It’s the Last Day in Viet Nam in Portland

Okay so this is pretty cool. Dark Horse Comics is celebrating ‘Will Eisner Week’ with a new edition of his classic work Last Day in Viet Nam and a pair of events in the publisher’s hometown of Portland.

Diana Schutz, who edits Eisner’s work for Dark Horse, will be giving a free to attend talk titled ‘Will Eisner: Father of the Graphic Novel’ at the Art Institute of Portland to start things off. There’ll be giveaways, a q&a session, free food (catered by the Culinary Arts program no less) and more- did I mention it’s free?

“The comics industry owes so much to Will Eisner, who was a mentor and friend to all of us who love the medium,” said Schutz. “He was there at the start, and through his work and commitment and the generations he inspired, he has given more to comics than anyone else. That’s a legacy worth remembering and celebrating.”

Then the action will shift over to the very cool sounding Jack London Bar in downtown Portland. There there’ll be a special reading of the book by some names you probably are pretty familiar with. Who, you ask? Ahem: Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Michael Avon Oeming, and Dylan Meconis. And if that’s not enough, local cartoonist and violinist (there’s an odd combo) Eric Nebel will be providing some soothing sounds to accompany the reading. Not to shabby right there.

On top of the special events planned, retailer and comic shop Things from Another World will be promoting the celebration with a sale on Will Eisner and Eisner award winning books. Take advantage of the sale and you’ll get a tidy 30% off the regular price tag on your purchase of the select listings (and the sale actually lasts March 1st through the 10th).

All in all, it sounds like a pretty fun time and probably not something comic fans should miss. Here are the where’s and when’s in a little more detail- and remember, Last Day in Viet Nam arrives in stores on March 6th.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 7 p.m.

 Celebrating Will Eisner & the Graphic Novel

Talk by Diana Schutz, Q&A, Prizes

Desserts catered by Culinary Arts School

The Art Institute of Portland

1122 NW Davis Street

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/portland/

Thursday, March 7, 2013, 8 p.m.

 Comics Underground

Reading of Will Eisner’s Last Day in Vietnam

With Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Kelly Sue DeConnick, and Michael Avon Oeming

21+ event, $5 admission

Jack London Bar

529 SW 4th Avenue

http://comicsunderground.com