Events

Join us for an evening with award-winning comics creators Ezra Claytan Daniels (Upgrade Soul) and Ben Passmore (Your Black Friend). Passmore and Daniels will discuss the genesis of their new original graphic novel, BTTM FDRS, which combines sci-fi and horror tropes, with the all-too-real nightmares of gentrification and cultural appropriation. Once a thriving working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, the “Bottomyards” is now the definition of urban blight. When an aspiring fashion designer and her image-obsessed BFF descend upon the hood in search of cheap rent, they discover something far more deadly. Body horror, conspiracy, and social satire fuse together in this harrowing and hilarious horror-comedy by...

Creators Ezra Claytan Daniels (Upgrade Soul) and Ben Passmore (Your Black Friend) will sign exclusive advance copies of their newest book, BTTM FDRS, at  Amalgam Comics & Coffee House in Philly on May 14th, 2019! This Afrofuturist graphic novel explores gentrification and cultural appropriation with a clever blend of horror and humor. Once a thriving working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, the “Bottomyards” is now the definition of urban blight. When an aspiring fashion designer and her image-obsessed BFF descend upon the hood in search of cheap rent, they discover something far more seductive... and deadly. "I fell in love with...

Join award-winning creators Ezra Claytan Daniels (Upgrade Soul ) and Ben Passmore (Your Black Friend) for a discussion of their new Afro-futurist graphic novel, BTTM FDRS. Once a thriving working-class Chicago neighborhood, the “Bottomyards” is now the definition of urban blight. When an aspiring fashion designer and friend descend upon the hood in search of cheap rent, they discover something far more sinister. Gentrification, body horror and biting social satire combine for a thought-provoking read. May 15, 2019 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

NCSFest is the brainchild of Steve McGarry, the syndicated cartoonist and story artist who serves as President of the NCS Foundation, the charitable and educational arm of the National Cartoonists Society. To help fulfill his vision of putting the NCS at the heart of a free cartoon arts festival to rival the great European events, he enlisted the aid of Julie Tait,Director of the fastest-growing festival in the UK, the Lakes International Comic Arts Festival. With the aid of an incredibly strong team and an army of volunteers – as well as the expertise of Mathieu Diez, the Director of French festival Lyon BD – and the full support of the city of...

VanCAF is The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival. It is a two-day celebration of comics and graphic novels and their creators, including an exhibition and vendor fair featuring hundreds of creators from around the world. Other Festival events include readings, panels and workshops. VanCAF is meant for everyone, whether they’re comic professionals, die-hard fans, or casual readers. For this reason, admission to all events is completely free, and participating fees for exhibitors are kept as low as possible. The festival seeks to support Vancouver comics, encouraging local creators and stories.

Join us for a reading and signing of BTTM FDRS, an Afrofuturist horror-comedy graphic novel written by Ezra Claytan Daniels (Upgrade Soul) and drawn by Ben Passmore (Your Black Friend). When an aspiring fashion designer and her image-obsessed BFF descend upon the hood in search of cheap rent, they discover something far more seductive... and deadly. Gentrification, conspiracy and body horror meld into a suspenseful tour de force from two of independent comics' most exciting creators. Passmore and Daniels will do a live reading and discuss their collaborative work on this unique project. Monday, May 20, 2019 - 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Dream team comics creators  Ezra Claytan Daniels (Upgrade Soul) and Ben Passmore (DAYGLOAYHOLE, Your Black Friend) are hitting the road to promote their latest creation, BTTM FDRS. This original graphic novel blends humor, horror, satire, and science fiction in an afrofuturist tour de force. Signing events on this tour will have a limited number of exclusive pre-publication advance copies of the book available for sale. Don’t miss it! Once a thriving working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, the “Bottomyards” is now the definition of urban blight. When an aspiring fashion designer and her image-obsessed BFF descend upon the hood in search...

The Comix Experience is hosting Ezra CLAYTAN DANIELS (Upgrade Soul) and Ben PASSMORE (Your Black Friend) to celebrate the publication of their newest book, BTTM FDRS (“Bottom Feeders”). This Afrofuturist graphic novel explores gentrification and cultural appropriation with a clever blend of horror and humor. Once a thriving working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, the “Bottomyards” is now the definition of urban blight. When an aspiring fashion designer and her image-obsessed BFF descend upon the hood in search of cheap rent, they discover something far more seductive... and deadly. Gentrification and body horror collide in this brutal satire.

Ben Passmore and Ezra Claytan Daniels present and sign BTTM FDRS-- an Afrofuturist horror-comedy about gentrification, hip hop, and cultural appropriation. Once a thriving working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, the “Bottomyards” is now the definition of urban blight. When an aspiring fashion designer and her image-obsessed BFF descend upon the hood in search of cheap rent, they discover something farmore seductive... and deadly.  Gentrification and body horror collide in this brutal satire from the award-winning creators of Upgrade Soul and Your Black Friend. “I fell in love with this comic right about page one, and then just kept falling. Gentrification...

Charles Forsman has achieved commercial success and critical recognition by creating excellent comics and publishing them via the least commercial channels imaginable. The OCX Committee's first meeting with his work took place in 2012, when he ran the small publisher Oily Comics, who sent an envelope full of upgraded A6 booklets to his subscribers each month. Along with getting acquainted with cartoonists such as Nick Drnaso, Beatrix Urkowitz, Melissa Mendes and Andy Burkholder, the Oily subscribers could read Forsman's own The End of the Fucking World as a serial - long before Fantagraphics published it in book form and the television series adaptation became...