Attention comic book and zine fans: A celebration of the genre and independent publishing is set to take over the Downtown Main Library this weekend.
The inaugural Duval Comic and Zine Fest will showcase the talents of local publishers, along with lots of helpful tips on how to create your own content.
“Jacksonville has never had a celebration of self-publishers before,” festival organizer Lindsay Anderson said on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross.
“That's what is called a zine festival, and they can be found in many other major cities across Florida and the United States. We decided that Jacksonville definitely needed to have its own celebration. And so we're bringing that here.”
Zine and comic maker Dan Waily, another organizer, says the festival provides an outlet for publishers who don’t have access to mainstream media.
“Our self-published works don't necessarily have any kind of one genre," he said. "So it's about anything and everything, which makes it really wonderful. It's a group of people, maybe they didn't feel like they had a voice, or were able to be published in mainstream media or work. So we kind of get together and make our own.”
Self-published media such as mini-comics, small press, alternative press, underground art and DIY media will all be featured, along with the chance to meet dozens of zine and comic makers.
The event is free and takes place on the first floor of the Main Library from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.