Straight from the offices of Publishers Weekly, it’s More to Come! Your podcast source of comics news and discussion starring The Beat’s own Heidi MacDonald.

In this week’s podcast the More to Come Crew – Heidi “The Beat” MacDonald, Calvin Reid and Kate Fitzsimons – discuss this year’s MoCCA Arts Fest and Emerald City Comic Con – with interviews from the MoCCA floor, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, new comics to screen deals including Federal Bureau of Physics and Sinister Six and more on PW Comics World’s More To Come.

Now tune in Fridays for our regularly scheduled podcast!

Listen to this episode in streaming here, download it direct here and catch up with our previous podcasts on the PublishersWeekly website, or subscribe to More To Come on iTunes

I’ll have a longer report (HA) later, but to hold you over here is Robyn Chapman’s MoCCA Festival wrap-up at The Tiny Report, which hits all the main points, including the big one, which was “Whoa! Charlie Brown!”

PW Comics World also has a photo gallery up by Jody Culkin and Calvin Reid, including the above shot of Guests of Honor Howard Cruse and ALison Bechdel.

Short version: MoCCA is back, baby! Spurred by the $5 entrance attendance on Saturday equalled all of last year’s show, there was great energy all the way through Sunday, and way too many good comics to even think of buying them ALL. Sales were good but not mind boggling (i son’t think there was a big debut at the show that drove excitement the way some years have had.)

But yeah, good times, and after some tough years, MoCCA Festival seems to have reestesblished itself as a prime stop on the CAF circuit.

Con be damned, it’s MoCCA Time — I’ll be running some previews and debuts througout the day — but here’s all the party poop you need to know about starting tonight. (I know there were a bunch of great events last night as well — On the Scene reports anyone?)

FRIDAY

Fiona Staples at Midtown Comics
6:30 – 8:00pm
64 Fulton Street
Join MoCCA Arts Festival Guest of Honor Fiona Staples at Midtown Comics downtown location.

Robert Williams Mr. Bitchin
7 pm
Film Screening
A screening of the film will take place at the Beatrice Theatre at SVA, located at 333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
A Q & A will follow with artist Robert Williams and Co-Director/Producer Nancye Ferguson, moderated by culture critic and curator Carlo McCormick.
TICKETS
$5 General Admission
* SVA students and faculty are free.

Domino Books
Hic & Hoc Publications &
Revival House Present:
The annual pre-MoCCA comic book beer fest at Park Slope Ale House

Park Slope Ale House
356 6th Avenue,
Brooklyn, New York 11215



Rad poster art by Revival House’s very own Rusty Jordan!

Glorkian Warriors Release Party at Bergen Street Comics
7-10 pm
470 Bergen St, Brooklyn,

Drink And Draw Like A Lady
7 pm
The Productive
40 W. 38th St. (between 5th and 6th Ave)
5th Floor (there is an elevator).

All ages are welcome, 21+ to drink. Bring your mini comics, business cards, sketchbooks and your love of comics. Ladies only please!

SATURDAY

MoCCA After Party and Awards
7-10
Society of Illustrators
128 E 63rd St, New York,
The Society is hosting an after-party open to MoCCA Arts Exhibitors, Speakers, Special Guests, and Volunteers.  We will also be announcing the winners of the MoCCA Arts Festival Award of Excellence during a special presentation. 

7-8pm: Free admission includes beer, wine, and soda plus a small plates buffet.
8-11pm: Cash bar plus small plates buffet.

C&B Publishing and Origami Comics Present:
Modern Pinball Art Opening and The Unofficial After-Party of MoCCA

including “Power Draw” Live Costumed Model Sketch Sessions
Modern Pinball NYC, 362 Third Ave, New York City
$10 (mention special code “CB-ORIGAMI” for discount
includes unlimited pinball

(Art by Chris Brown)

QUEER MoCCA at BSGD
7-10 pm
Bureau of General Services-Queer Division
83A Hester Street, New York, NY10002 United States
Coinciding with the MoCCA Arts Fest in New York, Northwest Press and the Bureau of General Services-Queer Division are hosting a fun LGBT comics event for everyone! Come on down and have a beverage, meet other LGBT readers and artists, and maybe win a door prize!
Scheduled to appear: Charles “Zan” Christensen (Anything That Loves, The Power Within), Tom Cardamone (The Lavender Menace: Tales of Queer Villainy!), Carlo Quispe (QU33R), Bill Roundy (Anything That Loves) and more!

