📍 IMAGE COMICS AT THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2022

Image Comics is pleased to return to the ALA Annual Conference for 2022 this June, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington DC, with a full line-up of exciting creator-owned programming including panels, signings, and more.

—FRIDAY, JUNE 24—

GNCRT Friday Comics Discussion Forum: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Challenges
12:50 PM – 1:40 PM EST
Washington Convention Center, 146B

Join us for this panel of creators, educators, and publishers as we discuss the challenges we face, past and present, surrounding EDI efforts and how to build a more inclusive industry. Hear from our knowledgeable panel on what we can to address these issues and look forward to a more even playing field. Speakers: Lauren Kratz (CSK), Jadzia Axelrod (DC Comics), Jeremy Holt (Image), Moderator: Arune Singh (Skybound)

—SATURDAY, JUNE 25—

Meet the Creator: Julio Anta of Home
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Julio Anta is a writer based in New York City. Raised in Miami, in a Cuban and Colombian family, his writing focuses on the intersection of Latinx identity and American life. His debut comic book, Home, is published by Image Comics. He also has the forthcoming Frontera (a YA graphic novel from HarperAlley) and Si Se Puede (an Adult non-fiction graphic novel from Ten Speed Press). Anta will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

Meet the Creator: Jeremy Holt of Made In Korea
11:00 AM – 11:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Jeremy Holt is a non-binary author whose most recent works include Made in Korea, Virtually Yours, Before Houdini, After Houdini, and Skip to the End. They have received high praise from The New York Times crossword cruciverbalist David Kwong and the multiple award winning, bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Paper Girls). Holt will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

#OwnVoices Adventures in YA/Middle Grade Comics with Skybound Comet
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Graphic Novel Gaming Stage

Graphic novels have the power to immediately connect readers with stories that reflect how they feel regarding race, gender identity, nationality, or body image. Join these #OwnVoices panelists as they talk about moments of revelation in their careers as storytellers. Speakers: Tillie Walden, Tri Vuong, Mairghread Scott Moderator: Candice Mack

Image Comics 30th Anniversary Celebration!
12:30 PM – 1:20 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Graphic Novel Gaming Stage

Image Comics is celebrating its 30th anniversary with you, the librarians who make our success possible! Join comics industry heavyweights as they discuss creatively charting comics through the next thirty years with Image. (Audience Q&A included). Speakers: Julio Anta, Jeremy Holt, Mairghread Scott. Moderator: Chloe Ramos

Meet the Creator: Mairghread Scott of Sea Serpent’s Heir
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Mairghread Scott has written for many different TV shows and comic books as a freelance writer and story consultant. In 2015, she released her first original comic series, Toil & Trouble with artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews (Boom Studios’ Archaia) and, in 2018, she released her second original graphic novel, The City on the Other Side (First Second Books). Scott now works for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy animated series as a writer and series consultant, while continuing to write comics and graphic novels, including the forthcoming Sea Serpent’s Heir (Image/Skybound). Scott will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

GNCRT Presents: Magical Comics Tea 2022*
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Embassy Suites, Capital A

*This is a ticketed event. To register for ticketed events you can include them with your initial registration, or add them later using the unique link in your email confirmation. If you don’t have your registration confirmation handy, you can request a copy by emailing alaregistration@csreg.zohodesk.com

We’ve missed the magic! We have a lot to catch up on, so let’s sip some tea while we spill some tea on the latest in the graphic novel category. Join comics librarians, publishers, creators and other industry folks for a magical—yet socially-distanced—comics enthusiast’s gathering! Dress up as your favorite tea-time character (hats are especially encouraged), or just come as you are and share in the comics-camaraderie! Speakers: Julio Anta, Jeremy Holt, Chloe Ramos, Tillie Walden, Tri Vuong, Arune Singh

Meet the Creator: Tri Vuong of Everyday Hero Machine Boy, LEGO® NINJAGO®: Garmadon
4:00 PM – 4:50 AM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Tri Vuong is a Canadian comic book writer and artist who contributes his talents to the LEGO® NINJAGO®: Garmadon comic book series and is co-collaborator with Irma Kniivila on the upcoming Everyday Hero Machine Boy graphic novel (Image/Skybound). Vuong will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

—SUNDAY, JUNE 26—

Meet the Creator: Julio Anta of Home
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Julio Anta is a writer based in New York City. Raised in Miami, in a Cuban and Colombian family, his writing focuses on the intersection of Latinx identity and American life. His debut comic book, Home, is published by Image Comics. He also has the forthcoming Frontera (a YA graphic novel from HarperAlley) and Si Se Puede (an Adult non-fiction graphic novel from Ten Speed Press). Anta will make a one hour appearance and and be available during that time for signing.

Meet the Creator: Tri Vuong of Everyday Hero Machine Boy, LEGO® NINJAGO®: Garmadon
11:00 AM – 11:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Tri Vuong is a Canadian comic book writer and artist who contributes his talents to the LEGO® NINJAGO®: Garmadon comic book series and is co-collaborator with Irma Kniivila on the upcoming Everyday Hero Machine Boy graphic novel (Image/Skybound). Vuong will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

Evaluating Partnership Opportunities in Comics Librarianship: What’s In It For ‘We’
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Washington Convention Center, 143A

“Comics librarianship” is a relatively new, exciting and rapidly growing unofficial field of library work. This work generates interest from students, new professionals, mid level career folks and corporate sponsors due to potential community impact, literacy and learning implications, and growing understanding of the business opportunity in this market. This panel will include a brief overview of the history of comics librarianship, but will focus on forecasting future trends and how to effectively evaluate and navigate the partnership and sponsorship avenues. Participant takeaways will include a clear understanding of upcoming opportunities and tools to evaluate and maximize them. Speakers: Chloe Ramos, Moderator: Matther Noe

