Yay! Attended the “Religion in Comics” panel hosted by BU as part of their “Graven Images” conference yesterday. Had a whale of a time with fellow panelists Mark Smylie (writer – ARTESIA, Publisher – ASP comics), G Willow Wilson (CAIRO), Steve Ross (writer/artist – MARKED). The panel was moderated by A. Dave Lewis (writer – LONE AND LEVEL SANDS, SOME NEW KIND OF SLAUGHTER).

We had a pretty hearty discussion about how religion is portrayed in comic books and the challenges that lie in writing comics with religious and spiritual themes. One of the most interesting parts of the conference was getting to know about the reaction to India authentic in academic circles. It makes all my efforts worthwhile when people walk up to meand tell him that they really liked the INDIA AUTHENTIC stories and that it is being made into required reading in south asian studies programs (details to come).

Later that day, I attended my first ever signing at the BU Barnes and Noble where we continued our earlier discussion in more casual setting as part of the “Graphically Religious” author meet at B&N. Here is a photo from the signing (more to come).

From left to right: Dave, Your truly, Willow, Steve and Mark From left to right: Me, Mark (photo courtsey : Dave Moran) From left to right: Willow, Dave, Me, Steve and Mark (photo courtsey : Dave Moran)

I have been invited to be a part of the “Religion in Comics” Panel discussion at the “Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books & Graphic Novels” on Sunday, Apr 13th in Boston. You can find the details at the website for Luce Center, Boston University. Here is the flyer (PDF)

Here is the official Press Release text from :

RELIGION IN COMICS PANEL, “GRAVEN IMAGES’” COMING TO BOSTON UNIVERSITY

March 4, 2008 – Boston, MA. As its planners prepare the weekend-long schedule of scholarly presenters, the “Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books & Graphic Novels” conference already has a number of top comic book creators coming to Boston University next month. On Sunday, April 13th, conference attendees will get to take part in a Creator Q&A with Saurav Mohapatra (India Authentic), Steve Ross (Marked!), Archaia Studios Press publisher Mark Smylie (Artesia Besieged), and G. Willow Wilson (Cairo).

The five panelists, representing a wide variety of faiths and works, will join conference co-chair A. David Lewis (The Lone and Level Sands, Some New Kind of Slaughter) in an open discussion of religion, creativity, and the comic book medium. “I’m delighted not only that they’ve all accepted our invitation,” says Lewis, “but that they also represent a wonderful cross-section of spiritualities. They nicely embody the diversity we are eager to explore in the medium with ‘Graven Images.’”

Preceding these panelists, the Center for Cartoon Studies’ co-founder James Sturm (The Golem’s Mighty Swing) will be keynote speaker for the conference on its opening night, Friday, April 11th.

The inaugural conference is enjoying the support of B.U.’s Department of Religion, its Graduate Student Organization (GSO), the New England-Maritimes American Academy of Religion, Caption Box, and the Luce Program in Scripture and Literary Arts. Lewis and fellow co-chair Christine Kraemer expect to release the full conference program in the coming days.

The “Graven Images” icon was designed and donated by J.T. Waldman (Megillat Esther).