Campus group sponsors Diversity in Comics Conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) at Purdue will host Diversity in Comics, an event celebrating comic books, Monday (Feb. 4) through Thursday (Feb. 7) on campus.

The conference will explore how the evolution of America has affected the representation of minorities in the medium, said Ronald Simoes, public relations chair for NOGLSTP at Purdue.

All sessions are free and open to the public. Planned events include:

* Monday (Feb. 4). 6-8 p.m. Beering Hall, Room 2280. "Superman vs. The Elite." Movie and discussion.

* Tuesday (Feb. 5). 6-8 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 206. Creators panel featuring Devin Grayson, Joseph Phillip Illidge and Phil Jimenez. Grayson writes comic books, including the "Batman: Gotham Knights" series at DC Comics, and novels. Illidge was the first African-American to edit the Batman line of comic books for DC Entertainment and was a comics editor for the independent graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment. Jimenez is an artist who has worked on comics such as "Amazing Spider-Man" and "Infinite Crisis" and has worked as writer/artist on "Wonder Woman."

* Wednesday (Feb. 6). 6-8 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 206. Creators panel featuring Tony Bedard and Marjorie Liu. Bedard is a writer and editor in the comic book industry, working on such comics as "Green Lantern: New Guardians." Liu writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels and also writes for Marvel Comics. Her work there has included the "Astonishing X-Men," "NYX," "Daken: Dark Wolverine" and "Black Widow."

* Thursday (Feb. 7). 6-8 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 206. Student presentations.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/323241894442801/

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu