How Do I
Join our Graphic Novel Discussion Group!
We will go beyond popular titles to explore independent and new releases.
Newcomers always welcome!
Tell us what you're reading. Connect with other graphic novel aficionados.
Speak your mind!
The reading suggestions below are just ideas based on the month's theme.
Please feel free to read these or any other graphic novels of your choosing
in order to prepare for our meeting. The monthly themes are loose talking
points.
Out of the Gutter is open to all graphic novel fans!
Discussions are held in the Large Print Room on the First Floor of the Main Library on the third Monday of the month from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Upcoming Discussions:
Previous Discussions:
March 15, 2010
Open Discussion & Comics Swap
Open Discussion & Comics Swap
April 19, 2010
Apocalyptic Graphic Novels
Apocalyptic Graphic Novels
May 17, 2010
Graphic Novel Anthologies
Local author/illustrator Jim Rugg (Plain Janes, Afrodisiac, Street Angel) joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading Suggestions: Popgun, An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, & True Stories edited by Ivan Brunetti; The Best American Comics; and Project, Superior edited by Chris Pitzer.
Graphic Novel Anthologies
Local author/illustrator Jim Rugg (Plain Janes, Afrodisiac, Street Angel) joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading Suggestions: Popgun, An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, & True Stories edited by Ivan Brunetti; The Best American Comics; and Project, Superior edited by Chris Pitzer.
June 21, 2010
Indie Comics
Bill Boichel from Copacetic Comics Company joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Love & Rockets by Jamie, Gilbert, and Mario Hernandez; Blankets by Craig Thompson; Stitches by David Small, I Killed Adolf Hitler by Jason; Epileptic by David B.; and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.
Indie Comics
Bill Boichel from Copacetic Comics Company joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Love & Rockets by Jamie, Gilbert, and Mario Hernandez; Blankets by Craig Thompson; Stitches by David Small, I Killed Adolf Hitler by Jason; Epileptic by David B.; and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.
July 19, 2010
Legendary Artists
Folks from local comics/art/music/literary publisher Unicorn Mountain joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Unicorn Mountain, Volumes 1 & 2; Wolfman's Got Nards—A Compendium of New American Monsters; Marvel Vissionaries: Jack Kirby; The Great Comic Book Artists by Ron Goulart; How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema; The Complete Crumb by R. Crumb; Supermen!: The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes, 1936-41 edited by Greg Sadowski.
Legendary Artists
Folks from local comics/art/music/literary publisher Unicorn Mountain joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Unicorn Mountain, Volumes 1 & 2; Wolfman's Got Nards—A Compendium of New American Monsters; Marvel Vissionaries: Jack Kirby; The Great Comic Book Artists by Ron Goulart; How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema; The Complete Crumb by R. Crumb; Supermen!: The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes, 1936-41 edited by Greg Sadowski.
August 16, 2010
European Graphic Novels
Reading suggestions: Low Moon by Jason; The Adventures of TinTin by Georges Rémi; Dixie Road by Dufaux; Rodrigo by Hermann; Stripburek: Comics from the Other Europe.
European Graphic Novels
Reading suggestions: Low Moon by Jason; The Adventures of TinTin by Georges Rémi; Dixie Road by Dufaux; Rodrigo by Hermann; Stripburek: Comics from the Other Europe.
September 20, 2010
Pittsburgh Comics
Local comics creator Tom Scioli (Godland, Myth of 8 Opus) joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Godland: The Celestial Edition by Tom Scioli; Storeyville by Frank Santoro; Advanced Unicorn Mountain Players Handbook edited by Curt Gettman; The Myth of 8-Opus by Tom Scioli.
Pittsburgh Comics
Local comics creator Tom Scioli (Godland, Myth of 8 Opus) joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Godland: The Celestial Edition by Tom Scioli; Storeyville by Frank Santoro; Advanced Unicorn Mountain Players Handbook edited by Curt Gettman; The Myth of 8-Opus by Tom Scioli.
October 18, 2010
Prose/Graphic Novel Crossovers
Guest speakers Nate & Andy, creators of local comics GRIXLY and Andromeda, joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman; Pride & Prejudice (Marvel Comics adaptation) by Nancy Butler; Dark Tower (Marvel Comics adaptation) by Peter David.
