Local 'Drink & Draw' Previews 'C2E2' Comic Book Convention

Comic fans who like to watch their favorite creators draw, and have some drinks while they're at it, can check both off their "to do" lists this Thursday right here in Wicker Park.

The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo—C2E2, for short—is hosting its first "Drink & Draw" at the Flat Iron, 1565 N. Milwaukee Ave., on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. Local comic artists Tim Seely, Art Baltazar, Franchesco and Chris Burnham will be sketching at the event. Fans will have the opportunity to meet with the creators and watch them draw. Amateur or aspiring artists are also invited to bring their pencils and sketch pads to get in on the action.

Kim Mueller, C2E2's director of talent and content, said the event was meant to get fans excited for the upcoming show and bring the community together by giving them an early taste of one of C2E2's main features.

"A huge part of our event is the Artists' Alley and working with creators to have them sketch and do signings for fans while they're at the show and sell their art," Mueller said. "So we figured a great way to get everyone excited for C2E2 itself was to kind of bring them a mini version of that in a meet-up fashion."

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In addition to mingling with other comics fans and watching artists work, attendees will be able to speak with C2E2 staff and let them know what they'd like to see at this year's convention.

"We don't think we have all the answers and know what everybody needs," Mueller said. "We love the feedback, we love suggestions, so whenever we have the opportunity to communicate with people—either through social media or through these in-person events—it's always good for us to hear who they care about, who they want to be at the show, what sort of experience they want."

Thursday's "Drink & Draw" is the first in a planned monthly series of fan meet-ups in Chicago as convention time nears. The C2E2 team hopes to continue getting fans excited for the show, as well as feedback about what they'd like to see come April.

"All of the events will have different themes, so they won't necessarily all be 'drink & draws,' but they'll be different types of events in different locations, hopefully touching on all the different interests of our fans," Mueller said.

C2E2 has been held at McCormick Place every spring since 2010. This year's convention will run from April 26-28 and will feature guests such as Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar from the 1960s "Batman" TV series, as well as a wide range of comic professionals.

Details about Thursday's "Drink & Draw" is available on its Facebook event listing, and more information about future fan meet-ups will be posted to C2E2's Facebook page.

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