Presented and produced by Miami Dade College
Miami, Oct. 29, 2018 – Comics and graphic novels lovers will want to make Destination: Comics a go-to spot while celebrating the 35th Miami Book Fair (MBF), the nation’s finest and largest literary gathering presented by Miami Dade College (MDC), on Saturday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov. 18. Destination: Comics features comic exhibitors, publishers, indie artists, and the Artists’ Cove booth where authors will be selling their wares, illustrating on-the-fly, and chatting with fans about all things comics.
Destination: Comics kicks off with a special Drink and Draw event at The Standard Hotel and Spa on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and pits famed comics illustrators against each other in a battle to be crowned Drink and Draw champ. This year’s lineup includes George O’Connor, Maggie Thrash, Dean Haspiel and Liana Finck, with host Conor McCreery leading the battle. The drawing tables then get turned and audience members then will have an opportunity to draw in teams and face-off against each other.
At the weekend street fair, there will be panel discussions with comics and graphic novel creators, including CHIP KIDD, JAIME HERNANDEZ, LIANA FINCK, KWANZA OSAJYEFO, NATE POWELL, GABBY RIVERA and so many others. All taking place in the MAGIC screening Room (Bldg. 8, First Floor).
Saturday, Nov. 17
12 p.m., Graphic Medicine in Miami
The intersection of comics and medicine is creating one of the most exciting new genres for the graphic story. From navigating mental illness and physical disability to the epidemic of myths and misinformation around Big Pharma and public health, RACHEL LINDSEY (RX), KRIOTA WILLBERG (Draw Stronger), and LIANA FINCK (Passing for Human) serve up the cure. Moderated by JOAN HILTY.
1 p.m., Graphic Myths and Folktales
Three bestselling masters of mythology discuss the power of the graphic story to tell old tales in new ways. Join JAIME HERNANDEZ (The Dragon Slayer), GEORGE O’CONNOR (The Olympians), and JOHNNIE CHRISTMAS (Angel Catbird, Firebug).
5 p.m., Smutty Comics (For Mature Audiences Only)
Join purveyors of the finest “sexy” comics, SARAH MIRK (Open Earth), RYAN MANIULIT (Hardwire & Friction), EDMO (NSFW), and JESS FINK (Chester 5000) as they talk about what makes comics the perfect medium for porn, how they got their start in “drawing blue,” and why their work can titillate, and open minds. Moderated by CONOR MCCREERY. Panel will contain depictions and descriptions of sexual acts. Viewer discretion is advised.
Sunday, Nov. 18
12 p.m., Web Comics to Print Comics: The Revolution is Here
Webcomics used to be about finding a way to break in to print, but nowadays the web is all you need to make a living and tell stories that publishers think “don’t have a market.” DEAN HASPIEL (The Red Hook), NGOZI UKAZU (Check, Please!), Carolyn Nowak (Girl Town) and FAREL DALRYMPLE (It Will All Hurt) will talk about how they build their audience while giving voice to under-served ones, and whether they think they still need print in their careers. Moderated by JOAN HILTY.
4 p.m., Spotlight: Chip Kidd and Charlie Kochman on Alex Ross’ Marvelocity
Blasting onto the scene with the 1994s classic, Marvels, Alex Ross brought the denizens of the Marvel universe to life in a way we had never seen before. Decades later, he continues to breathe life into the world’s greatest superheroes and supervillains with his photorealistic depictions. Join author and designer CHIP KIDD and Abrams ComicArts Editorial Director CHARLIE KOCHMAN as they explore the drawings, paintings, photographs, and unpublished stories in the epic new collection, Marvelocity: The Marvel Comics Art of Alex Ross.
For Book Fair updates, please visit www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3528, or email wbookfair@mdc.edu.
Find the Book Fair on social media at:
https://twitter.com/miamibookfair
https://www.facebook.com/MiamiBookFair
http://instagram.com/miamibookfair
Visit MiamiReads.com for complete schedule and more information. #MiamiReads
About Miami Book Fair
Founded in 1984 by Miami Dade College and partners, Miami Book Fair engages the community through inclusive, accessible programs that promote reading and support writers year-round. The annual eight-day festival has grown into the largest and most comprehensive community-rooted literary gathering in the United States. The Fair features readings and discussions with the world’s most renowned authors, generating discourse on contemporary literature and current issues of international importance. The Fair also include live music and interdisciplinary performances; interactive, educational activities for children; and more than 200 booksellers and publishers during the Street Fair. Events take place in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and French. In addition to the annual festival, the Miami Book Fair responds to community needs with a year-round schedule of activities, including The Little Haiti Book Festival, highlighting Haiti’s literary acumen; creative writing and publishing workshops; author presentations; reading campaigns; and Read to Learn Books for Free, a partnership with The Children’s Trust that distributes more than 150,000 free books a year to children in Miami-Dade County.
Miami Book Fair is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development Authority; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners. Miami Book Fair: Building community, one reader at a time.
Miami Book Fair media contacts: Lisa Palley, 305-642-3132 lpalley@bellsouth.net or Deyanira Navarrette, 305-495-7168, deyanavarrette@gmail.com