SATURDAY
10:30AM - 12PM
Riso open studio
Ever wanted to try Risograph printing? This open studio offers a dedicated space to design and print your own Riso artwork with expert support. Karina Richardson of Punch Kiss Press will circulate to help troubleshoot and answer questions while you create. Use this time to experiment or prepare to produce a small edition at the Risograph machine (courtesy of Heavy Manners Library) right outside—a Riso print is perfect as a convention souvenir, a Christmas gift for family or friends, or a trade with other artists. All skill levels welcome.
12 - 1PM
POWER PULP COLLECTIVE
As a collective, Power Pulp Comics has developed a model where each artist self-publishes but benefits from a system for centralized distribution, PR, and collective visibility. This panel will break down the nuts and bolts of how it works for anyone interested in building collaborative structures that support creative independence while making long-term careers more sustainable—a path toward a healthier comics industry. Featuring Chris Anderson, Rick Lopez, and Charles Glaubitz. Moderated by Jason Leivian of Floating World Comics.
1 - 2PM
Finding Your Graphic Memoir
How do you transform your own lived experience into a compelling graphic narrative? This session explores the craft of creating memoir in comics form—researching your own life, deciding when to use first-person or step outside yourself as a narrator, finding drama in fragments, and navigating questions of truth and privacy. Ideal for anyone curious about shaping their personal history into a graphic memoir. Featuring Sanika Phawde, Matt MacFarland, Julie Cardenas, and Joe Sikoryak. Moderated by Joe Sikoryak.
2 - 3PM
Fantasy, folklore, and real-life
Across cultures and centuries, people have turned to myths, folktales, and fantastical narratives to make sense of the world. This panel brings together comics creators who use these narrative traditions to explore personal history, illuminate trauma and healing, and frame real experiences through fantasy. Join our creators for a conversation about how ancient stories can inspire new work, as well as how fantasy can offer both escapism and clarity, allowing artists to express what might otherwise feel unsayable. Featuring Susannah Lohr, Jo Pimienta, Anders Nilsen, and Lonnie Garcia.
3 - 4PM
Making Erotic Comics
Join our panel of professionals in discussing the pleasures and challenges that surround creating erotic comics. The conversation will explore topics like getting started drawing erotic comics, approaching storytelling with erotica, the role of fantasy and identity in the work—as well as the practical realities: where and how to publish, building supportive communities, and navigating censorship. Featuring Jon Cairns, Kelly Turnbull, Dave Davenport, and Spike Trotman. Moderated by William O. Tyler.
4 - 5PM
Jack Kirby as Re/Source
The comics of Jack Kirby are at once indisputably mainstream and yet esoteric and strange; hugely popular, but linked to outsider art and outrageous visions. Revered for, yet nearly obscured by, the characters he created for Marvel and DC, Kirby invites rereading from alternative and art-comics perspectives as well.
On the occasion of Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity, a career-spanning exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center, this panel brings together comics artists to talk about Kirby as inspiration, provocation, and mystery. Featuring Ben Passmore, Charles Glaubitz, and Karen Czap. Moderated by Charles Hatfield.
SUNDAY
10 - 11AM
Build Hygiene kits with selah
Come help assemble travel-size hygieneproducts into hygiene kits that will be distributed to our unhoused neighbors through SELAHHomeless Neighborhood Coalition!
11AM - 12 PM
All Ages Storytelling Workshop
This one-hour workshop, led by Kane Lynch and Shay Mirk, introduces the core principles of making comics in an easy, approachable, story-driven way. Suitable for beginners, families, and aspiring artists of all ages, this workshop provides simple tools you can use immediately—whether you’re developing longer projects or just discovering the joy of telling a story in pictures.
12 - 1PM
DIY your own community event
Ever wondered how comics festivals, zine fairs, and community arts events actually get organized? This panel brings together organizers from CALA, LA Zine Fest, Riso Art & Zine Fest, Comics O’Clock, and Loose Frames to demystify the process and talk candidly about venues, logistics, finances, community values, and keeping a grassroots event healthy over time. For anyone who’s thought, “Could I do this?”—here’s how. Featuring Julie Fiveash, Nikki France, Mikey Heller, Kat Ball, and Angie Wang.
1 - 2PM
The Realities of Making Graphic Novels
What does it actually take to create a full-length graphic novel? This panel offers an honest look at the day-to-day realities behind long-form comics work. Moderated by Kane Lynch and Mary Shyne, a group of graphic novelists will discuss their creative routines, the hurdles they’ve faced, and the strategies that helped them push through to the finish line. Featuring Karen Czap, Andy Warner, Kane Lynch, and Mary Shyne.
2:30 - 4:30PM
Figure Drawing
Come join us for a figure drawing session, organized by Sketchboard.co! All skill levels are welcome—just bring your drawing tools and enjoy a relaxed time sketching from a live model.
OFFSITE EVENTS
Riso Classes at Punch Kiss Press
Punch Kiss Press is offering Risograph classes the whole week leading up to CALA.
Dec 8th: Group RISO 101
Dec 9th: Let’s make some zines! - Learn how to make a one page folding zine, make and print some!
Dec 10th: Collaborative recipe book - Come with a recipe and design and riso print a recipe card
Dec 11th: Let’s make some holiday cards! - Design a two color holiday card print and take home a set!
Dec 12th: CALA-mania (Aqua and Riso Fed. Blue)
Dec 13th: Group RISO 101
Comics O’Clock CALA Edition
There will also be a CALA Edition of Comics O’Clock at Heavy Manners Library on December 12, 7 PM. Comics O'Clock is a comics reading featuring live readings by local cartoonists hosted by Mikey Heller. This event will be pay what you want, with donations going to Heavy Manners Library. Featuring: Alexander Laird, Ben Passmore, Sanika Phadwe, Gemma Correll, Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, Cynta Camilia, Dustin Harbin, Jona Li, Olivia Fields, Steve Wolfhard.
