Appearance Schedule

To book Jay Piscopo for school and library visits, please contact Tami Burke at tami@maine.rr.com.

May 7, 2016
Free Comic Book Day
Jay will be at Bull Moose in the morning and Casablanca Comics in the afternoon doing free superhero sketches

June 4, 2016
Portland Public Library
Portland, Maine

June 11, 2016
10:00 - 6:00
Concord, New Hampshire

October 23, 2016
Portland, Maine

7.31.2009

Rodgers Memorial Library Workshop

Yesterday, the George H. and Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson, New Hampshire hosted comic book artist Jay Piscopo at their new library. Check out photos HERE.

He presented his interactive drawing workshop for an awesome group of kids. In this Draw on Your Creativity workshop, Jay uses simple geometric shapes to teach how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story.

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli all ages graphic novel series.

Authors in August at the Camden Public Library


CAMDEN (July 30): Camden Public Library is celebrating Authors in August month with a series of storytellers, authors, children's book illustrators, speakers and more.

The month opened with a display of artwork by children's book illustrators in the Jean Picker Room; there will be a reception 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Storyteller Layne Gneiting is on a storytelling adventure as he bicycles his way across the country, stopping every day at libraries for a storytelling session. He will be at the Camden library 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13, at 6:30 pm. "This is the most exciting program I've ever put together!" said Gneiting, an Arizona State University lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies.

"What began as a dream to cycle coast-to-coast quickly switched directions. First and foremost this is a storytelling tour. I just happen to be cycling into town instead of driving." Geighting's support crew includes his wife and seven children.

The fourth annual Children's Book-Fair-by-the-Sea will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. The Book Fair is co-sponsored by the Owl & Turtle and features authors Cathryn Falwell, Fran Hodgkins, Noah Z. Jones, Jay Piscopo, Jim Sollers and Sarah L. Thomson.

Click HERE to read full article.

7.29.2009

Drawing Workshop at Thompson Free Library

Today, Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo was at the Thompson Free Library in Dover Foxcroft, Maine. He presented his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop for kids. In this workshop, Jay uses simple geometric shapes to teach kids how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Check out a few photos here.

Jay is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series.

Sulo Burbank Wins at Riverside Speedway

Capt'n Eli's Soda is a proud sponsor of 13 year-old Pass Modified driver, Sulo Burbank. Sulo just finished off July with a bang last Saturday night.

The second year driver from Gorham, Maine bested the field, wheeling his #21 Capt’n Eli’ s Soda/VeMMA PASS Mod into victory lane at Riverside Speedway in Groveton NH during the Summerfest Event.

Soaked with sweat after the event, Sulo hopped up on the podium dwarfed by the second and third place drivers, and sporting a grin only a first time winner can muster and thanked his Dad, his Crew Chief Bubba Pelton, Spanky Anderson at Traxside, and his two biggest sponsors Capt’n Eli’s Soda and VeMMA.

It has been an up and down sophomore season for Sulo. After flirting with top five finishes at Speedway 95 and Unity Raceway early in the season Sulo finally climbed the podium at lee USA Speedway in June, collecting a Pass Mod third behind PASS Mod Ace Andy Shaw and North Carolina Pro Jay Fogleman Two weeks later a promising return to Lee USA ended early with a mechanical problem and a hard smack to the
front stretch wall. But that’s racing. Good days and bad days are all part of the deal.

While the Riverside win was the first full sized Stock Car win for the young driver from Gorham, he’s no stranger to Victory Lane. Racing karts since five, Sulo has collected hundreds of trophies including over forty victories throughout New England. With the 2009 season only half over and check marks next to a couple of
Sulo and the team’s biggest goals, the future looks good. For now it’s back to prepping the PASS Mod for the Unity race August second and working at collecting another one....

7.27.2009

The Aquaman Shrine

Don't miss Rob Kelly's daily devotional to the King of the Seven Seas -- The Aquaman Shrine.

This week, he's focusing on undersea heroes and he has kicked off with this aqua-sketch Jay Piscopo did of Aquaman and the Sea Ghost.

7.24.2009

Photos: Jay Piscopo at the Wenham Museum

Check out photos from Jay Piscopo's drawing workshop and book signing at the Wenham Museum at this link.

