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Author Archives: Jesse Russell

Before Oakland, there was Madison, Wisconsin. In Madison, the hours that weren’t filled up by my day job were typically devoured by event planning and running the city’s popular arts and politics news site, Dane101. Some of the events I organized include an annual two-night cabaret/carnival/masquerade party called the Fire Ball Masquerade, Madison's biggest non-city sponsored Halloween party, the geek culture focused MadPubQuiz of Awesomeness, and the first Whedonesque Burlesque in the country. Having successfully reshaped the reality of Madison, Wisconsin I packed up and moved to the Bay Area in February of 2013. In addition to comics, I enjoy imbibing cocktails and beer, exploring foreign cities, consuming food of various temperatures, hearing music performed live, losing at board and card games, and getting caught in the rain.

Bay Area Comic Events Update October 10, 2016

I’ve started a tinyletter! You can now receive this list in your email box so you never need to visit this website again. In a perfect world, this updated event listing will go out every Monday, but this is an imperfect world so it’ll on occasion not arrive on a Monday. What else can you find in The Shared Universe’s tinyletter? I don’t know. It’s an evolving idea. When relevant I’ll likely add Bay Area comic news (stuff like this) and possibly non-Bay Area comic news I find interesting. I only make two promises: to do my best to capture every upcoming event and only send out one tinyletter per week. Before we get to the event list you can sign up by popping your email address in the box below:

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The Outlaw Bible of American Art Release Party
When: October 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: 111 Minna Gallery
111 Minna Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1094193244021094/

Blacker Than Black Times Infinity Live Podcast
When: October 14 at 7 p.m.
Where: Cape and Cowl Comics
1601 Clay Street in Oakland
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/383693192019921/

Marjorie Liu Q&A and Signing
When: October 14 at 5 p.m. (Q&A)/6 p.m. (Signing)
Where: Fantastic Comics
2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley
More info: http://bit.ly/liuberkeley

Marjorie Liu Q&A
When: October 15 at 3 p.m.
Where: Berkeley Public Library – North Branch
1170 The Alameda in Berkeley
More info: http://bit.ly/liuberkeley

Marjorie Liu Reception and Signing
When: October 15 at 6 p.m.
Where: Tr!ckster
2631 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley
More info: http://bit.ly/liuberkeley

Folio Books POP-Up Zine Fest
When: October 16 at 1 p.m.
Where: Folio Books
3947 24th Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/folio-books-pop-up-zine-fest-tickets-27532001959

Box Brown in Conversation with Ed Luce
When: October 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Booksmith
1644 Haight Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1441486402534710/

Box Brown Signing
When: October 19 at 12 p.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/159603427818451/

Box Brown Signing and Reading
When: October 19 at 4 p.m.
Where: Berkeley Public Library Main Branch
2090 Kitteredge on Berkeley
More info: http://www.escapistcomics.com/

7th Annual Superhero Street Fair
When: October 22 at 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 250 Napoleon Street in San Francisco
More info: http://superherosf.com/

Hope Larson Signing
When October 23 at 11 a.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1785716035024702/

Ed Brubaker Release Event for The Fade Out
When: October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Booksmith
1644 Haight Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1730846033831406/

Raina Telgemeier Signing
When: October 29 at 11 a.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1069281953125724/

Halloween Comic-Fest
When: October 29
Where: Everywhere
More info: http://www.halloweencomicfest.com/Home/1/1/78/1138

Jonathan Case Signing
When: October 29 at 4 p.m.
Where: Escapist Comics
3090 Claremont Ave. in Berkeley
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1595313970771055/ 

The 2nd Annual SF Comics Fest
When: Nov. 2 – Nov. 5
Where: San Francisco
More info: http://bit.ly/sfcfpost1

Kevin Wada The Wicked + The Divine Discussion
When: November 12 (time TBD)
Where: Fantastic Comics
2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley
More info: http://fantasticcomics.net/

Chris Roberson Signing
When: November 13 at 1 p.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1027881997329898/

 

Multiple Berkeley Events: Monstress co-creator Marjorie Liu at Fantastic, Trickster, and Berkeley Library

Monstress_01-1Marjorie Liu is returning to the Bay Area next weekend for a series of events related to the return of Monstress to comic shelves. Liu was last in the Bay Area in July as part of Comix Experience’s Graphic Novel Book Club. This time, she’ll be in the East Bay with stops at Fantastic Comics, Tr!ckster, and the Berkeley Public Library – North Branch.  In addition to her work in comics, Liu has published 19 novels of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her itinerary is below:

