One-Minute Portraits with Dan Abdo and James Kolchalka

Phoenix Books is thrilled to host Vermont cartoonist Dan Abdo to celebrate the release of Barb vs. The Leech Queen! Dan will be joined by fellow cartoonist James Kolchalka at Phoenix Books Burlington for an interactive, fun-filled event. Reserve your spot today to guarantee a one-minute portrait from Dan or James!

Dan Abdo has been part of an award-winning duo with his childhood best friend Jason Patterson. Together, they have developed numerous animated campaigns, network TV and web series, and critically acclaimed commercial work. Their extensive portfolio has garnered them industry wide recognition, while their humorous sensibility and diverse skill set have landed them jobs for top global brands. Dan and Jason have set up properties at Twentieth Century Fox, Disney, and Nickelodeon as well as a feature animated film through Paramount Pictures. The well-versed storytellers have developed original content for a wide variety of platforms, including print (Nickelodeon Comics, The New Yorker), theater (Pilobolus), and digital.

James Kolchalka (kah-chall-ka) has been creating iconic indie comics and bizarrely catchy punk rock since the early 80s. He is a two-time winner of the prestigious Eisner award and in 2011 was named the first cartoonist laureate of his home state of Vermont. His song “britney’s silver can” was on Rolling Stone’s Best Songs of 2006, and his song “Monkey vs robot” was the theme to Fox sitcom “the loop.”

About the book: Barb and Porkchop fight in a cutthroat competition in this action-packed and uproariously funny fourth book in the Barb the Last Berzerker middle grade graphic novel series perfect for fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Dog Man.

With the war between the humans and monsters finally over, the Berzerkers are now fighting to preserve the fragile peace in the land of Bailiwick. When Barb and Porkchop arrive in the city of Skulladune, they find monsters and people at each other’s throats over the silliest things and do their best to shut the conflict down.

But there’s a sinister shapeshifting force at work who seeks to possess the Ghost Blade, and she manipulates Barb into entering Skulladune’s notoriously brutal contest to become the city’s marshal and then tricks Porkchop into entering, too. Soon, the Berzerker and the yeti are facing an evil gelatinous cube, a sewer labyrinth, an epic sausage-eating contest, and more. Can the best friends find a way to work together, or will they be forced to take each other out?

DATE: Sunday, November 30 from 1-3PM

LOCATION: Phoenix Books, 89 Church Street, Burlington, VT

ADMISSION: This is a free event! Registration is helpful for planning purposes – reserve your spot through the link above!

BOOKS: Copies of both author’s books will be available at the event for purchase.