Seoul Comics Week gathers 14 graphic artists, creators, animators

Comic book legend Bob Layton offers signatures to fans at Dice & Comics Cafe (DCC) in eastern Seoul, Aug. 3, 2023. Courtesy of DCC

Seoul Comics Week returns for its second year, bringing together some powerful names in the industry during a four-day event hosted at Dice & Comics Café (DCC) in eastern Seoul from Dec. 11 to 14.

"The event celebrates the growing creative exchange between Korean and international comic scenes, spotlighting artists who have worked across both K-comics and American comics industries," Joey Croner, owner of DCC and organizer of Seoul Comics Week, said in an online invitation.

The VIP list includes about 14 comics creators from Korea and abroad.

This includes artists Derek Hunter ("Adventure Time" and "Bat-Fam"), Ryan Benjamin, Agnes Garbowska ("My Little Pony" and "Teen Titans Go"), Jung Min-ku, Lee Jee-hyung, Park Jae-kwang ("Batman: The World" and "Joker: The World"), Danny Kim, Dexter Soy ("Nightwing" and "Red Hood"), Travis Moore ("Nightwing"), Tokitokoro ("Jeff the Landshark"), Kangto Lee and webtoon artist Joanne Kim, as well as writer Jeon In-pyo ("Batman: The World" and "Joker: The World") and comic book legend Bob Layton (creator of the modern "Iron Man," "War Machine" and "Ant-Man" titles, among many more).

Things kick off Thursday, Dec. 11, with a Drink & Draw event, a format that was introduced to Korea by Layton in 2023. Artists and fans are invited to gather for a relaxed evening of creativity and community during an open sketch night and networking event where they may find themselves sitting across the easel from some of the most influential graphic artists of this generation.

Friday, Dec. 12, will feature private signing sessions with Hunter, a comic artist and animator. Participants will have dinner with the artist and receive gift bags.

The two-day mainstay Artist Alley event will run on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14, giving attendees a chance to meet the artists, purchase original artwork and books, and experience live sketching sessions and signings.

People read comic books during the first Seoul Comics Week at MetaGround MegaBox in eastern Seoul, August 2023. Courtesy of DCC

"Seoul Comics Week highlights the growing collaboration between Korean creators and the global comic industry, providing an intimate venue for connection, inspiration and discovery," Croner said. "From fan-favorite illustrators to rising independent voices, the event celebrates the full spectrum of comics as an art form uniting East and West through visual storytelling."

Visit linktr.ee/diceandcomics for more information.