Don't miss the awesome Colorful Characters: Storytelling Through Comics exhibit on display at the museum through September 13.

Get your hands on a Commander X action figure while they last! The Commander X Western Knight and NEW Barbary Knight limited edition, collectible action figures are in stock at the Wenham Museum Git Shop -- be sure to check 'em out if you go! Read more about the action figures at this link.

7.23.2009

Colorful Characters

Today, Jay Piscopo presented his Draw on Your Creativity interactive drawing workshop at the Wenham Museum in Wenham, Massachusetts. It was a full house of young artists who were eager to learn more about how to draw comic book characters and tell a story.

Jay’s presentation was part of the museum’s Colorful Characters: Storytelling through Comics exhibit which runs through September 13.

Jay is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all age’s graphic novel series. You can see some of his work on display at the Museum. Be the first to know what’s coming up next at the Wenham Museum by following them on facebook. You can also check out photos on their facebook page from Jay Piscopo’s workshop and the Colorful Characters: Storytelling through Comics exhibit.

Stand by for adventure! And stand by for more photos on the Capt'n Eli blog tomorrow.

Now Available: Commander X Barbary Knight

Nemo Publishing has released its fourth action figure variant in the Commander X collection. The Commander X Barbary Knight is a limited edition, Mego-style, eight-inch collectible action figure available for sale exclusively at www.captneli.com.

Commander X is an integral character in Jay Piscopo’s all-ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli. Commander X is an amnesiac who has been sent from the future to save the earth from inevitable destruction. He is a based on the Depression-era heroes of the comic book and movie serials of the 1930s. The collectible figure is created in a retro-style reminiscent of figures made by the Mego Corporation in the 1970s.

Piscopo worked with Paul Clarke, known as “Dr. Mego,” to create this collection. Other limited edition Commander X eight-inch Mego–style action figures currently available are Golden Age Commander X, 1950’s Commander X and the Western Knight. Each figure is $19.95 plus shipping.

Photos of the full limited-edition collection can be viewed here.

View a video clip at this link.

When customers order a Commander X action figure they are automatically entered to win one of three super-limited-edition Sea Ghost action figure prototypes. The first winner will be drawn December 15, 2009 and the final two winners will be drawn July 15, 2010 and December 15, 2010. Like Commander X, Sea Ghost is a key character in the Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. More details about the contest can be found at this link.

Read press release here.

7.22.2009

August 12: Jay Piscopo at Bridgton Public Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Read full press release HERE.

Comic Book Artist Jay Piscopo Will Draw on Your Creativity at Bridgton Public Library

BRIDGTON, ME – (July 23, 2009) – As part of this year’s summer reading program theme “Be Creative @ Your Library,” Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo will present his “Draw on Your Creativity” drawing workshop at the Bridgton Public Library on Wednesday, August 12 at 10:30 am. This free, hour-long workshop is geared towards kids ages 7-13. Contact the Bridgton Public Library, 1 Church Street, 207-647-2472 for full details and registration information.

Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli all-ages graphic novel series. In this interactive workshop, he invites kids to try their hand at cartoon art and demonstrates how anyone can learn to draw and create comics. Using simple geometric shapes, he teaches how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story.

Rosenthal Family Soda Day

One of the greatest upsets in soda history!
The Rosenthal family reports that Capt'n Eli's Root Beer beat out 32 other sodas and won the best tasting soda in their annual Soda Day event. Soda Day started in 2005 and what started with 5 people and 11 sodas is now up to 13 people and 33 sodas. This was Capt'n Eli's first appearance, thanks to Big Y for carrying the brand and to the Rosenthal Family for raising a frothy mug of Capt'n Eli's Root Beer and crowing us with the gold.

7.21.2009

Salem News Interviews Jay Piscopo

Children's author: Anyone can learn how to draw
By Justin Jervinis, Correspondent
July 21, 2009

WENHAM — Jay Piscopo, children's author and illustrator of "The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli," will teach an interactive cartooning class for young artists this week at the Wenham Museum.

Children ages 7 and up can learn to draw cartoons on Thursday, July 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. (Registration is required, and cost is $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers.)
Piscopo chatted with The Salem News this week from his home in Portland, Maine.

What inspired you to be a graphic novelist? -- I grew up in an interesting time with fun television and comic books. I was also fascinated with comics. I always wanted to publish my own comic.

