Please join us for an exceptional evening celebrating comic book legend, Will Eisner, when Miami Book Fair International and Miami Dade College’s Centre Gallery open an exhibit of Will Eisner’s original artwork and a multi-media exhibit based upon The Plot, Eisner’s last graphic novel. A panel discussion about Eisner’s life and work will take place in the gallery, and will be followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary, Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist in the Auditorium (Bldg.1, 2nd Floor).

About the Panel:

Will Eisner is undoubtedly the most influential individual in comics—a true pioneer in creating both form and content. From his now legendary work in the 1940s on The Spirit to his truly groundbreaking graphic novel, A Contract with God, in 1978, and his posthumously published graphic novel, The Plot, in 2005, Will Eisner’s work and passion for this medium continues to shape contemporary pop culture. The Eisner Awards, the “Oscars” of the Comics Industry, are named in his honor.

Frank Miller’s film adaptation of Eisner’s The Spirit will arrive in theaters in December 2008—come get a behind-the-scenes look at the man who inspired not only the movie, but a generation of writers and artists.

Editors, agents, creators, and friends will provide a rare and intimate look into the evolution of Eisner’s career, impart personal anecdotes about working with him, and share their unique perspectives on this exceptional visionary artist.

The discussion will feature Eisner’s editor on The Plot, Bob Weil (vice president and executive editor at W.W. Norton & Company), agents Denis Kitchen and Judy Hansen, and author and Eisner protégé Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics). The panel will be moderated by Charles Kochman, executive editor of Abrams ComicArts, and editor of The Will Eisner Companion.

Saturday and Sunday Sessions With Creators and Authors

Saturday, Nov. 15

11:45 a.m., Auditorium
Art Spiegelman on Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist As A Young %@&*!

Noon
Bring your comics artwork and get feedback from comic artists Jessica Abel and Mike Perkins.

1:30 p.m., 7106-7
Scott McCloud on Comics 2008
Comics are changing fast, both in the kinds of stories they tell, and how their creators tell them. Thanks to the “graphic novel” movement, the manga invasion and the growth of webcomics, the story of comics in America is more exciting and unpredictable than ever. Author and comics artist Scott McCloud puts all these trends into perspective in a fast-moving visual presentation.

2:30 p.m., 7106-7
David Hajdu, The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America in conversation about comics and American culture with Françoise Mouly, co-founder of the comics anthology, RAW; editorial director, TOON Books; and art director, The New Yorker

4:00 p.m., 7106-7
Comics Galaxy
David Heatley on My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down
Ariel Shrag on Awkward, Definition, Potential and Likewise
Jessica Abel and Matt Madden on Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics: Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond

Sunday, Nov. 16

1:00 p.m., Auditorium
Chip Kidd on Bat-Manga! The Secret History of Batman in Japan
Brad Meltzer on The Book of Lies

10:30 a.m., Centre Gallery
Mim Harrison on The Happy Warrior, The Life Story of Sir Winston Churchill as Told Through Great Britain’s Eagle Comic of the 1950s
Samantha Baskind and Ranen Omer-Sherman on The Jewish Graphic Novel: Critical Approaches
Dan Herman, Publisher and Editor, Hermes Press

12:00 p.m., Centre Gallery
Frank Beddor on Hatter M: The Looking Glass Wars, Volume One
Jordan Mechner on Prince of Persia, The Graphic Novel

2:00 p.m., Centre Gallery
Stephanie McMillan on As the World Burns: 50 Things You Can Do To Stay in Denial, A Graphic Novel
Alex Baladi on Frankenstein: Now and Forever
Youme Landowne on Pitch Black

3:30 p.m., Centre Gallery
Superheroes: The Secrets Behind the Masks
Superman may be 70 years old, but he’s still leaping tall buildings in a single bound. Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Batman, Iron Man, plus hundreds more super heroes still protect our universe with their strange and wondrous powers. Children and adults alike love these seemingly simple but surprisingly complex characters. Why have they played such a large part in our popular culture for decade after decade? What does the metaphor of the superhuman mean? How has the idea of the hero changed? And what’s with the tights? If you ever wondered what goes on in the head of a comic book creator – or want to know what they’re working on next — our panel of industry pros await your questions!
A panel discussion with Bill Rosemann, editor, Marvel Comics
Christos Gage, writer, Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Avengers: The Initiative
Mike Perkins, artist, Captain America, Stephen King’s The Stand
Brian Reed, writer, Ms. Marvel, Secret Invasion: Front Line

On The Teen Scene Stage

Friday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m.— Learn the true history of Wonderland and its queen Alyss, her body guard Hatter Madigan and the rest of the folk living on the other side of The Looking Glass, when Frank Beddor presents his graphic novel, Hatter M.

