Mazzucchelli (BATMAN: YEAR ONE) will moderate a discussion with preeminent European graphic novelists Jaromir 99, Jaroslave Rudis (ALOIS NEBEL), Nicolas de Crecy (GLACIALPERIOD), David B. (EPILEPTIC), Isabel Kreitz (DIE SACHE MIT SORGE), Igort (BAOBAB) and Max (BARDIN THE SUPERREALIST). The discussion is in conjunction with the New Literature from Europe series, and is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

Wednesday, November 19

New York, NY, 7 PM – 9 PMDame Darcy exhibition opens at Sloan Fine Art

darcyPR2.jpg

Work from Dame Darcy’s new graphic novel GASOLINE will be on display at the Sloan Fine Art gallery starting this Wednesday, and Darcy will be present at the opening reception that evening. The exhibition runs through December 20.

Wednesday, November 19

Culver City, CA, 8 PMComics on Comics at Dream World Comics

coc-episode-12-flier-small.jpg

Video podcast Comics on Comics will be filmed live from Dream World Comics for their 11th and final episode of 2008. Host Juan-Manuel Rocha will be joined by comics scribe Marc Guggenheim (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and film critics/comedians Jackie Kashian, Chris Mancini and Mike Schmidt from ComedyFilmNerdsDotCom.com. Admission is free and open to the public.

Thursday, November 20

New York, NY, 6:30 PMEuropean Graphic Novelists at MoCCA

David B., Nicolas de Crécy, Igort, Jaromír 99, Isabel Kreitz, Max and Jaroslav Rudiš make another group appearance as part of the New Literature from Europe series, at the Museum of Cartoon and Comic Art. The event is free and open to the public, and will include talks, presentations and book signings.

Thursday, November 20

San Francisco, CA, 8 PMGene Deitch at San Francisco State University

deitch50.jpg

Legendary animator Gene Deitch will present a lecture on adapting children’s books for animation at San Francisco State University, presented by ASIFA. Admission is free and open to the public.

Friday, November 21

New York, NY, 4 PMNicolas de Crecy at NYU

decrecy.jpg

French graphic novelist Nicolas de Crecy will present an illustrated lecture in French at New York University’s Maison Française as part of the New Literature from Europe series.

Saturday, November 22

New York, NY, Noon – 2 PMRollicking Picture Books

Eight picture book authors and illustrators, including Art Spiegelman (JACK AND THE BOX), Dean Haspiel (MO AND JO) BOB SHEA (DINOSAUR VS. BEDTIME) and Jon Scieszka (KNUCKLEHEAD), will present their newest books, answer questions from the audience and sign books at Books of Wonder. Free and open to the public, especially kids ages 3 – 9.

Saturday, November 22

Tacoma, WA, 2 PM – 5 PMTim Sale at Comic Book Ink

Artist Tim Sale (BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, HEROS), will sign books at Tacoma retailer Comic Book Ink. He will be debuting an original art print at the signing which will sell for $15 with all proceeds benefiting The Hero Initiative.

Saturday, November 22

Alhambra, CA, 7 PM – 11 PM

nucleus_flyertemplate_5x8 “Line Weight” gallery opening

The Nucleus gallery in Alhambra presents the opening reception for “Line Weight,” a new group show featuring the art of James Jean, Christine Nguyen, Mari Unukai and others.

Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 23

Atlanta, GAAtlanta Super Con

Guests at Atlanta Super Con include Herb Trimpe (THE INCREDIBLE HULK), James Urbaniak and Doc Hammer of Venture Brothers, Jimmy Cheung (YOUNG AVENGERS) and the cast and crew of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The convention runs from 3 PM – 2 AM Friday, 10 AM – 2 PM Saturday and 10 AM – 6 PM Sunday. Weekend passes are $35 at the door.

Posted by Aaron Humphrey.