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As usual Abrams Books will have some dandy books and signings at booth #1216, with authors including Cece Bell, Nathan Hale and Tom Angleberger. PLus many signed books and prints by the likes of Jules Feiffer. And if you’re luycky, you might even get a galley of Trahsed, Derf Backderf’s hilarious and disgusting account of a garbageman’s life. Other galleys and samplers will also be available from the likes of John Leguizamo and Tom Kinney.

Author Signings
 
Thursday, July 9
3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Nathan Hale will sign Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales at the Abrams booth #1216
 
Friday, July 10
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tom Angleberger will sign  The Strange Case of Origami Yoda series at the Abrams booth #1216
 
Saturday, July 11
2:30 p.m–3:30 p.m.
Cece Bell will sign El Deafo in the Autograph Area AA09
 
Sunday, July 12
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Cece Bell will sign El Deafo at the Abrams booth#1216
 
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Martin and Olivia Olson will sign The Adventure Time Encyclopaedia in Abrams booth #1216
 

 
Copies of our new title The Art of Rocksteady’s Batman—this book will have just gone on sale July 7, and we will be selling a limited number at a special discount while supplies last
 
Signed and numbered copies of the new Abrams ComicArts title The Age of Selfishness, the New York Times bestseller
 
Prints signed by Jules Feiffer with purchase of the new title Out of Line: The Art of Jules Feiffer
 
Free posters, galleys, and samplers for giveaway!
 
Galleys of the forthcoming graphic novel Trashed by Derf Backderf (author of the bestseller My Friend Dahmer) will be given away while supplies last
 
Samplers of the forthcoming graphic novel Ghetto Klown by John Leguizamo will be given away while supplies last
 
Free posters to promote the forthcoming book Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts. The Peanuts booth (#1637) will also be giving away a limited quantity of 50 free samplers of the new book every day, and co-author Chip Kidd will be on hand to sign them at the Peanuts booth on Thursday, July 9th at 4PM.
 
Samplers of the forthcoming book My Little Pony: The Art of Equestria will be given away at the Hasbro booth  #3213 at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10th.
 
Prints to promote the forthcoming Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel by Paul Levitz book will be given away while supplies last.
 
Samplers of the forthcoming book Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney will be given away while supplies last
 
Galleys of the forthcoming book The Creeps: Night of the Frankenfrogs by Chris Schweizer will be given away

Galleys of the forthcoming book The Secrets to Ruling The School (Without Even Trying) by Neil Swaab will be given away at Abrams booth #1216 while supplies last
 
 
Panels!
 
Authors and artists associated with Abrams ComicArts and Abrams who are attending this year’s San Diego Comic-Con include Martin and Olivia Olson (The Enchiridion and Marcy’s Super Secret Scrapbook!!!), Chip Kidd (Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts), Nathan Hale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales), Cece Bell (El Deafo), and Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda).
 
All authors and artists are available for interviews in advance, or times can be scheduled at the show. Please contact Maya Bradford ([email protected]) for more info.
 
Thursday, July 9
 
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library
Content Literacy: Teaching History and Social Studies with Graphic Novels—with Nathan Hale
 
Friday, July 10
 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Room: 28DE
Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel
A breakthrough in the development of the graphic novel, Will Eisner’s A Contract with God was not the first, not the bestselling, and had no awards to win in those early days, but it is still in print and affecting the explosive growth of comics’ most vibrant format. Join us and learn why he’s Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel at a panel moderated by Eisner award winner and New York Times bestselling author Paul Levitz (with a forthcoming book of the same title), and with panelists Denis Kitchen (The Best of Comix Book, The Art of Harvey Kurtzman), Jeff Smith (RASL, Bone), Michael Uslan (The Boy Who Loved Batman, executive producer, Batman Films), Sergio Aragones (Groo, MAD’s Greatest Artists: Sergio Aragones) and Danny Fingeroth (The Stan Lee Universe, Superman on the Couch). Q&A session to follow.
 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Room: 4
Spotlight on Dave Roman (Tom Angleberger event set up by First Second)
A visual conversation between author Tom Angleberger (Origami Yoda) and cartoonist Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy, Teen Boat!) about self-publishing, dream jobs, graphic novels for kids, school misfits, and robot doppelgangers. Hosted by Noelene Clark (LA Times Hero Complex), this fun-filled panel will include interactive readings, improv drawing games, and surprise guests.
 
