Aug 17-Aug 21 9AM-12PM
An intensive workshop for creating comics. You bring the drawing talent, we’ll bring the storytelling techniques.
You'll learn character building
You'll learn visual storytelling
You'll learn about plot and dramatic action
Then...
You'll put it all together and make your own comic!
BUT, that's not all!
We'll throw you a comics release party AT OUR SHOP, where you can invite friends, parents, and whoever you want!
We'll print comics from the workshop into a book and feature it AT OUR SHOP!
What better way to spend your summer than to learn all about comics?
Joe López
José Sheehan-López is a Beacon-based writer and lifelong comics reader whose love of the medium continues to shape how he thinks about storytelling. He is also co-owner of Stanza Comics. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in ReelArc, Hemp Connoisseur Magazine, and sites like Toy Origin, and he writes across horror, fantasy, and speculative fiction. In 2025, he founded Burden Lake Press and serves as editor-in-chief of its zine, Echoes of Rylomi, which features both prose and comics.
Mark Harris
More than a rabid comics reader, Mark is co-owner of Stanza Books. As a playwright, Mark worked for years with Epic Theater Ensemble, developing new plays and training high school students in playwriting and immersive theater. Mark has written audio drama for Soundbooth Theater, and wrote and produced the first immersive theater production at Lincoln Center in NYC. As an experience designer for Fortune 50 companies and world-class museums, Mark worked on projects for HBO, Netflix, The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, New York Life, and more.
What is it?
This program is designed first and foremost as a hands-on instructional workshop; we’ll be actively guiding the kids through character creation, visual storytelling, and building their own comic stories from start to finish. It’s a focused, creative block rather than a general “camp day” with downtime or supervision between activities (no dodgeball breaks, unfortunately).
We’ll have clear start and end times (9:00–12:00), and we’ll be jumping right into instruction, so timely arrival and dismissal will help everything run smoothly. We also ask that parents plan to be nearby and reachable during the session (rather than fully “checked out” for the morning). You’re absolutely welcome to stay in the shop while the class is running, or step out as long as you’re close and available if needed. Think “quick coffee nearby,” not “day trip to another town.”
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We cannot WAIT to see the amazing comics these kids create.
What to Bring
Thanks again for signing up for our Comics Summer Intensive! We’re excited to have your kids join us. This is a focused, hands-on workshop, where we’ll spend the time actively working on comic creation: story ideas, character design, and building their own pages.
What to Send With Your Child
Water bottle
Snack (optional) – We’ll take a short break partway through so kids can recharge
That’s really it. We provide all the core materials, like paper, pencils, erasers, and everything needed to complete the projects. If your child has favorite drawing tools (pens, markers, a sketchbook they refuse to part with), they’re welcome to bring them, but it’s completely optional.
What to Leave at Home
Electronics (phones, tablets, gaming devices, etc.)
We won’t be able to keep track of or take responsibility for them, and the workshop is designed to keep everyone actively engaged the whole time. No screens needed. We will be accessible through the shop phone, and we’ll provide phone numbers of the instructors on site as well.
What We Provide
All drawing and comic-making supplies
Bottled drinking water
Access to restrooms
A structured, instructor-led creative session each day
Timing & Parent Availability
We start promptly at 9:00 AM and wrap up at 12:00 PM, and we jump right into instruction, so on-time arrival and pickup really help the day run smoothly.
We do ask that parents or designated adults remain nearby and reachable during the session. You’re welcome to stay in the shop, or step out for a quick coffee or errand, as long as you’re close and available if needed.
Safety & Supervision
If your child has any allergies, sensitivities, or anything else we should know to help them have a great experience, please let us know ahead of time.
All adults leading the workshop and working directly with children will have completed background checks. There will be two adults present at all times , and at least one adult on site will have current First Aid/CPR/AED certification. Groups are supervised at all times.
We take creating a safe, focused environment seriously.