Prose/Graphic Novel Crossovers
Guest speakers Nate & Andy, creators of local comics GRIXLY and Andromeda, joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman; Pride & Prejudice (Marvel Comics adaptation) by Nancy Butler; Dark Tower (Marvel Comics adaptation) by Peter David.
November 15, 2010
Eisner Awards
Special guest 2010 Eisner award nominee Dave Wachter (Guns of Shadow Valley) joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware; The Goon by Eric Powell; Fables by Bill Willingham; From Hell by Alan Moore; Age of Bronze by Eric Shanower.
Eisner Awards
Special guest 2010 Eisner award nominee Dave Wachter (Guns of Shadow Valley) joined us for this month's discussion.
Reading suggestions: Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware; The Goon by Eric Powell; Fables by Bill Willingham; From Hell by Alan Moore; Age of Bronze by Eric Shanower.
January 24, 2011
Open Discussion.
Open Discussion.
February 21, 2011
Bodyworld and the work of Dash Shaw
We discussed the work of young comics dynamo Dash Shaw this month. Check out his work online or order a copy through the library catalog!
Reading Suggestions: Bodyworld, Bottomless Belly Button, Mother's Mouth, Unclothed Man in the 35th Century A.D., and more at http://www.dashshaw.com/bodyworld.html & http://www.ruinedcast.com/
Bodyworld and the work of Dash Shaw
We discussed the work of young comics dynamo Dash Shaw this month. Check out his work online or order a copy through the library catalog!
Reading Suggestions: Bodyworld, Bottomless Belly Button, Mother's Mouth, Unclothed Man in the 35th Century A.D., and more at http://www.dashshaw.com/bodyworld.html & http://www.ruinedcast.com/
March 21, 2011
Shawn Atkins and Nick Marino - Using Every Piece of the Cow<
Shawn and Nick talked about their independent comics -- Time Log, Explorers of the Unknown, Super Haters, and more -- explaining what it means to utilize every resource available to create and promote their work, from collaboration to digital to print (and all things in between). Plus, they let attendees have a glimpse into their production process and gave away some brand-spanking-new comics!
Shawn Atkins and Nick Marino - Using Every Piece of the Cow<
Shawn and Nick talked about their independent comics -- Time Log, Explorers of the Unknown, Super Haters, and more -- explaining what it means to utilize every resource available to create and promote their work, from collaboration to digital to print (and all things in between). Plus, they let attendees have a glimpse into their production process and gave away some brand-spanking-new comics!
April 18, 2011
"Trina Robbins is HUGE!": A discussion of the work of Trina Robbins
Legendary underground comics writer, artist, and herstorian Trina Robbins who visited The Toonseum on April 27th. To prepare, we discussed the artist's seminal works.
Reading Suggestions: TrinaRobbins.com, From Girls to Grrrlz: A History of [Women's] Comics from Teens to Zines, The Great Women Cartoonists, Tender Murderers: Women Who Kill, Freedom Songs: A Tale of the Underground Railroad and Go Girl!.
"Trina Robbins is HUGE!": A discussion of the work of Trina Robbins
Legendary underground comics writer, artist, and herstorian Trina Robbins who visited The Toonseum on April 27th. To prepare, we discussed the artist's seminal works.
Reading Suggestions: TrinaRobbins.com, From Girls to Grrrlz: A History of [Women's] Comics from Teens to Zines, The Great Women Cartoonists, Tender Murderers: Women Who Kill, Freedom Songs: A Tale of the Underground Railroad and Go Girl!.
May 16, 2011
This month we talked about two amazing works of graphic memoir: 2010 National Book Award finalist Stitches by David Small and the critically acclaimed Fun Home by Alison Bechdel.
There are plenty of copies of these great comics at the library—click the links below to order one for yourself!
Check out a copy of Fun Home from the library!
Check out a copy of Stitches from the library!
This month we talked about two amazing works of graphic memoir: 2010 National Book Award finalist Stitches by David Small and the critically acclaimed Fun Home by Alison Bechdel.
There are plenty of copies of these great comics at the library—click the links below to order one for yourself!
Check out a copy of Fun Home from the library!
Check out a copy of Stitches from the library!
June 20, 2011
Comic Swap!
Comic Swap!
