Symposia looks at diversity in comic books

ANGOLA (09/25/2017) Patrick Ridout, information services librarian at Trine University, will speak on diversity in comic books during "To Reflect the Current World: Marvel and DC's Push for Diversity" on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Wells Theater inside Taylor Hall on the Trine campus and is part of the university's Fall 2017 Humanities Symposia. It is free and open to the public.

Ridout's presentation will discuss how efforts to create more diversity in comic book characters have succeeded and stumbled in the past several years. His passion and broad knowledge for reading will allow for a deeper perspective on Marvel and DC's character changes throughout time, often as a result of the effects world events have had on each company's writing team.

He also will discuss the direction of the comic book industry as well as growing pains it has experienced as a result of technology and production costs.

"I want to show the connection between comic books and the world today, and express the idea that comic book writings are becoming more and more common as our society is moving toward a visual learning style," he said.

An avid reader, Ridout has enjoyed reading, especially comic books, since he was a child and has read more than 200 books since the beginning of this year.

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Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the Allen School of Engineering & Technology, Ketner School of Business, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences and Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 23 varsity sports. Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Indiana, and education resource centers throughout Indiana and Michigan.

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