Saturday, July 11
 
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Room: 28DE
Kid’s Graphic Novel Burgeoning Frontier: The Real Superheroes – Kids with Disabilities. Join Cece Bell (El Deafo), Doug TenNapel (Nnewts; Cardboard); Dave Elliot (A is for Autism; A1), John Sheblaski (Udon Entertainment), Talia Hurwich (Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth), and moderator Meryl Jaffe  (CBLDF Using Graphic Novels in Education) as we discuss the real-life heroes comics still need to embrace: kids with disabilities.  We’ll evaluate how graphic novels are beginning to tellstories about who kids with disabilities, illness and handicaps, and how others with great stories can be heard.
 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library
Librarian/Educator Fall 2015 Kids Graphic Novels Buzz
A cross-publisher presentation of the biggest graphic novels for kids of the Fall 2015 season (September–December 2015) from Abrams ComicArts, Archie Comics, Boom, Dark Horse, First Second, IDW/Top Shelf, Papercutz, Scholastic, and Viz.
 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m
Room: 28DE
Diversity
Diversity—we demand diverse books! Ethnic, religious, gender, racial, physical ability, and sexual diversity are underrepresented in science fiction and fantasy but these authors are here to tell you that their stories speak for themselves; they seek to create worlds similar to our own, where people from various walks of life are represented and cross paths. Readers will find these authors and the tales they spin as empowering and fascinating as ever. Join authors Soman Chainani (School for Good and Evil series), Cece Bell (El Deafo), Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer), Scott Sigler (Alive), Judd Winick (Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth), and Cindy Pon (Serpentine) as they discuss diversity in science fiction and fantasy with David Mariotte of Mysterious Galaxy!
 
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. 
Room: 28DE
What’s New From Abrams ComicArts
Join Charles Kochman (editorial director), Chad Beckerman (creativedirector), Chip Kidd (graphic designer and author) and special guests as they talk about upcoming Abrams ComicArts projects from their exciting Fall 2015 list, including original graphic novels Trashed  by Derf Backderf (author of My Friend Dahmer) and Ghetto Klown by John Leguizamo (an adaptation of his award-winning autobiographical HBO stage performance); art monographs Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schultz and The Art of Peanuts by Chip Kidd, and Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel by Paul Levitz (former president and publisher of DC Comics), as well as the latest trading card collection from Topps, Star Wars: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One. Also find out what’s coming next year from Abrams ComicArts as they reveal some works in progress, including videos and never-before-seen titles and art. 
 
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library 
Librarian Talkback
Moderator: Brigid Alverson, SLJ Good Comics for Kids
Description: In this town-hall session, librarians from the audience will share the good and bad of working with graphic novels in libraries with publisher representatives from Abrams ComicArts, Archie Comics, Boom, Dark Horse, First Second, IDW/Top Shelf, Papercutz, Scholastic, and Viz. 
 
Sunday, July 12
 
10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. 
Room: 29AB
Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts
Celebrate the 65th anniversary of Peanuts with Chip Kidd (graphic designer, editor-at-large for Pantheon) and Paige Braddock (Creative Director at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates) as they preview their upcoming coffee table book, Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts. See rare and never-before-seen highlights from the extraordinary archives at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, including unpublished strips andpreliminary artwork photographed by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear,revealing a rare glimpse into the creative process of the world’s most beloved and influential cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz. Moderated by Charles Kochman (editorial director, Abrams ComicArts)
 
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Room: 30CDE
The Girls Are All Right!
Female comic creators for kids and young adults are burning up the bestseller lists and winning awards. Listen in on this dynamic group of award-winning creators as they discuss the challenges and thrills of creating diverse heroines that appeal to a new generation of readers and hook them for a lifelong love of comics. A Q&A session and drawing will follow. Panelists include Jennifer Holm (Babymouse, Sunny Side Up), Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters), Cece Bell (El Deafo), Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer), Jillian Tamaki (This One Summer), and Cecil Castellucci (Odd Duck). Moderated by Eva Volin (Good Comics for Kids at School Library Journal).
 
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. 
Room: 7AB 
An Exclusive Sneak Peek Panel for Adventure Time: The Enchiridion & Marcy’s Super Secret Scrapbook!!!, Featuring The Lord of Evil and Marceline the Vampire Queen: A conversation with Martin Olson (voice actor, The Lord of Evil), Olivia Olson (voice actor, Marceline The Vampire Queen), Celeste Moreno (illustrator), Aisleen Romano (illustrator), Rick “Dienzo” Blanco (illustrator and vice president of Creative for Cartoon Network Enterprises), and moderated by Eric Klopfer (senior editor, Abrams), about the highly anticipated book Adventure Time: The Enchiridion & Marcy’s Super Secret Scrapbook!!!, out this fall from Abrams. Attendees will have a chance to see exclusive, never-before-seen art from the book and be first to witness the premier of the terrifying book trailer. Surprises may include musical numbers and surprise guests. Audience participation is encouraged! 
 

