Comic Fest Returns To Rochester Hills Public Library

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Rochester Hills Public Library’s Comic Fest returns Saturday, Sept. 14 for its second year bringing comic creators and lovers together for an all ages, family friendly event designed to inspire and engage.

This year’s featured guest is New York Times best-selling author and cartoonist Jeffrey Brown. Brown has written and illustrated numerous graphic novels, including The Jedi Academy and Vader and Son. His work appeals to adults and youth alike.

"I grew up in Michigan, always making comics and dreaming about writing books that would end up on shelves in libraries - so I'm super excited to come to the Rochester Hills Public Library this year and share that love of reading and writing with everyone at Comic Fest,” said Brown.

The all-day festival will include games, activities, authors, artists, a variety of food trucks, and a costume contest. There will also be local artists selling their artwork and comics, as well as characters from a variety of movies and comic books. The event will have activities for all ages, teens and adults are welcome.

“This event is special because it celebrates the valuable role graphic novels play in a child’s development. There is a misconception that comics are ‘easy reads’ but in reality reading a comic engages different parts of the brain because you’re interpreting the illustrations as you’re reading the words,” said event organizer Kricket Hoekstra. “Plus kids like comics and encouraging kids to read what they like helps instill a life-long love for reading.”

Studies have shown graphic novels introduce children to new words, teach inference, and make readers fluent in a range of mediums, organizers said.

Comic Fest is Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.