July 18, 2011
Guest Speaker Daniel McCloskey of the Cyberpunk Apocalypse
Daniel McCloskey started drawing comics because the novel he was writing needed them, and then he just kept going. He talked about the process of writing the novel/graphic novel hybrid, what comic projects he's involved in now, and a little background including short animations he made in junior high school that rip off Jhonen Vasquez pretty bad. He also talked about living and working at the Cyberpunk Apocalypse (that always seems to come up).
Guest Speaker Daniel McCloskey of the Cyberpunk Apocalypse
Daniel McCloskey started drawing comics because the novel he was writing needed them, and then he just kept going. He talked about the process of writing the novel/graphic novel hybrid, what comic projects he's involved in now, and a little background including short animations he made in junior high school that rip off Jhonen Vasquez pretty bad. He also talked about living and working at the Cyberpunk Apocalypse (that always seems to come up).
August 15, 2011
Guest Speaker: Howard Shapiro
Howard Shapiro is the author of four children's books as well as the forthcoming graphic novel The Stereotypical Freaks (Sea Lion Books). Shapiro is new to the graphic medium and talked about the creative experience as well as the struggles he experienced on the road from inception to publication.
Guest Speaker: Howard Shapiro
Howard Shapiro is the author of four children's books as well as the forthcoming graphic novel The Stereotypical Freaks (Sea Lion Books). Shapiro is new to the graphic medium and talked about the creative experience as well as the struggles he experienced on the road from inception to publication.
September 19, 2011
Guest Speaker: Howard Shapiro
Howard Shapiro is the author of four children's books as well as the forthcoming graphic novel The Stereotypical Freaks (Sea Lion Books). Shapiro is new to the graphic medium and talked about the creative experience as well as the struggles he experienced on the road from inception to publication.
Guest Speaker: Howard Shapiro
Howard Shapiro is the author of four children's books as well as the forthcoming graphic novel The Stereotypical Freaks (Sea Lion Books). Shapiro is new to the graphic medium and talked about the creative experience as well as the struggles he experienced on the road from inception to publication.
October 17, 2011
The Next Step: Help Us Plan the Future of Out of the Gutter
Out of the Gutter has been meeting for a year and a half. We've enjoyed lively discussions about graphic novels famous and obscure, enlightening lectures from talented comics creators, and made connections with the local comics scene. Now, we're turning it over to you! Future meetings will be run by attendees. What do you want from Out of the Gutter? Comics discussions? Guest speakers? Creative drawing and writing time? Please join us for October's meeting to discuss how we'll make Out of the Gutter a reflection of Pittsburgh's vibrant comics community. If you are interested in getting involved, e-mail wittigc@carnegielibrary.org or simply attend the meeting October 17.
The Next Step: Help Us Plan the Future of Out of the Gutter
Out of the Gutter has been meeting for a year and a half. We've enjoyed lively discussions about graphic novels famous and obscure, enlightening lectures from talented comics creators, and made connections with the local comics scene. Now, we're turning it over to you! Future meetings will be run by attendees. What do you want from Out of the Gutter? Comics discussions? Guest speakers? Creative drawing and writing time? Please join us for October's meeting to discuss how we'll make Out of the Gutter a reflection of Pittsburgh's vibrant comics community. If you are interested in getting involved, e-mail wittigc@carnegielibrary.org or simply attend the meeting October 17.
November 21, 2011
This month we discussed Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli.
Also, members brought suggestions for future graphic novels they wanted the group to discuss.
This month we discussed Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli.
Also, members brought suggestions for future graphic novels they wanted the group to discuss.
April 16, 2012
The works of R. Crumb
The works of R. Crumb
May 21, 2012
Local author/illustrator Ed Piskor (Wizzywig, The Beats) will join us for this month's discussion.
Local author/illustrator Ed Piskor (Wizzywig, The Beats) will join us for this month's discussion.
June 18, 2012
Guest speaker Wayne Wise from local shop Phantom of the Attic Comics will join us for this month's discussion.
Guest speaker Wayne Wise from local shop Phantom of the Attic Comics will join us for this month's discussion.
August 20, 2012
Local author/illustrator Ed Piskor (Wizzywig, The Beats) will join us for this month's discussion.
Local author/illustrator Ed Piskor (Wizzywig, The Beats) will join us for this month's discussion.
Updated: 5/22/2013
