Featuring comics stars like Caldecott Honoree Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer), Jason Shiga (Demon), and Jhonen Vasquez (Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, Invader Zim) the Alternative Press Expo (APE) has announced its programming schedule for the upcoming comic book convention taking place on October 3 and 4 in the San Jose Event Center.
Panels include conversations about craft, diversity, and education, with programming sponsored by San Jose State University and the Cartoon Art Museum, as well as workshops and spotlights on the conventions’ special guests. APE’s programming focuses on encouraging creators and readers alike to engage with comics in an active, informed way.
Programming will take place in three separate venues, the “APE Auditorium” in the McEnery Convention Center South Hall on South Market St., where the show floor is; the gallery Anno Domini on South First St., and SOFA Market, also on South First St. A complete list and descriptions of APE programming is up at AlternativePressExpo.com.
In addition to the programming at the convention, Café Stritch will host a free night of music in honor of APE. Super Soul Brothers and Coffee Zombie Collective will perform at 9 pm on Saturday, October 3.
VENUES
McEnery Convention Center, South Hall
435 South Market St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Anno Domini
366 S 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
SOFA Market
387 S 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Café Stritch
374 S 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Programming
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
VENUE: ANNO DOMINI GALLERY
12-1:00 pm – Just Draw: A workshop in Mindfulness and Comics for the Stressed Out
Learn skills to keep you focused on your drawing and not the siren allure of social media. We’ll explore how techniques to make your life happier can be applied to your comics for new avenues of creativity. Instructor Mark Badger has drawn comics on the war in El Salvador, Batman, digital privacy and even abstraction for over 30 years.
1-2:00 pm – Cartoon Calisthenics
Artists of all levels are invited to start their day at APE off right with healthy and fun cartooning challenges and exercises with artist and teacher Brian Kolm (atomicbearpress.com). No need to wear your sparkly sweatsuit (unless that’s your thing), just bring yourself and be ready to draw!
3-4:00 pm – The Cartoon Art Museum Presents The Bay Area Spotlight
Explore the ever-evolving Bay Area comics scene with Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago, award-winning graphic novelists Thien Pham and Jason Shiga, and other special guests as they look back on the past 20 years of APE and look ahead to the future of comics.
4-5:00 pm – The Cartoon Art Museum and Queer Comics Expo Present the LGBT Panel
The Cartoon Art Museum’s Nina Kester, founder of the Queer Comics Expo, promises a lively discussion and probing question for the with a magical group of creatives including: Elizabeth Beier (We Belong, Bisexual Trials and Errors), Ingrid Mouth (Overshare Party), Ajuan Mance (1001 Black Men, Gender Studies), Knave Murdok (TransCat), and Jon Macy (Fearful Hunter, Teleny and Camille).
VENUE: SOFA MARKET
12-1:00 – Think It, Write It, Draw It! A Workshop for Young and New Cartoonists
Veteran cartoonists and artists Bridgett Spicer and Betsy Streeter will break down the components from characters to writing and formatting, and help out as we set you loose on your own short project. Great for all ages!
1-2:00 pm – “Where Are Your Comic Books?” Getting Graphic Novels In Your Stacks and Classrooms
So you’ve decided to get some graphic novels for your classroom or library. Now what? This panel has teachers and librarians discuss the serious ins, outs, and vagaries of comics curation, both for libraries and the classroom.3-4:00 pm – Make Read Write Draw: Enhancing Library Programming and Classroom Activities with Comics
From simple drawing and storytelling exercises to dynamic book clubs to arts and crafts projects created from recycled comics pages, we will share success stories, tips, and resources for hosting fabulous events and building partnerships with your local comics community. Audience participation encouraged!
4-5:00 pm – Mangaka: The Fast & Furious Game of Drawing Comics
Mangaka is a fast-paced card game where you draw and write comics in five-minute bursts. Choose from over 150 themes, from vampires to sports to cooking. Pens, paper and cards provided; no drawing skills required. Designed by Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide, King of RPGs).
VENUE: APE AUDITORIUM – Behind the Concession Stand
12-1:00 pm – Animation 101: Covering All the Angles
Animator Gene Hamm (The Smurfs, Gumby, Hell Toupee) will discuss character design and teach you how to visualize your creations from multiple angles.
1-2:00 pm – CBLDF: State of Censorship
CBLDF Editorial Director Betsy Gomez presents an overview of the censorship crises facing cartoonists in 2015, from the violence and legal prosecution occurring around the globe to domestic attacks on young adult books in libraries and schools across the country. Learn how comics and books are being challenged, and what you can do to fight back!
2-3:00 pm – Moving from Indie Comics to TV Animation: The Artists of Nickelodeon’s Harvey Beaks
Join creator of Harvey Beaks, C.H. Greenblatt (Chowder) as he talks with artists and writers from the show about their background in comics and their transition to cartoon production. The panel includes Shane and Chris Houghton (Reed Gunther), Monica Ray (Phuzzy Comics), Nick Sumida (Snackies) and Dani Michaeli (SpongeBob SquarePants)
4-5:00 pm – Jhonen Vasquez Panel
Jhonen Vasquez was one of the very first special guests when the Alternative Press Expo launched in San Jose 21 years ago, and APE is pleased to welcome back the celebrated creator of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, Squee! and Invader Zim. This year marks the 20th anniversary of JTHM and Jhonen will look back at the last two decades in this panel.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
VENUE: SOFA MARKET
1-2:00 pm – The Feminist Agenda in Comics
This isn’t your usual Women in Comics panel. These are your marching orders to carry out the subversive feminist agenda, one funny book at at time. Your generals are Mariko Tamaki, Jennifer de Guzman, Juliette Capra and Casey Gilly. Surprise guests may join the ranks. You have been warned.
2-3:00 pm -Add Comics to Your Teaching Arsenal: Increase Literacy with Graphic Novels
Comics and graphic novels are unique and powerful tools for literacy. They can serve as a gateway for reluctant readers, support ELD students by providing visual context clues, and bridge learning gaps for all ages. And that’s not all! Reading a comic book requires active participation and introduces participants to visual literacy, which is an increasingly important skill in our visually dense and complex modern world.
4-5:00 pm – Advanced Topics in Graphic Novels: Comics and Critical Reading
Using strong images along with the author’s own narrative, the modern graphic novel has become a popular medium for nonfiction storytelling. Learn to read between the lines as our panel of librarians introduce you to some of the most loved (and sometimes least known) titles that educators can use to provoke readers into deeper thought and higher levels of learning.
VENUE: APE AUDITORIUM
12-1:00 pm – Jason Shiga Spotlight
Jason Shiga has no limits. He does not. Whether he’s pushing action-adventure comics in bold new directions of with his epic webcomic Demon or charting unexplored worlds with his innovative choose-your-own-adventure stories including Meanwhile… and Hello World, Shiga’s comics are unlike anything you’ve ever read. Join us for a discussion with Jason Shiga as he explores his creative process, discusses his successful Patreon crowdfunding campaign for Demon, and talks about what’s next.
1-2:00 pm – Kickstarter and Crowd-Funding
Mike Shirley-Donnelly of San Jose rock band Curious Quail shares his experience with Kickstarter and crowd-funding and the steps you can take to make sure you have a successful campaign.
2-3:00 pm – Creating a Podcast
Join Zen Zenith and Chelsea Christer, co-producers and hosts of the Doctor Who podcast Doctor Hoodlums, as they go over the basics of podcasting, setting one up and keeping one going, and how it can be a promotional instrument for everything from comics, to music to blogging.