When: October 14 at 5 p.m.
Where: Fantastic Comics
2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley
What: Fantastic will host a Q&A starting at 5 p.m. Liu will sign copies of her work from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1786264408277668/

When: October 15 at 3 p.m.
Where: Berkeley Public Library – North Branch
1170 The Alameda in Berkeley
What: The library will host a discussion with the author
More Info: https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/monstress-author-marjorie-liu-north

When: October 15 at 6 p.m.
Where: Trickster
2631 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley
What: Reception and signing. Trickster will have an exclusive print from Liu’s Monstress co-creator Sana Tekada
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/651516955012133/

Relevant Links:
Marjorie Liu’s website
Majorie Liu on Twitter

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Bay Area Comics Signing and Reception: The Art of Mike Mignola at Trickster

hellboy_in_hell_5In November of 1981, The Comic Reader issue number 196 hit shelves. The cover featured three of the most iconic heroes from some of the most memorable stories of the early part of the Golden Age: The Spirit, Doc Savage, and Dominic Fortune. It was the first published cover of Mike Mignola who would go on to create some of the most memorable creator-owned stories in modern comics: Hellboy, Baltimore, BPRD, The Amazing Screw-On Head, and more.

On October 8, Tr!ckster, 2631 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley, will celebrate the art of Mike Mignola with a reception and signing. In addition to acting as a release party for Mignola’s Helboy in Hell, the final chapter in Hellboy’s two-decades-long story, the event also marks the fourth year anniversary of the Eisner-winning comic book boutique.

Tr!ckster will showcase Mignola’s art, provide BPRD artifacts courtesy of Skeleton Crew Studios, and make available a limited edition Mignola print.

The event starts at 6 p.m.

Bay Area Bugle: Bay Area Comic News Round-Up – October 5, 2016

This is a round-up of Bay Area comic news from the last few weeks.

A number of comic books related events and signings are happening in October. Signings include Mike Mignola, Marjorie Liu, Hope Larson and more. See my round-up here.

Writing for The Bold Italic, Mel Burke (of Mel Reads Comics) showcases Four Bay Area Comic Shops You Gotta See. Mentions include Cape and Cowl Comics, Isotope: The Comic Book Lounge, Mission: Comics and Art, and Flying Colors.

Bay Area graphic novelist and cartoonist Gene Luen Yang is the recipient of MacArthur Foundation Genius grant. The grant gives each fellow $625,000 to spend how they see fit. Yang is the author of American Born Chinese, Boxers and Saints, and is the current writer on DC’s New Super-Man.

Berkeley’s Doe Library’s Bernice Layne Brown Gallery is featuring an exhibit, Beyond Tintin and Superman: The Diversity of Global Comics, which focuses on how the comic book medium is used around the world. The exhibit includes comics from “Mexico, Egypt, Argentina, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Colombia, Poland, Israel and other nations.”  A video about the exhibit is below:

Steve Wozniak’s Silicon Valley Comic Con is preparing to return to San Jose in April of 2017. The tech and comics convention put general admission tickets on sale last month and has begun announcing guests.  Recent announcements include Buzz Aldrin, cast members from multiple iterations of Star Trek, Art Adams, Adam Savage, and more.

Berkeley’s Fantastic Comics is getting name dropped in articles discussing Greg Rucka’s recent clarification that Wonder Woman, for all intents and purposes, “must be queer.” In an interview with Comicosity the author said:

By the same token, going back to the question of sexuality on Themyscira, we spent a long time thinking about what this means. I did a talk at Fantastic Comics in Berkeley, California, where I said that no Amazon is going to look at another Amazon and say they are Amazoning wrong. Because that wouldn’t be paradise. The society accepts everyone in it. The requirement is, you’re here and you’re female.

Now, that opens up a separate question. For the purposes of Themyscira, as the Amazons experience it, and as we represent that experience, nobody looks at Io and says, “You’re too butch.” Nobody looks at Kasia and says, “You’re too femme.” Nobody says a dress is inappropriate. Nobody says, “Why are you wearing pants?” Nobody says you’re too heavy. Nobody says you’re too skinny, or not strong enough.

It has to be an inclusive and accepting society, for a number of reasons — paradise being one of them. But also because, Nicola, Liam, and I believe very strongly that Diana is beautifully and very actively inclusive.

