ComicFest

Enter the ComicFest Multiverse with Beanstack!

Stephen Clothier

With ComicFest 2022 hitting the screens on Saturday 7 May, the capital’s comic book fans will be looking for ways to get hyped in advance of joining the veritable galaxy of comic creators we have lined up for the big day. You’re in luck — through our Beanstack platform, we have devised the perfect tool for anyone seeking entry to the ComicFest multiverse.

Visit our Beanstack site to start exploring the ComicFest multiverse!

What is Beanstack?

Beanstack is a digital platform and app that adds a bit of spice to our reading lives by allowing you to earn virtual badges and achievements (and sometimes real-world goodies too!) by reading and participating in activities and challenges. You can sign up for Beanstack at any time in order to:

  • Log reading books and minutes spent reading;
  • Earn reading streaks for reading on consecutive days;
  • Write, draw, or film book reviews;
  • Receive recommendations of books in our catalogue from our librarians and from other readers;
  • Engage in fun reading-related challenges and activities throughout the year to earn achievements and prizes!

While you have access to all of the above features at any time, our creative librarians are always dreaming up ideas for special Challenges to add even more flavour to your reading experience — many of you will have experienced this with the Summer Reading Adventure or View Finders challenges already!

What is the ComicFest 2022 Beanstack Challenge?

The ComicFest 2022 Beanstack Challenge is our latest offering, designed to get you immersed in the ComicFest 2022 multiverse ahead of the big day. When you sign up, you’ll be challenged to:

  • Explore the unique artistic worlds of our wonderful ComicFest creators — a star-studded cast including such greats as Tea Dragon tamer Kay O’Neill, cartoonist extraordinaire Dylan Horrocks, pro-wrestler and Sāmoan superhero Michel Mulipola, and webcomic megastar Jem Yoshioka;
  • Track down and read all of the books, webcomics, zines, and anthologies our ComicFest artists have created — be warned, this task could keep you occupied for a very long time!
  • Get geared up to submit your finest cartoonish creations for the Comicify Your Life art competition — entries are closed as of 1 May 2022 — but by all means keep on creating! We love to see your work!

Each digital badge you earn puts you in the running to win some awesome ComicFest spot prizes, all while immersing you in the amazing world of New Zealand comics and their creators. The challenge runs until Saturday 21 May, so you can keep exploring even after ComicFest 2022 is done and dusted.

How do I sign up?

Comic fans of any age can register for the ComicFest 2022 Beanstack Challenge by visiting our Beanstack site and hitting the “Register an Individual or Family” button. After that, you’ll be asked if you would like to register for the ComicFest 2022 challenge!

It’s also super easy to use Beanstack on your phone or mobile device. You just need to:

  • Download the Beanstack Tracker app (Google Play) (App Store)
  • Open the app
  • Choose ‘Library’ as the Organisation
  • Search for Wellington City Libraries
  • Touch Sign Up!

So go on and get signed up today — we can’t wait to see you there!

ComicFest 2019 is nearly here!

Stephen Clothier

Do you like free comics? Do you like winning prizes just for wearing a cool costume? Or for drawing a super nerdy picture? Would you like to meet some of the awesome people behind some of your favourite comics, including the Tea Dragon Society, Snarked, and even Batman?

You can do all that and more at ComicFest 2019, running from Thursday the 2nd to Saturday the 4th of May. Come on down to the National Library, just across the road from the Beehive, for all kinds of super-amazing stuff to do, from drawing workshops to drawing competitions, making your own comic zines to winning your own comic at Free Comic Book Day. ComicFest is one of our favourite times of the literary year, and we’d love to see you all there!

Check out some of the comic books by some of the artists and writers you might get to meet at ComicFest 2019:

Snarked!. Book one, Forks and hope / Langridge, Roger Roger Langridge is one of the insanely talented comic book creators joining us for ComicFest. He’s well known for his work on Thor: The Mighty Avenger and The Muppet Show, but the Snarked! books are probably my favourite by him! They’re set in the crazy world of Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), which only makes them cooler!

The Tea Dragon Society / O’Neill, Katie I totally love Katie O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society — apprentive blacksmith Greta’s amazing journey is told through the some of the most beautiful art you’ll ever see in a comic book. Don’t miss Katie’s Tea Dragon Workshop during ComicFest — join her in the National Library Programme Rooms on Saturday the 4th of May at 9.00am to see a new species of Tea Dragon take flight before your eyes. I know I can’t wait!

Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas / Sang, Anthony Ant Sang’s Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas should be a go-to comic for older kids. Set in Auckland deep in the future, Helen is enlisted by a group of time-travelling ninjas to save the world from the tyranny of the Peace Balls — will she succeed in her quest? It’s truly a read that keeps you on the edge of your seat right ’til the end. Love it!

There’s heaps more to see and do, and heaps more books to read, at ComicFest 2019. Can’t wait to see you there! Click the banner below to see the whole programme of events.

