ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS & A. DAVID LEWIS PRESS RELEASE

WRITER A. DAVID LEWIS EXPLORES RELIGION IN COMICS
Graven Images, a three-day conference at Boston University

Kearny, NJ -- Apr 9, 2008 -- Writer A. David Lewis, ASP, and ASP publisher Mark Smylie are excited to announce co-organizer Lewis’s Boston University conference “Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books & Graphic Novels” held Apr 11–13.

Panel discussions include Missionizing with Comics, Judaism and Identity, Comics and Pedagogy, and Scripture and Theology. A complete schedule of events and speakers is at the “Graven Images” site:
http://www.bu.edu/luce/calendar/religionincomics.html

“It’s been sensational to develop this conference,” said Lewis, PhD candidate in Religion and Literature, Boston University, and writer of acclaimed ASP titles SOME NEW KIND OF SLAUGHTER and THE LONE AND LEVEL SANDS. “Obviously, the use of religion in comics is one of the concepts I’ve explored over the years and the relationship between comics and religion is dynamic and evolving. ‘Graven Images’ will provide conference-goers an opportunity for discussion of cutting-edge artistic and social issues by exploring the roles of religion in comic books and graphic novels.”

Mark Smylie, ASP publisher and ARTESIA creator, an epic fantasy that is no stranger to religious concepts, will join Lewis, Saurav Mohapatra (India Authentic, The Sadhu: The Silent Ones, Devi Vol 2), Steve Ross (Marked!), and G. Willow Wilson (Cairo) in a Creator Q&A on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Additionally, the creators’ panel will be followed by a “Graphically Religious” presentation and signing at Boston U’s Kenmore Square Barnes & Noble.

All conference events will be held in room 201 on the second floor of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies, located at 147 Bay State Road.

Free and open to the public, “Graven Images” is co-organized by Christine Hoff Kraemer (PhD, Boston University, 2007). It is co-sponsored by The New England-Maritimes American Academy of Religion, The Boston University Graduate Student Organization, The Boston University Department of Religion, and Caption Box.

ABOUT ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS
Mark Smylie founded Archaia Studios Press (ASP) in 2002 as a new home for his epic fantasy comic book, Artesia (first published by Sirius Entertainment). Artesia, winner of ForeWord Magazine’s Best Graphic Novel of 2003, and its sequels -- Artesia Afield and Artesia Afire -- gave ASP its foundation. Artesia: Adventures in The Known World, a roleplaying game written by Mark, expanded ASP into the world of gaming; the game won the Origins Award for Role-Playing Game of 2005. Now Mark and publishing partner Aki Liao have expanded ASP to include a line of idiosyncratic and creator-driven comic books and graphic novels in the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres, as well as translations of several of Europe’s best titles. More information can be found at www.aspcomics.com.