SATURDAY 10 am | 11 am | Noon | 1 pm | 2 pm | 3 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm

SUNDAY 10 am | Noon | 1 pm | 2 pm | 3 pm

Friday Kickoff Events

(exact time to be announced)
Put a Voice to your Character!

Join voice actor Neil Kaplan for an interactive discussion and demonstration of how one can express their characters’ inner lives through voice! Bring your own characters to practice road-tested techniques shared by the voice behind characters from Transformers, Digimon, Power Rangers, StarCraft, and more. Lots of laughs to be had, and you might just learn a new way to think about creating your next comics character!
Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

Saturday

10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Artist Alley
3rd Floor – All Ages

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Comics Quickfire!
Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Attendees of the Comics Quickfire are encouraged to participate, even if they can only draw stick figures or make silly suggestions. Featuring Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), Raina Telgemeier (SMILE), Chris Houghton (Reed Gunther), Gale Willams (Patbird & Galesaur) Jerzy Drozd (The Front) & more!
Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Super Awesome Kids Spot!
Join in some high-energy fun in the AADL Youth Area, including:

• Make a Comic Strip: Easy-to-use templates let you focus on creating some fun characters engaging in hilarious antics!
• Superhero Masks: Who’s under that mask? Color your own mask and become a shining superhero or sinister villain!
• Superhero Capes: Decorate your own fabric cape to show your symbol and magical powers!

Youth Area – Ages 2-6

11:00 am – Noon
Storytime with Neil Kaplan
You’ve never had a storytime like this at your public library! Join voice actor Neil Kaplan for a reading of Winnie the Pooh & the Honey Tree. The voice behind many fan-favorites such as Transformers, Digimon, Power Rangers, and StarCraft will give you a performance like no other.
Youth Area – Ages 2-6

Flour Power: Character Design with a Punch!
Learn tips and tricks to level up your character design chops from Krishna Sadasivam of PC Weenies. With a Q-n-D (Question-n-Draw) segment. Bring your drawing/cartooning questions!
Computer Lab – Teens and up

11:00 am – 12:30 pm
ComicsPlus: Bringing Digital Comics into Schools and Libraries
Digital comics pioneer iVerse Media is breaking new ground again by bringing digital comics and graphic novels into schools and classrooms worldwide with ComicsPlus: Library Edition. Project head Josh Elder (Reading With Pictures) will be on hand to answer your questions about the service and solicit your opinions to help make the service the best it can possibly be!
4th Floor Conference Room – Professional Development

11:15 am – 11:45 am
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with wit and verve by Jannie Ho, Dani Jones, Mike Roll and Joe Foo!
Robot Supply Store (Jannie Ho and Dani Jones)
and
AADL Entrance (Mike Roll and Joe Foo) – All Ages

Noon – 1:00 pm
Drawing WILD!

Create cool comic characters from WILD “nature clues”. This class will have you digging through a box of bones, skulls, bats and other “bio-facts” and observing creeping creatures as inspiration for a character. Folding and using a “field note” journal, exploring GeEKs (Ge0-Explorer Kids) will take notes then fit together the pieces to create a crazy collaged comic character. Make art and meet Kenny, the candy corn snake.
Garden Area – All Ages

Webcomics from the Ground Up
Want to get your work out there, but not sure how? The internet has made it easier than ever to publish and promote your independent work, and this crash course to the world of webcomics can help get you started.
Multi-Purpose Room – Teens and up

12:30 pm -1:00 pm
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with sass and sophistication by Chad Sell and Jono Balliet.
AADL Entrance – All Ages

1:00 pm -1:30 pm
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with spunk and humor by Gale Williams and Scott Chantler.
Robot Supply Store – All Ages

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Drawing When I Was Little
Learn how cartoonist Justin Castaneda got into book writing and illustrating. Explore the techniques he uses to create the When I Was Little series such as: writing about his own experiences, finding a style for the book, and how audience participation eventually began a key role in the evolution of the series. Participants will then create their own WIWL drawing to take home with them.
Garden Area – All Ages

Portfolio Review
Get some useful feedback on your comics work from J. Torres!
3rd Floor Quiet Study Room – All Ages

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Turn Your Life into a Comic!
Raina Telgemeier, author of the graphic memoir SMILE, shows how everyday moments of your life can be made into a comic strip!
Robot Supply Store – All Ages

Build a Lego, Make a Comic!
Take your Lego creation to the next level! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll bring in a lego character or diorama of your own creation and make a comic story about it!
Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
How to Draw the Adventure Time Characters
It’s Adventure Time! Ok, you love the TV show, but have you ever wondered how to draw the characters? In this event, the cover artist for the Adventure Time comic book series (Chris Houghton) will show you how to draw your favorite characters from the land of Ooo! Don’t miss out on this event which is sure to be fun for Adventure Time fans of all-ages!
Garden Area – All Ages

