Speaker Jeff Benham presents his talk about comics and society at the Fuller Lodge on April 16th

Modern comics are generally considered to have risen from sociopolitical cartoons around the turn of the twentieth century. Despite their "grown-up" inception, comics quickly came to be considered merely "kid stuff." Reflection on their actual history reveals comics to not only offer up a mirror of our fears and beliefs, but to in fact be an active force in the evolution of our culture. Delight as the limits of creativity are shattered! Escape with the unexpected monsters of our dreams! Thrill as the Captains of America tackle the Axis! Tremble as Congress contemplates comics' delinquency! Raise a fist as The Man pulls comics underground! Celebrate as comics unloose the broad American voice! Squirm as comics struggle to define "created equal!" Look! Up in the Sky! It's not a bird! It's not a plane! It's comics fighting for us all! (And we don't always agree!)

We know weeknights can be hectic, so the Los Alamos Arts Council will provide a light meal prior to the speaker for those who attend the lecture.

This event is free thanks to a grant from the new Mexico Humanities Council, Samizdat Bookstore, and the Los Alamos Arts Council. All donations will benefit the Los Alamos Arts Council's ongoing mission to Unite the Community Through the Arts.