SUNDAY

The Beat and Z2 Comics After MoCCA Hang Out
6-9
The Mad Hatter
360 3rd Avenue

If you are a MoCCA Fest old timer, you remember one of the fun parts of the Puck Building days was that after the show everyone went to Puck Fair, the excellent Irish Bar, across the street and the party continued there. This is a little odd for a New York show since events here are so crowded and spread out that people usually head off to their various parties. When the festival moved to the Lexington Armory, I tried to figure out a place where people could hang out afterwards and the Mad Hatter evolved as the unofficial gathering place.

Next door to the Hatter a very unusual place has opened: Modern Pinball, a retro pinball arcade where you pay a set price and get to play as much pinball as you like on a variety of machines. Its been written up many places and has become quite a hot spot. I was thinking maybe this would be a good leisure activity for MoCCA but it seems that C&B Publisher and Origami Comics have had the same idea, as they will be throwing a party there the Sunday, April 6th of MoCCA. For $10 you get all the pinball you want from 6pm-2am, AND a pinball themed art show.

The Mad Hatter next door will still be the gathering place for food and spirits. They’ve remodelled the place and the menu is MUCH improved. Plus, if you have a wristband from Modern Pinball you get 10% off your food bill. So go play some pinball, then grab some fish and chips then go back and play more pinball.

Details:

C&B Publishing and Origami Comics present:
“MODERN PINBALL”
An art show about the connections between Pinball and Comics Curated by Ken Wong and Allan Dorison
On view from March 31 – April 7, 2014
Hosted by Modern Pinball NYC

As art forms, both comic books and pinball machines can be used to tell fun, colorful, action-packed stories. Both are recognized as American inventions (with European antecedents) introduced in the 1930s. At times, each has been accused of contributing to juvenile delinquency but both have since earned recognition and respect as true art forms. Common themes for both comics and pinball include stories based on movies, television shows, sports, music, and even fishing.

The “Modern Pinball” art show explores connections, common themes, and cross- influences between Comics and Pinball.

Artists already confirmed include: Ben Bishop, Christopher Brown, Allan Dorison, Peter Fay , Ray Felix, Jared Gniewek, Ami Gorgoroso , James Jajac, Ken Knudtsen, Zanny Lane, Donna Letterese , Adriano Moraes, Rodney Ramos ,Frank Reynoso, David Tea, Jack Walsh , Vernon Williams, Javier Cruz Winnik, and Ken Wong

WHAT:
“Modern Pinball” Art Opening/ The Unofficial After Party of MoCCA including “Power Draw” Live Costumed Model Sketch Sessions

WHEN
Saturday, April 5th from 6:00pm until 2:00am Sunday

WHERE:
Modern Pinball NYC
362 Third Ave, New York City
(Just two blocks from 2014 MoCCA Arts Festival)

ADMISSION:
$10 – Just mention special code word “CB-ORIGAMI” for special discounted admission to April 5th Opening. Price includes unlimited Pinball from 6pm – 2am (Must have wristband for re-entry!)

POWER DRAW: Session One (8-9: pm) Starring Gowanus Pete & Ice Queen (http://www.powerplaycomic.com/)

POWER DRAW: Session Two (9-10pm) Starring members of New York Jedi (www.newyorkjedi.com)

The programming for this year’s MoCCA Festival (April 5-6) just went up. Designed by Bill Kartalopoulos, it’s a masterclass in comics with participants from around the world. This is grad school level stuff and I can’t wait!

And neither can many others. For the first time, two of the panels, Art Spiegelman & Joost Swarte in conversation and Alison Bechdel and Howard Cruse in conversation, will require advance tickets which you can register for free at the links above. I’m a little surprised the Fiona Staples Q&A wasn’t also a ticketed event — she’s the artist on the most popular comic in the is right now, and I can guarantee that you will need to get there EARLY to get in.

