Join us at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center from August 14 to September 20 as we feature original artwork from the comic Girl Genius . Girl Genius is a self-described “gaslamp fantasy comic” and the brainchild of creators Phil and Kaja Foglio from Seattle, Washington.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center will host a selection of original artwork from the collection of the creators spanning the run of the story from its initial publishing in 2001 through to the soon-to-be-released Volume 8. This artwork, along with text illustrating the process and history of the story give the public a chance to see a strong female lead character - something rare in mainstream comics.

The story features “adventure, romance and some mad science” and the title character is Agatha Heterodyne. In an interview with Comic Book Resources News Phil Folio describes the heroine, "Our story concerns Agatha Heterodyne, the long lost and here-to-for unsuspected heir to an ancient family of mad scientists who everyone had thought safely long gone. Because of who and what she is, everyone either wants to control her or kill her. Comedy ensues."

The creators will also be on hand to perform a radio play at 3pm on Saturday, September 5, at the Legacy Center as part of Oregon Nikkei Endowment’s Street Party. The Foglios will also be participating in this year’s Kumoricon anime convention held at the Portland Hilton.

Girl Genius is a nominee for the Best Graphic Story in science fiction’s 2009 Hugo Awards, and the 2008 winner for both Outstanding Comic and Outstanding Writer from the Web Cartoonists’ Choice Award.  Girl Genius is loved by devoted comic readers and new fans alike. “Girl Genius , from start to finish is pure, unadulterated fun… with almost every page, I had a blast and a hunger for more ADVENTURE, ROMANCE, and MAD SCIENCE” – The Webcomic Overlook

About the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center – The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, a project of Oregon Nikkei Endowment, serves as a focal point for the preservation and sharing of the history and culture of the Japanese American community. The Legacy Center is a venue for cultural and research activities and an invaluable resource for the exploration of the experiences of Japanese Americans and their role in Oregon's multi-cultural community.

About the Oregon Nikkei Endowment - The mission of the Oregon Nikkei Endowment is to preserve and honor the history and culture of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest, to educate the public about the Japanese American experience during World War II, and to advocate for the protection of civil rights for all Americans.