Super-Powered Comics Reading at the Maine Comics Arts Festival

Read full press release HERE.


SUNDAY, MAY 17: Educators and librarians won't want to miss this FREE graphic novel workshop at the Maine Comics Arts Festival!

Acclaimed national speaker Peter Gutiérrez will present “Super-Powered Comics Reading: Building Literacy and Having Fun” -- a special graphic novel workshop for educators and librarians at the Maine Comics Arts Festival. This free presentation will be held at the Ocean Gateway Terminal in Portland, Maine from 10:30am to Noon as part of the day-long festival. This is Gutiérrez’s first time presenting in Maine.

Gutiérrez will provide an overview of the ways graphic novels, comics and manga foster and enhance a love of reading. His tips and techniques work across all age levels and translate perfectly into librarian-led book circles and read-alouds. He will share kid-centered ways to leverage the unique strengths of the medium to read with expression, expand vocabulary, practice visual literacy, identify story elements and master comprehension strategies.

His hour-long workshop will lead into a half-hour session with award-winning Maine educator and technology integrationist Laura Richter. She will present her new curriculum for The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. The curriculum is available for FREE at this link and complimentary copies of the graphic novel will be provided to workshop attendees. The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli is written and illustrated by Jay Piscopo of Portland, Maine.

Richter will demonstrate how teachers can integrate these interactive and engaging lesson plans to expand their curriculum to an interdisciplinary experience where students learn language arts skills, geography mapping, scientific research techniques, ancient mythology, world history, and art. Authentic assessment strategies, technology integration, 21st century skills, and real life learning are all integral to the learning process embedded in these lessons.

Read more HERE.

Kidjutsu: Capt'n Eli Tops at New York Comic-Con

"One of the best comics to come out of the New York Comic Con is The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli." ~ Brian Leung, Kidjutsu

Check out the Kidjutsu blog about Jay Piscopo's all-ages graphic novel series and learn more about his interactive "Draw on Your Creativity" workshop at this link.

Kidjutsu - Kid Friendly Comic Books

Brian Leung is the founder of Kidjutsu and he stopped by The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli booth at New York Comic Con. Go to the Kidjutsu website and you'll discover online comics from a large selection of kid-friendly age-appropriate titles -- for free!

Look for special content from Jay Piscopo's The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli on Kidjutsu soon. And be sure to check out Brian's BLOG. He has lots of recommendations for family friendly comic books and graphic novels.

Good Comics for Kids at New York Comic-Con

Brigid Alverson from School Library Journal popped by The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Ei booth at New York Comic-Con. Read her write up about Day 2 of the convention HERE at Good Comics for Kids. Exciting to see a mention of this new all ages graphic novel series by Maine author/illustrator Jay Piscopo.

"...At another booth Jay Piscopo was presiding over a selection of his Capt'n Eli graphic novels, which come complete with online lesson plans. Also at the booth were a selection of their colorful choose-your-own-adventure graphic novels...."

Educators and librarians, click HERE for more information about this exciting new kid friendly graphic novel series and stand by for adventure with Jay Piscopo and The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli in the classroom!

Day 3: New York Comic-Con KIDS DAY!

The doors are about to open at New York Comic-Con - Day 3! Today is KIDS DAY and Jay Piscopo and The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli crew have really been looking forward to this day for families and kids of all ages!

Jay will host an interactive Kids Draw workshop with Ruben Procopio, Chris Schweizer, and Jamal Igle at 11:00 in Kids Zone 3 and split his time between Booth 1927 and Kids Day Booth G114 in the Galleria. Bob Libbey joins Brandon Mazer and Kirsten Cappy to keep the Capt'n Eli ship sailing strong!

As Day 2 winds down...

...Jay Piscopo and The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli crew have almost sold out of Commander X Mego-style action figures at New York Comic-Con! Come early tomorrow to BOOTH 1927 to be sure to get one of these limited edition collectibles.

KIDS DAY: All hands on deck tomorrow! Jay will host an interactive Kids Draw workshop at 11:00 in Kids Zone 3. On this final day of the convention, he will split his time between Booth 1927 and Kids Day Booth G114 in the Galleria. Don't miss this opportunity to get a signed book or a free convention sketch! The crew is also handing out free mini-comics, collectible card games, pins, and Seasearcher tattoos in both spots.