One of the panels I’m really looking forward to is Tad Suiter’s presentation on the Armory Show of 1913, one of the most momentous events in the history of art that took place right there. While the Lexington Armory has come in for a lot of shade over the years it has hosted MoCCA, it is a storied venue, and it’s nice to get some historical perspective.

Other panels include Carousel, a spotlight on Israeli comics, Chip Kidd and Françoise Mouly talking design, a spotlight on World War 3, a Q&A with Robert Williams, and more more more. Heck all of these panels are going to be crowded. The only problem is seeing everything and still having time to buy comics. LUCKILY, they will be taped and eventually uploaded to the SOI website.

Remember it’s only $5 a day to get to this year’s festival. You have no excuse!

SATURDAY

12:00pm___________________________________________________________________

ROOM ONE
R. Sikoryak Presents: CAROUSEL for KIDS!
Acclaimed cartoonist R. Sikoryak brings a special KIDS’ edition of CAROUSEL, his long-running series of live comics readings and other projected pictures, to the MoCCA stage.  FeaturingJames Kochalka (Johnny Boo, The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza), Trade Loeffler (Zig and Wikki, Zip and Li’l Bit Funnies), Neil Numberman (Do NOT Build a Frankenstein! Joey Fly: Private Eye), Melissa Mendes (Freddy Stories, Lou), and Colleen AF Venable (Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye) and more!  Stories, gags, audience participation, and more, for kids of all ages. 

ROOM TWO
The Katzenjammer Kids go to the Armory Show: Cartoonists and Modern Art, 1913
The 1913 Armory Show was a watershed event—the first exposure for many Americans to the new European modernist avant-garde. While the press focused on European art in the exhibit, American artists made up the majority of the show, and a fascinating subset of these were early newspaper comic strip cartoonists. The cartoonists represented at the Exhibition included George Luks, Rudolph Dirks, Denys Wortman, and several others. Tad Suiter (George Mason University) will reveal this little-examined history and explore how these artists used their work as a way of gaining cultural capital.

1:00pm___________________________________________________________________
 
ROOM ONE
Comics and Protests Movements
Protest movements arise from Protest movements arise from communities marginalized by political institutions and mainstream media. Artwork has often given voice to underrepresented points of view, and can document grassroots social action overlooked by authorized histories. Comics artists Christopher Cardinale (Which Side Are You On?), Mike Dawson (Angie Bongiolatti), Seth Tobocman (War in the Neighborhood), and Sophie Yanow (War of Streets and Houses) have all represented and documented contemporary and historical protest movements in their comics. They will discuss the issues at stake with writer and documentary filmmaker Annie Nocenti.
 
ROOM TWO

Robert Williams Q+A
Robert Williams has enjoyed a diverse and profoundly influential career expressing a singular artistic vision. Emerging from the West Coast hot rod scene (where he produced graphics for Ed “Big Daddy” Roth), Williams produced some of the finest underground comix of his era in the pages of Zap. Williams proceeded to produce a body of intense, phantasmagorical paintings and jumpstarted the so-called “lowbrow” art movement, founding the influentialJuxtapozMagazine in 1994. He will discuss his career in comics and fine art with critic and curator Carlo McCormick (Paper Magazine).
 
2:00pm___________________________________________________________________

ROOM ONE
Drinking Ink: Art Spiegelman and Joost Swarte in Conversation
Art Spiegelman and Joost Swarte have a long association, dating back to the earliest days of Spiegelman and Françoise Mouly’s RAW Magazine, to which Swarte was a frequent contributor. Both artists have distinguished themselves with artwork both witty and profound, both have produced expressive comics and striking single images, and both have worked in multiple media including architecture and performance. Together, the pair will discuss their careers, their shared histories, comics and more in a conversation moderated by Bill Kartalopoulos. (90 minutes)
* This event is free attend but due to limited space tickets must be reserved beforehand.Click here to reserve tickets.  
 