Portfolio Review
Get some useful feedback on your comics work from Scott Chantler!
3rd Floor Quiet Study Room – All Ages

Flatting Comics: Beyond the Paint Bucket
Flatting: it’s the process of laying down colors (or grey tones!) in Photoshop so that you can shade your comics more quickly and easily. In this workshop, Gale Wiliams will tell you why it’s awesome, walk you through the tools you need to flat successfully, and share some pointers to help you speed up the process.
Computer Lab – Teens/Professional Development

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with spunk and humor by Sally Carson and Jono Balliet.
AADL Entrance – All Ages

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Comics Are Great! Recorded in front of a live studio audience!
The Comics Are Great! video talkshow has been broadcasting live on Wednesdays out of the Ann Arbor District Library Netcast Studio for just over a year, but never before has it been recorded live in front of a studio audience! Join host Jerzy Drozd as he talks with many of the KRC guests about the event and what makes comics so great for kids and adults. Participate in the discussion as the show is simulcast on the web!
4th Floor Conference Room – All Ages

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Pictionary Tournament
It’s an all-out battle for drawing supremacy in the AADL Pictionary Tournament! Fun for kids and adults alike!
Youth Area – All Ages

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with courage and cheer by Jalen Sparrow and Rachel Polk.
Robot Supply Store – All Ages

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Portfolio Review
Get some useful feedback on your comics work from Diana Nock!
3rd Floor Quiet Study Room – All Ages

The World in Vector- A look into Adobe Illustrator
Jannie Ho gives a demonstration on the use of Adobe Illustrator for creating artwork and comics. The concept of vector art vs. pixel art will be discussed with tips on getting started, especially learning the all-powerful pen tool.
Computer Lab – Teens/Professional Development

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Make an Ellie McDoodle/Wimpy Kid Book
Join Ellie McDoodle creator Ruth McNally Barshaw for a 90-minute workshop exploring how to make a book in the popular style of Ellie and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The writing-plus-art journal format is exciting kids around the country with more and more new books. Bring your idea for a story (something that happened to you or someone close to you) and become part of the excitement. Roll up your sleeves and get to work like a real cartoonist — brainstorming, creating, writing, drawing, and finally putting together a 12-page cartoony book about your life!
Robot Supply Store – All Ages

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Make a Mini-Comic!
Matt Feazell’s legendary Mini-Comic workshop! Make an 8-page book out of one sheet of paper AND learn the secrets to telling a comic book story to fill those pages in 90 minutes or less.
Garden Area – All Ages

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Underwater Tomato Ninja
Games give us other ways to think about tackling challenges from gardening to space battles. Why not play a game to make a game? In this hands-on workshop game developer and cartoonist Rob Stenzinger will introduce you to HTML5 Game Development. Daedal Games Co. needs your help to improve their latest game Underwater Tomato Ninja!
Computer Lab – All Ages

My Life in Webcomics (Panel)
Thanks to web publishing, it’s never been easier to get your work out to an audience. But even so, publishing your comics on the Internet is not without its challenges. Join webcomics stars Tony Cliff (Delilah Dirk), Scott Yoshinaga & Audra Furuichi (nemu*nemu), and more for a discussion on how they’ve navigated the choppy waters of managing a web presence, finding their audience, and making a living. Moderated by Josh Elder.
4th Floor Conference Room – All Ages

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
The Legend of Puppetbening Live!
Kevin Coppa will entertain the audience with puppets from the fan favorite Puppetbenders, showing examples of the work and production involved in the making of the web shorts. Learn how to fire bend like a pro bender through the magic of film making!
Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Life in the Writer’s Room (Panel)
Learn how one has to “write visually” when making graphic novels. Join a celebrated group of authors, including Jim Ottaviani (FEYNMAN, SUSPENDED IN LANGUAGE), Dan Mishkin (AMETHYST, PRINCESS OF GEMWORLD, CREEPS, THE FOREST KING), Paul Storrie (GOTHAM GIRLS, JUSTICE LEAUGE: UNLIMITED), and Rob Worley (SCRATCH 9) for a discussion on the special considerations facing a graphic novel writer. How does one write a series of actions that will ultimately be rendered as static images? Does one write dialogue differently in the medium of comics? What kinds of scripts do you need to prepare for an artist? And how do you find a story or characters readers will care about? Find out how from this stellar group of writers!
Robot Supply Store – All Ages

Sunday

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Librarian/Educator/Cartoonist Mixer!
A special event for comics advocates before the Sunday festivities begin! Join us for refreshments and discussions on how to make comics more accessible in libraries and schools. Registration is required – RSVP HERE!
Hatcher Gallery Space (University of Michigan) – Professional Development

