Celebrating Comics, Graphic Novel Literacy, the Legacy of Will Eisner, and Pop Culture
The Will Eisner Memorial Comic Con at The Avon-Washington Township Public Library is a fun, free, family-friendly event that brings together fans and creators, old and young, in celebrating the importance of stories and fandoms that connect us and enrich our lives. The con is dedicated to Will Eisner, the father of the graphic novel. Highlighting graphic literature, sequential art, and comics as a literary medium, our conference includes an Expo Hall featuring local and regional artists, authors, cosplayers, crafters, and media creators. Presentations and chats give attendees an opportunity to deep dive into topics of interest; fandom meetups provide opportunities to discuss favorite characters and meet others with similar passions; and everyone can take part in our virtual cosplay and art contests as well as our month long graphic novel reading challenge.
Out of an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic, all of our programs will be offered virtually. We will however have take-home craft activities available (while supplies last) in the Children's Department for you to pick up when you visit the library.
Please remember to adhere to CDC guidelines while visiting the library. Thank you!
Please remember to adhere to CDC guidelines while visiting the library. Thank you!
The Speakers
About Will Eisner
Will Eisner was born on March 6, 1917, to a poor immigrant family in Brooklyn, New York. By the time of his death, on January 3, 2005, Eisner was recognized internationally as a giant in the field of sequential art, a term he coined. He was and remains one of the most influential people in all of comics. In a career spanning nearly 70 years — from the dawn of the comic book to this age of digital comics — Eisner was truly the “Orson Welles of comics” and the “Champion of the Graphic Novel.”
A lifelong innovator, Eisner revolutionized the comics industry in the 1940s with his famed newspaper series “The Spirit,” and yet again in 1978 with his acclaimed A Contract with God, the first modern graphic novel. Always breaking new ground in the development of visual narrative and the language of comics, he authored three groundbreaking textbooks and pioneered using comics as an educational and instructional tool. Eisner taught and inspired hundreds of students and served as an inspiration and mentor to both fledgling and veteran artists. The comic industry’s most prestigious honor, the Will Eisner Award—the medium’s equivalent of the Oscar—is named for him. Visit www.willeisner.com for more information.
A lifelong innovator, Eisner revolutionized the comics industry in the 1940s with his famed newspaper series “The Spirit,” and yet again in 1978 with his acclaimed A Contract with God, the first modern graphic novel. Always breaking new ground in the development of visual narrative and the language of comics, he authored three groundbreaking textbooks and pioneered using comics as an educational and instructional tool. Eisner taught and inspired hundreds of students and served as an inspiration and mentor to both fledgling and veteran artists. The comic industry’s most prestigious honor, the Will Eisner Award—the medium’s equivalent of the Oscar—is named for him. Visit www.willeisner.com for more information.