ROOM TWO

2:00 How Comics Are Queer
As long as there have been comics there have been queer cartoonists. Comics that authentically engaged queer experience in America emerged in the radical underground comix milieu of the 1960s and ’70s, fueled by the social liberation movements of the era. Comics’ status in American culture echoes queer experience: once marginalized, now accepted, but still contested—while some of the most acclaimed comics of the day speak to and from queer experience. Howard Cruse, Edie Fake, Justin Hall and L. Nichols will consider the historical and contemporary intersections of queer experience and comics with moderator Margaret Galvan (The Graduate Center, City University of New York).
 
3:30pm___________________________________________________________________
 
ROOM ONE
Drew Friedman Presents Old Jewish Comedians
 
Drew Friedman is an iconic cartoonist and illustrator whose intensely rendered, caricatural work first gained notice in the pages of publications including RAW and Spy, and whose illustrations regularly appear on the front page of the New York Observer. His upcoming book,Heroes of the Comics, will feature portraits of cartooning legends. Currently the subject of an exhibit at the Society of Illustrators, Friedman will discuss his Old Jewish Comedians series of books in this special presentation, revealing the concept and process behind these books, as well as their reception among the “Old Jewish Comedians” themselves.

ROOM TWO
Comics and Design
As traditional media move into a digital space, the future of publishing remains unpredictable. Rapidly changing realities increasingly demand that books published on paper exhibit aesthetic physical qualities to justify their status as objects. Balancing aesthetic quality with accessibility, well-designed graphic novels may model the future of print. From RAW Magazine to TOON Books, Françoise Mouly has pioneered the presentation of comics as beautiful objects. Iconic graphic designer Chip Kidd helped usher in the current graphic novel era, editing and designing landmark graphic novels at Pantheon Books. Together, they will discuss the responsibilities and pleasures of designing comics with moderator Bill Kartalopoulos.
 

SUNDAY

12:00pm___________________________________________________________________

ROOM ONE
Fiona Staples Q+A
In a few short years, Canadian comics artist Fiona Staples has gained acknowledgement as one of the most distinctive stylists and storytellers in her field. Her work as artist and co-creator of the phenomenally successful comic book series Saga, written by Brian K. Vaughan, has won multiple awards, high praise, and an enormous following. Staples will discuss her art and process with Nathan Fox (cover artist for FBP and chair of SVA’s MFA in Visual Narrative program).
 
ROOM TWO
Form, Materials and Expression
Over the last several years, comics have experienced a broadening of aesthetic approaches beyond the conventions that derived from prior craft traditions and technical constraints. Increasingly, comics are produced using a wide range of materials including new digital media, while digital technology has promoted the broad dissemination of handmade work that might be otherwise difficult to reproduce. Sam Alden, Frederic Coché, and Michael DeForge will discuss how their preferred art media interact with comics form to serve their individual expressions in a conversation moderated by Bill Kartalopoulos.

1:00pm___________________________________________________________________
 
ROOM ONE
Comics, Illustration and the Conceptual Image
What does it mean to express an abstract idea in a concrete drawing? What is the difference between an idea that can be expressed in a single image and one that requires sequential exposition? Internationally acclaimed artists Marion Fayolle (In Pieces), Joost Swarte (Is That All There Is?), and Brecht Vandenbroucke (White Cube), work in both comics and illustration, addressing subtle emotional and intellectual concepts in each form. They will consider these questions and more in conversation with New York Times Art Director Alexandra Zsigmond.
 
ROOM TWO
What Kids Learn From Making Comics
Comics have increasingly entered curricula as subjects of study, and evidence shows that comics can be a powerful tool in helping early readers acquire literacy. But what lessons do students learn from actually making comics? How does making comics supplement and enhance traditional education? Beth Brooks from The Comic Book Project will discuss that organization’s comics workshops with children. Tracy Fedonchik and Roxanne Feldman will share their experience working with grade school students to adapt fiction into comics at the Dalton School. Josh Bayer, who has taught adults and children at institutions including the 92nd Street Y will discuss his teaching and lead the conversation.
 
