Durham Comics Fest 2016: How a Local Library is Using Comics to Create the Next Generation of Readers

   Earlier today, I attended my first ever comic book swap. Sponsored by the Shannon Road Branch of the Durham County (NC) Public Library, the event was just a part of a week long event called Durham Comics Fest 2016. The Shannon Road Library has been putting on comic book themed events with local bookstores and comics shops in hopes of turning fans of superheroes into readers. Every month, the library puts on comics themed events as well as host a graphic novel club. Thanks to the success of those activities, the library began an annual festival open to anyone, even those without a library card! This is the 3rd or 4th straight year of the Durham Comics Fest and my only regret is that I didn't find o

Simple Rules For Fun!

ut about this sooner.
     Events earlier in the week included art workshops, meet and greets, and a collaborative off-site event sponsored by the Durham Comics Project. But today's festivities were the meat and potatoes of the event. Throughout the day local artists including award winning creator of Th(ink) Keith Knight and Olympians series creator George O'Connor would be leading workshops and lectures for aspiring comic artists and writers of all ages. Plus, there were giveaways, cool stuff for sale, and (my favorite) free comic books. 
     I had a couple hundred comics that were either doubles or things I didn't want. Being such a fan of comic book grab bags, you'd be surprised how much extra accumulates. So I was gung-ho to join up with the Comics Fest's first activity of the day- the Comics Swap.

CHC is a great family centered LCS!

    The rules of the swap were simple. 1) Have Fun and 2) No Pressure. You didn't have to donate books to the swap but it helped. The freebies were assembled throughout the room and readers of all-ages got to collect some new reads for absolutely free! For a veteran collector like myself, I was able to unload some titles taking up much needed space while racking up on some things on my wish list for no money! Oh, how awesome is the bartering system!
    The Durham Comics Fest wraps up tomorrow with a screening of Dear Mr. Watterson, a documentary on the impact of Bill Watterson's epic strip Calvin and Hobbes has had on the comics industry. The event will begin at 3:00pm.

Cartoonist Keith Knight's Wares For Sale

     For more info about the screening and to find out about further comic themed events Check out the Shannon Rd. Branches website. Maybe you can even get some ideas from the great gang at this location for putting on a comic book swap and fest at the library in your community!
   Happy Reading...

   

Nothing to Fix by Fiona Van Verth & Noni Harris (Family Comic Friday)

    Last week I shared the story of a trio of local girl scouts who created their own comic books to raise funds for their troop. Well, it's been a week since we looked at Sara T's historical novel. Now it's time to review the other creation.

   Nothing to Fix was created by Fiona Van Verth & Noni Harris. It's the story of two young girls on their way to camp. One is a goody-goody. The other is a little bit rebellious. But when the chance comes to explore the camp by sneaking out, the two find that they have much more in common than they first expected.

   The artwork of Nothing to Fix has elements of Manga and Adventure Time. It was an interesting read and was created like a professional comic in that if you were to lay the pages flat, you would see on the front a page from the beginning and back of the book. Then flip it out, and the process would be the same. I was very impressed with this level of technical merit.

   That being said, my copy ended abruptly with the girls sneaking out. There wasn't a 'The End' or posting for the story being to be continued. I hope I didn't get a copy that was missing the last page. I don't think I did but I am not sure.

The creators at Chapel Hill Comics, Free Comic Book Day 2016!

    Last week, I mentioned that copies of the comics were supposed to be for sale at Chapel Hill Comics. I've seen nothing to indicate otherwise. But if you do get a copy of this book from the great crew at CHC, make sure your copy has all the pages. OR ask if Fiona and Noni are planning in making Nothing to Fix a miniseries with more issues in the future.

   Check out both Nothing to Fix and Boadicca. They were really cool works and the funds go to a great cause.

   Worth Consuming!

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

  Oh and check out the listing for Nothing to Fix here at stashmycomics.com

Boadicca: Queen of the Britons by Sara T. (Family Comic Friday)

   During last Saturday's Free Comic Book Day events, I met a trio of young aspiring comic book artists at Chapel Hill Comics. These three artists were from a local girl scout troop and they had decided to create some mini comics and sell them to achieve various awards and raise some funds for their troop. I thought this was a genius idea and I purchased a copy of both of their books. Today, I review the first of the pair:  Boadicca: Queen of the Britons by Sara T. (The second book will be getting reviewed in next week's Family Comic Friday)

   Sara T., I am told, was the first in her girl scout troop to have the idea to create a comic for her Silver Award. Her group leader got in touch with the great guys at Chapel Hill Comics and they paired Sara T. up with Invader Zim's Warren Wucinich, who acted as a mentor. Together, Sara T. and Warren came up with the idea for this book!

   Boadicca: Queen of the Britons is the true account of Boadicca's last fight against the Roman Invaders of Britain. Set around 60AD, Boadicca (also referred to as Boudica or Boudicca) becomes the leader of her tribe after the death of her husband. With her two daughters and her people, Boadicca mounts guerilla attacks at the Roman Army to the point that Emperor Nero almost decided to withdrawal from Britain altogether. Imagine how different world history would have been had this happened.

    Sara T. did a great job on her first work. The cover featuring Boadicca is a warrior pose with her fiery red hair and green plaid garb is one of the best covers I've seen this year! The flow of the story was a little uneven at times but hey, how many of us have published their own comic book before the age of 16?!  Plus, the author included a factoid sheet about the heroine at the end of the comic that helped me to better understand Boadicca and her struggles as a warrior queen.

    From what I was told last week, Chapel Hill Comics was going to carry a few copies of the books the girl scouts artists created in their store. CHC is legendary for being an outlet to help aspiring comics creators get their works not just published but seen and they kept the tradition alive with this project. To see about order a copy check out their website or email them at mail@chapelhillcomics.com. Oh, and check out this book's listing on Stashmycomics.com here!

    As for Sara T., I see great things in her future. I was very impressed with her determination, level of detail, and hard work getting this book out. I hope you parents of aspiring cartoonists will pick up a copy of this book (and my selection for next week) as inspiration for helping the next generation of creators get practicing! The future of comic books is going to be in independent publishing, I think, what with the big two of DC/MARVEL going to be focusing their efforts of strictly superhero stuff for a while. Take inspiration from these young ladies and grab a copy of Boadicca ASAP!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.