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Comic Book Culture and Illinois: A Living HistoryIllinois has consistently served as a touchstone for the history of comic strips and books: creators have lived here, publishers have set up shop here, and important events have occurred here. While Chicagoland has inspired memorable characters (Dick Tracy, Blondie, and Brenda Starr), downstate has made lasting contributions to the culture as well (Popeye, Black Panther, and The Phantom).
This presentation traces the many ways that Illinois and comics have formed a symbiotic relationship: politics, labor, law and order, education, architecture, and identity. Through contextualizing how comics culture has responded to these aspects of Illinois history, this program will demonstrate a complex unity between the two. From Hollywood to Broadway, the Mafia to Congress, and a future King of England, Illinois has shaped an entire industry. This, in turn, has nurtured a rich and vibrant comics community, thereby reinforcing the important relationship between Illinois history and comics culture.
May 9, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Howard Rutan Meeting Room
Based in Glen Carbon, IL
Dr. Stephen Harrick is a writer, historian, scholar, educator, and theatre artist. He has written about comics culture for Comics Beat, Straight Up Magazine, and The Arts STL. He has delivered dozens of presentations on comics, literature, theatre and performance at libraries, and conventions and academic conferences in the United States and internationally. His comics have been published by GrayHaven Comics and Ink & Drink Comics.
He earned his doctorate in Theatre from Bowling Green State University, and has told stories through the medium of theatre by writing/directing/acting in dozens of productions. He is a former member of the Non-Prophet Theatre Company and has worked at professional theatres across the country. He has taught comics, theatre, literature, and dramatic theory at Central Michigan University, Defiance College, and Ohio Northern University. His scholarship has appeared in Sporting Performances: Politics in Play, as well as the academic journals Theatre Journal, Theatre Topics, and Theatre History Studies. He has headed or served on committees for the American Theatre and Drama Society and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.
This event is made possible through a partnership with Illinois Humanities.
The Library is committed to making programs accessible to all. If you would like an accommodation, please email the Community Relations Administrator at [email protected] or call 217-477-5220 ext. 111.
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Event Venue
319 N Vermilion St, Danville, IL, United States, Illinois 61832
Tickets
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