Oct 14: Lecture | Manga as a Global Form with Kofi M. Bazzell-Smith

 

Join us for this FREE event! Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 Doors open 6:00PM Lecture starts 6:30PM 📌 JICC, Embassy of Japan 🎫 Registration Required  Join us for a talk on how manga serves as a bridge between cultures, a site of innovation, and a platform for new narratives! Kofi M. Bazzell‑Smith, artist, educator, and the first professor of Japanese manga practice in the United States, shares an inside look at his upcoming graphic novel Azuki, his work in U.S.–Japan cultural exchange, and the development of manga education in America. Drawing from years of training and research in Japan, Bazzell‑Smith will discuss how manga can serve as a bridge between cultures, a site of innovation, and a platform for new narratives. Kofi M. Bazzell‑Smith is an artist, educator, and former professional boxer specializing in Japanese manga. He is the first professor of Japanese manga practice in the United States, teaching in the School of Art at Rochester Institute of Technology. His work centers Black narratives within a Japanese medium, exploring manga as a space for cultural exchange, linguistic immersion, and new forms of storytelling. He is currently developing his first graphic novel, Azuki, and is represented by The Writers House Literary Agency. Bazzell‑Smith is the Founder and Director of the Manga Training Academy and leads a study abroad program in Tokyo that connects U.S. students with the Japanese manga industry. He is a U.S.–Japan Leadership Program Fellow (Class of 2025–26), a binational fellowship for emerging leaders shaping the future of U.S.–Japan relations, and he serves on the board of the U.S.–Japan Bridging Foundation, a scholarship organization supporting American students studying abroad in Japan. Events hosted at the JICC are free and open to the public. Due to capacity limits, registration through Eventbrite is required. Please cancel your reservation in advance if you cannot attend and refer to our website for events' specific start/end times. Registered guests are seated on a first come, first served basis. Registration does not guarantee a seat.   The JICC reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by JICC without the express written permission of those included within the photograph/video. In the event of a cancellation or if you require further assistance, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!   © 1981-2026 Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan   1150 18th St NW, Suite 100  ||  Washington, D.C. 20036 US To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.

Sept.10 @7pm: Frederick Noland at Solid State Books H Street in conversation with Dru Ryan

 

A friendly reminder that Frederick Noland launches Major Taylor tomorrow night at Solid State Books on H Street (600F H Street Northeast) in Washington DC at 7pm with Dru Ryan. Please RSVP here!

The Observer just named Major Taylor it's graphic novel of the month, with the reviewer adding "It’s a measure of Noland’s command that, after more than 300 pages of races, I was holding my breath." 

Tell all your friends and bring them along if you can!

  

Sept 15: Creating Characters: A Hands-On Comic Session with Spanish Cartoonists

 

Creating Characters: A Hands-On Comic Session

https://www.spainculture.us/city/washington-dc/creating-characters-a-hands-on-comic-session/

• Spanish Cultural Center, 2801 16th St NW Washington, DC 20009

  Admission

  Free, RSVP required.

• Tue, September 15, 2026
• 6:30 pm

 

Join Spanish comic artists Don Julio and Fran Mariscal for a fun, hands-on workshop creating unique characters using geometric shapes and random traits to get your own comic hero.

Spanish comic artists Don Julio and Fran Mariscal join the 2026 Small Press Expo (SPX) to present Portraits: Twelve Lives, Twelve Journeys. Commissioned by the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C., and curated by José Villarrubia, this graphic storytelling anthology reimagines the transatlantic experiences of prominent Spanish figures who spent part of their lives in the United States.

In addition to the panel presentation and book signings, Don Julio and Fran Mariscal will lead an interactive, hands-on character design workshop. The workshop invites participants to explore character design starting from fundamental geometric shapes before blending them into complex figures. Attendees will break traditional design conventions through a playful randomizer drawing exercise, pulling physical traits, character tropes, and personality quirks at random to create original comic characters.

Don Julio

Julio A. Serrano (Puertollano, 1983) holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Castilla–La Mancha (UCLM). He has been working for over fifteen years at the magazine El Jueves as a writer and illustrator. He has also collaborated with other publications such as Retranca and El Estafador. In addition to the thousands of pages he has drawn for magazines, he has published more than a dozen books with publishers such as RBA, SM, Bang!, and Fandogamia. He has also served as editor-in-chief at the digital children’s publishing house Makupipe. His best-known works include the history section DesHechos Históricos, the children’s series Cecilia Van Helsing, and the controversial activity books for adults Being a Fascist Is Wrongand Baby Jesus Doesn’t Hate Faggots. He also works as a scriptwriter in animation and video games, most notably on the multi-award-winning short film The Ghost of La Quinta. In addition, he is a comic scriptwriting instructor at Voxel School and at La Escuela Minúscula.

Fran Mariscal

Fran Mariscal (Jerez de la Frontera, 1995) is a comic artist and illustrator trained in Jerez and Barcelona. He has worked as an illustrator for Insólita publishing and on collective works such as Sombras de Aokigahara. In 2025, he published his first full-length work, Moribundo.

Sept 13: Gemma Correll at Wonderland Books

 

And we are so excited for a Sunday evening event (Sept. 13) with award-winning author, cartoonist and illustrator Gemma Correll at 6:30PM. She will be in the store to discuss her graphic memoir Anxietyland. In this funny and poignant book, Correll leads readers through the roller coaster of her mind in the wake of a panic attack. Her book has been featured in the New Yorker and NPR, and is Molly Ringwald's inaugural book club pick!  

301-347-7136 7920B Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814		Hours: 10-7 M-Sa, 10-5 Su

Tomorrow Sept 9: Jordan Morris at Third Eye Comics Short Pump, VA

 

TOMORROW! Good Mythical Morning & Spider-Man Spider-Versity writer Jordan Morris swings in to Third Eye Short Pump, VA!

Third Eye Faithful! We've got a spectacular new signing TOMORROW at our SHORT PUMP, VA location!  Meet comic writer & screenwriter Jordan Morris! Best known for his work on Good Mythical morning, he's got some dope comics out too! Check out Youth Group, Spider-Man Spiderversity, The Amazing Venom and get your copies signed this September 9/9 from 5-6PM!

EVENT LINK

Sept 22: “Roots Of Madness” Signing With Author Stephanie Williams At Fantom Comics

“Roots Of Madness” Signing With Author Stephanie Williams At Fantom Comics
The Ignition Press and DC Comics writer will be discussing her first creator-owned miniseries at Fantom Comics this September

 

Eisner Award nominated writer Stephanie Williams will be discussing and signing copies of her newest miniseries, Roots Of Madness, at Fantom Comics on September 22nd, 2026 at 6:30pm EST.

For the first time ever, rising star Stephanie Williams (Ignition Press, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Mad Cave Studios) will be sitting down with pop-culture pundit & author Sherin Nicole from RIOTUS (riot-us.com) to discuss her recent creator-owned miniseries, “Roots Of Madness” at Fantom Comics! Williams, who has made a name for herself in recent years with titles such as “Nubia & The Amazons” for DC Comics and “Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur: Wreck & Roll” for Marvel Comics, released her fi rst creator-owned miniseries in 2025 to rave reviews.

The horror miniseries, which has been described as “the body horror of The Substance meets the genre period drama of Sinners in a cosmic Lovecraftian tale” (Ignition Press) is directly inspired by the life of Madame C. J. Walker, the world’s fi rst recorded self-made millionaire. Known primarily for her revolutionary work in the realm of cosmetics & hair care for Black women, Walker was also a celebrated philanthropist & social activist that used her status as an entrepreneur to champion causes directly affecting the Black community in America in the 1900s.

