Bracing For John Lewis’ Big Day at Comic-Con
SAN DIEGO — The stage is literally set for Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights leader cum comic book co-author, to step into an entirely different universe today as he strides into Comic-Con International to promote “March.”
Lewis, a featured guest at this year’s show, will share the origin story of his superhero treatment at the first politician-led panel at 10 a.m.
Project collaborators Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, a Lewis aide and award-winning artist, respectively, have been warming up the crowd here at the entertainmentopia for days, sharing their insights into the landmark book and all that went into it with fellow comics gurus and the general public.
Top Shelf Comix has primed the pump by offering potential readers a trio of purchasing options: a traditional soft-cover version of the book ($15), a handsome hardcover, complete with glowing endorsement from former President Bill Clinton — “I’m so pleased he is sharing his memories of the Civil Rights Movement with America’s young leaders,” 42 stated — on the book jacket ($25) and a limited edition (only 500 printed) version designed to look like the hand-me-down textbooks of Lewis’ youth and bearing the signatures of all three contributors on a faux library card tucked inside ($40).
Meanwhile, Lewis is expected to add his John Hancock to many more. The Georgia Democrat is tentatively scheduled to camp out at the Top Shelf Comix booth (#1721) to chat with fans and sign copies of the book for four hours on Saturday (three shifts) and another four-and-a-half hours on Sunday (ditto).
“March” goes on sale nationwide August 13.