San Mateo County Libraries is bringing back Comic Arts Fest for February 2018! 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.
This year, the Fest is expanding to include Burlingame Library, opens a new window, Daly City Library, opens a new window, Menlo Park Library, opens a new window, Redwood City Library, opens a new window, San Bruno Library, opens a new window, San Mateo Library, opens a new window, and South San Francisco Library, opens a new window.
Author Events | Workshops | More Fun Events
Author Events
Our list of confirmed guests is listed below. Check back for more updates on events, authors and artists to come!
Mariko Tamaki, opens a new window
Saturday, February 3, 5:00 PM, San Carlos Library
Mariko Tamaki is known for writing the graphic novels Skim, Emiko Superstar, and This One Summer. She currently writes for Marvel and DC Comics for Hulk and Supergirl: Being Super. Books Inc., opens a new window will have books available for purchase at the event.
Mike Maihack, opens a new window
Thursday, February 8, 5:30 PM, opens a new window, San Mateo Public Library, opens a new window
Famous for the on-going series, Cleopatra in Space, Mike Maihack also writes the webcomic Cow & Buffalo and has contributed to a number of anthologies.
Trina Robbins, opens a new window
Thursday, February 8, 6:30 PM, opens a new window, Menlo Park City Council Chambers, opens a new window
From her role in the 1970s underground comix movement, to being the first female to draw Wonder Woman, comics pioneer and historian Trina Robbins has done it all! She’ll join us to share stories from her fascinating life and career.
Please reserve your free ticket, opens a new window for this event.
Small Press Comics EXPO
Saturday, February 10, 12:00 - 4:00 PM, opens a new window, San Mateo Public Library, opens a new window
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 thirty-five comics creators will be in attendance selling comics, books, and prints. Special guests Svetlana Chmakova, opens a new window, creator of Brave, and Paul Madonna, opens a new window, creator of On to the Next Dream, will give author talks and sign their books.
Please reserve your free ticket, opens a new window for this event.
Tabling Artists:
- Asterisk Press, opens a new window - Welcome to Flamingoville: A Gamebook
- Avy Jetter, opens a new window - Nuthin Good Ever Happens At 4am
- Breena Nuñez, opens a new window - Dear Sentida, Crocodile Girl
- Bryan E. West, opens a new window - Meat, Rebel Rebel
- Courtney La Forest, opens a new window - Listen: A Collection of Diary Comics
- Drawing Meats, opens a new window
- Joseph Thompson, opens a new window - Hellfire, ARK, Godhand
- Joolie Comix, opens a new window
- Karen Luk, opens a new window - Kinship, King Crab of the Castle
- Kids Comic Book Artists, opens a new window
- Kwento by Nica, opens a new window
- Labishka Ink , opens a new window - Monty Gomez is The Luchador
- Latino Comics Expo, opens a new window
- Lawrence Lindell Studios, opens a new window - Couldn’t Afford Therapy, So I Made This
- Leah Yael Levy, opens a new window
- Locust Moon Press, opens a new window - Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, Lost Work of Will Eisner
- Maia Kobabe, opens a new window - Fairy Tale
- Melissa McCommon, opens a new window - Epic Chaos
- Melissa Pagluica, opens a new window - Above the Clouds
- NPC Comics, opens a new window - BlackJacks, Boom Unit
- Paul Madonna, opens a new window - On to the Next Dream, All Over Coffee
- ScBingham, opens a new window - Homebound
- Sean Seamus McWhinny, opens a new window - Bunny Man
- Shaenon K. Garrity, opens a new window - Narbonic, Skin Horse
- Shingworks, opens a new window - The Meek
- South Bay Comickers, opens a new window
- Stephanie Hovden, opens a new window - Plight of Magalia
- Storybooked Life - 16 Flavors of Snow, Choices, Lucky the Jinn
- Svetlana Chmakova, opens a new window - Brave, Awkward
- Time Fiddler, opens a new window - Time Fiddler
- Wahab Algarmi, opens a new window - The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies
- Wow Cool Alternative Comics, opens a new window
Paul Madonna, opens a new window
Thursday, February 15, 7:00 PM, opens a new window, Burlingame Library, opens a new window, Lane Room
Nick Dragotta, opens a new window
Friday, February 16 at Lipman Middle School, Brisbane (Not open to the public)
Nick Dragotta’s comic career began at Marvel Comics working on titles as varied as X-Statix, The Age of the Sentry, X-Men: First Class, Captain America: Forever Allies, Vengeance, and Fantastic Four.
