1/14: Gene Luen Yang at Berkeley Public Library in Berkeley, CA

Two-time National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang will be discussing his work and signing copies of his latest, Boxers & Saints (First Second), on Tuesday, January 14th from 6:30-7:50 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library in Berkeley, California. Boxers & Saints, a diptych of graphic novels that view China's Boxer Rebellion from two distinct perspectives, is the second work by Yang (after American Born Chinese) to be nominated for a National Book Award for Young People's Literature, and has consistently appeared on many "Best of 2013" lists. Yang is also the writer of the bestselling Avatar: The Last Airbender series (from Dark Horse Comics), based on the popular animated series. This event is free to the public. The Berkeley Public Library is located at 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley, CA 94704.


1/15: Garry Leach Signing in London, U.K.

Artist Garry Leach will be signing copies of the newly re-issued Miracleman #1 (Marvel) on Wednesday, January 15th at 5 p.m. at Orbital Comics in London, United Kingdom. Leach was the original artist and co-creator of the highly influential British series, which launched the career of Alan Moore and brought about a new level of sophistication to comic book storytelling. Now, after years of rumors and copyright ambiguity, the anxiously anticipated reprint from Marvel will give fans a chance to experience the book that seismically shifted the comics landscape. This event is free to the public. Orbital Comics is located at 8 Great Newport St., London WC2H 7JA, United Kingdom.


1/16: "Compulsive Narratives" Opening in Camden, NJ

"Compulsive Narratives: Stories that MUST be Told: The Graphic Novel as Confession and Inspiration," a new exhibition looking at the history and influence of graphic storytelling opens on Thursday, January 16th at the Stedman Gallery on the Rutgers University's Camden campus. Running through April 26th, the show will feature works from artists such as R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Julie Doucet, Ellen Forney, Peter Kuper, and many others and explore comics' cultural currency dating back to the 1960s and 70s. Gallery receptions will be held on Jan. 16th from 5-8 p.m. and Feb. 20 from 5:30-8 p.m., as well as Jan. 29 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. with a lecture by award-winning cartoonist Chris Ware. A panel discussion moderated by curator Cheryl Harper featuring David Small, Peter Kuper and Mark Newport will be held on Friday, April 4th at 5 p.m. Additional speakers and screenings are also scheduled. This event is free to the public. The Stedman Gallery is located at the Fine Arts Complex of the Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts on Third and Pearl St., Camden, NJ 08102.


1/18: Congressman Jon Lewis in Portland, OR

Civil Rights icon and Congressman Jon Lewis will be signing copies of his bestselling memoir, March: Book One (Top Shelf) on Saturday, January 18th at 12 p.m. at Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon. The critically-acclaimed book, co-written by Andrew Aydiin and illustrated by Nate Powell, chronicles Lewis's youth and his role in the nascent Civil Rights movement during the early 1960s, and was a #1 New York Times and Washington Post bestseller. This event is free to the public. Powell's City of Books is located at 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland, OR 97209.