Kent State Book Tour, Part 1

Here's the schedule so far, for the first half of 2020. The Fall festivals and events will be added later. These are the public events, so hopefully I'll see you at one. Check back for further updates and details.


Thurs., Mar. 26 – Society of Illustrators, New York City, Opening of Kent State gallery show, featuring sketches and original art, plus talk & signing

Fri, April 3 – OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH, The Strand Bookstore, New York City, signing and talk

Sat.-Sun, April 4 to 5, all day – The MOCCA Comics Fest, New York City

Tues, April, 7 pm – Akron Main Library, Main Event Speaker Series, slideshow talk & signing

Thurs, April 9, 11:30am to 1:30pm – Cleveland City Club, slideshow talk

Weds, April 15 – Wexner Center, Ohio State University, slideshow talk & signing

Fri, April 17, 7 pm – Quimby’s, Chicago, slideshow talk & signing

Sat, April 18, noon – Abraham Lincoln Bookstore, Chicago, live webcast & signing

Weds, April 22, 7 pm – Parma Cuyahoga Public Library, slideshow talk & signing

Fri, April 24, 6 to 9 pm – CLEVELAND BOOK LAUNCH, Mac’s Backs and the B-side Lounge, slideshow talk & signing

Tues, April 28, 6:30 pm – Bowling Green University, Library of Pop Culture, slideshow talk & signing

Sat, May 2, 1:30pm – FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, Carol & John’s Comics, Cleveland, slideshow talk & signing

Sat-Sun, May 9 & 10 – TCAF Toronto Comics Arts Festival

Sat-Sun, May 16 & 17 – VanCAF Vancouver Comics Arts Festival

Sat-Sun, May 30 & 31 – Stripdagen Comics Fest, Haarlem, the Netherlands

June 2 to June 6 – Paris signings, details to come

June 13 & 14 – CAKE Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, 

Sat-Sun, June 27 & 28 – American Library Assoc. Convention, Chicago

July 17 to 19 – San Diego Comic Con!

The new book! Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio

Here it is, my latest, due to hit the stores on April 4. This book, a project near and dear to me and one I've long wanted to tackle, was four long years in the making. People I've shown it to tell me that it's good. I've stared at these pages too long and honestly can't tell anymore. It's always that way. I think it's good. Haha, too late to turn back now! 

The early reviews have been heartening.

Publishers Weekly, in a starred review (that's a good thing!) says:

"Backderf delivers a provocative, heartbreaking account of the days leading up to the infamous tragedy of May 1970. His expertly crafted chronicle of this defining moment in U.S. history serves as a deeply moving elegy for the victims. "

The Library Journal, in another starred review, says: 

"An incendiary corrective to the myths and misconceptions surrounding these events and a memorial to the lives lost or forever altered that should be required reading for all Americans."

Here's a few pages. This is the most challenging book I've ever drawn.

Preorder? Why of course you can. here's the Amazon link. Although I'd prefer you buy it from your favorite indie bookstore.