University Libraries

Drawn into Conflict: The Evolution of War Comics

Drawn into Conflict: The Evolution of War Comics opens in the Carlson Library South Gallery on January 12, 2026 and runs through February 27.

This exhibit explores war comics, gender roles, and how the lowly comic book served as propaganda for, criticism of, and escapism from war.

War and the American Comic Book: Endorsement, Criticism, and Escape

The Carlson Conversations Lectures series is returning for the spring semester 2026 with the first lecture, War and the American Comic Book: Endorsement, Criticism, and Escape, on January 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the Carlson Library Main Event Space as a companion to the Drawn into Conflict exhibition.

A panel of UToledo faculty will address the historical and cultural impact of comic books beginning with WWII and covering the Korean War, Vietnam, and the Cold War, up to more recent comics in the upcoming event “War and the American Comic Book: Endorsement, Criticism, and Escape.” Panelists will discuss such topics as the influence of Jewish publishers and creators, the depiction of women in wartime comics, as well as propaganda, censorship, racism, and the reflection of American viewpoints concerning the various conflicts. Panelists Dr. Daniel Compora, Professor of English, Dr. Matt Yockey, Professor of Film, Kristen Geaman, Senior Lecturer Department of History, and Dr. Barry Jackisch, Associate Professor of History will bring their unique perspectives. The event will be moderated by Gerald Natal, Associate Professor with the University Libraries.

Layers - Deb A. Davis and Barbara W.F. Miner

Layers will run January 20, 2026 through March 13 in the Carlson Library North Gallery 

Using mixed media and different approaches to art practice, Deb A. Davis and Barbara W. F.  Miner create artworks inspired by the resilience of nature, meditative observation, scientific processes, and the impact of human biology and behavior. Shapes, textures, and mark making techniques push the visual elements through layers of revelation, camouflage, and concealment.

‘Embracing Artistic Inquiry’ Lecture Highlights HSC Artist Showcase Reception

The 21st Annual Health Science Campus Artist Showcase will be on view February 2–April 1 on the 4th floor of Mulford Library, featuring work by more than 20 UToledo health science artists in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

An artist reception will take place Friday, February 6, from 4–6 p.m., including a 4:30 p.m. lecture, Embracing Artistic Inquiry, by Heather Sloane Cleary, Professor, and Aravindhan Natarajan, Associate Professor, College of Health and Human Services. The talk explores the role of aesthetics and art-based inquiry in social work teaching, learning, and research.

The reception and lecture are free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.
For details and parking information, visit libguides.utoledo.edu/hscart or contact Jodi Jameson at 419.383.5152 or jodi.jameson@utoledo.edu.

Your Manga Your Way Call for Submissions

Carlson Library invites students to submit original artwork for Your Manga, Your Way: A Campus Exhibition. The submission period is open now and will close on February 27, 2026. 

Your Manga, Your Way: A Campus Exhibition, on display in the Carlson Library North Gallery from March 23 through May 1, 2026, celebrates student creativity through fan art inspired by manga, comics, books, anime, television, and film. Students are also encouraged to submit original comic or manga-style artwork.

All currently enrolled students may submit up to five original pieces. Submissions may be 2D or 3D, and digital or analog media are welcome. Physical 2D works selected will be scanned by library staff using a high-resolution scanner, and select works may be printed and mounted for display. All prints will be available to artists after the completion of the exhibit. Original 3D works must be available for the full duration of the exhibition.

Your Manga, Your Way offers students an opportunity to share their artistic voice, celebrate fandom, and see their work displayed in a campus gallery setting.

For submission guidelines and form access, visit utoledo.edu/library/events/studentart.html.

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