Dan Piraro at the Eiteljorg

Museum explores Western and Native portrayals in comicsArtist Dan Piraro, creator of the award-winning, syndicated comic strip Bizarro, and writer John Ostrander (Batman, Star Wars, Wolverine, The Kents, Apache Skies) will be the featured artists at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art's "Western and Native Portrayals in Comics," from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24. The day features an in-depth look at how comics throughout history have handled portrayals of Western and Native American people and cultures. Highlights include panel discussions, gatherings of collectors, comic giveaways and sales, signings by well-known writers/artists and leading industry experts including Steve Sanderson (Cree) and Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo).

10 a.m.-4 p.m.--Comic giveaways, sales, demonstrations, meet and greet artists, writers and experts

1 p.m.--Panel Discussion: "Native Americans in Comics" featuring Michael Sheyahshe, Steve Sanderson, John Ostrander and Dan Piraro

3 p.m.--Panel Discussion: "Western and Native Reflections in Comics" featuring John Ostrander, Dan Piraro, Michael Sheyahshe and Steve SandersonComment:  Dan Piraro's Bizarro often features cowboys and Indians. Unfortunately, his Indians are often stereotypical. When I was reading the daily comic strips, I found something like 20 examples of Native stereotyping.

For more on the subject, see 2009 Eiteljorg Comics Event.

Below:  A typical example of Piraro's work. Note the Plains teepees and chief in the so-called "Mohawk village."