Colleen Coover joined the Inkstuds comic book radio show to talk about Small Favors, X-men First Class, Banana Sunday and much more. Listen here!

Steven Grant at Comic Book Resources reviews two of Sara Ryan’s mini comics: Flytrap #3, illustrated by Ron Chan, and Click, illustrated by Dylan Meconis.

All three creators will be guests this weekend at The Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, and they’ll be happy to discuss their work on these or many other comics, or even talk to you about Switzerland, MMA, 18th century theology, or any of their many other various obsessions. Other Emerald City guests include Kieron Dwyer, David Hahn, Karl Kesel, Colleen Coover & Paul Tobin, Susan Tardif, Ron Randall, Jesse Hamm, Rich Ellis & Cat Ellis, Paul Guinan & Anina Bennett, me (Steve Lieber) and Matthew Clark.

The best thing I picked up at Stumptown was chapters two and three of IVY, a serialized graphic novel by Sarah Oleksyk. It’s a coming-of-age story, solidly crafted from careful observation, and honest, expressive line drawing. Steve Duin wrote about Oleksyk in today’s Oregonian. And there’s a podast interview with her at Inkstuds.

Our friend Lukas Ketner writes:
” MAY 1ST - CHRISTOPHE BLAIN & TRIPLE BOOK RELEASE PARTY

FLOATING WORLD COMICS PRESENTS:

CHRISTOPHE BLAIN & T. EDWARD BAK
IN STORE READING AND SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION

May First Thursday, Christophe Blain visits from France to read from his award winning graphic novel, Isaac the Pirate. This is an amazing opportunity to meet one of France’s most brilliant new comic creators.

T. Edward Bak returns to Portland from his residency at the Savannah College of Art to read from his long awaited comic, Service Industry.

TRIPLE BOOK RELEASE PARTY

Floating World Comics is proud to present its debut publication, Diamond Comics. This newsprint anthology features mind blowing experimental comics and art from around the world.

Brandon Siefert and artist Lukas Ketner deliver the first issue of their cutting edge, medical horror comic, Witch Doctor: First Incision.

Capture Release is a new publisher in Portland that features avant garde gallery artists as well as undiscovered artists on the rise. The first issue of their eponymous magazine features Jason Traeger and Peter Lavigne-Chalek.
More details here.

Photo of Susan Tardif and Cat Ellis by Erika Moen.

Kristi Turnquist’s Stumptown coverage in The Oregonian. Steve Duin covered it too.

And much love for X-Men First Class #11: Lurker Without | Comixtreme | Pop Syndicate | Superhero Times | Living Between Wednesdays | Zodar Zone

Lots more at the Flickr photo pool!

Dylan Meconis and Bill Mudron were commissioned by the Portland Mercury to create a comic strip about the Stumptown Comics Festival. Go, read:

In other Stumptown news, Steve Duin’s blog at the Oregonian has a list of seven recommended convention guests to meet. I agree with six.

Alternative cartoonists Jason Shiga, Elijah Brubaker and Aron Nels Steinke are  giving a reading here in Portland at the library, Central branch on Thursday, April 24th from 4-6pm. I’ll be there!

The Children’s Book Council and CBC Foundation have announced 25 finalists in five categories of the first Children’s Choice Book Awards. Among the nomineees:
Favorite Book for Grades 5-6 -Beowulf: Monster Slayer written by Paul D. Storrie, illustrated by Ron Randall (Lerner Publishing Group)
Read more about the book.

Karl is interviewed at Newsarama about his upcoming mini-series: Marvel Apes!