Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries will celebrate Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day (May 4 — as in “May the fourth be with you”) in one giant event Saturday: Library Con, a celebration of fan culture with activities at all local library branches.
Kick off the festivities from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Vancouver Community Library with several rounds of trivia followed by a showing of “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, all library branches will give away comic books. Many branches are offering additional activities such as crafts, photo opportunities, trivia contests and movie showings; visit fvrl.org for complete information. In addition, Vancouver Community Library will host presentations by award-winning comic creators Taki Soma, Diana Schutz and David F. Walker. See the schedule below for more details.
- Family Trivia, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Cascade Park Community Library. Join other fans for several rounds of trivia about Star Wars, Disney and Marvel.
- Library Con at the Mall, 11 a.m. to noon, Vancouver Mall Library. Activities include photo opportunities with Storm Troopers and other Star Wars characters, building a light saber, button-making and comic creation.
- A Life in Pictures: Creating Graphic Biographies with Taki Soma, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Vancouver Community Library. Explore the creative universe of Taki Soma, a Hugo Award-nominated artist, writer and colorist whose body of work includes “Dick Tracy,” “The After Realm” and “Iron Man,” as well as her autobiographical graphic novel, “Sleeping While Standing.” Audiences will see a preview of Soma’s biography of Vincent Van Gogh. Soma also explores the therapeutic power of storytelling through visuals. Online attendance is available through Google Meet.
- Family Story Time, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Cascade Park Community Library. Enjoy family story time with singing to celebrate Star Wars and Free Comic Book Day.
- Careers in Comics with Comic Editor Diana Schutz, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Cascade Park Community Library. Award-winning comics editor Diana Schutz will offer a presentation about how to get started in the comics industry. Formerly the senior executive editor at Dark Horse Comics, Schutz has worked with authors Michael Chabon, Neil Gaiman and the late Harlan Ellison. She was comic pioneer Will Eisner’s Dark Horse editor until his death in 2005. Schutz now translates European graphic novels, including “Moebius Library” and “Blacksad.” Online attendance is available through Google Meet.
- Padawan Academy, 2 to 4 p.m. Three Creeks Community Library. A meet-and-greet with Storm Troopers at 2 p.m. will be followed by lightsaber training and Jedi crafts at 3 p.m.
- Adult Manga and Graphic Novel Group, 3 to 4 p.m., Battle Ground Community Library. This discussion group is for adults ages 18 and over who enjoy manga and graphic novels. The group meets on the fourth Saturday of every month.
- Fuse Bead Pixel Art, 3 to 5 p.m. La Center Community Library. Attendees will use fuse beads to design Star Wars and comic book characters.
- Star Wars Movie Night, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Cascade Park Community Library. Celebrate May the Fourth with a showing of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The event includes snacks and activities.
- From Fan to Maker with David F. Walker, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Vancouver Community Library. Eisner Award-winning author David F. Walker will share the story of his evolution from a comic-loving kid to a working comics creator.
- Star Wars and Comics Trivia Night, 6 to 8 p.m., Battle Ground Community Library. Fans can test their knowledge of both Star Wars and comic books with multiple rounds of trivia.
