Our annual comic convention is going online for the second year! Don your cape, tights, and mask, then join us for a two-day celebration of the best in pop culture. Tune in all throughout the day Friday and Saturday for online panels on Zoom, a photo review of previous years’ Cosplay Contests, video drawing lessons, online screenings of classic animation, and more. Don’t forget to check out our virtual artists alley below!
Miss a panel? Check our Facebook page or Youtube Channel to view live streams and recordings of the day’s discussions.
Friday, September 03
Kids World Comics Crafts
10:00 AM
Drop into Kids World all throughout ComicFest 2021 to pickup a kid-friendly take-home craft. Share photos of your finished projects on Instagram with the hashtag #IkeLib.
Drawing Lessons with Justin Castaneda
Friday, 1:00 PM
Drawing your favorite characters is fun and easy when you follow along as artist Justin Castaneda shows you how. Scroll down this page to find Justin’s series of video drawing lessons.
Spider-Man through the Years
Friday, 2:00 PM
From nerdy high school student to Symbiote-covered wall-crawling anti-hero. From comics to cartoons, to Hollywood superstar. From Peter Parker to Myles Morales. Our Friendly Neighbohood Spider-Man has been though a lot of changes through the years. Join comics historian Mark Braun for a look at where Spidey has been and where he might be headed.
Special Guest: Animation legend Larry Parr, writer of all your favorite cartoons including Spider-Man, The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, The Smurfs, X-Men: The Animated Series, and more will join Mark for the discussion.
Manga Glass Painting
Friday, 3:15 PM
For Teens in Grades 7-12
Join Colleen and Becca to learn how to make a reverse glass painting of your favorite Anime and Manga characters. Register to reserve your free supply kit, available for pickup at the Library Answers Desk starting August 27th. Then join us on Zoom to paint with us.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Shorts
Friday, 7:00 PM
Before he created Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney had his first animated sensation with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Head over to our Facebook page for an online screening of some of the seldom seen short films starring Oswald.
Saturday, September 04
Visit the Cardboard Kingdom
Saturday, 9:30 AM
Join Illustrator Chad Sell and some of his collaborators for a look at their graphic novel following a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary cardboard into fantastic homemade costumes.
Monster Slayer Storytime
Saturday, 10:30 AM
Join Lisa Maggiore, author of the Ava the Monster Slayer series for a family-friendly reading of one of her books.
The Artistic Process
Saturday, 11:15 AM
Artist Steph Stanga talks with Naomi from the Eisenhower Library about how she goes about creating her eye-popping illustrations.
Historical Cosplay Review
Saturday, 12:00 PM
Relive past Eisenhower comic conventions and other library events with a slideshow of awesome cosplayers.
Amy Chu and Women in Comics
Saturday, 12:45 PM
Amy Chu self published her first comics story in 2012 and began writing comics stories full-time in 2016 after DC Comics hired her for Poison Ivy’s first solo series. Since then she has worked on Wonder Woman, Deadpool, Ant-Man, Green Hornet, Dejah Thoris, Red Sonja, and countless others.
Sole Creators, Sole Voices
Saturday, 1:45 PM
Writing, pencils, inking, coloring. Some comic creators do it all. Gene Ha, Justin Castaneda, and Mark Crilley discuss working solo.
Chicago POC Cosplay
Saturday, 2:45 PM
Karissa Kossman of the Chicago POC Cosplayers discusses all things cosplay, costuming, and spreading the awesomeness of all people of color cosplayers!
The Fleischer Superman Series
Saturday, 7:00 PM
Head over to our Facebook page for an online screening of the1940’s classic animated Superman shorts edited together into a feature length motion picture.
Cosplay Costume Contest
Relive past Eisenhower comic conventions and other library events with a slideshow of awesome cosplayers.
Draw with Justin Castaneda
Learn to draw Peppa Pig, Wizards & Witches, Spider-Man, and Darth Vader with comic book artist Justin Castaneda.
Justin is the creator of the When I Was Little picture book series and the hardcover children’s book, HEART. He also works with the Chicago Public Library providing coloring sheets in celebration of Asian-American Pacific-Islander Heritage Month every May. Visit Justin online at whenuwerelittle.art.
Digital Comics on Hoopla
Your Eisenhower library card gives you access to a world of digital comics on your tablet, computer, or mobile device. With participating publishers from Marvel and DC to Top Shelf and Fantagraphics, Hoopla has something for everyone.
Get started now at hoopladigital.com.
Artist & Author Alley
Many talented artists, writers, and vendors have participated in our convention over the years. Please support them by visiting their sites, shops, and social media pages.