2:00pm___________________________________________________________________

ROOM ONE
Alison Bechdel and Howard Cruse in Conversation
Alison Bechdel is the acclaimed author of the comics memoirs Fun Home and Are You My Mother? Prior to these, she gained a devoted audience for her biweekly comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, published in alternative newspapers between 1983 and 2009. Bechdel was inspired to write about queer life by Gay Comix, edited by Howard Cruse between 1980 and 1983. Cruse began publishing in the underground comix scene in the 1970s and went on to draw the comics series Wendel for The Advocate through the ’80s. In 1995 he published his award-winning graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby. We are delighted to present a very special conversation between these two influential artists, moderated by Hillary Chute (Graphic Women). (90 minutes)
* This event is free to attend but due to limited space tickets must be reserved beforehand. Click here to reserve tickets. 
 
ROOM TWO
World War 3 Illustrated: From 1979 to Now
Join World War 3 illustrated to celebrate their 35th anniversary of publication and the release of a retrospective collection premiering at MoCCA. Launched in 1979 by Peter Kuper and Seth Tobocman, World War 3 Illustrated is a radical, collectively-organized magazine of comics, text and graphics. WW3 has consistently engaged issues of the day and challenged political, social and economic hierarchies and the regimes that enforce them. Kuper, Tobocman, and WW3 co-editors Sandy Jimenez, Sabrina Jones, and Kevin Pyle will discuss the past, present and future of the longest running political comic in history in a conversation moderated by Calvin Reid (Publishers Weekly).
 
 
3:30pm___________________________________________________________________
 
ROOM ONE
Live Drawing: Comics in Concert
Finnish cartoonist Ville Ranta and musicians Niko Kumpuvaara (accordion) and Aleksi Ranta (guitar) bring their internationally successful “Comics in Concert” musical live drawing event to MoCCA. Ranta will be joined by North American cartoonists Scott Campbell, Miriam Katin, andDanica Novgorodoff,who will all create new, projected drawings to festive, live musical accompaniment before your very eyes. 

ROOM TWO
Israeli Comics Today
Israel has a small but burgeoning comics culture, which has gained international notice through the works of the Actus Tragicus group and the break-out success of cartoonist Rutu Modan. Today, the Israeli Cartoon Museum in Holon exhibits work by Israeli and international artists, and a growing number of artists and publishers are working to cultivate the Israeli comics industry. Nimrod Reshef, cartoonist and spokesman for the Israeli Cartoonists Association, will discuss his work publishing comics for children and older readers in Israel, joined in conversation by Keren Katz and Alina Gorban, Israeli artists currently living and working in the US. Moderated by Karen Green (Graphic Novels Librarian, Columbia University).
 

Remember how we said there would be a lot to see at this year’s MoCCA Festival on April 5-6? Well, that includes the iconic Charlie Brown balloon usually seen at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s just been announced that the 50.9-foot tall, 53.4-foot long and 29.4-foot wide balloon will be set up inside the Lexington Armory and preside overall the goings on. And yes the Armory is that big inside.

The balloon was first exhibited in the famed parade in 2002.

This is going to be an Instagrammers paradise!

MoCCA Fest is just around the corner—April 5-6—and it’s going to be a pretty great weekend judging by the guest list. After a transitional first year under the Society of Illustrators, it looks like everything is going full speed ahead.

In addition to previously announced guests of honor Alison Bechdel, Howard Cruse, Fiona Staples and Robert Williams, a bevy of international guests will be attending: Marion Fayolle, Joost Swarte, and Brecht Vandenbroucke. PLUS Chip Kidd, Belgian artist Frederic Coché, Drew Friedman, Françoise Mouly, Bill Plympton, Israeli cartoonist Nimrod Reshef, Art Spiegelman, Adrian Tomine and MANY MORE such as:

Sam Alden, Gabrielle Bell, Michael DeForge, Kim Deitch, Chuck Forsman, Kevin “KAL” Kallaugher, Miriam Katin, James Kochalka, Peter Kuper and Dash Shaw.

