What is Will Eisner Week? I hear you ask.

Well, Will Eisner Week is named for comics and graphic novel pioneer Will Eisner, one of the most innovative and revered figures in comics history. In a rather large nutshell, it’s an annual series of events across the world, celebrating comics and sequential art, graphic novel literacy and free speech.

He’s held in pretty high regard in the literary world, but don’t just take my word for it.

“Eisner was not only ahead of his times; the present times are still catching up to him." — JOHN UPDIKE (Pulitzer Prize Winner, Rabbit, Run)

"An American storyteller, like Ray Bradbury, like O.Henry." — NEIL GAIMAN (Sandman, Coraline)

“Eisner is the single person most responsible for giving comics its brains.” — ALAN MOORE (Watchmen, From Hell)

The week in question always runs from the 1st to the 7th of March and 2021 will be our fifth year of participation. This year we’ve managed to set up seven individual online comic and character creation workshops for the general public from creators including Gary Erskine, Kev F Sutherland and Matt Smith. We’ve also got three pre-recorded interviews, all hosted by comic historian John McShane.

The first of these will be with Costa award winners Bryan and Mary Talbot, available to view from 6:00pm on the 1st of March. This will be followed on Friday the 5th of March from 7:00pm with a question and answer session with Simon Thorp and Graham Dury of legendary comic VIZ. The questions will be selected from submissions collected from the general public, a first for us! The third interview will be with Scottish comic art legend Cam Kennedy about his career all the way from its beginnings in 1967. This will be available to view from 6:00pm on Saturday 6th of March.

All the events are free to the public, in keeping with the previous 4 years, and more detailed information is available, including free ticket registration where necessary on the Renfrewshire Libraries Website.

So, after the Paisley Book Festival has finished working its magic for another year, please drop in and have a look at what its smaller, older sibling will be up to.

After all, what’ll it cost you?

Will Eisner Week runs from 1st - 7th March 2021, to register click here