With over a 100 self publishers, cartoonists, writers, illustrators and small press imprints, Columbus has a burgeoning comic book creator and cartooning community. Its only a matter of time before that famous Buckeye Pride catches on to what this community is doing and comic books become as big of part of what the Arch City is about as good food, great local music and of course, football.
This member curated Ohio Art League Exhibit will feature works and prints that will guide visitors through the process of comic book creation from script to final prep for printing with an emphasis
on the collaborative relationship between writers and artists . Original comic art by local greats Ken Eppstein, Matt Wyatt, Derek Stewart, Andy Bennett and Michael Neno will be on display!
In addition to the artwork on display, the exhibit will feature a Pop Up Shop filled with local comic books! Over 50 different titles will be on sale and it will be an excellent opportunity for visitors to
see just how prolific and talented the local comic creators are!
As a final component, the exhibit will feature a short series of presentations and events to give visitors a glimpse of where the Columbus comics community has its origins, what the community is about today and what the future may look like.
Presentations:
History of Columbus Comics
presented by Caitlin McGurk, Visiting Curator at Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library
Saturday, February 9th at 4:00pm
Ohio Art League, 1552 N. High Street, Columbus Ohio
Cartoons, Comic Books, and graphic novels have a unique position as a pop culture phenomenon and a vibrant artistic medium. Columbus in particular has an abundance of comic book creators, owed in part to the rich collegiate atmosphere, and in part to a deep provenance beginning with Thurber and Caniff and lasting through today with modern greats like Jeff Smith and Derf. This exhibit will not only spotlight this wealth of talent and history, but show the full artistic process behind this cultural cornerstone.
Diversity Among Columbus Comics Creators Panel
Discussion lead by Victor Dandridge of Vantage Inhouse Productions
Who do you picture when you're told about a comic book creator in Columbus? A doughy middle-aged guy in the mold of the Simpson's "Comic Book Guy?" It's not necessarily so. This panel discussion will explore creators in town who don't fit the stereotype and what the expectations of are of creators who break that mold.
Saturday February 16th at 4:00pm
Ohio Art League, 1552 N. High Street, Columbus Ohio
Beyond Fiction: Using Journalism as a basis for Writing Comic Books and Graphic Novels
by Derf BackDerf
2012 was a banner year for Ohio State University Alum Derf Backderf, whose “My Friend Dahmer” graphic novel wowed literary and comic book critics alike. “My Friend Dahmer” is written in a unique fashion, drawing upon Derf’s background in journalism, lending authenticity and depth to the project that a memoir alone could never achieve. Join Derf as he shares techniques for bringing journalism to writing comics and graphic novels.
Friday February 22nd at 7:00pm
Ohio Art League, 1552 N. High Street, Columbus Ohio
