Comic book fest ready to get graphic at Clark County Library

Boom, smack, kapow — the 14th annual Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival is set for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

Marquee talent scheduled to contribute to this year's festival includes Matt Wagner, Jen Van Meter, Chris Staros, Russell Lissau, Dan Schkade, Spencer Brinkerhoff III, Amy Chu, Carla Speed McNeil and Ben Saunders, plus live music by The DoubleClicks and Internet ukulele sensation Molly Lewis.

In addition to panel discussions and workshop sessions, the event is set to feature a screening of the documentary film "Stripped," to be followed by a chat with filmmakers Dave Kellett and Frederick Schroeder and a live edition of the popular podcast Rachel and Miles X-Plain the X-Men.

Festival organizer Suzanne Scott said when the festival launched, programming was originally geared toward adult comic book fans, but the offerings have since grown to cater to a wider audience.

"It's evolved, and each year, we see a more family-oriented audience coming," she said. "We still get a lot of adults and teens, but we're seeing more and more kids."

That's not to say the event is all about kids now. Scott said whether readers are looking for pop culture, an intellectual angle or workshops designed to help artists and writers break into the industry, there's a little something for everyone. She said fans and staff are even invited to dress up as their favorite characters.

Festival co-chair Pj Perez, founder of Pop! Goes the Icon, a Las Vegas-based comic book, graphic novel and illustrated fiction publisher, said the festival is for more than just the iconic comic book-collecting "nerd."

"We welcome that person, too," he said. "But it's just like the Vegas Valley Book Festival: It's a family event; you see all sorts of people come out, and there's hardcore comic book geeks, and there's people who have never read a comic before in their lives.

"We really want to make it a fun event no matter what you're into," he added. "So there's music, and there's film screenings, and there's kids' activities, and there's workshops. And the point is just to have a fun day with the family and maybe learn something new."

Perez has been with the festival from the beginning. The first year, he came as a fan. From year two on, he's helped on the organization committee. Scott, an event programer for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, said she is highly dependant on the committee — all volunteers — to help the festival pack a punch.

"Some library staff helps on the day of and with the prep the day before, but for the most part, it's a volunteer event," Scott said.

"The nice thing about doing a nonprofit event at a library is that writers and artists want to do it for the love of the library," Perez said. "And they have a great time, and it's an excuse to come to Vegas. It's not hard to convince people to do something that's good for the community."

Many of the talents involved each year are based in Southern Nevada.

"A lot of great artists and writers live locally that you might not know of, or you might not have realized they're here until you come out to our event," Scott said.

Last year, when the Vegas Valley Book Festival was moved to October, the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival split from its parent festival, went independent and remained the first weekend in November.

Scott said they had already booked acts and had trained the community and industry people when to expect the festival. She said feedback from patrons — who are happy they don't have to choose which festival to attend as they're no longer on the same day — has convinced her to stick with November.

This year's event is set to feature two new elements: a bingo-style scavenger hunt designed to get patrons to explore the library and the event, and an adults-only after-party at 7 p.m. at The Dive Bar, 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, featuring local bands Tippy Elvis, 3D6, Super Zeroes and Time Crashers, and an encore set by The Doubleclicks.

Admission is free to the festival and the after-concert. Visit vegasvalleycomicbookfestival.org.

— Contact View contributing reporter Ginger Meurer at gmeurer@viewnews.com. Find her on Twitter: @gingermmm.