ComiqueCon Returns to Dearborn, Oct. 22

Following up from last year’s critically acclaimed festival, ComiqueCon, a one-day community celebration honoring women in comics, is returning to the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Mich. on Oct. 22. The festival brings together female artists, writers, publishers and fans for a day of fun and discussion on the growing impact of women readers of comics and graphic novels.

“We’re very excited to bring ComiqueCon back for another year,” founder Chelsea Liddy said. “In our first year, we had such a positive response from fans of all ages and we’re looking forward to making ComiqueCon even better. The continued popularity of female characters in comic books and graphic novels proves that the genre isn’t just for one audience anymore. Our goal is to highlight and celebrate that diversity. The future of comics is female!”

This year’s festival, which is co-sponsored by Green Brain Comics and the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, has already announced several main stage presenters including: Mariko Tamaki, Eisner award-winning author of This One Summer; Natasha Alterici, creator of Heathen; Janelle Asselin, owner and publisher of Rosy Press; Jennifer Camper, editor of Juicy Mother and creator of the Queers & Comics conference;Megan Rose Gedris, creator of Meaty Yogurt; Arielle Jovellanos, artist on Fresh Romance and Jem and the Holograms; Sarah Kuhn, author of Heroine Complex; Nneka Myers, artist on PowerPuff Girls; Carolyn Nowak, illustrator of Lumberjanes; and Ashley A. Woods, artist on Niobe: She is Life.

Planned events include a cosplay contest with prizes for the best costumes, artist panel discussions, and an exhibitor area featuring up-and-coming comic creators. These year’s panel topics include: How to Master the Pitch; Making Diversity Mainstream; Working with Licensed Characters; and Bringing Back Romance in Comics. Additionally, ComiqueCon will offer more all-ages activities, including a Lumberjanes coloring workshop, superheroine crafts, mini-comic creation and a writing workshop with 826Michigan.

Other planned activities include an exclusive Drink & Draw event at 8 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Green Brain Comics. Comic fans 21 and up can meet and mingle with ComiqueCon’s featured guests in an intimate setting while enjoying local music, casual sketching and coloring, and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for the Drink & Draw are $25 in advance.

Tickets for ComiqueCon are $12 in advance and can be purchased online at http://comiquecon.com. Tickets at the door are $15. Children ages 12 and under can attend for free. Advance ticket purchases include a special ComiqueCon variant edition of HEATHEN by Natasha Alterici to be picked up on the day of the convention.

To learn more about guests and exhibitors, view updated schedule information, and purchase advance tickets, visit comiquecon.com.