Europe Comics is heading to the American Library Association’s Annual Conference, this year held in Washington, D.C. The event will take place from June 20 to 24 and Europe Comics will be there for the third time to promote European comics and graphic novels among American librarians and educators, bringing along four European creators.

First up, joining Europe Comics is Joanna Karpowicz from Poland (Timof Comics), who will be promoting her latest work – Anastasia. 

Joining from Italy (BAO Publishing) is Flavia Biondi and her bittersweet Just Enough, another latest addition to the Europe Comics catalog, as well as Generations , published by Lion Forge.

Joining from Spain (Dibbuks) is Gol and his remarkable Cervantes, the story of the distinguished Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, author of one of the most influential works of literature – Don Quixote.

And joining all the way from Japan is French artist Christophe Ferreira, who will be promoting Alcyon (written by Richard Marazano) from the Europe Comics catalog, as well as Milo’s World (also written by Richard Marazano) – published in English by Lion Forge.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

11 am Friday Discussion Forum: It’s Personal! Social Justice and the Personal Narrative @ Washington Convention Center, 152B

Join us for a panel with a unique perspective: You! We’ll discuss with creators and publishers what it’s like to create an autobiographical story and examine the intersection of the personal and the political.

With Brian Selznick, Joanna Karpowicz, Ryan Estrada, Hyun Sook Kim, and Hazel Newlevant

5:30 pm – 7 pm Conference opening

Joanna Karpowicz and Gol signing @ booth #3747

6 pm – 7:30 pm Drink & Draw with International Comics Artists @ East City Bookshop / 645 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Featuring artist from Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets: Is This How You See Me?) and Ezra Claytan Daniels (BTTM FDRS) from America; Karim Friha (Rise of the Zelphire) and Christophe Ferreira (Milo’s World) from France; Typex (Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol) from the Netherlands; and Flavia Biondi (Generations) from Italy; with comics writer Wilfrid Lupano (Curtain Call) also on hand to sign! Select artists drawing onstage and all signing new release graphic novels. Stop by the store and pick up a pen (or just watch others and meet the creators), sip free wine, and meet other indie comics and bande dessinée (Franco-Belgian style comics) fans. Presented in coordination with the French Comics Association and Fantagraphics.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

8 am – 10 am GNCRT Comics Breakfast @ Renaissance, Grand Ballroom North

Wish you knew who to talk to when you have questions, suggestions, or critiques about comics in your library? Want to meet the people writing and drawing your branch’s most popular graphic novels? Come enjoy breakfast, coffee, and an informal meet and greet with your comics publishing representatives and creators.

This is TICKETED EVENT and every attendee must have a ticket to get in (either on their mobile phone or a printout.)

Creator guests will include Nicholas Aflleje, Flavia Biondi, Ezra Clayan Daniels, Delilah Dawson, Paul Downs, Justin Eisinger, Christophe Ferreira, Brendan Fletcher, Karim Friha, Dan Goldman, John Gurney, Larry Hancock, Mat Heagerty, Wilfred Lupano, Greg Pak, Jarod Roselló, Brian Selznick, Joey Weiser, and Wendy Xu.

10:30 am – 12:30 pm Christophe Ferreira and Flavia Biondi signing @ booth 3747

2 pm – 4 pm Gol and Joanna Karpowicz signing @ booth 3747

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

10:30 am European Comics: A Melting Pot @ Graphic Novel Stage

Asterix, Tintin, The Smurfs and Persepolis are just some of the few that have made it across the Atlantic. But the European comics heritage is much richer and varied, different in every country. As we stress on the importance of diversity and the need of different voices, Europe Comics presents a panel of award-winning European creators and their latest works.

With Typex from the Netherlands (Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol, SelfMadeHero, 2018) Gol from Spain (Cervantes: The Genius’ Fantasy, Europe Comics, 2018), Joanna Karpowicz from Poland (Anastasia, Europe Comics, 2019), Christophe Ferreira from France (Milo’s World, Lion Forge 2019) and Flavia Biondi from Italy (Generations, Lion Forge, 2018). Moderated by Heidi MacDonald (The Comics Beat).

11:30 am – 1 pm Gol and Joanna Karpowicz signing @ booth 3747

2 pm – 4 pm Christophe Ferreira and Flavia Biondi signing @ booth 3747

MONDAY, JUNE 24

10:30 BioGraphics: Reading Graphic Novel Biographies @ Graphic Novel Stage

The virtues of graphic biographies are now recognized. Having two visions of a famous person’s life in one, that of the biographer and of the artist, adds even more nuance and depth to a person’s life story. It might also happen that we pick up a biography we wouldn’t usually be interested in, thanks to the appealing art. A panel of award-winning graphic biographers will discuss and present their works.

With Gina Siciliano (I Know What I Am, Fantagraphics Books), Typex (Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol, SelfMadeHero), Gol (Cervantes: The Genius’ Fantasy, Europe Comics), moderated by Brigid Alverson

11:30 am – 1 pm Christophe Ferreira, Joanna Karpowicz and Gol signing @ booth 3747