Will Eisner Week returns to Renfrewshire Libraries

By John Freeman on February 20, 2023

Will Eisner Week 2023 - Renfrewshire Libraries

Renfrewshire Libraries enters its seventh year of hosting Will Eisner Week related events next month, celebrating the legacy of Will Eisner, creator of the legendary detective hero The Spirit, and one of America’s first graphic novelists.

Held from 1st – 7th March annually, Will Eisner Week is an international celebration of comics, graphic novels, sequential art, free speech, held in libraries, schools, museums, comic book shops, book shops and other venues.

Will Eisner (1917 – 2005) was a highly innovative and creative artist and writer who pioneered in the field of comics and graphic novels. He strongly advocated for the inclusion of graphic novels in library collections and sequential art on museum walls.

Events this year include a Q&A Session with writers Calum Laird and Ferg Handley from DC Thomson’s Commando comic; a panel discussion with legend of the underground Scottish comic scene, Dave Alexander, discussing his career with fellow underground stalwart Jim Stewart; a performance from The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre; and a live drawing and discussion session with The Guardian cartoonist Martin Rowson, hosted by comic historian John McShane.

• Find out about the free events Renfrewshire Libraries are hosting and book your places today

• For more information on Will Eisner Week internationally visit willeisnerawards.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.