Noon – 6:00 pm
Artist Alley
3rd Floor – All Ages

Noon – 1:00 pm
Drawing WILD!
Create cool comic characters from WILD “nature clues”. This class will have you digging through a box of bones, skulls, bats and other “bio-facts” and observing creeping creatures as inspiration for a character. Folding and using a “field note” journal, exploring GeEKs (Ge0-Explorer Kids) will take notes then fit together the pieces to create a crazy collaged comic character. Make art and meet Kenny, the candy corn snake.
Garden Area – All Ages

Reading With Pictures: Transforming the Role of Comics in the Classroom
Join Josh Elder, founder and president of Reading With Pictures, for a presentation and Q&A session on all things comics in the classroom – including RWP’s gamechanging “Graphic Textbook” being produced in conjunction with Northwestern University! All educators, librarians, students and parents are welcome!
4th Floor Conference Room – Professional Development

Noon – 2:00 pm
Super Awesome Kids’ Spot!
Join in some high-energy fun in the AADL Youth Area, including:

• Make a Comic Strip: Easy-to-use templates let you focus on creating some fun characters engaging in hilarious antics!
• Superhero Masks: Who’s under that mask? Color your own mask and become a shining superhero or sinister villain!
• Superhero Capes: Decorate your own fabric cape to show your symbol and magical powers!

Youth Area – Ages 2-6

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with spunk and humor by Sally Carson and Jono Balliet.
AADL Entrance – All Ages

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Comics Quickfire!

Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Attendees of the Comics Quickfire are encouraged to participate, even if they can only draw stick figures or make silly suggestions. Featuring Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), Raina Telgemeier (SMILE), Chris Houghton (Reed Gunther), Gale Willams (Patbird & Galesaur) Jerzy Drozd (The Front) & more!
Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
How to Draw the Adventure Time Characters

It’s Adventure Time! Ok, you love the TV show, but have you ever wondered how to draw the characters? In this event, the cover artist for the Adventure Time comic book series (Chris Houghton) will show you how to draw your favorite characters from the land of Ooo! Don’t miss out on this event which is sure to be fun for Adventure Time fans of all-ages!
Garden Area – All Ages

Portfolio Review
Get some useful feedback on your comics work from Chris and Ginger Ludden!
3rd Floor Quiet Study Room – All Ages

The Genesis of Two Generals
Scott Chantler walks you through the process of researching his Eisner-nominated graphic memoir Two Generals. A unique look at the process — from the beginning of an idea to the final product — of creating a book that is both personal and historical.
4th Floor Conference Room – Teens and up

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Drawing When I Was Little
Learn how cartoonist Justin Castaneda got into book writing and illustrating. Explore the techniques he uses to create the When I Was Little series such as: writing about his own experiences, finding a style for the book, and how audience participation eventually began a key role in the evolution of the series. Participants will then create their own WIWL drawing to take home with them.
Garden Area – All Ages

Portfolio Review
Get some useful feedback on your comics work from Diana Nock!
3rd Floor Quiet Study Room – All Ages

Flatting Comics: Beyond the Paint Bucket
Flatting: it’s the process of laying down colors (or grey tones!) in Photoshop so that you can shade your comics more quickly and easily. In this workshop, Gale Wiliams will tell you why it’s awesome, walk you through the tools you need to flat successfully, and share some pointers to help you speed up the process.
Computer Lab – Teens/Professional Development

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Quick Draw!
Imagine an episode of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” starring a group of quick-thinking cartoonists, and you’ll begin to get the picture of Quick Draw. It’s improvisational cartooning with plenty of audience participation, brought to you with courage and cheer by Jalen Sparrow and Rachel Polk.
AADL Entrance – All Ages

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Bigfoot Boy Sighting
Bigfoot Boy, the graphic novel by J. Torres and Faith Erin Hicks, isn’t out until September but you can get an exclusive sneak peek and participate in a live reading at Kids Read Comics!
Multi-Purpose Room – All Ages

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Portfolio Review
Get some useful feedback on your comics work from Scott Chantler!
3rd Floor Quiet Study Room – All Ages

The World in Vector- A look into Adobe Illustrator
Jannie Ho gives a demonstration on the use of Adobe Illustrator for creating artwork and comics. The concept of vector art vs. pixel art will be discussed with tips on getting started, especially learning the all-powerful pen tool.
Computer Lab – Teens/Professional Development

Interactive Graphic Novel Theater
A live comics reading involving lots of audience participation and silliness. Raina Telgemeier (SMILE) and Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy) will perform chapters from their all-ages graphic novels including a scene from Raina’s upcoming book DRAMA! The illustrated panels will be projected onto a large screen for all to see, and volunteers from the audience will be chosen to play some of the characters.
4th Floor Conference Room – All Ages

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Make a Mini-Comic!
Matt Feazell’s legendary Mini-Comic workshop! Make an 8-page book out of one sheet of paper AND learn the secrets to telling a comic book story to fill those pages in 90 minutes or less.
Garden Area – All Ages