Can you find yourself in these ComicFest photos?

admin

ComicFest was held at Wellington Central Library over April 29th – May 2nd – it was an awesome celebration of everything to do with comics, including Free Comic Book Day where we gave away hundreds of free comic books. Did you get one?

We hoped you managed to come along to ComicFest. Don’t worry if you missed out – you can check out the photos below, and make sure you come along next year!

(You can find more photos on the Wellington City Libraries Flickr photo stream)

If you love comics – check out our booklist of amazing comics.

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You won’t want to miss ComicFest

admin

Last year it was amazing, and this year’s ComicFest is going to be even better! 4 days of comic mayhem – you won’t want to miss this.

You can find the entire programme here. But here’s a breakdown of the stuff happening for children and teens:

 

Wednesday 29th of April

6 – 8.00 | Free mystery Comic film!
Come along to our mystery comic-themed film at the Central library. We guarantee comic satisfaction and prizes at this once only ComicFest screening. Seating is limited to 50 only, so contact us at the Central library to book seats or email enquiries@wcl.govt.nz! (For Teens +)

 

Friday 1st of May

5 – 6.30 | Digital comics workshop with Tim Gibson
Tim Gibson is known as a digital pioneer in NZ comic’s circles with his successful ‘Moths City’ title performing well on international website Comixology. Join Tim for an hour and a half of insight into the planning, creation and distribution of a comic using current digital tools and insider tricks of the trade. For all ages and bring your tablet and stylus if you can!

(Sponsored by NZ Comic Con)

 

Saturday 2nd of May

Free comic book day -all day
Grab your free comics from our stands, buy from the great folk at Graphic comic store and chat comics with our librarians. Dress as your favourite comic character and win prizes! Have a go at creating and drawing a Manga character and enter the Make a Manga competition (Sponsored by GRAPHIC comics)

10 – 11.30 | Comics 101 workshop with Sarah Laing
Sarah Laing (Let Me be Frank, cartoonist and novelist) has unique insight into what is required to make successful prose, comics and cartoons. Bring pen and papers along as Sarah imparts tips on the important relation between pictures and words, the value of honest drawing, emotion and story-telling. All ages. (Sponsored by NZ book council)

11.30 – 12.00 | Cosplay competition
Winners will be announced for the best ComicFest costume! Prizes for all categories, including children, teens, and adults. (Sponsored by Unity books)

12 – 1.00 | ‘Tintin – the journey from comic to film’
Let Tintin and Weta Workshop lead conceptual designer, Chris Guise take you through the process of transforming a much-loved comic into the successful film version of, ‘The adventures of Tintin – the secret of the Unicorn.’ Chris will guide you through this multi-media journey with slides and videos and don’t forget to have your questions ready for Q&A.

2.00 – 2.15 | Comicfest announces winners for the Manga drawing competition
Don’t forget your free comics posters courtesy of GRAPHIC comic store!

 

All events are free and bookings are not required. Seating at space at events is available on a first come – first served basis.

School Holidays! What’s on today – Sat 3rd May

admin

Here’s what’s happening today:

ComicFest!

Comics are fantastic – they’re visual, they’re literary, they’re fun, they’re for all audiences and on the 2nd and 3rd of May, we’re celebrating comics in a big way with our first ever ComicFest at the Central library.

 

From 10am | Comic book free day

Grab your free comic from our stands, talk comics with our librarians and the great folk at Graphic comic store. Dress as your favourite comic character and win prizes!

 

11am–12 noon | Work with Comics | Part One

Let animator and illustrator Gavin Mouldey show you how it’s done. (Second workshop at 1pm.)

 

12 noon–1pm | Q&A

Join WETA and Dark Horse comic’s creators and designers, Greg Broadmore and Paul Tobin, for a Q&A session on their art, amazing creations and comic works.

 

1–1.30pm | Work with Comics | Part Two

Present your creations at Gavin’s second workshop.

 

1.30–2pm | Crazy costumes competition judging

Winners will be announced for the best ComicFest costume. Don’t forget your tights! Categories include children, teens, and adults.

 

 

 

School Holidays! What’s on today – Fri 2nd May

admin

Here’s what’s happening today:

ComicFest!

Comics are fantastic – they’re visual, they’re literary, they’re fun, they’re for all audiences and on the 2nd and 3rd of May, we’re celebrating comics in a big way with our first ever ComicFest at the Central library.

 4.30–6.30pm | Comics 101 Workshop 

Led by bro’Town designer and award-winning comics illustrator, Ant Sang, this workshop is perfect for young and aspiring comic artists.

 

7–8pm | Panel Discussion 

Join Ant Sang (Creator of Shaolin Burning, designer for bro’Town), Grant Buist (Fishhead Magazine’s Jiteratti, animator and playwright) and Robyn Keneally (webcomic artist) as they discuss their work, their influences and the comic scene of Wellington and New Zealand.

 

Baby Rock and Rhyme

Tawa Library at 9.30am

Kilbirnie Library at 10.15am

Karori Library at 10.30am

 

Preschool Storytimes

Central Library at 10.30am