That’s not to say Batman or Superman are not, but for Diana, it’s a very active inclusivity. That’s just part of what she is. Her arms are always open wide. There’s room for everybody. That’s an active part of her. I mean, Batman doesn’t have an issue, but he doesn’t spend his days thinking about how best can he understand his fellow man.

 

Comic Book Club: Cape and Cowl presents “The Fix” with Steve Lieber in attendance

Near the top of my to-do list for this site is  create a section where folks can track all of the comic book clubs we have in the Bay Area. At the least eight of the shops in our coverage area thefix_01-1feature a monthly or semi-regular comic book club. Comic Book Clubs are great opportunities to connect with people who not only have a shared interest in comics but also a shared interest in your flavor of comics. Having so many in such a concentrated area means you could hop from club to club based on that month’s offering. or you can try to do them all. I won’t judge your ambition.

The added bonus of living in the Bay Area is that on occasion a creator will show up for a Q&A. Case in point, on October 5 Cape and Cowl, 1601 Clay Street, will host Steve Lieber who co-created The Fix alongside Nick Spencer. About the book:

THE FIX is a story of the crooked cops, scheming mobsters, and corrupt politicians that run Los Angeles—and the sex toy that can bring them all down. Oh, and the hero is a drug-sniffing beagle named Pretzels.

The discussion starts at 7 p.m.

Click here for a nearly complete list of Bay Area comic events.

October Bay Area Comic Events: Mike Mignola, Ed Brubaker, Marjorie Liu, Raina Telgemeier, and more

October is shaping up to be a big month for comic creators coming through the Bay Area. In the interest of time I’ve collected as many events as I can into this single post. Information is still developing for some of the below events (for example, Marjorie Liu is expected to have additional events at Fantastic Comics and with the Berkeley Public Library). As I receive information I’ll create additional posts.

Pudge Girl Blimp Signing with Lee Marrs
When: October 1 at 3 p.m.
Where: Escapist Comics
3090 Claremont in Berkeley
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1099632190130625/

Cape and Cowl Book Club reads The Fix with Steve Lieber in discussion
When: October 5 at 7 p.m.
Where: Cape and Cowl
1601 Clay Street in Oakland
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1807314786180695/

Borlo Comix Signing
When: October 5 at 3 p.m.
Where: Mission: Comics and Art
2250 Mission Street in San Francisco
Moe info: https://www.facebook.com/events/320113108325388/

Brief Histories of Everyday Objects Signing with Andy Warner
When: October 7 at 6 p.m.
Where: Mission: Comics and Art
2250 Mission Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1747325565508729/

Mike Mignola Reception and Signing
When: October 8 at 6 p.m.
Where: Tr!ckster
2631 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/302106200160555/

The Outlaw Bible of American Art Release Party
When: October 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: 111 Minna Gallery
111 Minna Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1094193244021094/

Marjorie Liu Reception and Signing
When: October 15 at 6 p.m.
Where: Tr!ckster
2631 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/651516955012133/

Box Brown Signing
When: October 19 at 12 p.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/159603427818451/

7th Annual Superhero Street Fair
When: October 22 at 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 250 Napoleon Street in San Francisco
More info: http://superherosf.com/

Hope Larson Signing
When October 23 at 11 a.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1785716035024702/

Ed Brubaker Release Event for The Fade Out
When: October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Booksmith
1644 Haight Street in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1730846033831406/

Raina Telgemeier Signing
When: October 29 at 11 a.m.
Where: Comix Experience
305 Divisadero in San Francisco
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1069281953125724/

Halloween Comic-Fest
When: October 29
Where: Everywhere
More info: http://www.halloweencomicfest.com/Home/1/1/78/1138

 

East Bay Comics Trail Signing: Ted Naifeh at Trickster & Fantastic (9/17)

The most recent project from Princess Ugg creator Ted Naifeh takes the superhero genre and mashes it up with a medieval fantasy world. Night Dominion is a slight break for Naifeh who’s earned a hefty stack of Harvey’s and Emmy’s creating young adult comics with strong female protagonists. Naifeh told the AV Club the title is more mature than some of his previous work but it still has a strong female character at the head. “It’s been nice to not worry about whether my main character looks cute,” he said, “I want her harsh and formidable, like her world.”

