Deborah Whaley is keynote speaker for UNI-sponsored Comic-con

Thursday, April 28, 2016

University of Iowa Professor Deborah Whaley was the keynote speaker for the University of Northern Iowa sponsored Rod Library Mini ComicCon on April 2.

In her talk, she discussed her new book, Black Women in Sequence: Re-inking Comics, Graphic Novels and Anime. The book examines the representation, production, and transnational circulation of women of African descent in sequential art. It is the first scholarly study of Black women’s participation in comic art, and has been met with acclaim from academics and comic lovers.

In addition to doing the keynote address, Whaley later dressed as Catwoman and took pictures with attendees and judged the spirited Cosplay contest.

Whaley is an associate professor in the Department of American Studies and the African American Studies Program, both part of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Whaley dressed as Catwoman, sitting next to three women
Deborah Whaley (left), dressed as Catwoman

 

The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers about 70 majors across the humanities; fine, performing and literary arts; natural and mathematical sciences; social and behavioral sciences; and communication disciplines. About 15,000 undergraduate and nearly 2,000 graduate students study each year in the college’s 37 departments, led by faculty at the forefront of teaching and research in their disciplines. The college teaches all Iowa undergraduates through the college's general education program, CLAS CORE. About 80 percent of all Iowa undergraduates begin their academic journey in CLAS. The college confers about 60 percent of the university's bachelor's degrees each academic year.