October 15, 2003

Event draws attention to comic book women

Women comic book characters, the women and men who create them and their readers will be the topics of female-focused, first-of-its-kind event at California State University, Sacramento from noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the University Union Redwood Room.

Characters from Dan Cooney's Valentine Comics series

The “Women and Comics: Comic Panel and Expo,” presented by the CSUS Women’s Resource Center, will feature a panel discussion by comic artists and experts followed by a presentation of “female-friendly” comic books. Prizes will be awarded throughout the event for correct answers to trivia questions about Wonder Woman, a pioneering comic book character.

“Comics are the medium of choice for young people, right up there with MTV.” says organizer Jessica Heskin. “Comics reflect what is going on in our society. It’s a genre not usually explored at the academic level”

Dana Valentine by Dan Cooney

The panel includes Andrice Arp, comic artist and creative force behind the Hi-Horse Comics anthology, Dan Cooney, author of the Valentine Comics series, Clarissa Cates-Smith Ryan, an expert on Asian women and their relationship with comics and Emilio Soltero, a Latino comic authority.

The event is free and open to the public. Contact the Women’s Resource Center at (916) 278-7388 for more information. For media assistance, contact public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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