Autobiographical cartoonist to visit library Aug. 17

Portland Public Library will welcome cartoonist Ryan Claytor on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m., in a lecture presented in conjunction with Casablanca Comics. The event will take place in Rines Auditorium.

Starting at the end of July 2010, a "University Comics professor and autobiographical cartoonist," Claytor will begin a comic book signing tour to promote the release of his latest autobiographic comic, "And Then One Day #8."

Claytor is most well-known for publishing his all-ages autobiographical comic book series titled "And Then One Day" under the moniker Elephant Eater Comics. He recently announced the final line-up for his ambitious North American Comic Book Tour, which will take him to 25 different locations in 15 states and five Canadian provinces. Teen Librarian Justin Hoenke at the Portland Public Library said he is thrilled to have Claytor include the Teen Library on his tour.

“Ryan’s visit to the library will give teens a chance to see how artists today are creating and distributing their work," he said. "I hope Ryan’s visit will inspire teen artists to go out there and create and share much like Ryan is doing.”

Claytor will meet readers (both new and returning), promote his books, and deliver an artist lecture on his work in autobiographical comics, self-publishing and comics in the university classroom. The event is free and open to the public.The library staff extended thanks to Casablanca Comics for hosting this event with the ibrary. For details, visit www.casablancacomics.com.