APE 2008
Programming Schedule

Once again APE offers an eclectic schedule of programs geared around the special guests and various aspects of independent and alternative comics. These programs promise to be fun, informative, and enlightening conversations with some of the top creative talent working in comics today. Be sure to check out these creators' books in the Exhibit Hall once you've heard them talk about their work!

The APE programming room is located adjacent to the Exhibit Hall. If you’re facing the back of the hall, you will see the entrance to the programming room at the far end of the upper level on the left (click here for the APE 2008 Floor Plan). Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early for these must-see panels!

11:45-12:30 Comics at the Library!—Every comics fan knows the best places to get comics—just go to your local comics shop or a convention like APE! But did you know you can also check comics out of the library? Some of the best collections of comic books and graphic novels can be found in public libraries all over the country. Past Eisner Awards judge and ALA Great Graphic Novels for Young Adults committee member Eva Volin moderates a discussion about comics in libraries with Eisner Award–winning comics creators and fellow librarians and educators, including Gene Yang (American Born Chinese), Jason Shiga (Bookhunter), Greg Means (editor, Papercutter; publisher, Tugboat Press), and other special librarian and comics publishing guests.

12:30-1:15 Spotlight on Matt Madden—APE special guest Matt Madden (99 Ways to Tell A Story: Exercises in Style, Odds Off) shows slides spanning his career and talks with moderator Marc Weidenbaum about his evolution as an increasingly experimental cartoonist. 

1:15-2:15 Spotlight on Ethan Nicolle—Ethan Nicolle, the creator of SLG Publishing's hilarious new graphic novel series Chumble Spuzz sits down with SLG publisher Dan Vado to discuss his long and interesting journey from bass player and lead singer to cartoonist.

2:15-3:00 Spotlight on Jessica Abel—APE special guest Jessica Abel (La Perdida, Life Sucks, Artbabe) shows examples of work from throughout her career and discusses her history and interest in narrative structure with moderator Marc Weidenbaum.

3:00-4:00 Queer Cartoonists Panel—LGBT cartoonists Jennifer Camper (Juicy Mother, subGIRLZ), Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf), Erika Moen (DAR: A Super Girly Top Secret Comic Diary), Tommy Roddy (Pride High), and Joey Sayers (Thingpart) discuss issues of identity and sexuality in their art, being queer in the comic book world, and their sources of inspiration. A stellar group of diverse cartoonists come together for the fifth annual panel! Moderated by Justin Hall (Hard To Swallow, Glamazonia).

4:00-5:00 Drawing Words & Writing Pictures—Jessica Abel and Matt Madden discuss their acclaimed new comics textbook, explaining its features and multiple uses. They will also talk about their teaching experience and reveal some plans for upcoming textbook-related projects. Moderated by Andrew Farago of the Cartoon Art Museum.

5:00-6:00 Spotlight on Megan Kelso— Megan Kelso talks to her publisher, Gary Groth, about her work in progress, Artichoke Tales. Kelso has been working on Artichoke Tales on and off since 1999. Early versions of the first three chapters have been published as minicomics, have appeared in anthologies, and have been posted on the web. Fantagraphics Books will publish the completed six-chapter graphic novel in fall 2009. Groth will grill Ms Kelso about her motives, process, and themes, and she will share never-before-seen images from the final three chapters.

6:00-7:00 Color Workshop with Jenny Hansen—The Center for Cartoon Studies (Table #523) is proud to present a special interactive workshop with color designer Jenny Hansen (Batman, Happy Tree Friends) and Copic Markers. Hansen will start off by covering the basics of color—hue, value and intensity—then move on to light and shade, before demonstrating more advanced techniques, such as using color to support a narrative, set mood, and show elapsed time and changes of venue.

By the end of the session you'll have everything you need in order to add a new dimension to your comics and really bring your artwork to life! The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) is located in White River Junction, Vermont. For more information, visit www.cartoonstudies.org.

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12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Chris Ware—Guardian and Eisner Award–winning cartoonist Chris Ware’s first APE appearance coincides with publication of the 19th volume of his long-running series, The Acme Novelty Library, part of which was collected into the landmark Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth.  In his special guest spotlight panel, Ware is interviewed by his colleague Eli Horowitz, editor, designer, and publisher of the San Francisco-based McSweeneys.

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Paige Braddock—APE special guest Paige Braddock talks about future life on Mars, Jane's World, self-publishing, the decline of journalism, and her "day job" as creative director of Charles Schulz's studio. Moderated by the clever and witty Jason McNamara, who collaborated with Braddock on the newest release from Girl Twirl Comics, The Martian Confederacy.

2:30-3:45 The Making of Kramers Ergot #7—Kramers Ergot #7makes its grand debut at APE this year. Kramers' impressive roster of new and established artists, as well as its unusual Sunday newspaper page size, has made it the year's most highly anticipated comics anthology. Join editor Sammy Harkham and publisher Alvin Buenaventura along with contributing artists Daniel Clowes, Eric Haven, Jaime Hernandez, Kevin Huizenga, Ted May, Johnny Ryan, and Chris Ware as they discuss this unique anthology. Moderated by Fantagraphics Books’ Eric Reynolds.

3:45-5:00 The Bay Area’s Young Cartoonists:  2008—Think the San Francisco comix scene hit its peak in the 1960s? Think again. Moderator Andrew Farago of San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum interviews Rina Ayuyang (Namby Pamby, Doodle Daze), Andy Hartzell (Fox Bunny Funny), Briana Miller (simple, still), Thien Pham (Thien Pham, Awesome), Andy Ristaino (The Babysitter), and Jason Thompson (Manga:  The Complete Guide) about their comics and the ins and outs of the Bay Area creative community.

5:00-5:45 AX and Gekiga: Alternative Manga in Japan—Sean Michael Wilson looks at the roots and contemporary state of indy/alternative manga in Japan, using rare and unseen visuals supplied by the original Gekiga creators of the 1950s and 1960s and info from the editors of AX, the premier alternative anthology in Japan today. Plus, a preview of the upcoming book AX Collection (Top Shelf), which presents a selection of this indy manga for the first time in English.

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