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Free Comic Book Day Is May 5

Just a week from now, Free Comic Book Day will ensue at comic book retailers around North America. That's when anyone can stop into a comic store and get free comics (publishers put out a lot of free samples), and many stores also put on a great show (signings, giveaways, and more). To find a participating store near you, go to the Free Comic Book Day website.

-- John Hogan

There's Still Time to Get Your MoCCA Tickets!

Tickets for next weekend's Mocca Fest are on sale, and you can get presale prices until April 26 by clicking here. MoCCA Fest is one of the best and most beloved comics events of the year, a fantastic place to meet creators, buy their works, support some of the most innovative publishers doing comics business today, and to attend a series of fascinating and diverse panels.

-- John Hogan

Diablo Valley College Awards Its Students' Graphic Ambitions

Friend of the site Doré Ripley wrote to inform me that Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill California has awarded its annual James O'Keefe Annual Prize for Graphic Literature, which recognized students' graphic literature creations at the school. The prize is named after the late teacher who began DVC's Graphic Novels as Literature course. Doré served on the three-person panel that oversaw the awards, and the ceremony was held on April 18. Here's the list of winners and a description of their works:

-- John Hogan

Kids Comic Con Has a New Location

Kids Comic Con will be taking place in New York City on May 5th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. It's still happening in The Bronx, but this year, the con has a new venue, the Church of the Mediator, 260 W. 231st St., which is on the corner of Kingsbridge Ave. The con's creator, Alex Simmons, had to change the venue because of a scheduling conflict at the usual location, but he promises the same (and perhaps even greater) levels of fun, excitement, and kid-friendly comics.

-- John Hogan

Congratulations, Carla Speed McNeil!

Carla Speed McNeil's Finder: Voice was the winner in the graphic novel category of the prestigious 2012 Los Angeles Times Book Prizes, awarded this weekend. The sci-fi series has been published since 1996, and McNeil created the original graphic novel Voice for Dark Horse in 2011. For a full list of winners in all categories, click here.

-- John Hogan

MoCCA Fest 2012 Is Almost Here

MoCCA Fest. You know it. You love it. If you're anywhere near the New York area on April 28 and 29, you want to make sure you hie yourself down to the Lexington Armory to take part in it. This year is the 10th anniversary for the show, and to celebrate, they've lined up a wealth of guests, including Klein Award recipient Gary Panter, guest of honor P.

-- John Hogan