Harvey Pekar Talk & Book Signing

Harvey Pekar will talk and sign his books at the Wexner Center's Mershon Auditorium, in Columbus, OH, on Wednesday, February 28, at 7 pm. This article appears on the Wexner Center for the Arts website and was sent to me by my friend Stan Bobrof, co-owner of Monkeys Retreat, a space-age variety store that specializes in off-beat and unconventional reads and goodies. It was there I first saw and read Harvey's graphic novels, based on his adventures growing up in Cleveland.
charlie

Artist's Talks

Informal presentations by artists.

Artist's Conversation
Harvey Pekar

Wed, Feb 28, 2007 | 7:00PM

Mershon Auditorium

For more than 30 years, Ohio native and endearing curmudgeon Harvey Pekar has carefully and hilariously documented his experiences and observations through his autobiographical comics. Don't miss this conversation, as Pekar discusses his life's work with Associate Professor of English Jared Gardner. Get ready for the event by submitting a question for Gardner to ask Pekar. Send yours by e-mail cartoons@osu.edu.

Cosponsored by Ohio State's Cartoon Research Library.
Inspired by Robert Crumb and the underground "comix" movement, Pekar realized the potential of the medium of comics to tell engaging stories that would appeal to adults. He is an exceptional storyteller who coaxes insight from the ordinary and mundane. The absorbing tale of his life and work was the basis for the acclaimed 2003 film American Splendor. His latest graphic novel, Ego and Hubris: The Michael Malice Story, recounts the life story of another unlikely protagonist, an intelligent yet off-putting young man made memorable by Pekar's deft touch.

Stick around after the lecture for a book signing.

This event kicks off "Storytelling 2007," a special year of programming by the Cartoon Research Library focusing on graphic narrative and celebrating the centennial of Milton Caniff's birth.