Annnndddd…we’re back! Apologies for the last two weeks of silence. Turkeys and all that. After stating in the last newsletter that things were slowing down in the Bay Area I’ve been proven a liar. December is hot with events including Warren Ellis, a discussion of the book She Changed Comics, a Wuvable Oaf party, a Mission MiniComix release event, and much more.
As the year draws to a close make sure you continue seducing the innocent by giving out comics and graphic novels as holiday presents. And please, shop locally! You can expect most (likely all) of our local comic shops will have sales this holiday season. Not sure what you should get for someone on your list? Trust in the knowledge of LCS staff to help fill the wishes of a difficult present receiver.
Before I get into the event list I want to take a moment for a little bit of housekeeping:
1) The Shared Universe is on Twitter! I don’t use the twitter account as often as I should because my personal twitter account has significantly more followers (6700 vs 59). However, from a branding perspective, I know I should be working on building that vertical and in 2017 will use it more often. Feel free to follow it if you’re the twittering sort: @ashareduniverse. You can also follow my personal account where I tweet about a whole host of things: @cometstarmoon
2) The Shared Universe is on Facebook! This will be useful if I pull the trigger on some local comics-related event ideas I’ve been considering. Consider becoming a fan if accumulating Facebook fan pages is your thing. No pressure.
3) I have a tinyletter! Right here! When you subscribe you’ll receive this post in your email on Monday mornings. I always send the tinyletter first so you’ll know all of this information two minutes before everyone else.
4) Finally, and most importantly, this weekly event round-up is only as good as my event investigation skills. If you know of a comics-related event comic up in the Bay Area please do feel free to drop me a line. I usually write these on Saturday mornings so consider Friday night the submission deadline. Email: theshareduniverse@gmail.com
December 5 – December 11, 2016
Warren Ellis in Conversation with Robin Sloan
When: December 6, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kepler’s Books
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA
What: Sip whickey with Warren Ellis! “Come join us for a drink with the award-winning writer Warren Ellis to celebrate the publication of his thrilling new book, Normal. After futurist Adam Dearden has a nervous breakdown in Rotterdam, he’s brought to a secluded recovery center in rural Oregon. As someone who stares into the abyss for a living, Adam sees things that other cannot. As he finds himself caught between factions at Normal Head Research Station, strange events start to overtake even the people who job is to predict the future. This crackling horror story was originally published as four digital originals and is collected in print here for the first time. Come join us for a very rare, very limited event with one of the genre’s rarest talents.”
More Info: http://www.keplers.com/event/premier-event-warren-ellis-conversation-robin-sloan
She Changed Comics: The Untold Story of the Women Who Changed Free Expression in Comics
When: December 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Booksmith
1644 Haight Street in San Francisco
What: CBLDF presents: She Changed Comics, the definitive history of the women who changed free expression in comics. Within its pages are profiles of more than 60 groundbreaking female professionals as well as interviews with the women who are changing today’s medium. She Changed Comics also examines the plights of women imprisoned and threatened for making comics, and explores the work of women whose work is being banned here in the United States. Join us for an evening with Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer), Lee Marrs (The Further Fattening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp), and Trina Robbins (Wimmen’s Comix), moderated by She Changed Comics editor and contributor Betsy Gomez.
More info: http://www.booksmith.com/event/she-changed-comics-untold-story-women-who-changed-free-expression-comics
Mission MiniComix Annual Art Show
When: December 9 at 6 p.m.
Where: Mission: Comics and Art
2250 Mission Street in San Francisco
What: Mission MiniComix is “a ragtag conglomeration of cartoonists, freaks and losers dedicated to the mission of advancing the sequential arts through cheap, mass produced minibooks.” They’ll be hosting their second annual art show and book release party.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/540201476182454/
Wuvable Oaf Blood and Metal Release Party featuring Ed Luce
When: December 10, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Where: Isotope: The Comic Book Lounge
326 Fell Street in San Francisco
What: Isotope is hosting a party to celebrate the launch of Ed Luce’s most recent Wuvable Oaf trade paperback Blood and Metal. The Hayes Valley comic shop has long been a supporter of Luce’s lovable bear. At the December 10 event, Isotope will feature Wuvable Oaf themed cocktails, limited edition Wuvable Oaf Goteblüd enamel pins, Isotope exclusive Goteblüd print, an exclusive hardcover dust jacket (which can also double as a dust cover for your boring textbooks! Be the most Wuvable kid in school), and the ultra-limited Eric Erspamer designed Wuvable Oaf Goteblüd glow-in-the-dark occult ritual pendant. Plus, there will be mingling and dancing to music provided by DJ Bearzbub.
More Info: http://isotopecomics.com/index.php/wuvable-oaf-launch-party-2016#post-4236
Sean David Murphy signing An Undead Night Before Christmas
When: December 10, 2016 at 1 p.m.
Where: The Escapist
3090 Claremont in Berkeley
What: Local writer and illustrator Sean David Murphy will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of his self-published book An Undead Night Before Christmas. “How can Santa ever think that delivering presents to Transylvania would be a good idea? Well, its Christmas Eve and the hungry undead are out on the prowl and Santa has to try and make it out of the country alive. Dark castles, grey ghouls, white fangs, and a jolly man in a red suit… No matter what it’s going to be a Christmas to remember. A charming parody of the classic poem ‘The Night Before Christmas’ written and illustrated by Sean David Murphy for those of us seeking a little healthy darkness for the holidays.”
More info: http://www.escapistcomics.com/
December 12 – December 18, 2016
Cape and Cowl Book Club Discussion of Legend featuring Sam Sattin and Chris Koehler
When: December 15, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cape and Cowl Comics
1601 Clay Street in Oakland
What: Cape and Cowl’s book club will discuss the graphic novel Legend with creators Sam Sattin and Chris Koehler in attendance. From the publisher: “What if a biological terror agent wiped out most of humanity, and our domesticated animals were left in charge? How would our dogs and cats set about ruling and rebuilding the world? Ransom, the leader of the Dog Tribe, has been murdered by a creature known as the Endark. An English Pointer named Legend reluctantly rises to lead in his place, vowing to kill the monster once and for all. From acclaimed novelist Samuel Sattin and award-winning illustrator Chris Koehler comes LEGEND, where cat technology rules, dogs partner with hawks, and humans may be the most beastly creatures of all.”
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1789500997971432/
January 2017
Black Comix Art Festival
When: January 15-16, 2017
Where: San Francisco Public Library and City View at Metreon
What: “The Black Comix Arts Festival (BCAF) celebrates African Americans’ creativity in the comic arts and popular visual culture and is dedicated to the notion that all audiences deserve to be subject in the culture in which we participate. The two-day event includes a grand expo, kids activities, film screenings, panels and conversations, cosplay events and much more.”
More info: http://bcaf.norcalmlkfoundation.org/
February 2017
East Bay Comic Con (tentative)
When: February 12, 2017
Where: Concord Hilton
1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord
More info: http://eastbaycomiccon.com
April 2017
Colossus Con 2017
When: April 8, 2017
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds
Pleasanton, Calif.
What: “Colossus Con is the ultimate pop culture convention event. Catering to the fans to enjoy the comforts of fandom without the corporate hustle and bustle.”
More info: http://www.colossuscon.com/
Silicon Valley Comic Con
When: April 21 – 23, 2017
Where: San Jose Convention Center
More info: http://svcomiccon.com/
September 2017
San Francisco Comic Con
When: September 1-3, 2017
Where: Moscone Center West
747 Howard Street in San Francisco
More info: http://sanfrancomiccon.com
Last September, Fantagraphics released the 728-page