Where did the idea come from in the creation of "The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli"? -- It was a root beer brand. I was brought in to help promote the brand ... to make it an entertainment media. At the time, Web comics were more popular.

What was your favorite comic book when you were growing up? -- I always loved obscure superheroes. I always loved Batman, Iron Man and Captain America. I also loved characters from golden ages and all around the world.

Who was your favorite comic writer? -- Roy Thomas. I'm a big Jack Kirby fan. Love Steve Ditko. Alex Toth was very influential to me.

If you were not a graphic novelist, what would you be? -- Probably a teacher. I would love to be a general grade-school teacher, teach all subjects like science and math.

How did you know about the Wenham Museum? -- The Wenham Museum contacted us initially. They saw the Web site of me talking about my workshop. They saw that I did interactive things with kids.

What do you expect your students to learn when you teach them about comic design? --
I hope they can draw anything. Make people perceive what they can draw. Try to get ideas across even if they don't create anything. I believe that anyone can draw.

7.20.2009

Video: Fiddlehead Center for the Arts



Check out video clips from Jay Piscopo's comics drawing workshop at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts at this link. On the final day of class, parents were invited to view the fantastic art created by kids who spend the week learning to draw comics. In this hands on workshop, Jay Piscopo teaches the basics of how to create characters and tell a story. He also helps kids develop their own characters and comic book. Read more about this week-long workshop at this link.

7.18.2009

Student Exhibit at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts

On the final day of class, Jay Piscopo's art students exhibited their work at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Gray, Maine. Check out photos from the exhibit HERE. More photos from the week can be viewed HERE. Parents were invited to view the fantastic art created by kids who spend the week learning to draw comics. In this hands on workshop, Jay Piscopo teaches the basics of how to create characters and tell a story. He also helps kids develop their own characters and comic book.

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of the all ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli.

Next week, Jay is presenting his Draw on Your Creativity workshop at the Wenham Museum in Wenham, Massachusetts as part of the Colorful Characters: Storytelling Through Comics exhibit his artwork is a part of. Read more HERE.

7.16.2009

Summer Workshop at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts

Check out photos of Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo and his fantastic students at the Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Gray, Maine.

Jay is at Fiddlehead this week teaching a comics drawing workshop. In this hands-on class, kids learn the basics of how to create characters and tell a story.

Everyone's work is amazing. It is exciting to see all the young creators turn their ideas into a visual story. Tomorrow, there will be an exhibit of all the students' work and a special treat of Capt'n Eli's Soda.

Jay is the author and illustrator of the all ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli. Read reviews of Capt'n Eli at this link.

7.12.2009

Drawing Their Attention

Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo received lots of great press during his week-long tour of Pennsylvania libraries. Be sure to check out photos and video of his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop for kids.

Philadelphia Inquirer
Friday, July 10, 2009













Community Courier
Thursday, July 9, 2009

Watch short video clip of Jay Piscopo being interviewed by the Community Courier at this link.


WCHE Radio -- Interviewed by Michele Paiva
July 7, 2009
Watch video clips of Michele Paiva's radio interview with Jay Piscopo here and here.

Main Line
June 24, 2009
MAIN LINE — As part of this year’s summer reading-program theme “Be Creative @ Your Library,” Maine comic-book artist Jay Piscopo will present his “Draw on Your Creativity” drawing workshop at select Pennsylvania libraries the week of July 6 (see schedule below). Attendees interested in any of Piscopo’s workshops should contact participating libraries for full details, recommended ages and registration information. Piscopo is the author and illustrator of “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli” all-ages graphic-novel series. Read full article at this link.

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of the all-ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli. For more information on Jay's workshops or this series, click here.

7.11.2009

Get Drawn in at Fiddlehead Center for the Arts





This week, Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo will be at the Fiddlehead Center for the Arts teaching a week-long comics drawing workshop for kids. In this hands on workshop, he teaches the basics of how to create characters and tell a story and helps kids develop their own characters and comic book. On the final day, there will be an exhibit of all the students' work.

Fiddlehead Center for the Arts is an fantastic arts facility in Gray, Maine. They offer a full line up of summer workshops for kids of all ages. Check out the summer schedule at this link.