What’s Next? The Future of Writing in Comics
11:30 AM – 12:20 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Diversity in Publishing Stage

The authors changing the face of comics present a discussion and exposition of their most challenging and rewarding compositions. Featuring industry legends and groundbreaking newcomers alike, in a deep dive through the best of modern sequential storytelling. (Audience Q&A included). Speakers: Julio Anta, Mairghread Scott, Jeremy Holt, Moderator: Carla Riemer

Meet the Creator: Edward Einhorn of Iphigenia In Aulis
12:00 PM – 12:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Edward Einhorn is a playwright, director, translator, librettist, and novelist. His work has been performed in New York venues such as La MaMa, 3LD Art & Technology Center, HERE Arts Center, The New Ohio, St. Ann’s Warehouse, the Walter Bruno Theater at Lincoln Center, and the Bohemian National Hall. In London, his work has been presented Off-West End at the Jermyn Street Theatre, at Peckham Asylum Chapel, Wigmore Hall, and Milton Court at the Barbican. Other work has been presented at Fort Worth Opera (Fort Worth, Texas), Sacred Fools (Los Angeles), and the Czech Embassy (Washington, DC). He is also the Artistic Director of Untitled Theater Company No. 61: A Theater of Ideas—a New York independent theater company. His published books include the script/graphic novel hybrid Iphigenia in Aulis (Image Comics); mathematically themed picture books Fractions in Disguise and A Very Improbable Story (Charlesbridge Press); and Oz sequels Paradox in Oz and The Living House of Oz (Hungry Tiger Press). Einhorn will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

Meet the Creator: Jeremy Holt of Made In Korea
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Jeremy Holt is a non-binary author whose most recent works include Made in Korea, Virtually Yours, Before Houdini, After Houdini, and Skip to the End. They have received high praise from The New York Times crossword cruciverbalist David Kwong and the multiple award winning, bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Paper Girls). Holt will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

Book Buzz! Image Comics’ 2022 Comics & Graphic Novels Spotlight
1:05 PM – 1:35 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Book Buzz Stage

Image Comics presents the hottest releases of 2022! Get the inside scoop on the best comics and graphic novels of the year with this book buzz presentation! Speakers: Chloe Ramos

Skybound Comet: Explore New YA & Middle Grade Graphic Novel Worlds
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Graphic Novel Gaming Stage

Meet the exciting voices behind Skybound Comet, a new, original graphic novel imprint aimed at YA & Middle Grade readers! Tillie Walden (Clementine, Spinning, On a Sunbeam), Tri Vuong (Everyday Hero Machine Boy, LEGO® NINJAGO®: Garmadon), Mairghread Scott (Sea Serpent’s Heir, Star Wars: Resistance), and Alex Antone (Senior Editor at Skybound Entertainment) discuss new/upcoming titles, storytelling process, and more, with audience Q&A! Join us for the first wave of titles taking the comics industry by storm! Speakers: Tille Walden, Tri Vuong, Mairghread Scott, Alex Antone. Moderator: Moni Barrette

Book Buzz! Blast Off to New Worlds with Skybound Comet
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Book Buzz Stage

Explore new worlds for YA and Middle Grade readers with the best new and upcoming comics and graphic novels from Skybound Comet! Speakers: Morgan Perry

Meet the Creator: Tillie Walden of Clementine
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Tillie Walden is the writer and artist behind such bestselling graphic novels as Spinning (First Second), On a Sunbeam (First Second), and the upcoming graphic novel Clementine (Image/Skybound). Walden will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

GNCRT President’s Program – Empowering the Comics Community
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST
Washington Convention Center, 204B

Comics and graphic novels are now generally accepted in most libraries-Hooray! However, the work of librarians in this field is far from complete. New advocates are lending their voices to achieve greater overall impact. This year’s ALA Annual will spotlight diverse voices in comics advocacy and offer viewpoints from various areas of expertise-Publishers and creators, alongside early career library workers, to explore how we can work collaboratively to maximize the current momentum. Speakers: Jeremy Holt, Alex Antone, Liz Brown,Tri Vuong, Moderator: Moni Barrette

Meet the Creator: Mairghread Scott of Sea Serpent’s Heir
4:00 PM – 4:50 PM EST
Exhibit Hall – Image Booth – 1332

Mairghread Scott has written for many different TV shows and comic books as a freelance writer and story consultant. In 2015, she released her first original comic series, Toil & Trouble with artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews (Boom Studios’ Archaia) and, in 2018, she released her second original graphic novel, The City on the Other Side (First Second Books). Scott now works for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy animated series as a writer and series consultant, while continuing to write comics and graphic novels, including the forthcoming Sea Serpent’s Heir (Image/Skybound). Scott will make a one hour appearance and be available during that time for signing.

Clementine’s Tillie Walden in conversation with Made in Korea’s Jeremy Holt*
6:30 PM EST
Offsite event: East City Bookshop, 645 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, #100, Washington, DC 20003

*Register for this event via Eventbrite

Join East City Bookshop in welcoming powerhouse cartoonist Tillie Walden to celebrate the graphic novel debut of Clementine, star of the massively successful Telltale Games video game. Out June 28, Clementine is book one of Walden’s new series, which takes on the world of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead. With audience Q&A followed by book signing. Speaker: Tillie Walden, Moderator: Jeremy Holt

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