You’re basking in the afterglow of C2E2, and want to have a nice, leisurely stroll through the more intellectual side of comics
and graphic literature. In that spirit, we invite you to the next exciting installment of Comics 301!

Our guest will be Len Strazewski, professor of Journalism at Columbia College Chicago

Strazewski has been writing professionally since he was 19 years old, working as a staff and free-lance reporter and editor for local and national newspapers and magazines, including Advertising Age, Crain’s Chicago Business, Online Access, Windows & DOS User’s Guide, The Chicago Tribune, and The Chicago Sun-Times, among others.

From 1987 to 1997, he maintained a dual identity as a comic book writer, scripting Flash, Justice Society of America, Phantom Lady, Starman, The Fly and The Web for DC Comics, Prime, Prototype and Elven for a division of Marvel Comics and Speed Racer for NOW Comics.

Strazewski has a B.S.J. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, an M.A. in the Program for Writers at University of Illinois at Chicago and a M.S. in Industrial Relations from Loyola University in Chicago.

When: Monday, April 26, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: Challengers Comics, 1845 N Western

Cost: FREE

Yes, you read that correctly – comics are increasingly becoming part of our academic landscape, and providing an important
perspective. So we’re encouraging not just comic nerds, but nerds of all kinds (history, literary, academic) to attend our Comics 301 event. Our guest is Cord Scott, a doctorial canddiate in american history at Loyola University and has written numerously on various comic-related subjects, including

• Teaching history through comics
• Portrayals of the concept of eugenic in comics
• A chapter in “Captain America & the Struggle of the Superhero”

Cord will be discussing the role of comics in an academic as well as giving recommendations

• Comics and academia – tied into historical or lit aspects for academic
• Academically challenging comic books
• The precursors to the Graphic Novel

When: Monday, March 22nd, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: Challengers Comics – 1845 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL

Cost: FREE

Throughout time nerds have been loved and tormented by robots. From the beginnings with Rosie Jetson, all the way to our favorite governor, The Terminator. Which robot will you build?

The Chicago Nerd Social Club is putting together our very first Robot Workshop. We’ll be working with the folks from Robot City Workshop to help us during our construction project. We’ll be using their intermediate level kit, but don’t worry, there’s no soldering required.
It should be a fun time had by all, so if you’re interested be sure to register because seating is limited. If the response is strong enough we’ll be try to schedule another class for later in the day. Tickets are $60 which covers your kit charge and your workshop fee for the instructor.

We’re looking forward to see what type of spirit Chicago puts in its robots!

When: March 28th, 2010 — 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Where: Robot City Workshop — 3226 N. Sheffield Chicago, IL 60657

Cost: $60 – includes robot kit and workshop fee