A day-long celebration of comic books is coming to Riverview Public Library on Saturday, September 19, headlined by a creator panel featuring Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, the writer-and-artist duo behind DC Comics' modern take on Harley Quinn. The library's comic book-themed activity day runs from morning through mid-afternoon and centers on a discussion of Batwing: Luke Fox, the graphic novel Palmiotti co-created that follows Bruce Wayne family associate Luke Fox as he takes up the Batwing mantle.
The panel, titled An Afternoon with Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. as part of Hillsborough County's September American Stories library initiative, according to Hillsborough County Government. During the session, the pair will take part in an exclusive panel about their work with DC Comics, Marvel and other major entertainment brands. Registration for the day's events is available online, and attendees can receive a free book while supplies last.
Who Is Batwing, and Why Luke Fox?
Luke Fox made his comic book debut as Batwing in Batwing #19, published April 3, 2013, created by writers Palmiotti and Justin Gray with artist Eduardo Pansica, as reported by Osprey Observer. Luke Fox is the son of Bruce Wayne's trusted ally Lucius Fox, and in DC Comics lore he is depicted as an MIT-educated honors graduate in aeronautics and computer engineering, as well as a skilled martial artist. He stepped into the role after the previous Batwing, a member of Batman Incorporated, stepped away, leaving Fox to face new threats in Gotham City, including the Darklings and Anubis clans beneath the city, along with villains Lady Vic and Charlie Caligula.
The library's graphic novel book discussion, beginning at 11:30 a.m., will explore Batwing issues #19 through #34 along with Batwing: Futures End issue #1. Palmiotti and Gray wrote the title across that full run, establishing Luke Fox as the technological successor to original Batwing David Zavimbe, according to Wikipedia.
Harley Quinn Fame Looms Large Over the Visit
While the library's programming spotlights Batwing, Palmiotti and Conner are arguably better known industry-wide for their extensive work on Harley Quinn, which they currently continue alongside other DC projects. Their acclaimed run on the character included a 2016 DC Rebirth relaunch issue that generated an estimated 250,000 initial orders, per PaperFilms, the creative production studio the couple co-founded. Conner is known for her work on Harley Quinn and has created cover art for Marvel, DC and independent publishers throughout her career.
Palmiotti's resume extends well beyond Gotham's rooftops. He co-founded Marvel Comics' influential Marvel Knights imprint alongside artist Joe Quesada in 1998, helping reshape Marvel's publication strategy and revitalizing flagship characters like Daredevil and Punisher before expanding into screenwriting and video game narrative development for titles including Injustice: Gods Among Us. He is described as a multi-award-winning comic book creator whose work spans comics, film, advertising, video games and other media.
Conner brings her own decades-long resume to the panel. She studied at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art before beginning her comic illustration career in the late 1980s for Archie and Marvel, according to Black is the New AP Style. She also created commercial art for advertising campaigns including Playskool, Nickelodeon and Nike before focusing primarily on comic books.
A Full Day of Activities for All Ages
The comic book-themed activity day is not just about the headline panel. Heroes Quest, recommended for children ages 6-12, begins at 10:30 a.m. and lets young participants create their own superhero and the character's story using art supplies and simple writing techniques. Later in the afternoon, Hero's Journal, a program for teen writers, begins at 3 p.m. and explores the hero's journey through world-building activities.
Rounding out the day, American Pantheon begins at 4 p.m. and examines the role of mythology in shaping society and cultural identity. Comic book-themed activities continue throughout the day at the branch, which is located at 9951 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview.
A Bigger Library, a Bigger Stage
The current 35,000-square-foot Riverview Public Library opened in January 2021, replacing a 40-year-old, 8,000-square-foot building whose land reverted to Mosaic Company, according to the Osprey Observer. Mosaic went on to sponsor the cafe space inside the new facility, which quadrupled the footprint of Riverview's former public library. Concurrent with the comic book programming, the branch is also hosting Made in Florida: Highlights from the Tampa Museum of Art Collection, a poster exhibition developed from the museum's permanent collection showcasing Florida's landscape art history through September.
The event's timing is no accident. September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, a national campaign established in 1987 by the American Library Association to promote library membership and literacy, and the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative is offering free giveaways to community members who sign up for cards throughout the month. The cooperative operates 33 branch locations serving more than 1 million county residents, integrating municipal libraries in Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace and circulating millions of physical and digital items annually.