Nick currently draws the science fiction comic book East of West at Image Comics. In addition, Nick is also a co-creator of Howtoons, a comic series teaching kids how to build things and explore the world around them.
Nidhi Chanani, opens a new window
Saturday, February 17, 2:00 PM, Foster City Library
Owner of Everyday Love, Nidhi Chanani is also the author of Pashmina, a graphic novel about Priyanka Das’ relationship with her parents and her homeland India. Books Inc., opens a new window will have books available for purchase at the event.
Shing Yin Khor, opens a new window
Thursday, February 22, 7:00 PM, opens a new window, Burlingame Library, opens a new window
Judd Winick, opens a new window
Friday, February 23, 3:30 PM, Millbrae Library
Jen Wang, opens a new window
Saturday, February 24, 2:00 PM, San Carlos Library
Jen Wang’s newest book is the Prince and the Dressmaker. She is the creator of Koko Be Good and the graphic novel In Real Life, an adaptation of For the Win. Books Inc., opens a new window will have books available for purchase at the event.
Workshops
Make Your Own Mini-Comic With the Cartoon Art Museum
Thursday, February 1, 3:30 PM, Woodside Library
Work with published comic book author Karen Luk from the Cartoon Art Museum to learn how to make your own mini-comic. Signup is highly recommended as space is limited! Ages 11-14 and up.
Kids Comics Workshop With Wahab Algarmi
Saturday, February 3, 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 to starting and finishing their own short story and work together to make comics with each other.
Designing Your Own Flipbook With the Cartoon Art Museum
Wednesday, February 7, 2:00 PM, San Carlos Library
Work with Brian Kolm from the Cartoon Art Museum to learn how to design your own flipbook. Signup is highly recommended as space is limited! Ages 11-14.
Manga Basics
Friday, February 9, 3:30 PM, opens a new window, Menlo Park Belle Haven Branch Library, opens a new window
Manga/pop-style artist Alan Bosco Ocampo, a Menlo Park Library Comic-Con favorite, shares tips to help young artists develop their drawing style. Drop-in – Grades K-8.
Comic Writing Workshop With the Walt Disney Family Museum
Saturday, February 10, 11:00 AM, opens a new window, Menlo Park Main Library, opens a new window
Explore the essentials of creating a successful comic: what makes a good story, how to write a script, the importance of thought-out characters and convincing dialogue, and how to plan for the inevitable visualization. Registration required – Grades 3 and up.
Make Your Own Mini-Comic With the Cartoon Art Museum
Wednesday, February 14, 2:30 PM, Portola Valley Library
Work with Brian Kolm from the Cartoon Art Museum to learn how to plan out your own comic book. Prior signup is highly recommended as space is limited! Ages 11-14 and up.
Peanuts in the Library
Thursday, February 15, 4:15 PM, opens a new window, Menlo Park Main Library, opens a new window
Explore the art of cartooning and animation with the Charles M. Schulz Museum! Students will create a comic strip and a hand-drawn animated sequence for the zoetrope, and experiment with basic stop-motion computer animation. Registration required – Grades 3-6.
Design Your Own Cartoon Character With the Cartoon Art Museum
Friday, February 16, 3:30 PM, Brisbane Library
Work with a published comic book author from the Cartoon Art Museum to learn how to design your cartoon character (superhero, manga star, funny animal, villain, etc.). Signup is highly recommended as space is limited! Ages 6-10 and up
Teen Program: Think It, Ink It
Tuesday, February 20, 2:30 PM, opens a new window, Menlo Park Main Library, opens a new window
Former animator Carlos Nieto III leads teens through the process of creating a comic book, teaching everything from writing to designing to drawing. Every major aspect of the comic book process will be explored, including panel layouts and simple thought exercises. Drop-in – Ages 13-19.
