Two of the comic book industry’s most celebrated veteran creators are joining forces to pass along their 90-plus combined years of knowledge to both new generations and working professionals alike.
Howard Chaykin and Mark Waid will debut “Comic Book U,” an intensive, all-day seminar on the craft and process of creating comics at UCLA’s Ackerman Hall on Saturday, Nov. 18. The in-person, seven-hour event will feature targeted segments on comic book creation, a catered lunch in the middle of the day, take-home supplies and lessons, and a dedicated networking event at the end. Tickets are on sale now for $150 at Eventbrite, and seating is limited to 120 attendees only.
Howard Chaykin is a cartoonist best known for American Flagg!, a graphic and transgressive game changer in the comic book business.
Mark Waid is a writer best known for Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross and one of the best-selling American graphic novels of all time.
“With each passing year, more and more beginning artists and writers dream of working in comics,” said Waid. “This is an exciting opportunity to teach them what we’ve learned about this unique craft, and we’re eager to pass along the tools and techniques they’ll need to know.”
“For the past fifteen years, I have done workshops for the major comic book publishers in the USA, as well as for film studies classes overseas,” said Chaykin. “These lectures on graphic narrative address skill sets that apply not only to comics but to all visual media, and I’ve been gratified by the response.”
The initial Comic Book U will take place at the Bruin Reception Room at Ackerman Hall on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. Future events will take place in other academic venues as well as at comic conventions, including the Albuquerque Comic Con and various Galaxycons. The event is produced by 7 Lafayette Speakers Bureau, an agency representing writers and artists for academic, convention, and other professional needs.
Comic Book U
About Howard Chaykin
Howard Chaykin is a 50-plus years veteran of the comic book business, delivering work as an artist and writer of every genre for every major and quite a few minor publishers in that half century. He’s spent time in the trenches of episodic television as well, moving up that ladder from co-producer to showrunner. That said, he’s happiest when the work waiting for him in the morning is comics.
About Mark Waid
In addition to winning multiple industry awards for his writing, Mark Waid has also served as an editor, publisher, and consultant for such companies as DC Comics and Humanoids. In the early 2010s, with business partner John Rogers, Waid helped pioneer the field of digital comics as publisher of the online-content site Thrillbent. He continues to produce dozens of comics every year.
About 7 Lafayette Speakers Bureau
7 Lafayette Speakers Bureau is an agency representing 20-plus writers, artists, and other interesting professionals for bookings at conventions, conferences, and in academia.
For more information, please visit 7Lafayette.com