Naifeh, who’s based in the Bay Area, is hosting a dual launch party along the Berkeley segment of the East Bay Comics Trail. He’ll start off with a 4 p.m. signing at Fantastic Comics at 2026 Shattuck Avenue. After the signing, he’ll head across town to Trickster, 2631 Ashby Avenue, for a 7 p.m. reception and art show.

naifehnightsdominion1-620x413

Ted Naifeh
Twitter: @TedNaifeh
Website: tednaifeh.com

Fantastic Comics
2026 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA
(510) 848-2988
Website: www.fantasticcomics.net
Twitter: @FantasticComics
Facebook: FantasticComics

TR!CKSTER
2631 Ashby Ave
Berkeley, CA
(510) 665-8900
Tumblr: trickstertrickster
Twitter: @thetrickstore
Facebook: TheTRICKSTORE

BalboaCon presents a weekend of superhero cartoons and films

strangeThe late-1970s must have been an interesting time for comic book fans eager to see live-action adaptations of their heroes. Three heroes made the leap from page to pilot to, at the least, one season: Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and Hulk. One hero that wasn’t so lucky was Marvel’s Dr. Strange. In 1978, CBS produced a pilot for the Sorcerer Supreme that, unfortunately, didn’t get picked up for a full season. Outside of comic book super fans the two-hour pilot has remained mostly forgotten and unseen.

That same year DC smashed through the comic book pages and elevated their flagship hero, Superman, from funny books to the level of a cinematic star. Christopher Reeve defined the role of the Man of Steel in Richard Donner’s Superman. Christopher Reeve would go on to play the hero in three more films.

This weekend at the Balboa Theatre, 1978 will be front and center as the Balboa screens both Dr. Strange and Superman. Those two films are only a small part of comic book film programming taking place this weekend as part of Balboa Con. The historic Outer Richmond theater will be showing no less than 12 comic book-based films including the first three Superman films, Darkman, Hellboy, Tank Girl, and more. According to the event’s Facebook page:

 

We are very excited to present the first ever Balboa Con! This is going to be a whole weekend dedicated to comic book art, movies, and cartoons! There will be four days of comic book movie programming along with Q&As, special guests, and lots and lots of affordable and amazing art in the lobby.

Dr. Strange will screen on Friday alongside the 1992 cult classic Dr. Mordrid. Dr. Mordrid is essentially Dr. Strange without a mustache because the film was produced by New Moon’s Charles Band who held an expired option for the Marvel character. He made the film with slight changes to the title character.

In addition to comic book-based film the Balboa will screen thematic cartoons and present a number of artists. The full screening schedule is below and artists will be appearing throughout the weekend.

balboacon

Bay Area Comic Signing: Jason Aaron and Dennis Hopeless at Isotope (Sept. 14)

Isotope, 326 Fell Street in San Francisco, is hosting a double signing on September 14. The Hayes Valley comic shop presents Jason Aaron (Southern Bastards, Thor, Star Wars, Doctor Strange) and Dennis Hopeless (Lovestruck, All New X-Men, Avengers Arena)  between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Isotope will close briefly and reopen at 8 p.m. for a classic Isotope comics mixer. The event will feature cocktails specific to titles worked on by the two creators.

aaronhopeless

 

Bay Area Zack Kaplan “Eclipse” Signing Times Two

Eclipse01_review-1One of the many wonderful things about being a comic book reader in the Bay Area is we have a steady stream of creators passing through the region. Another one of the many wonderful things about the Bay Area is that our 6900 square feet in all likelihood contain more local comic shops than any other 6900 square feet in these United States. These two wonderful aspects of the Bay Area occasionally combine to create a delightful phenomenon of multiple opportunities in a single day to meet a creator.

Although I’m consistently inconsistent about updating this website when I do update it I think I do a reasonable job of capturing all of the appearances a creator might be making in the Bay Area. However, due to this being more of a casual side project I occasionally make mistakes. I made one of those mistakes on Monday when I posted Zack Kaplan’s appearance at Cape and Cowl in Oakland but overlooked his appearance at Fantastic Comics in Berkeley. So it goes. I revise.

Kaplan will make at the least two appearances on the East bay Comic Book Trail tomorrow. The first stop will be at Cape and Cowl, 1601 Clay Street in Oakland, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Kaplan will follow that appearance with a visit to Fantastic Comics, 2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Both of these appearances will celebrate the release of Kaplan’s Top Cow and Image project Eclipse. Bleeding Cool has more on the title plus a sneak peek at the comic featuring the  brightly haunting artwork of Giovani Timpano.