Read a graphic novel for Will Eisner Week

Will Eisner Comic Fest celebrated March 4 in Tulsa

Comic stores, libraries, universities and more celebrate Will Eisner this week as the father of the graphic novel. Eisner was born March 6, 1917. 

The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art hosts its 6th annual Will Eisner Comic Fest, in partnership with the OKPOP Museum, from noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 at 2021 E. 71st Street in Tulsa, OK.

The event features local artists and 35 tables of vendors, as well as a cosplay contest and a gaming room with Dungeons & Dragons and board games.

The event and museum will be free to everyone on the date. 

Eisner started working in comics in 1936, at the genesis of the form, and was still active in the field until his death. He is perhaps best-known for his noir crime-fighting hero, The Spirit.

In 1940, Eisner sold his interest in the studio he had created with Jerry Iger. He then created his most famous character, masked crimefighter The Spirit.

The Spirit was the lead feature in a 16-page color comic book inserted in Sunday newspapers, appearing in 20 newspapers with a combined circulation of 5 million readers.

Eisner’s 1978 work "A Contract With God” is considered by many to be the first graphic novel.

Some “Spirit” highlights include: 

• "The Spirit: A Celebration of 75 Years" was released by DC Comics in 2015, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Spirit character. It contains more than 60 stories, including many from Eisner's heyday, and more recent adaptations by creators including Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell and Darwyn Cooke. Cooke, who died in 2016, also was the primary creator behind DC's 2005 "The Spirit" revamp, including the crossover "Batman/The Spirit."

• In 2020, Clover Press published “The Spirit: An 80th Anniversary Celebration,” features 10 stories, five of them with all-new coloring by Eisner-Award-winning colorist, Laura Martin.

• DC Comics spearheaded a complete 26-volume republication of "The Spirit" under the title "The Spirit Archives" from 2000-2009. If you want to sample just one, you might start with the postwar era beginning with Vol. 14. There's also a 27th volume of "New Adventures" by other creators that was published by Dark Horse Comics.

Erik Betts of “Power Rangers” coming to Speeding Bullet

Speeding Bullet is excited to announce a signing appearance by actor, stuntman and martial artist Erik Betts of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" at noon Saturday, March 11!

Betts performed as the stunt double for the Red and Green Rangers on “Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers."

Betts also portrayed the Putty Patrollers and Pudgy Pig.

Betts was a stunt double for Jason David Frank, and wants to share his experiences with "Power Rangers" fans, while honoring JDF's legacy and helping provide mental health awareness for anyone struggling.

Erik's other roles included stunning television audiences as the suavely vicious "Panther" in "WMAC Masters" (1994).

Betts played Agent Brown and other roles on "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" and "Keeper of the Name," among others, on "Angel."

His credits also include the films G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Avatar, The Last Airbender, The Green Hornet, Fast Five, The Fate of the Furious, and Lady Gaga's music video "G.U.Y."

Pictionary Showdown, Round 2!

Play a drawing game with fantastic artists and help raise money for Annette Price for Norman School Board! Join artists Mario Wytch and Don Rosencrans for the second round of our Pictionary Showdown! Join a guessing team for $50 per person or $75 per family! You can also bid in the silent auction and pay for bonuses or penalties for the teams! This event starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 10!

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.