Comic book legend Bob Layton introduces 'Drink & Draw' to Korea
Bob Layton holds up an Iron Man comic book cover with his art at Dice & Comics Cafe in eastern Seoul, July 27. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
By Bereket Alemayehu
Comic book legend Bob Layton has already wrapped up his month-long tour of Korea.
He's since left the country, but not before playing a part in the development of the local comic book creators community. He helped kick off a new weekly event for comic book artists, which will be hosted at Dice & Comics Cafe (DCC).
“They have in many cities in the U.S. a weekly event called 'Drink & Draw' at local pubs where people get together, all our local artists ― amateur and professional ― and they just draw for fun,” explained the renowned comic book artist, writer and editor. “They have a theme every night and then you auction off all the drawings at the end of the year to raise money for various charities.”
According to DCC proprietor Joey Croner, Layton helped get the ball rolling by contacting the organization behind Drink & Draw events about starting an official Seoul chapter.
The first Seoul Drink & Draw will be held on Sept. 21 at DCC, the only American-run English-language comic book store in Korea.
Croner said, “Rules are: everybody draws. Draw on paper. Bring stuff to draw with. It's OK to work on projects. Buy something to eat/drink. I'd also like to add that the most important part is to have a good time and make some friends.”
Croner helped Layton on his
, planning various events throughout August, including the first-ever Seoul Comics Week, which kicked off on Aug. 19 at the newly built MetaGround venue inside the Megabox cinema in eastern Seoul's?Seongsu-dong. Layton, who has over 6,400 comic books credited to his name, was the guest of honor.
Croner told The Korea Times that this was his shop's first time running a full-scale convention event. “I mean, we have done events with the comic cons and solo illustrators, book fairs and things,” he said, “but this is the first big one that we've been one of the main organizers for.”
He said the event was partly intended to make the most out of Layton's busy itinerary in Korea. “Bob is a really good kind of guest to have for this kind of thing,” he said. “He's not just tied to comics, but he's related to the movies too. That makes it a pretty good bridge for a lot of Korean fans to kind of make the jump from the movies to the comics.”
Bob Layton, right, poses with Joey Croner, proprietor of Dice & Comics Cafe, who organized the first-ever Seoul Comics Week last month, July 27. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Layton is credited with the creation and co-creation of several characters that have appeared in the Marvel and DC movies and TV shows, including Ant-Man (Scott Lang), War Machine, Justin Hammer, Peacemaker and Huntress. He is best known for his work on the Iron Man and Ant-Man comic book titles, but he has also worked on dozens of other famous Marvel titles such as The Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and X-Men. Layton also launched the comic book title “X-Factor” for Marvel in 1985, breaking the company's all-time sales record for a single comic.
His overhaul and relaunch of Iron Man in the 1970s moved that character from the cancellation list to one of Marvel's most popular franchises to this day. The success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies over the last 15 years, starting with 2008's “Iron Man,” would not have been possible without Layton's own work.
Throughout the week, the MetaGround venue welcomed the public with visual displays, exhibitions, screenings, poster illustrations, bookshelves, a children's corner, gaming zone and a meeting area where guests could interact with Korean comic book creators and visual artists.
“Bob is a popular name in comics and a pioneer, so I was aware of his distinctive and dynamic art style very well,” said Park Pyeoung-jin, a Korean comic book illustration artist. “So I was very excited and curious to meet him and wanted to listen to his experiences while he is visiting us in Korea.”
Bob Layton, center, poses with Korean comic book artists Yune Sung-han and Park Pyeoung-jun, July 27. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
During a press event held before the opening of Seoul Comics Week, Layton told reporters that he was happy to visit Korea to promote his creative works with Korean and foreign comic lovers and give encouragement to local young talented creators.
“That's what I want to help do,” he said. “I want to get more fans interested in not just the comic itself, but comic art and the writing and all the various aspects of comics. You know, there's so much talent here.”
He said that was why he's been traveling so much and hosting workshops and masterclasses on comic book storytelling and art.
A young Korean comic book lover meets comic book legend Bob Layton, Aug. 18. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Layton had nothing but good things to say about the first Seoul Comics Week and its organizers. “I am very proud of this,” he said. “I'm very proud of what Joey's done and the people here at the venue. They've done an amazing job. I've never seen anything like this. It is just one of the most incredible displays I've ever been part of.”
He also pointed out that during his stay, Marvel's “Armor Wars” comic book title started publishing in the Korean language, adding that he was excited about that because of the plans for an “Armor Wars” movie starring Don Cheadle as War Machine, which is currently expected to come out in 2026.
“So Koreans will get a chance to read the comic book before the movie comes out,” Layton added.
Bob Layton poses during an event promoting Seoul Comics Week, Aug. 18. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
“For our first Seoul Comics Week, we're calling the event a big success,” Croner said. “We had a lot of fans visiting the event and made some new ones as well. We learned a lot of things this time that will help us make next year's Seoul Comics Week event bigger. I'm already talking with some other big creators about attending, so stay tuned!”
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also co-founder of?
, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency. Visit?
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