Past Presentations
We gave a brief overview of the history of graphic memoirs--including their roots in the Underground Comix scene of the 1970s--and then discussed some of our favorite titles. We did an adapted form of the presentation later that spring for ITHACON.
For Eisner Week of 2024 we did an interactive performance of some scenes from comics and graphic novels that depicted characters talking about their queer identities or showed characters in gay relationships. After our performance, we invited audience members to play along, too.
In November of 2023 four students (Riley Rhoder, A.H. Poma, Valentine Hutchinson, and Caleb Cackowski) traveled to Philadelphia to present at the annual Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture conference. Their presentation was about their work with GNAB, the impact that it has on rural communities, and plans for expanding the program in the future.
The Graphic Novel Advisory Board did two presentations in the Spring of 2023 to highlight the history of Comic Book banning, and especially its newest incarnation: the targeting of books that deal with racism and sexism or that feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes.
We presented at the Tompkins County Public Library on March 3rd, and also at the Pippi to Ripley: Gender and Sexuality in Popular Culture Conference on April 21.
Presented as part of TCPL's Will Eisner Week celebration, the Graphic Novel Advisory Board (GNAB) hosted a virtual book discussion! The members of the GNAB will share their picks for favorite new graphic novels for a variety of audiences and ages, in fields such as memoir, realistic fiction, fantasy, and romance. We were pleased to have attendees of all ages, who were eager to share some of their favorite finds from the last few years!
Reading in Color: Expanding Representation Through Graphic Novels
Presented on February 19th, 2020 as a part of Ithaca Loves Teachers Week, we presented on how teachers can use graphic novels in their classrooms to expand representation.
Spring 2019
Watch our discussion of Rock and Riot by Chelsey Furedi ! We'll talk about what we liked, what we didn't, and how things like representation, happy endings, and similarities to Grease can make or break a story!
Grab your popcorn and join us, and if you want to read the comic first, you can find it here: Rock and Riot Comic
