Rise of the Graphic Novel – Commonwealth Club panel event on Monday, April 25, 2010

Gene Yang, Creator, American Born Chinese
Andy Hartzell, Creator, Fox Bunny Funny
Lark Pien, Creator, Long Tail Kitty; Colorist, American Born Chinese
Dash Shaw, Creator, Body World and Bottomless Belly Button
Summerlea Kashar, Acting Director, Cartoon Art Museum – Moderator

The popularity of graphic novels is exploding. For many years, these comics were not taken seriously by readers or critics; however, with the recognition and success of works like Ghost World, Persepolis and American Born Chinese, graphic novels have surged to a widely respected status in the literary and art landscape. How did this happen? Are we as a society simply tired of reading huge, verbose novels? Or does this shift illustrate a new appreciation of the synthesis between visual art and literature? Leaders of the form talk about these issues and more.

Graphic Novel Art Contest

Want to show off your graphic novel art prowess? Think your art could beat out others from all over the Bay Area? Just interested in checking out up-n-coming graphic novel artists? Lucky for you, we’re having a graphic novel art contest during the reception after our panel, Rise of the Graphic Novel. Folks will let their creativity run wild in an attempt to blow away the audience and take home the win (and signed copies of novels by Andy Hartzell, Gene Yang, Lark Pien and Dash Shaw).

Contest Details:

• 1 Grand Prize winner will have their submission featured on the Cartoon Art Museum’s website
• 3 runner-ups will win graphic novels signed by Andy Hartzell, Lark Pien, Gene Yang & Dash Shaw