Tag Archives: robert garcia

Free Comic Book Day on Capitol Hill courtesy of Congressman Garcia and Big Planet Comics!

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Big Planet Comics has revealed it had a chance to celebrate Free Comic Book Day a little early at the Capitol! Comic book fan Congressman Robert Garcia invited the local shop to set up a preview.

Tourists and Hill staffers took advantage and not only got to check out some awesome comics from previous years but also a selection some of the amazing comic treasures from the Library of Congress.

Check out the photos below from Big Planet Comics’ newsletter!

SDCC 2023: Cong. Robert Garcia officially kicks off the Congressional Popular Arts Caucus

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Announced at the end of June, Congressman Robert Garcia headed to San Diego Comic-Con 2023 to officially launch the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus. A caucus is a group of members of Congress that meet around a certain topic, interest, party, and more. Rules govern them including their name, statement of purpose, officers, the employee designated to work on the issue, and more.

Garcia is a fan of comics and was sworn in on a copy of Superman #1. At San Diego Comic-Con, the Congressman was featured on a panel that included Megan Halsband of the Library of Congress comics collection, writer and creator Josh Trujillo, and Jeff Trexler of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The Library of Congress holds a massive collection of comics and regularly holds event tied into the local convention Small Press Expo.

The goal of the caucus is to focus on everything from piracy to AI and what the government can do to champion the rights of creators and workers.

What’s more interesting is that Garcia stated that Free Comic Book Day would be held at the Capitol. The goal would go beyond getting comics into the hands of kids but into the hands of policy makers. Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May and will occur May 4, 2024. Congress is generally out of session on weekends. Members of Congress are bombarded with piles of magazines and books that are sent to their office. Comics would not be a stretch. During the convention Cong. Garcia also met with DC President/CCO Jim Lee and Marvel Comics’ editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski.

SDCC 2023: Robert Garcia announces the first “Congressional Popular Arts Caucus”

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Congressman Robert Garcia has made news before about his love on comics. In January, he was sworn in on an origina copy of Superman #1 he borrowed from the Library of Congress. Now, he’s taking things further with the first ever “Congressional Popular Arts Caucus.”

The bi-partisan caucus will focus on the comics industry, gaming, and popular entertainment with it launching at San Diego Comic-Con 2023.

In a Tweet, Cong. Garcia stated:

Congress has an enourmous role to play around creative rights, fair labor, intellectual property, global piracy, and the future of AI in the industry.

I’ve met Congressmembers who are ready to work and uplift this critical economic industry. We look forward to your input.

Congressman Robert Garcia “threatens” to haul James Gunn in front of Congress

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Newly elected Congressman Robert Garcia is a comic fan, not only stating his want of a “comic caucus” but also being sworn in on a copy of Superman #1.

Now, Congressman Garcia wants to know the future of the DC cinematic universe and has “threatened” to haul James Gunn in front of congress to find out his plans. According to Garcia “the American people deserve answers.”

Rumors are swirling some of the plans will be revealed this Tuesday. The pressure of Congress!

Gunn has clearly taken notice…

Congressman Robert Garcia to be sworn in on a copy of Superman #1

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We previously covered Congressman Robert Garcia as he threw out the idea of a “comic caucus”. Now, the Congressman is showing off his fandom based on what he’s being sworn in on.

Underneath a copy of the Constitution will be a photo of his parents who he lost to COVID, his citizenship certificate, and an original copy of Superman #1 being borrowed from the Library of Congress. Is it the most expensive swearing in ever?

Garcia will represent California’s 42 district and was recently the Mayor of Long Beach, California. Garcia will love the comics scene in Washington, DC. Not only is it the home to multiple conventions like Awesome Con and Small Press Expo, but also boasts a lot of comic shops (about a dozen within a 30 minute drive), many not far from where Congress performs their business.

We’re sure the Congressman will happily fight for “Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow”.

One of us! One of us!

Is a Comics Caucus coming to Congress?

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Could members of Congress soon be showing off their comic fandom? Congressman-Elect Robert Garcia went to Twitter proposing a “comics caucus” for members. Garcia will represent California’s 42 district and was recently the Mayor of Long Beach, California.

A Congressional caucus is a group of members that get together around a goal. Examples would be caucuses of the political parties themselves, but there’s also others around interests. They can include members of both parties and both chambers.

They must be formally submitted with the name of the caucus, statement of purpose, officers and the employe that works on the issues.

There’s actually a lot of issues a “Comics Caucus” could take on from greater recognition and celebration of the art form to the often complicated rules regarding pay as independent contractors.

Garcia will love the comics scene in Washington, DC. Not only is it the home to multiple conventions like Awesome Con and Small Press Expo, but also boasts a lot of comic shops (about a dozen within a 30 minute drive), many not far from where Congress performs their business.