It’s finally here: the schedule for Buffalo Comic Con!

Friday 10/24 (4:00 - 7:00) Opening reception featuring Spain Rodriguez held at the Poetry/Rare Book Room at University at Buffalo. This is free and open to the public (18+ years old)

Saturday 10/24, Workshops **taking place at Central Library in the Central Meeting Room**

• 10:00 - 11:00 Crawl, Walk, Run, and Fly - Join a panel of local artists for a basic overview of how a comic book is made, from concept to final product.
• 11:00 - 12:00 Indie Comics and Self-Publishing - Featuring artist Jason Youngbluth
• 12:00 - 1:00 Character Design Workshop - Cartoonist Jason Little will lead participants through the entire process of character creation. Great for advanced students, but beginners can benefit as well!
• 1:00 - 2:00 Author talk with Spain Rodriguez. Book signing to follow.
• 2:00 - 3:00 Join presenter Alex Simmons for tips and techniques for using comics in an educational setting.

Kids Comic Con Programs **taking place at Central Library in the West Room**

• 10:00 - 11:00 Drawing 101 for Kids
• 11:00 - 12:00 Hip Hop Hero!
• 12:00 - 1:00 Sci-Tech Heroes for Kids

Movies **taking place at the Central Library in the Ring of Knowledge**

• 10:00 - 11:30 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG)
• 11:40 - 1:00 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (PG)
• 1:05 - 2:45 Coraline (PG)

Sunday 10/25 The traditional Buffalo Comic Con will take place at the Buffalo Marriott. This will feature a large number of artists (including Spain Rodriguez) and vendors in the traditional Comic-Con setting. Visit Queen City Books for information on the Marriott event.

At the Albright-Knox Art Gallery on October 4th, Scott McCloud presented a once in a lifetime, all day workshop for teens on all aspects of comics design – storytelling, drawing, facial and figurative representation. The teens ranged in age from 13 – 19, and came from all corners of Western New York.  They got great practical tips and were able to share their art with others.  And they even got free pizza!  When asked for comments about the workshop, one teen responded “Cool!  ’nuff said.”  Indeed.

Award wining author Gene Yang visited the  Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Central on July 9 and 10, 2008. He filled the Library’s auditorium for a discussion and slide show presentation about how and why he creates comics. Yang, who won the 2007 Michael L. Prinz Award for his graphic novel, American Born Chinese, talked about his family and upbringing. He told the audience that many of his stories are rooted in his heritage and experiences of growing up in California as a first generation American. His mom was a librarian who always told him stories from her homeland and encouraged him to read–even when his interests veered toward comic books and superheroes. Yang’s presentation was followed the next day with a workshop for area teens. Yang taught them about creating comics by defining what comics are, how to think like comic book creators, and how to create their own comics. It was a well-attended event and participants enjoyed meeting and learning from Yang.

Learn techniques for creating comics
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Reservations: 858-8900)
Central Library Meeting Room (1 Lafayette Square , Buffalo, NY 14203)

Workshops

July 10, 2008 — Writing and Drawing Comics and Manga with Gene Yang
Reservation required - call 858-8900
2:00-4:00 pm
Central Library Meeting Room (1 Lafayette Square , Buffalo, NY 14203)

July 15, 16, 17, 2008 — Flash Fiction: Learn How to Tell Your Story In Just a Few Lines — with    Forrest Roth
This 2 hour workshop will be repeated in 3 different locations

• July 15 - Dudley Library (2010 South Park Ave)
  3:00 - 5:00 pm (Reservations: 823-1854)
• July 16 - Crane Library (633 Elmwood Ave.)
  6:00 - 8:00 pm (Reservations: 883-6651)
• July 17 - Central Library Meeting Room (1 Lafayette Square , Buffalo, NY 14203)
  2:00 - 4:00 pm (Reservations: 858-8900)

August 7, 2008 — Artist Open House - Meet Comics artist Jason Youngbluth
– And learn techniques for creating comics
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Reservations: 858-8900)
Central Library Meeting Room (1 Lafayette Square , Buffalo, NY 14203)

Oct 4, 2008 – Daylong workshop on making comics with Scott McCloud
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Times and registration information – to be announced

All workshops have limited seating – Reservations are required. Call the numbers listed above to register.