Image Creators Host Webinars During Banned Books Weeks
by Gary Catig
This year, Banned Books Week, will occur from September 23 – September 29. The event is a celebration of the freedom to read. Image Comics will be partaking in the festivities by holding Library Livestreams with some of their popular creators. In collaboration with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association, the Livestreams will be a freewheeling discussion on creativity, freedom of expression, and the power of storytelling.
The assembled talent will include Nick Dragotta (East of West), Grace Ellis (Moonstruck), Pornsak Pichetshote (Infidel), Charles Soule (Curse Words) and Skottie Young (I Hate Fairyland). The schedule can be found below:
- Pornsak Pichetshote – Tuesday, Sept. 25th
- Nick Dragotta – Wednesday, Sept. 26th
- Grace Ellis – Thursday, Sept. 27th
- Charles Soule – Friday, Sept. 28th
- Skottie Young – Saturday, Sept. 29th
Eric Stephenson, Publisher at Image, says:
Freedom of Expression is a core value at Image Comics. Banned Books Week is an important opportunity to reflect on why free speech matters, and why this year’s Banned Books Week theme, ‘Banning Books Silences Stories’ is such a resonant one. Not too long ago, comics of all kinds were silenced, and today we see comics by marginalized voices as the most frequently challenged. We’re proud of our creators who are participating in these Library Livestreams, and thrilled to be a partner with CBLDF and the ALA Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table to advance the discussion about the power of free expression. In our challenging times, this conversation is one of the most important ones of all.
The webinars can be viewed for free on the Image twitch page at https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics. They will be from 7pm – 8pm EST with a 40 – 45 minute discussion with a moderator followed by 15 – 20 minutes of Q & A.
Normally, one would have to attend a convention to hear similar talks by this level of talent but it can all be viewed within the comfort of home.