Jay is the author and illustrator of the all ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli. Read reviews of this series at this link. Disover more about the graphic novel curriculum for this series in this recent article in Diamond Bookshelf.

Georgetown Record: Wenham Museum Article

Georgetown Record
By Meghan Flynn / Correspondent

Thu Jul 09, 2009

Read the full article at this link.

After nearly a month of cloudy gray weather, local children and families were thrilled to experience the latest exhibit at the Wenham Museum — “Colorful Characters: Storytelling Through Comics.” The exhibit opened on June 9, but Saturday, June 27 was Superhero Saturday, a three-hour event to kick off the summer exhibit....

The second workshop is a one-day event on July 23 with Jay Piscopo, the Maine-based author and illustrator of “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli.” The workshop will be a step-by-step comic strip drawing course for aspiring artists ages 7 and older.

Piscopo was at the Superhero Saturday event with lots of free mini-comics of his two “Capt’n Eli” graphic novels, which feature a 9-year-old hero maritime detective in the tradition of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. The character was originally the brand icon for Capt’n Eli’s Soda, a line of sodas produced by Fred Forsley and Alan Pugsley of the Maine-based Shipyard Brewing Company.

Piscopo said the stories of Capt'n Eli are designed in the spirit of Forsley’s father, Eli Forsely of Grey, Maine, who believed in the power of good stories and the importance of fun.

“Comics and superheroes are our mythology, and it is equally important to have the kid-friendly parables as it is to have the darker, anti-hero stories we’ve been seeing recently,” said Piscopo, who said he was eager to take on the Capt’n Eli series to create a comic for the young and young at heart to enjoy. “The comic industry will only survive if it embraces both sides of this art.”

Piscopo and Capt’t Eli were a great match for the event for another reason: The comic has recently been adapted by award-winning technology integrationist and educator Laura Richter into interactive lesson plans covering geography, scientific research techniques, ancient mythology, history, art and more.

The Colorful Characters exhibit runs through Sept. 15 at the Wenham Museum, located at 132 Main St., Wenham. For more information, visit www.wenhammuseum.org.

7.09.2009

It's a Wrap

Jay Piscopo's week-long tour of Pennsylvania libraries wrapped up today at Radnor and Malvern Public Libraries. Jay lives in Portland, Maine and is the creator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel.

He spent the week in Pennsylvania presenting his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop for kids. Today, long time friend Chris White joined him in Radnor. Chris was an artistic inspiration to Jay when they were in school together and they had not seen each other for 25 years.

Pennsylvania is a diverse, beautiful state with fantastic libraries all with rapidly expanding graphic novel sections. Jay is proud to have Capt'n Eli on the shelves of so many libraries and to have met so many creative and energetic librarians who are constantly finding new ways to engage the creativity and curiosity of kids. Be creative @ your library -- and -- stand by for adventure!

Be sure to check out the Philadelphia Inquirer tomorrow for a photo essay of Jay's visit to Malvern Public Library.

Check out photos from the week at this link.

7.08.2009

Jay Piscopo in Philadelphia

Click HERE to read Jay Piscopo's blog about his day in Philadelphia at the Joseph E. Coleman library.

Be Creative with Jay Piscopo in Pennsylvania

The second day of Jay Piscopo's Pennsylvania library tour was a fantastic mix of scenery and super powered comics drawing with kids around the state: from the peaceful farmland surrounding Atglen Public Library, to the busy streets of historic West Chester, to an evening with young graphic novel fans at Tredyffrin Public Library. A couple of additional stops included interviews for the Community Courier and WCHE radio with host Michele Paiva. Check out video clips from these interviews HERE and HERE.

This summer, the theme is "Be Creative @ Your Library" and Jay Piscopo is helping kids do just that with his interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop. Check out PHOTOS from this week-long library tour and see the full schedule HERE.

Jay Piscopo is the author / illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all-ages graphic novel series. Stand by for adventure!

7.07.2009

Jay Piscopo on the Road in Pennsylvania

The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli author / illustrator, Jay Piscopo, is on the road in Pennsylvania touring libraries with his interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop for kids. Check out photos and video from day 1 at these links and keep checking for new pictures and updates all week.

