Wonder Woman Symposium and In-Store Creator Signing 9-22-2016
Kent State has teamed up with the Cleveland Public Library to celebrate Wonder Woman’s 75th anniversary and to take a look at the changing roles of women within the pages of comic books. We’re lucky to be a part of the opening night festivities by hosting an in store creator signing with some of the visiting speakers, Phil Jimenez and Cameron Stewart. Both writer/artists will be at the shop for a signing on Thursday, September 22nd from 8pm to 10pm.
We have decided to make this a celebration of women in comics in general, and we’ve come up with some pretty cool stuff to check out that night!
THE CREATORS:
Phil Jimenez is one of the most prolific writer/artists in the LGBT community, and is known for his work on Wonder Woman, X-Men, and the Invisibles. He currently writes and draws Superwoman for DC’s new Rebirth line.
Cameron Stewart is known for writing the new Burnside Batgirl and has worked with Ed Brubaker and Darwyn Cooke on an incredible Catwoman run. Cameron just finished the art on Fight Club 2 written by Chuck Palahniuk; and has a new title coming out from Image Comics with a female protagonist, Motor Crush.
(Please limit signed items to three per person per creator. If time permits you can get back in line to have more stuff signed.)
Yes, originally Amanda Conner was supposed to be the key note speaker and in store guest, but a hairline fracture on her foot and a shattered elbow has caused her to cancel many long distance appearances. We wish her a speedy recovery. Amanda will still be skyping in at the Symposium.
So this left us with a bit of an issue. How to host a female focused event with two male creators? (albeit two known for their powerful female leads.) So, we invited nine local female artists to come into the store and set up shop for the event. What’s better than exposing people to local talent while they also enjoy engaging visiting creators?
The extraordinary lineup includes:
Sequoia Bostick
https://www.behance.net/SequoiaBostick
illustrator for children’s media such as kids books & apparel. She’s quite the anime watching, comic reading, boarder line fan girl.
Lauren Chaikin
www.laurenchaikin.com
2D Illustrator & Visual Development Artist. Amateur belly dancer. History nerd. Wonder Woman enthusiast.
Instagram/Tumblr/Twitter: @laurenchaikin
Search Facebook for “LaurenChaikinArt”!
Amalia DeGirolamo
www.behance.net/amaliad
Illustrator, designer, and comic book artist with a weakness for Captain Underpants, ugly sweaters, and silly faces.
Angela Oster
www.angelaoster.com
Artist, illustrator and creator of criminally cute, odd and wonderful beings.
Dee Piotrowski
https://nerdeeart.squarespace.com
Practically nerdy in every way.
Ashley Ribblett
https://aribblett.carbonmade.com/
Candy loving nerd who enjoys drawing all things sweet and surreal.
She also co-runs Dr. Sketchy Cleveland in her free time!
Erin Schechtman Caruso
http://erininartland.com/
Erin is an artist who makes many different things, but generally can be found making a mess as a member of the Rust Belt Monster Collective. She also draws HUGS at SuperGroupHugs.com.
Shawny W
https://www.behance.net/knockedknees
Just another illustrator into geek culture, burritos and cats. She draws the most babely of babes and some pretty awesome head shots.
Janie Walland
http://www.rocketdustdesign.com/
Illustrator. I paint with Gouache and bright colors. My style is best described as fun and whimsical.
All artists will be displaying their books, artwork, and possibly doing some small commissions. Support your local art community! It’s cool!
THE INCENTIVES:
We’ve decided to offer some great giveaways to make your night in our shop as welcoming as possible:
The first 100 people will receive a free copy of Batgirl #35, the first Burnside Batgirl issue written by Cameron Stewart. (so you can get it signed.)
The first 50 people will receive a free copy of Superwoman #1 written and drawn by Phil Jimenez. (yup, so you can get it signed too.)
The first 100 people will receive a free female focused Marvel Graphic Novel, either featuring female characters or female creators. (Choices include Women of Marvel, Spider-Woman by Brian Bendis, Mystique by Shawn McKeever, and Osborn by Kelly Sue DeConnick.)
The First 75 people will receive a copy of Marvel Essentials Ms Marvel #1 by G Willow Wilson. (Just because it’s such an awesome book and really the modern version of Spider-Man.)
Everybody of age will receive free beverages including beer from Great Lakes Brewing Company and wine from Carol’s private stash. (It’s likely Carol will be popping in as well, most likely looking for her wine.) We’ll also have non-alcoholic refreshments.
If you’ve never gotten a copy of our Ladies Night Lithograph by Erin Schechtman Caruso, we’ve printed up some more to give away at the event. (For the first time in a glossy stock too.) Erin will be there herself to sign the print!
We’ve got you loaded up with all this free stuff so that you can feel free to spend a little cash at our local artists tables, so please do!
OTHER COOL STUFF:
We contacted Fight Club writer Chuck Palahnuik to let him know Cameron Stewart would be at an event in the shop. Chuck has signed 30 copies of the Fight Club 2 hardcover and will be sending them out to the shop for the event. These copies will sell for the list price of $29.99 and you can have them additionally signed by Cameron at the event! (thanks to Chuck for hearing about our event and going out of his way to lend some support.)
Librarians and educators: We’re excited to have an event associated with the library system as well as Kent State University. If you are a librarian or an educator, please identify yourself to the staff. We have a packet for you with a substantial amount of information about how to incorporate comics and graphic novels into your curriculum.
Before Amanda’s cancellation, we ordered up on her graphic novel inventory. :/ We have decided to use these books as raffle prizes throughout the night, including a giant package of graphic novels and hard covers that will be the closing event at 9:55pm. Yup, you must be present to win. We’ll give you a door prize ticket when you enter the shop. Why not hang out, talk comics, have a drink and enjoy the evening? (Trick question, there is no reason not too.)
Here’s the complete information on other aspects of the Wonder Woman Symposium: www.kent.edu/wonderwoman
As with all things in our shop, this is an all ages event and all are welcome to attend.
Having two daughters and coming from a matriarchal comic shop, creating a positive space for women to enjoy the hobby is on my mind 24/7. Please join us for a night to engage our shop and our culture!
