2019 Peninsula Libraries Comic Arts Fest Full Lineup Announced

Wow Cool Alternative Comics will be returning to the PLCAF Small Press Comics Expo on Saturday, February 2, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, at the Foster City Library. Like the 2018 event we will be bringing a variety of books and zines from Alternative Comics and Sparkplug Books with a variety of other books, posters and more. Sparkplug published artists Rina Ayuyang and Jason Shiga will be involved with the Comics Art Fest as well. Details in the official announcement below. See you there!

The Peninsula Libraries Comic Arts Fest is coming soon in February 2019! We’re celebrating the importance of comics, both as an art form and as valid literature, and enabling aspiring artists and readers of all ages through author visits, workshops, and comics-related programs.

We’ll be having events at all libraries throughout San Mateo County: Burlingame Library, Daly City Library, Menlo Park Library, Redwood City Library, San Bruno Library, San Mateo County Libraries, San Mateo Public Library, and South San Francisco Library.

Author Visits

Our list of confirmed guests is listed below. Check back for more updates on events, authors and artists to come!

PLCAF Small Press Comics Expo

Saturday, February 2, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Foster City Library

The Peninsula Libraries Comic Arts Fest presents the Small Press Comics Expo, a chance to support small press comics by buying work directly from the creators. Over forty-five comics creators will be in attendance selling comics, books, and prints. Special guest Kazu Kibuishi, author of the Amulet series, will give an author talk and will sign his books.

Please reserve your free ticket, for this event.

Tabling Artists:

Maia Kobabe

Wednesday, February 6, 4:00 PM, Belmont Library

Maia Kobabe graduated from the first ever class in the MFA in Comics program at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Eir first full-length book, Gender Queer: A Memoir, will be released by Lion Forge comics in 2019. E is also the illustrator of Tom O’Bedlam and has been published in numerous comics anthologies (The Secret Loves of Geeks, Advanced Death Saves, Faster Than Light Y’All). Eir work is heavily influenced by fairy tales, homesickness, and the search for identity.

Ryan North

Saturday, February 9, 2:00 PM, Millbrae Library

Ryan North – the Eisner-award winning and New York Times bestselling author and cartoonist behind Dinosaur Comics, Adventure Time comics, and Marvel’s Squirrel Girl, as well as non-fiction books like How To Invent Everything – takes you through the process of creating comics, fiction, non-fiction, and more in a hilarious and engaging overview of several distinct genres of writing! Comix Experience will have books available for purchase at the event.

Svetlana Chmakova

Saturday, February 23, 2:30 PM, Burlingame Library-Easton Branch

Svetlana Chmakova is an internationally published, award-winning manga author with more than a dozen published books and her work translated into over 13 languages. Following the overwhelming success of Awkward and Brave, Svetlana’s award-winning Berrybrook Middle School series continues with its next installment – Crush! Svetlana will talk about the Berrybrook series and her future work. She will also sign copies of her books after her talk.

Mark Fiore: The Art of Politics

Monday, February 25, 7:00 PM, Menlo Park Library-Main Branch

Mark Fiore, the Pulitzer Prize-Winning political cartoonist who the Wall Street Journal has called “the undisputed guru of the form,” currently creates topical animations for KQED. He’ll talk about his career and the state of political criticism.

Manu Cornet Thursday, February 28, 7:00 PM, San Mateo Main Library, Laurel Room Join us for an hour with French programmer, cartoonist, writer and musician Manu Cornet. Manu will discuss his comics including his book Goomics, a book satirizing Google corporate culture.

Workshops With Illustrators

Chibis & Monsters With Karen Luk

Monday, February 4, 4:00 PM, Brisbane Library

Join artist Karen Luk as you learn how to draw cute versions of popular cartoon characters, animals and/or monsters. Chibis & Monsters With Karen Luk Tuesday, February 5, 3:30 PM, Portola Valley Library

Join artist Karen Luk as you learn how to draw cute versions of popular cartoon characters, animals and/or monsters. Make a Hero With Karen Luk Thursday, February 7, 4:00 PM, Atherton Library Artist, Karen Luk, will lead this drawing class for tweens and teens. As a group, participants will describe what a hero is and then create a superhero from the suggestions. Original heroes are emphasized, based on power, weakness, environment, species, and age. Character design will be a key focus. Call the library to register for this program.