After garnering attention on social media for her fan-made comic, “Living Heroes” in 2020 that featured the likes of Marvel’s Storm, She-Hulk, Misty Knight, & Monica Rambeau, Williams was immediately asked to lend her talents to titles at industry titans DC Comics & Marvel Comics respectively. In 2026, Williams made history when she was nominated in the category of Best Writer at this year’s Eisner Awards for her work on “Roots Of Madness”. Williams was the first ever Black woman to be nominated in the category, & only the second ever Black person after the late Dwayne MacDuffie’s nomination in 1995. Williams will write the upcoming Vixen series for DC Comics, giving the iconic hero her fi rst dedicated ongoing solo title since her introduction in 1981.

About Fantom Comics
Established in 2005, Fantom Comics is an open, inclusive comic book store that welcomes all people! If you’re a fan who wants to talk comics, a novice who wants to learn about comics, or are just looking for the right gift for the comic fan in your life, stop by for a visit to chat with our friendly staff at our Dupont Circle location!

Sept 11: “How I Got My Start in Art”: 12th Annual Small Press Expo Talk with Award-Winning Cartoonist Kim Deitch

“How I Got My Start in Art”: 12th Annual Small Press Expo Talk with Award-Winning Cartoonist Kim Deitch

Julie Seigel,

Library of Congress' Headlines & Heroes blog September 1, 2026 https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2026/09/cartoonist-kim-deitch/

The following is a guest post by Julie Seigel, a Reference Librarian in the Serial and Government Publications Division.

Attention comics fans everywhere: Mark your calendars! On Friday, September 11, 12–1 pm, cartoonist and storyteller Kim Deitch will act as your tour guide as you travel into the world of underground comics. The Eisner and Inkpot Award-winning cartoonist will draw from his six-decades-long career; Deitch has authored and illustrated several books, including his latest “How i Make Comics,” a graphic memoir on his creative process and collaboration with partner Pam Butler. Deitch’s work has also previously appeared in The East Village Other, LA Weekly, Heavy Metal, and RAW, amongst other publications.

Following the talk there will be a Q&A. Additionally, Deitch will preview an unpublished work alongside a small exhibit of comics and graphic materials from the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room and the Prints and Photographs Reading Room.An assortment of Kim Deitch’s books. Photo by Julie Seigel.

Event details

Where: James Madison Building, West Dining Room (LM-621)

When: Friday, September 11, 12–1 pm EDT

This event is free and open to the public, no registration is needed. For additional information view the Library’s event calendar.

The event heralds the arrival of Small Press Expo (SPX); an annual comics and graphic arts festival established in 1994 that celebrates artists, writers, publishers (and enthusiasts!) in independent comics. The festival recognizes outstanding work in comics and cartooning with the Ignatz Awards, named for George Herriman’s comic strip character Krazy Kat.

Discover more:

• Watch past SPX talks with comic creators, graphic novelists, and educators
• Browse the Small Press Expo Comic and Comic Art Web Archive featuring diary/autobiographical comics, long form stories, single comic panels, and others
• Read about other SPX collections and programs from Headlines & Heroes
• Starting mid-September, don’t forget to stop by the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room to view the SPX display!

Kayla E. at Femme Art Fair

 The Femme Art Fair opened tonight at The Square International Square, 5th Floor, 1850 K St. NW, Washington, DC and cartoonist Kayla E. is one of the participants. Kayla has a series of fine art paintings for sale. The show runs through Sunday, August 30.

 Her graphic novel Precious Rubbish is for sale in the shop on the ground floor on K St. 

 

 

It was a real pleasure to speak with her and her wife tonight and see her new art. Her graphic novel, an autobiographical story of child abuse and healing is a tough read, but well worth it. Unfortunately she won't be at SPX this year, although she won an Ignatz last year. 

There's a lot of interesting art in the show and Bruce Guthrie is taking photos of it as I write this. I'll link to his images later, but here's a few more that I took.

Baltimore's Susan Washington with her collages.

  

Michele Pred

 

 

Airco Caravan 

Our Daughter's Futures Fund

Sarah Brown-Bowers

 

Aug 29: Oliver Mertz at Fantom Comics

 Book launch: A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts, with music by Guh Face

https://www.facebook.com/events/1513994657079059/ 

Event by Fantom Comics, 6:30 - 8, 8-?

