Comics Arts Conference
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Comics Arts Conference (CAC), called the Comic Arts Conference during some years, is an academic conference held in conjunction with the annual Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.[1] Founded in 1992 by Henderson State University communication professor Randy Duncan and graduate student Peter M. Coogan, now a writing specialist at Fontbonne University and author of the trade paperback Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre[2], the conference brings together scholars, professionals, critics, and historians who study comics seriously as a medium. They hold scholarly sessions and provide a forum for the public.[3] Academic presenters come from a variety of disciplines working from a broad range of backgrounds and theoretical perspectives.[4]
Participation also includes comic industry practitioners. Professionals who have taken part include Jessica Abel, Donna Barr, Steve Bissette, Will Eisner, Steve Englehart, Danny Fingeroth, Michael William Kaluta, Arie Kaplan, Barbara Kesel, Paul Levitz, Jay Lynch, Scott McCloud, Trina Robbins, and Mark Waid.[5] The conference is held concurrently with the international comic book convention in order to facilitate comic book professionals' involvement.
The location originally alternated between the Chicago Comicon (now known as Wizardworld Chicago) and San Diego's Comic-Con International, until becoming permanently attached to Comic-Con as of 1998.[6] The Comic Arts Conference began meeting twice per year in 2007, adding a handful of sessions[7] at WonderCon in San Francisco.[8] Presentations include papers, panels, poster sessions, and slide talks.
