Sequential Philly

OBJECTIVE: The number of comic artists in Philly grows each year, and while collaboration is a goal for many of them, they have a difficult time connecting. Started in 2017, Sequential Philly aims to connect Philadelphia-area comic and zine creators with each other for networking, projects, and community building.

STRATEGY: SP addressed the needs of the local comics community using media, events, and merchandise.

 

media: social and other

local Meetup Documentary

With the help of community members I created a 3 minute documentary about Contour Philly, a local comic-themed meetup.

Podcast

For several years, I interviewed various comic artists and writers in the local scene for a podcast about artistic style and why artists choose Philly to work.

Social Media Feed

Be sure to get the paper today and see @ripmeghan’s comics in the @phillyinquirer! Highly collectible and only available for one day! You need this. #phillycomics
Tomorrow!! Saturday 5-20, 2-4 pm! Come to @bnwcomicsoc and meet @katiecrimespree, Kate Glasheen, signing copies of their new graphic novel CONSTELLATIONS! School Library Journal’s starred review says the book is “A tale of gender identi
The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention is happening this weekend! Saturday, May 20, come to the Temple University Student Faculty Center, 11am to 7 pm, for a spectacular day of networking, panel discussions, a comic book marketplace and youth
May has been a busy time for Philly-area comics makers! @f8princess has a new minicomic available. @martasyrup’s online shop is open for biz. @retrosofa.inc has a new chapter of his No More Mermaids saga. Issue 2 of Junction Jones by @tcpes
 

events

Sequential Philly showed up at many comic and zine events to promote both the local community and the SP network. Events have included Free Comic Book Day, The Free Library Comic Con, Philadelphia Zine Fest, and many others.

micro-grant raffle

A small wooden box is stuffed with folded nomination cards.

With the help of the Leeway Transformation Grant, I was able to ask the community to nomination local comic artists for a micro-grant. SP awarded 5 micro-grants in December 2021, which the artists could use for whatever they wished.

panel discussion with kelly writers house

The Kelly Writers House is the comic and zine-focused library at University of Pennsylvania. SP collaborated with them for a panel discussion with several artists in January 2020.

 

Merchandise & Freebies

All sales go back into SP to pay for tabling fees, shirt printing, and other print fees.

A white tshirt shows a black-line design by Corey Bechelli featuring a person holding a paintbrush in front of a book that reads "Sequential Philly" in different panels.

SP t-shirts were designed by a local comic artist, and sold at table events.

We gave out free stickers and bookmarks, featuring designs by local comic artists.

 

The Next chapter

The main Sequential Philly website was in need of a refresh. We took surveys, interviews, card sorts, and user tests for color stories, and are currently building the next iteration of our community-focused initiative.