Comics on the Ipad Workshop With Thien Pham
Tuesday, February 20, 4:00 PM, San Carlos Library
Graphic novelist Thien Pham (Sumo, Level Up) will be showing his techniques for drawing a comic on an iPad Pro. Learn how he sketches, inks and colors using this growing digital platform for comics!
Design Your Own Cartoon Character With the Cartoon Art Museum
Wednesday, February 21, 2:00 PM, Half Moon Bay Library
Work with Brian Kolm from the Cartoon Art Museum to learn how to design your cartoon character (superhero, manga star, funny animal, villain, etc.). Signup is highly recommended as space is limited! Ages 6-10 and up
Manga Madness
Wednesday, February 21, 3:00 PM, Foster City Library
Carlos Nieto III will teach teens how to draw comic books in manga-style! Registration required -- Grades 6-8.
Anime Your Way
Thursday, February 22, 3:30 PM, opens a new window, Menlo Park Belle Haven Branch Library, opens a new window
Thursday, February 22, 6:30 PM, opens a new window, Redwood City Downtown Library, opens a new window
Former “Simpsons” animator Carlos Nieto III leads students in a comprehensive step-by-step drawing process, teaching techniques to help them create unique original characters. Drop-in – Grades K-8.
Parent and Child Cartoon Collaboration With the Cartoon Art Museum
Friday, February 23, 4:00 PM, East Palo Alto Library
Brian Kolm from the Cartoon Art Museum will work with you and your child to make your own cartoon! Signup is highly recommended as space is limited. Ages 6-10 and adults
Make Your Own Mini-Comic
Tuesday, February 27, 4:00 PM, Atherton Library
Work with a published comic book author to learn how to start making your own comic book with your own original characters. Prior signup is highly recommended as space is limited!
Intro to Storyboarding With the Cartoon Art Museum
Wednesday, February 28, 3:00 PM, Millbrae Library
Work with a published comic book author from the Cartoon Art Museum to learn how to plan out your own comic book. Open to youth in 5th-9th grade and prior signup is highly recommended as space is limited! Registration required, opens a new window - Grades 5-9.
More Fun Events
Escape Room
Saturday, February 3, 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM, opens a new window, South San Francisco Main Library, opens a new window
Assemble a team and work together to find clues, solve riddles, and piece together puzzles to make your way out of our comics-themed escape room. Registration is required; contact the library at (650) 829-3960 for details.
Superhero Training Camp
Saturday, February 3, 1:00 PM, opens a new window, South San Francisco Grand Ave Library, opens a new window
Superheroes constantly train their minds and bodies. Create your own superhero and learn how to defeat evil at our Superhero Training Camp, where you will test your knowledge, agility, and problem solving skills.
Intro to Trading Card Games
Saturday, February 10, 2:00 PM, opens a new window, South San Francisco Main Library, opens a new window
Learn all about trading card games like Yu Gi Oh! and Magic the Gathering. From rules to game setup, scoring, and strategies, this action packed event is great for beginners and the whole family. Starter packs provided! Bring your own trading cards to share with others.
Peanuts on the Go
Thursday, February 15, 2:45 PM, opens a new window, Menlo Park Main Library, opens a new window
Learn about local icon Charles Schulz and his comic strip Peanuts by learning how to draw Snoopy or Charlie Brown and creating several crafts to take home, including a Snoopy puppet, Snoopy ears, and fingerprint cartoon characters. Registration required - Grades K-2.
Superhero Storytime
Thursday, February 22, 11:15 AM, opens a new window, San Bruno Public Library, opens a new window
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!
"The San Mateo County Libraries’ COMIC ARTS FEST is the best Bay Area comics event/show, which has a wide-variety of guests and programming that spans a full month and makes it easier for fans to savor all the offerings of the fest at different library locations. I hope the fest grows and epitomizes the kind of comics fest that would make the bay area proud and attract comics fans from outside the area too!"
- Chris
