Elephant Eater Comics Update - July '26
Simmer down, Summer!
Why, hello Latter-Half-of-the-Year!!!
Lawrd, that first half went fast. Speaking of saying buh-bye to the first part of 2026 and an eye toward the second half, here are a few things I have in store:
Comic-Con International
New Book Rack
Michigan State University Comics Forum
BONUS: ROAD TRIP!
1. COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL
Every July, the talk of the comics industry turns to thoughts of San Diego, home to Comic-Con International (the largest comics and pop culture event in North America) and I’m fortunate to return for my twenty-something-eth year of exhibiting there!
If you’re attending, here’s where you can find me behind MY NEW TABLE:
O-01
in the Small Press Pavilion
at the back of the 1800 aisle
…on the exhibit hall floor:
There was an opening on a main aisle, so when Comic-Con reached out to see if I’d be interested in occupying a different table this year, I replied with an emphatic…
Additionally, I’ll be on a couple of panels. (I’m not allowed to release times and locations until 2 weeks prior, as those details may change) but I can tell you the titles of the panels, which go like this:
“Comics in the Classroom: The Benefits of a Comics-Based Curriculum“
Likely on Friday
...and also...
“Self- and Small Press Publishing: Making Your Own Way in the Comics Industry”
Probably on Saturday
Keep an eye on my website for updated information in about a week or so.
Finally, my son will be with me a couple days this year, both Thursday and Saturday, so you MAY catch a sighting of him at my table and have an opportunity to get a signature on Honk or our collaborative Owen & Daddy book.
Hope to see you in San Diego!
2. NEW BOOK RACK
This is probably only exciting to me, but it’s been occupying a fare amount of my time recently, as I’ve been designing a bunch of vector files…
…laser-cutting said files…
…painting said cuts…
…and assembling said materials (occasionally with tweezers)…
…in an effort to make a collapsible book rack I can use on my convention table to better display my work:
Later this month will be its maiden voyage at Comic-Con International in San Diego! For those unable to attend and gaze upon its beauty first-hand, I thought I’d share some highlights with you, like this dimensional Elephant Eater Comics logo…
…which, like the entire rack, was all meticulously hand-assembled.
For sections that needed some extra care, I’d use a piece of off-cut wood as a template…
…to precisely place a few smaller pieces, like the logo letters:
After removing the template, the letters were perfectly placed:
There are also a number of pricing indicators built into the rack that point to the respective books:
…a front label letting folks know what kind of books they’re getting into:
…and some branding reinforcement with a couple of logo elements on the side:
Between you and me, the only reason I have the front label and side elements was to cover-up the unsightly construction tabs:
…and figured if I was going to mask them, I may as well create some additional info and branding while I was at it.
Anyhow, I’m looking forward to showing this off later this month and making more efficient use of my table!
3. MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COMICS FORUM
Just wanted to let you know about the announcement that went live today.
This morning, we released the 2027 Michigan State University Comics Forum dates, which are:
February 26 & 27, 2027
at
MSU’s Main Library
366 W. Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
We’ve also opened both Artist’s Alley submissions and Academic Call for Papers for artists and scholars interested in taking part in the event.
As a reminder, the MSU Comics Forum is a triennial event (happening once every three years) and is completely free (no cost to attend, apply, or exhibit). Applying for an Artist’s Alley table or academic panel discussions does not guarantee acceptance.
Thanks for your interest and help spreading the word about this event that I direct! I really appreciate it and hope to see you there!
BONUS: ROAD TRIP!!!
Typically, my family and I fly from Michigan to California each Summer to visit our respective grand/parents and plan our visit to coincide with Comic-Con in San Diego.
This year, WE DRIVE!
My wife and I have always loved road tripping, and this is the first time we felt our son would be ready for such a trip. We have a lot of fun stops planned along the way (and the way back).
I plan to update folks on my Patreon page over the coming month. If you’d like to keep up with such things…
…as well as gain access to an archive of well over 500 posts featuring tutorials, behind-the-scenes documentation of my work, recorded conversations with fellow creative folks, and much much more, with new posts appearing in your inbox twice each week, you too can become a patron of mine for less than the price of a cup o’ joe.
We’re having a ton of fun over there, and I love for you to join us and experience the supportive, creative, learning environment we’ve built.
Alright, I think that’ll do it for this mid-year update. Thanks so much for your interest in my work and sharing your inbox with me. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out! I love hearing from you.
All my best,
Ryan Claytor
Owner/Author/Artist
Elephant Eater Comics
Web: www.ElephantEater.com
Email: ryan@elephanteater.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/ryanclaytor
~and~
Coordinator of the Comic Art and Graphic Novel Minor
Associate Professor
Department of Art, Art History and Design
Michigan State University
MSU Comics Forum – Director
MSU Comic Art and Graphic Novel Podcast - Producer & Host
That is one heckava book display! Looks great!