Fantastic visits so far to Collingdale Public Library, Henrietta Hankin Library, and Easttown Library connecting with fans of Capt'n Eli and introducing this all ages graphic novel series to new fans.

Pennsylvania is a beautiful state and Jay is gearing up for a full day today with visits to Atglen Public Library, West Chester, Public Library, and Tredyffrin Public Library and a radio interview by Michelle Paiva at WCHE.

Stand by for adventure in Pennsylvania and be creative at your library!

7.04.2009

Video Clip: Jay Piscopo Drawing Workshop

Jay Piscopo is the author / illustrator of the all ages graphic novel series, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli. In his interactive drawing workshop he teaches students about perception and shows how anyone can learn to draw using simple geometric shapes. This video clip is from Jay Piscopo's recent visit to the William Fogg Library in Eliot, Maine.

Stand by for Adventure with Jay Piscopo in Pennsylvania

As part of this year’s summer reading program theme “Be Creative @ Your Library,” Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo will present his “Draw on Your Creativity” drawing workshop at select Pennsylvania libraries this week(see schedule below). Attendees interested in any of Piscopo’s nine workshops should contact participating libraries for full details, recommended ages, and registration information.

Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli all-ages graphic novel series. In this interactive workshop, he invites kids to try their hand at cartoon art and demonstrates how anyone can learn to draw and create comics. Using simple geometric shapes, he teaches how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Read full press release HERE.

Workshop Schedule:
July 6

10:00am -- Collingdale Public Library, Collingdale
2:00pm -- Henrietta Hankin Library, Chester Springs
7:00pm -- Easttown Library, Berwyn

July 7
10:00am -- Atglen Public Library, Atglen
2:00pm – West Chester Public Library, West Chester
7:30pm – Tredyffrin Public Library, Strafford

July 8

2:00pm – Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, Philadelphia

July 9
11:00am – Radnor Township Memorial Library, Wayne
7:00pm – Malvern Public Library, Malvern

7.02.2009

Booklist Review of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli - Volume 2

Click HERE to read review on line.

A brief recap of the events in the first volume leads directly into the action as young Eli and Commander X arrive in the undersea city of Aquaria after the Commander rescues the boy from a time vortex. Eli learns about the history of the undersea cities (including Atlantis) just as the Hydrons that assailed him and his companions in the time vortex attack Aquaria. Eli works to defend Aquaria, even as Commander X is captured by the attackers. The past plays a strong role in what occurs in the present, familial loyalties and betrayals cause repercussions throughout the undersea world, and Eli learns that his own jaunt 5,000 years into the past has many consequences. While the first graphic novel spent a lot of time introducing characters and seemed overly wordy, this volume is an action-packed, fast-paced story full of derring-do. Piscopo again blends 3D-style art with traditional cartooning and updates old-fashioned adventure storytelling for today’s young readers.

— Kat Kan

The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli
v.2: The Mystery of the Sargasso Sea
Piscopo, Jay (author). Illustrated by Jay Piscopo.
Nov. 2008. 112p. Nemo, paperback, $9.99 (9780981713212). Grades 3-5. 741.5. REVIEW. First published June 16, 2009 (Booklist Online).

Ordering information for The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series at this link.

Super Day at the Eliot and Springvale Libraries

Yesterday, graphic novel author/illustrator Jay Piscopo showed kids how to Draw on Their Creativity at the William Fogg Public Library in Eliot, Maine (photos) and the Springvale Public Library in Springvale, Maine (photos).

Jay is the creator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series.

In his interactive drawing workshop, he uses simple geometric shapes to demonstrate how anyone can learn to draw and create comics. Read more about Jay's drawing workshop for schools and libraries and the curriculum designed to go with the Capt'n Eli graphic novel series at this link.

Next week, Jay is off and away to Pennsylvania for a public library tour.

July 6-10
Tour of Pennsylvania Library System
Collingdale Public Library -- Collingdale, PA
Henrietta Hankin Library -- Chester Springs, PA
Easttown Library -- Berwyn, PA
Atglen Public Library -- Atglen, PA
West Chester Public Library -- West Chester, PA
Tredyffrin Public Library -- Strafford, PA
Joseph E. Coleman Library -- Philadeliphia, PA
Radnor Township Memorial Library -- Wayne, PA
Malvern Public Library -- Malvern, PA