Check out PHOTOS and VIDEO updated daily.

Are you a librarian or educator? Stand by for adventure with Capt'n Eli in the classroom! Click HERE to read more about this kid friendly graphic novel.

DAY 1: New York Comic-Con

Click HERE to check out all the video clips in Jay Piscopo's video diary from New York Comic-Con.

The day begins: WATCH HERE

As the day winds down: WATCH HERE

Lots of photos being added daily HERE.

Today is Mego day at the convention and Jay will be attending this exciting panel about Mego's comeback. Capt'n Eli fans have been really excited to get their hands on a limited edition Commander X Mego-style action figure at the show!

Visit Jay and The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli crew at Booth 1927 and get a free sketch! The crew is handing out free mini-comics, collectible card games, pins, and Seasearcher tattoos. Stand by for adventure!

Stand by for adventure in Deckerville, Michigan!

A team of intrepid 5th grade helpers assisted the 2nd graders in Deckerville, Michigan play The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli trivia game at their school library. View the photos HERE.

Welcome aboard to all these new Seasearchers who joined Capt'n Eli and his crew on this interactive undersea adventure in their school library!

Video from the Awesome Comic Book Event!

Click HERE to check out a short compilation of fun video clips taken at the Awesome Comic Book Event at Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth, Maine yesterday.

As part of the event, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli author/illustrator Jay Piscopo led attendees in an interactive drawing workshop.

Read more and view photos from this community fundraising event organized by the Yarmouth PTO HERE.

Awesome Comic Book Event

An Awesome Comic Book Event was held today at Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth, Maine. View photos from this activity-filled day HERE. Stay tuned for video being uploaded early this week!

This event was organized by the PTO to raise money for the Harrison Middle School Green Space Project. Attendees got to try their hand at creating with clay and putting their ocean knowledge to the test with the Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli trivia game.

Capt'n Eli author / illustrator Jay Piscopo did free sketches and led an interactive drawing workshop. The Capt'n Eli's Soda crew was also on hand selling soda to help raise money for the cause. The Yarmouth community showed up in force to support this event and raise money to improve the outside areas of the school. Kudos to the Yarmouth PTO for putting together this successful day and to all the volunteers who pitched in to make it happen! Stand by for adventure with kid friendly comic books at Harrison Middle School!

Capt'n Eli -- Volume 3 Preview Image!

Here's a sneak peek at what Jay Piscopo is working on in The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli - Volume 3 due out later this year. In the upcoming story, Capt'n Eli goes to the sea of Japan and, as you can see from this image, has brought along a little more than just his rain coat!

If you love old Japanese monster movies, giant robots, and international superheroes, Volume 3 of the all-ages graphic novel series The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli is for you!

And...Eli will be solving some past mysterious and well as discovering a lot of new ones. More soon... Stand by for adventure!

The Overland Adventures of Jay Piscopo

Check out this gigantic and most excellent announcement from Charlotte, North Carolina children's librarian Bill Corder.

The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli author/illustrator Jay Piscopo will tour the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County system in early April. Bill and his fellow children's librians selected The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli as their top all-ages graphic novel of 2008.

Check out photos from a PLCMC summer 2008 Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli library event HERE.

Watch video of Jay Piscopo in the classroom and behind the scenes in his studio and discover more about Capt'n Eli's school and library programs HERE.

View Jay's full appearance schedule by scrolling down the right-hand column of this blog. Book a school or library visit by contacting us at info@captneli.com

Stand by for adventure with Capt'n Eli in your public library or school!

Kids Draw at New York Comic-Con

Sunday, Feburary 8 is Kids Day at New York Comic-Con! At 12:15pm The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all-ages graphic novel series creator Jay Piscopo will lead an interactive Kids Draw artist panel with artists Jamal Igle, Ruben Procopio, and Chris Schweizer. The audience will challenge this talented group of comic book artists to draw villains, monsters and superheroes based on their suggestions. Stand by for adventure!

Look for Jay and the Capt'n Eli crew in Nemo Publishing's Booth 1927 where Jay will offer free convention sketches and hand out limited edition collectible card games, Seasearcher tattoos, collectible pins and mini-comics. And on Sunday don't miss Capt'n Eli's special exhibit in the Kids Day Galleria featuring free comic books, collectible card games, and more!