AND:

Nick Abadzis, Alabaster, Pat Aulisio, Josh Bayer, Nick Bertozzi, Box Brown, Scott Campbell, Austin English, Liana Finck, Nicole Georges, Gary Hallgren, Dean Haspiel, Danny Hellman, Sabrina Jones, Tom Kaczynski, Keren Katz, Rob Kirby, Patrick Kyle, Jon Lewis, Jason Little, Alec Longstreth, Keith Mayerson, L. Nichols, Kevin Pyle, Jesse Reklaw, Leslie Stein, Seth Tobocman, Jen Tong, Andrea Tsurumi, Marguerite Van Cook, Lale Westvind, Leah Wishnia and Shannon Wheeler.

The complete guest list is here.
 
Debuts include:

Buddy Buys a Dump by Peter Bagge (Fantagraphics),
Over Easy by Mimi Pond (Drawn and Quarterly),
Operation Margerine by Katie Skelly (AdHouse Books),
Neurocomic by Hana Ros and Matteo Farinella (Nobrow),
The Undertaking of Lily Chen by Danica Novgorodoff (First Second),
All Star by Jessie Lonergan (NBM),
Climate Changed by Phillippe Squarzoni (Abrams ComicArts),
World War 3 Illustrated: 1979-2014 (PM Press),
War of Streets and Houses by Sophie Yanow (Uncivilized Books).  

More debuts here.
 
In all there will be 216 exhibitors, encompassing 27 publishers and more than 1,000 individual artists.

Shorter version: bring a full wallet.

More MoCCA coverage — including the week’s full event list, can be found here.

If you have a debut book not listed, email us at comicsbeat at gmail.com.
If you have a debut not listed here,

Wednesday, April 2 

The Draftsmen’s Congress at the New Museum2:00pm
235 BoweryThe New Museum has invited the Society of Illustrators to participate in a collaborative project called the Draftsmen’s Congress led by artist Pawell Althamer.  The Society has partnered with the National Cartoonists Society exclusively.  Members will take part in the making of one large drawing that will take up the entire floor of the space in the museum.

Edie Fake Presents Memory Palaces 7:00pm Bureau of General Services- Queer Division hosted by Cage, 83A Hester Street Chicago comics artist Edie Fake and Brooklyn publishers Secret Acres are pleased to debut a monograph of Edie’s recent gallery exhibition, Memory Palaces.  Edie will present his drawings and discuss the genesis behind his project, a radical reimagining of queer spaces in Chicago.

Friday, April 4 Fiona Staples at Midtown Comics, 6:30 – 8:00pm 64 Fulton Street Join MoCCA Arts Festival Guest of Honor Fiona Staples at Midtown Comics downtown location. Robert Williams Mr. Bitchin’ 7:00pm at the SVA Theatre, Beatrice Theatr 333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues Film screening and Q & A with MoCCA Arts Festival Guest of Honor Robert Williams and Director Nancye Ferguson, moderated by culture critic and curator Carlo McCormick. SVA students and Faculty free, $5 General Admission Learn more…     Book Release Party for Glorkian Warrior Delivers A Pizza 7:00pm at Bergen Street Comics, 470 Bergen Street Join James Kochalka for the release of his new book!

After-Party and Awards Ceremony at the Society of Illustrators 7:00 – 11:00pm 128 East 63 Street The Society is hosting an after-party open only to MoCCA Arts Exhibitors, Speakers, Special Guests, and Volunteers. We will also be announcing the winners of the MoCCA Arts Festival Awards of Excellence during a special presentation. Free admission for MoCCA Fest badge holders includes beer, wine and soda plus a small plates buffet.

Sunday, April 6 MoCCA Arts Festival 11:00 – 6:00pm at the 69th Regiment Armory General Admission $5

New York’s MoCCA Festival kicks off on April 5 &6 at the Lexington Armory,and the key art by guest Fiona Staples has just been released. It’s a take off on Breughel’s classic Tower of Babel imagery except with flying carpets. That’s how MoCCA always feels to me.

Along with Staples, Howrd Cruse, Robert Williams and Alison Bechdel will be the guests of honor at this year’s show. While they won’t be able to enjoy a banh mi across the street, it should still be an awesome time.