STAGGER LEE COMES TO EDMONTON
   Author Derek McCulloch makes latest stop in "STAGGER LEE 101" Tour

Award-winning graphic novel writer and former Edmonton resident Derek McCulloch will return to his old stomping grounds this October to pass on a little of what he's learned about the blues in his time in America. On Friday, October 5th, McCulloch will appear first at Happy Harbor comics, where he will sign copies of his graphic novel, Stagger Lee. Later that evening, he will appear at the Edmonton Public Library, where he will give a slide show and lecture on the history and myth of Stagger Lee.

On Christmas Night, 1895 "Stag" Lee Shelton shot Billy Lyons dead in a St. Louis barroom during an argument over a Stetson Hat. More than 100 years and a thousand songs, McCulloch and artist Shepherd Hendrix created a compelling and bold look at the true story of the crime and its transformation into a legend of the blues.

"From the moment I first read the history that inspired the legend, I knew it was a uniquely powerful story just waiting to be told to a new generation," says McCulloch. Chances are you've heard about Stagger Lee in one of the many recordings available. McCulloch and Hendrix listened to more than thirty versions for inspiration while creating their book, by artists like Ma Rainey, Mississippi John Hurt, Lloyd Price, Bob Dylan, The Clash, Ike and Tina Turner, and Nick Cave. It is this mythical translation in song handed down over the years that McCulloch and Hendrix explore in their book. Stagger Lee weaves together an intricate narrative using available historical record, a twist or two when facts are missing, and a rare social perspective on culture, language, politics and race.

Stagger Lee was acclaimed as one of the best graphic novels of 2006, garnering nominations in the Eisner and Eagle Awards and winning four Glyph Awards, including Best Writer and Story of the Year. It received dozens of rave reviews from such publications as Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald, and the St. Louis-Dispatch. It was singled out for praise from renowned comics creators such as Warren Ellis, Ed Brubaker, and Matt Wagner, as well as legendary rock critic and historian, Greil Marcus.

Appearing with Derek is local comic historian and professional reviewer Tim Lasiuta who will be signing copies of his book "Brush Strokes With Greatness - Life & Times of Joe Sinnott" and will be available to talk to fans about other great comic legends. You can listen to Tim's weekly, live comic webcast on World News Radio's COMIC ZONE every Wednesday at 2 pm Pacific!

Don't miss an opportunity to meet these authors at the "STAGGER LEE 101" Tour stops in Edmonton:

Friday, October 5th, 4 p.m - 6 p.m. - Signing at Happy Harbor Comics, 10112 - 124 Street, (780) 452-8211
Friday, October 5th, 7 p.m. - Slide show, reading, Q&A, and signing at Edmonton Public Library, Centre Core, Centre for Reading and the Arts, Stanley A Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, (780) 496-7000