Europe Comics @ NCSFest 2019 ~ Europe Comics

A celebration of comics and cartoon art from all over the world, with superstar guests, seminars and workshops, a family zone, international comic art exhibitions … and a zombie walk! All of this is NCSFest taking place May 17-19, 2019, Downtown Huntington Beach, Los Angeles.

Hundreds of the world’s most celebrated creators are expected to attend the three-day event, participating in seminars, exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions and signing sessions, the vast majority of which will be free to the public. Europe Comics will be at the collective CALL IT BD! stand together with Québec BD, the French Comics Association, Lyon BD Festival, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and one of course, the most exciting and talented creator lineup in town: Alexandre Clérisse (Diabolical Summer), Pénélope Bagieu (Brazen), Dominique Bertail (Ghost Money), Lewis Trondheim (Maggy Garrisson), Laurence Baldetti (The Quest of Ewilan), Boulet (Notes), Guillaume Long (To Drink and To Eat), Max de Radiguès (Bastard) and Julie Rocheleau (About Betty’s Boob).

Here is the full list of CALL IT BD! events and signing sessions:

EXHIBITIONS

MAY 16-27: FRENCH COMICS FRAMED EXHIBITION @ Pacific City

A journey through 70 years of evolution of the bande dessinée medium from its origin to its modern form. Travel back in time and discover the diversity of franco-belgian comics.

FREE EVENT

MAY 11 – JUNE 2: HERO(INE)S EXHIBITION @ The Huntington Beach Art Center

A new exhibition reimagining classic comic characters as female icons.

FREE EVENT

MAY 16-19: 25 SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS OF QUEBEC COMICS @ Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

The Québec comic scene is today very dynamic and has a rich history that, unfortunately, often goes unrecognized. From its first known publication to its current successes, experience the authors, publishers, and characters that have shaped Québec comics as we know them today.

FREE EVENT

EVENTS AND PANELS

FRIDAY, MAY 17

10:15am Little Nothings with Lewis Trondheim @ Hyatt Regency – Vista Room

Winner of the coveted Grand Prix d’Angoulême lifetime achievement award, the most prestigious honor in European comics, French artist Lewis Trondheim has written or drawn more than 100 comic titles. Watch him live-draw a special page of ‘Little Nothings,’ his widely-acclaimed graphic novel.

TICKETED EVENT

10:30am The Webslingers! @ Hyatt Regency – Fountain Room

Dave Kellett literally wrote the book on how to succeed in webcomics! The creator of the hugely popular online comics ‘Sheldon’ and ‘Drive’ co-authored the Harvey Award-nominated ‘How To Make Webcomics.’ Cartoonist Boulet first found fame in his native France by publishing a comic strip blog, and a Twitter following 240,000 strong attests to his popularity. Belgium’s Max de Radiguès has adopted a punk ethos that sees much of his output begin life in fanzine format. Dana Simpson’s ‘Phoebe and Her Unicorn’ started out as an online feature on GoComics and is now syndicated to more than 100 newspapers. Shena Wolf, Director of Comics and Acquisitions for Andrews McMeel Syndication, moderates a discussion about successfully bypassing the traditional avenues of print.

TICKETED EVENT

2:30pm Going Underground @ Hyatt Regency – Fountain Room

Celebrating the work of four groundbreaking artists who have made their mark in the worlds of underground, generating both acclaim and controversy along the way. Their work explores themes that range from the oddball to the outrageous, from raw and risqué to sex, drugs and rock & roll. Underground comix pioneers Joyce Farmer and Mary Fleener are joined by Penelope Bagieu, author of ‘Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World,’ and illustrator, animator and entrepreneur Penelope Gazin.

TICKETED EVENT

SATURDAY, MAY 18

10am Liniers, Trondheim and Bassen Do a Strip on Stage @ Pier Plaza

Macanudo has grown over the past 15 years to be one of the most celebrated comic strips in South America, and Liniers has become one of the continent’s most beloved cartoonists with almost a million fans on Facebook. In France comic artists are the equivalent of rock stars and Lewis Trondheim is one of the most popular ones. Meanwhile Tuesday Bassen is one of L.A.’s most fashionable illustrators and designers. Watch them join forces for the first time on stage and draw a cartoon strip in front of your very eyes. Introduced by NCSFest Co-Director Julie Tait and Peter Kessler, Chairman of the UK’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival.

FREE EVENT

10:30am Comics Around the World @ Hyatt Regency – Fountain Room

There’s a wonderful world of comics out there and this is your opportunity to expand your horizons and find out what’s going on in Europe, Australia, the UK and Canada. Featuring Guillaume Long (France), Julie Rocheleau (Canada), Nick Brokenshire (UK) and David Blumenstein (Australia). Moderated by Thomas-Louis Coté (Québec).

TICKETED EVENT

12:30pm Comics – the Ninth Art @ Hyatt Regency – Fountain Room

Comics are taken very seriously in Europe where they’re referred to as the Ninth Art. Comic artists and writers are the equivalent to cultural icons. Come and greet top European comics creators including Max de Radiguès (Belgium), Laurence Baldetti (France), Alexandre Clérisse (France) and Dominique Bertail (France) as they discuss their work and the current comic scenes in their respective countries.

TICKETED EVENT

1:15pm Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World @ Huntington Beach Library

Penelope Bagieu reads from her book, Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World.

With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Pénélope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.

FREE EVENT

4pm Dinosaurs, Food… and Dinosaur Food! @ Huntington Beach Library

Boulet and Guillaume Long, two comics stars from France, draw their favorite things – dinosaurs, food and dinosaur food!

FREE EVENT

SUNDAY, MAY 19

10am Cartoon Battles @ Pier Plaza

Three pairs of cartoonists battle it out on stage to see who can be the fastest, funniest or even the weirdest! Starring Boulet and Luke McGarry, Jeffrey Brown and Julie Rocheleau and Tom Richmond and Ed Steckley, with cameos by Rick Stromoski and Sergio Aragones. Hosted by Steve McGarry and Jason Chatfield.

FREE EVENT

11:30am From Ghost World to Love & Rockets via Brazen – Great Comics: Great Stories @ Pier Plaza

Daniel Clowes and Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez are three of the greatest storytellers in contemporary comics. Daniel is best-known for Ghost World which was adapted into an award-winning feature film. Californian brothers Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez have created the greatest comics soap opera of all time taking place in a fictional Mexican town. Meanwhile Penelope Bagieu (France) is top of best-seller lists for her bold and imaginative storytelling. Discover what makes them some of the most celebrated comic artists with Peter Kessler & Julie Tait (UK).

FREE EVENT

2:30pm Giant Comic at the Pier

Come and watch a giant comic unfold along Huntington Beach Pier and follow the misadventures of Buddy the Octopus as he climbs out of the ocean onto the pier, dodging enemies and making friends along the way. Featuring an original script by the Orange County School of the Arts students, who will work alongside world-famous cartoonists and comic artists to bring Buddy’s adventures to life.

FREE EVENT

4pm Finale: The Zombie Concert @ Main Tent

Witness Zombies being brought to life in this world-first performance, featuring live drawing by The Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard (UK) and live cinematic music from internationally-renowned composer and musician Julien Limmone (France).

FREE EVENT