Wizard World University-Chicago and Philadephia (Comic Book Convention Conference Series )

The Institute for Comics Studies is soliciting proposals for presentations, book talks, slide talks, roundtables, professional focus discussion panels, workshops and other panels centered around comics or comics related areas of study for Wizard World University-Philadelphia and Wizard World University-Chicago, the academic tracks of Wizard World Comic Book Conventions.

Panels that include participation by comics industry professionals are especially encouraged. ICS will provide assistance with recruiting professionals for participation in WWU panels.

Wizard World University represents the Institute for Comics Studies’ mission to promote the study, understanding, and cultural legitimacy of comics and to support the discussion and dissemination of this study and understanding via public venues.

Proposals deadline: May 21st, 2009 (Chicago), or June 6th (Philadelphia).

Submit your 100-200 word abstract with the words "Wizard World University-Chicago" in the subject line to hamiwill[at]gmail.com.

Submit proposals for WWU-Philadelphia to:
http://www.hsu.edu/form.aspx?ekfrm=40054

Today is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

Comics shops across the USA & Canada celebrate their beloved art form today by giving away comic books for free. Free, I tells ya! If you haven't visited a comic book store in a while - or ever - here's your chance to catch up on what you've been missing.

If you're not sure where your closest participating comics shop might be, the Free Comic Book Day website has a handy "FCBD Shop Locator" - enter your ZIP code and you'll get a list of shops near you. (USA shops only.)

The website also has a list of the 40 different FCBD comics you can choose from. (Note: Not all shops will have every title, and some titles will probably go fast!) Most shops will let you have one title, but several will offer multiple titles. Shop early, and shop often.

To get you started, here's a small sampler of the books on offer - twelve of the forty book in total. See you at the comics shop!