At a glance
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) will take place from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 at venues throughout Greater Columbus. For more events, a full schedule and ticket and parking information, visit cartooncrossroadscolumbus.org.
Sept. 28, the focus will turn to animation — specifically, animated movies released by Dreamworks Animation.
Attendees can take the short walk from the Billy Ireland to the Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St., where numerous events will spotlight Dreamworks. Talks by Nbcuniversal archivist Chase Schulte will take place at 4 and 5 p.m.
Then, at 7 p.m., director Brenda Chapman will introduce her 1998 film, “The Prince of Egypt.”
“Brenda Chapman (is) one of the first directors who identifies as a female who did a major animated film,” Kalagayan said. “Afterwards, there will be a Q&A with Brenda Chapman. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
As part of the tribute to Dreamworks, the Wex will also host screenings of the studio’s beloved films “Kung Fu Panda” (11 a.m.), “How to Train Your Dragon” (1 p.m.) and “Shrek” (3:30 p.m., all on Sept. 30).
Guests galore
Major cartoonists will be on hand to give talks throughout CXC, including a conversation with children’s cartoonist Raina Telgemeier at 5 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Mershon Auditorum, 1871 N. High St.
Also at the Mershon Auditorium at 8 p.m. Sept. 29, cartoonist Daniel Clowes, best known for his acerbic comic book portrait of adolescence “Ghost World,” will give a talk and unveil his latest work, “Monica.” The event will take place at 8 p.m.
“It’s before it’s available to the public,” Kalagayan said of Clowes’ new graphic novel, which will be published on Oct. 3.
“(‘Monica’ is) premiering here at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus,” Kalagayan said. “I know I want to read it, I know I want to get it, I know I want to get an autograph. I have not had an opportunity to see it, because it’s advance.”
And at 8 p.m. Sept. 30, perhaps the most notable guest of the entire event will be front and center: Traveling from Japan, Manga artist Keito Gaku will participate in an on-stage interview at the Columbus College of Art & Design’s Canzani Center, 60 Cleveland Ave.
“This is his first appearance at a festival in the United States,” Kalagayan said. “He’s one of the first publicly out trans Manga creators, and his book is about this subject as well . ... Keito Gaku stands out as a rarity to have among the artists coming in.”
Don't forget about the expo
CXC’S expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30 and 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library, 96 S. Grant St.
“We’re taking over the library Downtown,” Kalagayan said. “We’re going to have 100-plus creators on the second floor of the library . ... We’re taking over the atrium, where we’re going to have signings, with Raina Telgemeier and Keita Gaku; and then we have programming in the auditorium.”
Year in and year out, CXC confirms central Ohio as the epicenter of all things comics.
“There’s something to be said for trying to make Columbus a capital for comics, a capital for comic books and cartoons and animation,” Kalagayan said.
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