The American Library Association announced their 2015 youth media award winners at its Midwinter Meeting in Chicago.

Covering a diverse range of titles and readers, graphic novels were among the honorees!  First…  The big news…

El Deafo, Cece Bell’s memoir of her hearing loss and fitting in at grade school was selected as a Newbery Honor Book, as an outstanding contribution to children’s literature!

While already a bestseller, with long autograph lines this weekend at the conference, this honor will encourage more libraries, especially school libraries, to shelve and promote this title, a great book which just happens to be a graphic memoir!

Then there’s the Caldecott Medal, for most distinguished American picture book.  This is another “instant bestseller”, generating instant sales among libraries and bookstores.  This year’s winner was Dan Santat, for “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend”, which is a regular picture book.  But…  Santat has also written a graphic novel, titled “Sidekicks”, and his picture books are geeky and fun, so I’m claiming him!

Also… there were SIX honor books announced.  One of which was…  “This One Summer“, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki.  Yes… it’s awarded to the illustrator, but many times, the story is essential for a title rising among the many amazing books being published today.

Don’t feel sory for Mariko… she received a Printz Honor for excellence in literature written for young adults!  This is the Newberry for YA literature, with a similar explosion in sales expected!  (Graphicologists will recall that Gene Luen Yang won the award for American Born Chinese in 2007.)

What… you want more?  Okay…  How about an outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language?

The Mildred L. Batchelder Award honored “Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust“, published by First Second.  Written in French by Loic Dauvillier, illustrated by Marc Lizano, color by Greg Salsedo, and translated by Alexis Siegel, it chronicles a young Jewish girl in 1942 Paris.  I confess… I overlooked this title last Spring. (Hey… they have an amazing list, and there’s lots of great stuff from other publishers too!)  Here’s a friendly reminder, and an enjoyable one at that!

One more title of note…  YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association) gave an award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.  This year’s winner:

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen

If you’d like to know more about these and many other winners (many in multiple categories), visit the Youth Media Awards website! You can read our 2014 coverage here.

Me, I’m off to discover more great titles, and to help librarians use graphic novels to encourage literacy and a life-long-love of reading!

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He was created by a cartoonist who was (in)famous for his pornographic comics, and written by a noted underground cartoonist (and later drawn by another!  And then another!).

He’s one of the few iconic advertising candy characters, and along with Twinkies, one of the few brands to use comics to sell the product.

He’s known world-wide, speaking in a variety of languages, and known to just about any kid with a nickel in his or her pocket (or willing to swipe a piece from the grocery store checkout).

He’s told more jokes than Henny Youngman, and more fortunes than Zoltar.

He’s been satirized, parodied (by Topps, twice!), referenced, and even silk screened by famous artists.

But now, sixty years after his debut, Topps bubblegum is relegating Bazooka Joe to emeritus status, making token appearances with Mort as the iconic comics will be replaced by activities, brainteasers, and codes redeemable at the Topps website,

According to the New York Times, the brand will be getting a redesign, making it more appealing to today’s kids.  New colors, trendier logos, and new flavors will be introduced to sell the brand, sales of which have dropped 48% in five years.

Some would say the flavor of the gum lasted about as long as it took to read the comic.  (It lasted longer, about average for bubble gum, and much longer than the shingle found in Topps’ collector card packs.)  It’s a cheap diversion, and I still buy a handful on occasion from the local deli in my neighborhood, stuffing them into a coat pocket for later enjoyment.

Many (myself included) will wonder why Topps is getting rid of the one thing which makes their brand stand out from other gums.  With this, Bazooka is just another Dubble Bubble, another cheap bubble gum which used to run comics.  (I’m still trying to figure out why chocolate bar wrappers don’t have printing on the inside.   Imagine if kids collected the wrappers!  But I guess the death of the sports card market has put the kibosh on that…)

Ironically, Abrams will be publishing Bazooka Joe and His Gang, a 60th anniversary collection and retrospection next May, for $19.95.  (Roughly the cost of 400 pieces of bubble gum.)  It will include essays, history, and 100 comics from the archives, including the complete first series.

If you’d like to hoard, I recommend ordering it online.  Or you might want to relive your youth and buy (or swipe) a piece from your local candy counter.  If you just want to read the comics, try this!  (Variants included!)

Maybe IDW will revive Joe and the gang with a comics series, complete with multiple covers (printed on waxy paper) which can be redeemed for a cheap toy.  Hey… if Choo Choo Charlie can have a comic book, why not Bazooka Joe?  Or maybe he can be become a cartoon star.