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If you know me then you know I’ve a certain weakness for comics, graphic novels, graphic comics, and comic novels (?).  You draw it, I like it.  And every once in a while, First Second will offer me a little jacket to reveal in some manner.  It seems timely that with the announcement about the first National Ambassador of Young People Literature to work in the comic book field, the time is ripe to promote all things comic-y.

But what, you may ask, is the comic in question?  Well, the one of the newest books out there in the Science Comics series.  Science Comics is described by First Second as, “our marvelous new series for every science geek out there, starting with Dinosaurs, by MK Reed and Joe Flood, and Coral Reefs, by Maris Wicks!  All you ever wanted to know about dinosaurs and coral reefs and were hoping someone would make a comic about!”

Not as much into the ocean or the terrible lizards?  Red-hot magma more your speed?  Then boyo, do I have a cover for you:

Here are the basic stats:

Science Comics: Volcanos
by Jon Chad
On Sale 10/18/16

And First Second sez:

“This volume: in VOLCANOES, we explore these exciting and explosive vents in the Earth’s surface. Along the way readers will learn about lava, tectonic plates, islands and other land masses generated by volcanoes, famous volcanoes, and famous eruptions. Jon Chad’s detailed and quirky story-telling style, as found in the Leo Geo series of books, is perfectly suited to bring volcanoes to life.

Jon Chad was born and raised in Vermont. After completing the BFA Sequential Art program at Savannah College of Art and Design, he moved back to White River Junction, Vermont, where he now works at the Center for Cartoon Studies teaching screen-printing and bookmaking. He is the author of Leo Geo and His Miraculous Journey Through the Center of the Earth and Leo Geo and the Cosmic Crisis. jonchad.tumblr.com.

“Applied comics” — using the words and pictures combination for education and non fiction — is a growing field, especially as comics become more accepted in educational uses. And First Sceond is going all in with a new line of Science Comics that launches with three books: Dinosaurs (MK Reed and Joe Flood; Spring 2016) Coral Reefs […]

BY JEN VAUGHN – Torsten gave a fantastic review of things to do this weekend but I’ll focus on two fun events for the Maine and Washington people, who desperately should enjoy themselves while the sun is still out!

East Coast gets MeCAF! One of the best small press cons that is kid-focused. Plenty of adult comics are sold (believe me) but signage on the table lets parents with lots of disposable income know which books are great for their 6 year old, 12 year old and 15 year old kiddos. Today the Portland Public Library hosted a ton of events including yet another Cartoon Carousel led by funny man himself, R. Sikorayak.

Tomorrow, Sunday May 20th is the actual con with plenty of panels and events geared towards comic publishing and small humans.

10:30 AM- Kids Workshop: From Concept to Comic
Learn how an idea in your head becomes a comic on a page. John Green (co-creator of Teen Boat! and illustrator for Phineas and Ferb), Colleen AF Venable (author of Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye and designer for First Second Books), and Zack Giallongo (Broxo) will take you on a collaborative journey through the process of creating characters and stories for comics.

Noon: Join Raina Telgemeier, winner of the Maine Student Book Award, for a fun visual talk about her book, SMILE, and what exactly it means to be a graphic novelist! Raina will do some live drawing and give away some prizes, too!

1:00 PM- The Center for Cartoon Studies One Sheet Workshop

2:00 PM-Monster Alert!  Junior Cartoonists Needed!
The Fizzmont Institute of Rad Science is looking for young, excited cartoonists that can draw ferocious monsters and deadly dwellers of the deep!  Our famed scientist, Leo Geo, has gone missing on his experiment to the center of the earth, and we need help drawing the monsters that might have taken him!  Join Jon Chad, from the Center for Cartoon Studies, as he leads a monster drawing session and an interactive reading from his new book, Leo Geo.

So get your butts in the car and head up to Portland, Maine for comics and of course, the infamous Duckfat restaurant or unparalleled fresh sushi. If you miss MeCAF, be sure to stop by Casablanca Comics downtown to find work by the same cartoonists. Owner and MeCAF sponser, Rick Lowell is gracious enough to sell the small press comics not sold at MeCAF if said cartoonists are smart enough to remember to stop by!