Kids Comics Workshop With Wahab Algarmi

Saturday, February 9, 2:00 PM, Half Moon Bay Library

Join Bay Area artist Wahab Algarmi for a kids’ comic making workshop! Wahab is an experienced artist, comic book maker, father of two young children and a master of getting kids to work together. In the class, kids will learn the basics of starting and finishing their own short story and work together to make comics with each other.

Make Your Own Minicomic With Debbie Huey

Sunday, February 10, 2:00-3:00 PM, Menlo Park Library-Belle Haven Branch

Join author Debbie Huey (Bumperboy) as she shows you her process in drawing comics. Then we’ll create an original comic book character that no one has ever seen before, and start writing a story for them in your own minicomic! For ages 8-12.

Make a Hero With Karen Luk

Tuesday, February 12, 3:30 PM, Woodside Library

Artist, Karen Luk, will lead this drawing class for tweens and teens. As a group, participants will describe what a hero is and then create a superhero from the suggestions. Original heroes are emphasized, based on power, weakness, environment, species, and age. Character design will be a key focus. Call the library to register for this program.

Cartooning 101 With Brian Kolm

Tuesday, February 19, 2:00 PM, Belmont Library

Learn how to draw cartoons with cartoonist Brian Kolm. Registration required and opens on Monday, February 4. Register here.

Beginning Comics With Maia Kobabe

Wednesday, February 20, 2:30 PM, Foster City Library

Learn the basics of creating comics, from pacing, framing, character expressions and story planning in this hour-long workshop! Sign up required. For ages 10+.

Cartooning Basics With Sirron Norris

Saturday, February 23, 2:00 PM, San Carlos Library

Learn to design characters and create expressions in a one-hour workshop taught by the lead artist of the animated show “Bob’s Burgers.” For ages 6-16. Sunday, February 24, 2:00-3:00 PM, Menlo Park Library-Belle Haven Branch Learn to design characters and create expressions in a one-hour workshop taught by the lead artist of the animated show “Bob’s Burgers.” For ages 7-15.

Design Your Own Superhero With Brian Kolm

Tuesday, February 26, 3:30 PM, Pacifica Sharp Park Library

Learn how to design your own superhero with artist Brian Kolm. Drawing lesson at 3:30-4:30 PM, guided drawing with help from Brian at 4:30-5:30 PM. For grades 5-8.

Manga Mania/Intro to Manga With Karen Luk

Tuesday, February 26, 4:00 PM, East Palo Alto Library

Join artist Karen Luk as she teaches you how to draw chibis: cute and small character types. You’ll also learn standard proportions for other manga-style characters.

Create a Choose Your Own Adventure Comic With Jason Shiga

Tuesday, February 26, 6:30 PM, Burlingame Public Library-Main Branch

Go behind the scenes with Jason Shiga (Demon, Meanwhile) and his 20 year career making choose-your-own-adventure style comics. Jason shares his one of a kind experiments and methods so you can learn the secrets of creating your own interactive comics! Seating is limited so please sign up. For ages 15 to adults.

Design Your Own Superhero With Brian Kolm Wednesday, February 27, 3:00 PM, Millbrae Library Work with Brian Kolm of Atomic Bear Press to learn how to design your own superhero. Open to youth in 5th-9th grade and prior signup is highly recommended as space is limited!

More Fun Events

Film Screening: The Animated Century

Tuesday, February 12, 6:30-8:00 PM, Menlo Park Library-Main Branch

This first-ever comprehensive history of animation worldwide presents clips from 160 films from 26 countries, discussing the most significant animated films of the past 100 years.

Superhero Storytime

Thursday, February 21, 11:15 AM, San Bruno Public Library

Join us for a superhero-themed storytime, celebrating the superheroes of San Bruno – the Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department. There will be an opportunity to check out a police car, fire truck, and public works streets maintenance vehicle!

Film and Filmmaker: “Drawn Together”

Tuesday, February 26, 6:30-8:30 PM, Menlo Park Library-Main Branch

“Drawn Together: Comics, Diversity and Stereotypes” brings together three artists who confront stereotypes and racism in modern America. We’ll watch the film together, and then discuss it with director Harleen Singh.