First East Hampton Pop-Up Comic Extravaganza Debuts August 7
As the world’s biggest comic book convention—really more of a pop culture summit in recent years—San Diego Comic-Con comes to a close, Hamptons resident Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO of Archie Comics, has announced the advent of her first East Hampton Pop-Up Comic Extravaganza!
Set for Sunday, August 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the debut event includes professional comic book creators and various vendors offering comics and related goodies. Guests are invited to peruse the grounds, take the opportunity to speak with writers and artists, and purchase their original artworks and other collectibles.
Silberkleit, who became an avid reader later in life—starting with comic books—says she is excited to be able to bring this event to East Hampton, where she has been a resident for 21 years. “I wanted to bring my passion and excitement for comic books to share with our East End community,” she explains. “Not only is it how I found my love for reading , I believe in utilizing this format to [promote] topics that may be difficult to talk about, such as bullying, gun violence and various health issues,” adds Silberkleit, a former elementary school art teacher who has been an outspoken advocate for graphic literacy and the fight to end bullying, among many other causes. “I know we will have a wonderful day sharing our love for comic book art and stories.”
Along with Archie Comics, confirmed artists and vendors include Michele Witchipoo, the creator of comics such as Psycho Bunny and Babylon Babes; Shanequa Thompson from Sheek Visual Arts; NYC graphic designer/illustrator Will Focus; Ray Felix from Bronx Heroes Comics; artist Laura Alvarez; Julie Averbach, who has created comics about working with special needs children; Bit Happens, creators of art based on 8-bit video games; Jonathan Syphax of MAS Media Studios; local comics dealer and Hamptons Comic Book Show founder Patrick M. O’Conner; artist Javier Cruz Winnik, The Learning Curve; artist Tim Kelly; Tim Andals and Shelter Island toy photographer Matt Rohde, aka x_captain_kaos_x, whose epic Star Wars toy photos were featured in Hasbro’s booth at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
An avid, sought-after global speaker, Silberkleit give her talk, “Understanding the Ingredients That Go Into the Unacceptable Behavior We Call Bullying,” at 3 p.m.
The first East Hampton Pop-Up Comic Extravaganza is open from 11:30a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday August 7 under the tent at 111 Cove Hollow Road in East Hampton.
Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/EastHamptonComicCon, for more info.