2010 P St NW, Upper Floor, Washington D.C., DC

Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook

 

writer/colorist Oliver Mertz joins us at fantom for a discussion & signing of his new Oni Press graphic novel A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS, a superpowered murder mystery set in the 1990s DC punk scene then at 8pm our friends in the band GUH FACE play a live set!

“From writer and colorist extraordinaire Oliver Mertz (The Monuments, First Law of Mad Science) and acclaimed artist Alex Diotto (Youth, Indigo Children) comes a weird tale of conspiracy, faded superheroics, and suburban angst in ’90s Washington, D.C.

 

Sixteen-year-old Ari Ackerman just witnessed a murder. Or two. Or maybe he didn’t. He’s not quite sure. What he does know is that he loves the Washington, D.C., punk scene and is trying very hard to process the perpetual impending death (and frequent resurrections) of his cancer-stricken father. Ari’s best friend, Maya Meng, just wants to hang out and go see Jawbox play at the Black Cat. But sadly, an escalating series of unexplained deaths can really ruin a perfectly good day. 

 

For readers who like What’s the Furthest Place from Here?, Love and Rockets, David Lynch, Daniel Clowes, Seinfeld, Agatha Christie, Powers, Fugazi, and Wes Anderson, A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts is sure to evoke all the feelings that come with being an outsider, making sense of the world around you, and finding your place in it.”

 

releases September 1, but you’ll be able to pick up an advance copy at our launch party!

Aug 30: Robin Ha at Fantom Comics

 Instant Noodles & Beyond book launch with Robin Ha

 https://www.facebook.com/events/1513994657079059/

Event by Fantom Comics

2010 P St NW, Upper Floor, Washington D.C., DC

Public  

 

longtime fantom friend Robin Ha returns for the launch of her new graphic novel cookbook INSTANT NOODLES & BEYOND. this is her first cookbook comic since her bestselling Cook Korean!! come through for an artist discussion and signing 

 

“From the award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller Cook Korean!, a graphic novel cookbook with more than 90 creative and easy recipes to upgrade your instant noodles into a fresh and satisfying meal.

 

This fun and unique cookbook–meets–graphic novel is a love-letter to instant noodles and their infinite versatility as a starting point for a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal. Filled with Robin Ha’s playful and colorful illustrations and imaginative instant flavor combinations, Instant Noodles and Beyond easily elevates your bowl or cup of noodles with easy-to-follow, detailed, visual recipes that leave no room for cooking confusion, plus amusing anecdotes and comic strip–style essays.

 

Explore the world of instant noodles, from Japanese ramen and Korean ramyeon, to Southeast Asian noodles and Mac & Cheese, plus recipes to make instant noodle besties, like kimchi, pickled radish, chili oil, and a marinated egg. Robin shares her favorite flavor combinations, transforming packets into a kimchi jjigae, carbonara, pozole, shrimp alfredo, mapo tofu, okonomiyaki, a sheetpan dinner, or even a carrot or kale salad—and thinks completely outside the bowl, with instant noodle French fries, rice crispy treats, and even Chex mix.

 

Perfect for a busy or lazy night, beginner or ambitious cooks, and especially lovers of instant noodles, this unique cookbook is sure to become a staple in your kitchen as much as instant noodles are.“

 

Aug 15: Art Hondros' Transformer artist chat

 

 Join us in downtown Washington DC for a Q&A with Takoma-Park based comics artist Art Hondros, In Conversation with comics journalist Mike Rhode! 

This program is free and open to the public and is in conjunction with the culminating exhibition, "Comics, et cetera," for the annual transformer Exercises for Emerging Artists program: E23 DwightMess Comics Lab!

Q&A with Art Hondros 

Saturday, Aug 15th 1pm

Transformer , 1404 P Street NW DC

 

Art will have all four issues of his current historical semi-biographical comic, Dot of the Mid Century for sale at the event.