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)