Saturday, Nov. 15, Noon— Bring your comics artwork and get feedback from creator Jessica Abel and Marvel editor Bill Rosemann.
6 p.m.– Superhero Sculpture Workshop by Ivan Galindo

Sunday, Nov. 16, 4 p.m. Travis Nichols presents the ultimate DIY guide for budding rock stars—Punk Rock Etiquette

In Children’s Alley

Sunday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m. – Hey kids! Read TOON books along with Art Spiegelman and Françoise Mouly then jump on stage and draw your own comics!

Street Fair Exhibitors:

~Automatic Pictures is the creator of the popular The Looking Glass Wars, a twisted version of the Alice in Wonderland fable. The trilogy and its spin-offs, including the Hatter M graphic novel series, are the brainchild of Hollywood producer Frank Beddor.
~Banana Tail is a comic for small children about a yellow-tailed monkey and his friends, created by established superhero illustrator Mark McKenna.
~Dark Horse Comics is the third largest comics publisher in the United States, including Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Predator, Terminator, Tarzan, Conan, and many other titles.
~Diamond Book Distributors is a subsidiary of the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books and related merchandise. DBD sells a vast array of high-quality graphic novels, gaming products, and trading cards to some of the largest mainstream booksellers.
~Don’t Eat Any Bugs produces graphic novels and web comics for kids, generally involving penguins and/or pirates.
~Emotes by Evergrow are a multi-platform line of emotional little beings that live in the World Wide Web and fight computer viruses, while teaching children how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way.
~Hermes Press is one of a handful of publishers which exclusively produces books and comic strip reprints focusing on the art and artists of the comics and pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, art books covering science fiction, and popular culture.
~Marvel Comics is the granddaddy of comics, with a library of over 5,000 high-profile characters – from Captain America to Spider-Man, the X-men and the Punisher — built in nearly 70 years of comic book publishing.
~NASCAR comic books’ unique concepts, original characters and varied storylines appeal to NASCAR’s large and diverse fan base as well as traditional independent comic book consumers.
~Radical Publishing is a manufacturer of the next generation of premium comic book products, with a focus on high-concept stories and artwork by marquee and newly discovered talent.
~Sky Dog Press publishes Buzzboy, the Daily Comic Strip Adventures of “The World’s Most Upbeat Hero!”
~TATE’S Comics + Toys + Videos + More is a 15-year-old comics, toys, video (and much more) shop located in Ft. Lauderdale. It is regularly considered the “best” in its field by local media.
~Toon Books is a children’s comic publishing house dreamed up by Françoise Mouly, New Yorker art editor and wife of acclaimed cartoonist, Art Spiegelman. The focus of the venture is introducing young children to the pleasures of reading.
~Tokyopop is a distributor and publisher of anime, manga and English-language manga, headquartered in Los Angeles.
~UDON is an award-winning Canadian-based art collective formed in 2000 to provide high-quality creative services to the entertainment industry. Besides a client list that reads like a who’s who of the business UDON also publishes comics, manga and artbooks.

The School of Comics
All About Graphic Novels, Comic Books and Manga
Friday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Room 7128 (Bldg. 7, First Floor)

Educational sessions for teachers, librarians, parents and others who want to learn more about the format. Facilitated by librarians and professors, experts in the field.

Free and open to the public. Registration required. For more information and to register, please visit www.miamibookfair.com and click on Comix Galaxy

10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Welcome Session: Panel Discussion with Arlene Allen, Robin Brenner, Adam Johnson, Tom Kealey, Francoise Mouly and David Serchay
Graphic novels have become a rapidly growing, influential force in the publishing world and entertainment industry. The success of graphic novels began in a place where it was least expected: the library. Facilitators will discuss what led us to this point and what can be done to capitalize on this new form of literacy.

11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Graphic Novels: Introducing an Exciting Format that Draws New Readers! Facilitated by Librarian David Serchay
Graphic novels have an increased presence in libraries, and while not all titles are suitable for all ages, more and more titles are being created for younger readers. They are even being used in classroom activities and reading lists.

11:50 a.m. – 12-50 p.m.
Lunch: Miami Book Fair’s Street Fair is in full swing! Head over to the food court for lunch, then browse the booths selling comics, graphic novels, and millions of other books.

1 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Welcome to Manga! What is this stuff from Japan?
Facilitated by Librarian Arlene Allen
This entry-level session will be a gateway into the world of manga for librarians, educators and the general public.

2 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
A Deeper Look At Manga: The world of the Otaku
Facilitated by Librarian Robin Brenner
Robin Brenner’s appearance courtesy of Bookreporter.com and TeenReads.com.

Due to its origins in Japanese culture, manga carries with it an entire world of iconography and meaning. What is Shojo, Yaoi, Shonen, or Josei? This session will reveal the deeper, hidden meanings in the language of the Otaku, or fan of manga.

3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Comics and Writing: Shake Girl, The Stanford University Graphic Novel Project
Facilitated by Professor Adam Johnson
Kealy and Johnson will discuss the development of this program at Stanford University and what it can mean to writing programs of all levels.