Northwest Press

C2E2 Panel: Rewriting the Rules on Queers in Comics

// April 3rd, 2012 // // Events, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of C2E2! Depictions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters in comics seem to be breaking away from the purely positive “role model” portrayals that were common in comics over the past decade. Some creators aren’t shying away from sex, stereotypes and bad behavior in their pursuit of intriguing and well-rounded characters. As comics readers clamor for more explicit, more outrageous, and more extreme comics—and hail them as victories over timidity and political correctness—is it time to rewrite the rulebook on queer characters?

Charles “Zan” Christensen (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) moderates a lively, irreverent discussion about the wild frontier of queers in comics with panelists Stevie D and Joe Faust from the Comic Book Queers podcast, Robert Rodi (Codename: Knockout, Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers), and Tony Breed (Finn and Charlie are Hitched). Room N427bc

Norwescon Panel: The Gays and their Comics

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! Are comics pushing equality more or less than other mediums? What are some classics that may have been overlooked. What is hip and current? Are mainstream comics becoming more progressive in their portrayal of sexual minorities? How do indie publishers compare? Charles “Zan” Christensen  (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) joins moderator Ashley “nerdtastic” Cook and panelists Donna Barr and Christopher “Stu” Lange. Cascade 3&4

Norwescon Panel: *POW!* Breaking into Comics

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! How hard is it to get work in the field? Is it easier working as an individual or for a publishing company? All the insider advice you could want, including how to start your own publishing company, publishing tips and tricks, art tools, collaboration advice, self-promotion and a whole lot more. Charles “Zan” Christensen  (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) joins moderator Stan! and panelists David A. Rodriguez, Allen Gladfelter and Anina Bennett. Cascade 7

Norwescon Panel: They Sank My Book!

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! Take charge of your book-launch PR and avoid a maritime disaster. Most authors don’t know what kind of publicity their publisher will give them, don’t know what their own responsibility is, and have no idea how to fix things if the publisher screws up, which happens frequently. Come hear horror stories and tips from the pros on how to keep your launch from going horribly wrong. Charles “Zan” Christensen  (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) joins moderator Eileen Gunn and panelists Pierce Watters and Irene Radford. Cascade 7

Norwescon Panel: Queer Voices in SF/F

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, Misc, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! Science fiction and fantasy authors often use the fringes of mainstream culture as plot material. How do authors portray gender and sexuality in their works; and how realistic are the works of those who write outside their own identities? Are the tales of early authors who played with gender still relevant? And have these works changed fannish attitudes, and made those in the QUILTBAG community feel welcome?

Charles “Zan” Christensen (co-creator of The Power Within) joins moderator Dennis R. Upkins and panelists Keffy R. M. Kehrli and Jeliza Patterson. Cascade 5

Norwescon Panel: Activism Through SF/Fantasy Writing and Art

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, Misc, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! Can art change the world? What statement can you make through science fiction writing and art? Panelists will share success stories and discuss strategies for effective activism through art and writing. Charles “Zan” Christensen (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) joins moderator Anina Bennett and panelists Paul Guinan and Todd Lockwood. Cascade 7

Norwescon Panel: Minorities in Comics

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, Misc, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! How do American comics differ from manga or European comics? When will there be less sexism in mainstream comics? Are token minorities better than none at all? What strengths and weaknesses are there in this medium for representing a unique look at these issues? Charles “Zan” Christensen (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) joins moderator Dennis R. Upkins and panelists Ashley “nerdtastic” Cook and Kate Merriwether Lynch. Cascade 7

Norwescon Panel: Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Speculative Fiction in Comics

// April 2nd, 2012 // // Events, Misc, The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within

Part of Norwescon 35! Comics as a format has great potential for fantasy and science fiction. Here’s a look at some of the great work of the past and what’s being published currently, from recurring comics to graphic novels, and how the format affects the stories being told. Charles “Zan” Christensen  (The Mark of Aeacus, The Power Within) joins moderator Ashley “nerdtastic” Cook and panelists Bryan Syme, Donna Barr, and Shon C. Bury. Cascade 5

“That Comic Isn’t About Me” at GeekGirlCon

// September 8th, 2011 // // Events

GeekGirlCon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and celebrating the contribution and involvement of women in all aspects of the sciences, science fiction, comics, gaming and related Geek culture through conventions and events that emphasize both the historic and ongoing contribution and influence of women in this culture. They are having their first annual convention on October 8th and 9th at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms in 2011, and Charles “Zan” Christensen from Northwest Press will be moderating a panel discussion about gender, sexuality and race in comics.

That Comic Isn’t About Me: Gender, Sexuality, and Race in Comics

Unless you’re a famous historical figure, a super-powered mutant, or the author of the story, odds are the comic isn’t actually about you. But that’s not usually what we mean when we think that. How important is it for us to easily identify with the characters being portrayed in a story, and what effect does that have on the diversity of the comics landscape? Why do readers so often overlook stories featuring characters whose gender, sexuality, race, class, or culture differs from their own? And how does the creator’s sense of identity seep into their creative work in both overt and subtle ways? Are we also tempted to tell stories just to people we identify with?

Join Ashley Cook (Giant Fire-Breathing Robot), Chris Lange (The Capitol Hillbillies), and Gail Simone (Batgirl, The Fury of Firestorm) (and perhaps another special guest or two) for a lively discussion about how our identities impact our comics reading and creating.

Gays in Comics: Year 24!

// July 9th, 2011 // // Events, Teleny and Camille

As mainstream companies DC and Marvel continue to frontline gay characters such as Batwoman and Northstar and hire top-level gay or gay-friendly creators, independent publishers and creators are publishing unequivocal content spotlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters, to the cheers of the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet. Founding moderator Andy Mangels (USA Today bestselling author of Star Trek novels and Iron Man: Beneath The Armor) hosts Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, head of Image Comics’s Skybound imprint), Chip Kidd (author, editor and designer, Bat-Manga, Rough Justice), Dan Parent (writer/artist, Archie, Betty & Veronica, creator of Archie’s new gay character and series, Kevin Keller), Jon Macy (writer/artist Teleny and Camille and Prism Queer Press grant recipient for Fearful Hunter), Paul Cornell (writer, TV’s Doctor Who and DC Comics’s upcoming Stormwatch and Demon Knights), and Greg Pak (writer, Incredible Hulks, co-writer, Alpha Flight, Herc). Plus a special video appearance by J. H. Williams III (co-writer/artist, Batwoman). And there’s always a surprise or two. Afterward, stick around for the hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social, hosted by Prism Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests!