Top Shelf Summons A Swedish Invasion

As something of a poster child for neutrality, Sweden's upcoming invasion through Top Shelf Productions may seem unprecedented at a glance, but when it comes to comics, readers may want to surrender to some of the Nordic nation's top talents as they make their way into American retailers.

Top Shelf's stylized "The Swedish Invasion" initiative will import a number of Swedish works starting this spring.

The publisher plans to have four original graphic novels, two anthologies and a full-fledged guide to the Swedish comics scene out by April. A few notable titles include "Hey Princess" by Mat Jonsson, "The 120 Days of Simon" by Simon Gardenfors, "The Troll King" by Kolbeinn Karlssen and the already in-print "Second Thoughts" by Niklas Asker.

The convention bound can find out more at MoCCA, C2E2 and two coinciding Swedish-style shindigs.

Check out Top Shelf's official info for the events after the jump...Party Schedule:

New York City

FRIDAY, APRIL 9TH, 8:00PM PARTY at ROCKETSHIP COMICS -- 208 Smith Street, Brooklyn, New York, Phone: 718-797-1348 -- Come meet and party with Mats Jonsson (HEY PRINCESS), Simon Gardenfors (THE 120 DAYS OF SIMON), Kolbeinn Karlsson (THE TROLL KING), Niklas Asker (SECOND THOUGHTS), Fredrik Strömberg (SWEDISH COMICS HISTORY), Johannes Klenell (Editor of NORTHERN LIGHTS), and NORTHERN LIGHTS contributors Sofia Olsson, Sara Granér, Benjamin Stengard, Asa Grennvall, and Emelie Ostergren; as well as Chris Staros, Brett Warnock, and Leigh Walton of the Top Shelf crew. Food and cash bar will be provided by the Clover Club private room (attached to Rocketship).

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH-11TH, MoCCA ARTS FESTIVAL @ THE 69TH REGIMENT ARMORY -- 68 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York (Between 25th & 26th) -- Hang out with us at the Top Shelf tables where the whole gang will be signing books all weekend. -- Also appearing: Nate Powell, James Kochalka, & Alex Robinson!

Chicago

SATURDAY, APRIL 17TH, 8:00PM PARTY at the renowned DOUBLE DOOR -- 1572 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Phone: 773-489-3160 -- Tickets on sale @ www.doubledoor.com, $10/$8 with C2E2 pass, Doors @ 8 p.m. Show @ 9 p.m. -- Come meet and party with Mats Jonsson (HEY PRINCESS), Simon Gardenfors (THE 120 DAYS OF SIMON), Kolbeinn Karlsson (THE TROLL KING), and Chris Staros (TOP SHELF), as Top Shelf co-sponsors the official C2E2 After Party with the Nerd City crew. It'll be a music and event-filled night, featuring sets by DJ Ghengis Won, Major Taylor, burlesque troupe The Flaming Dames, and headlining band The Jai Alai Savant (fresh off their recent show with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists). Simon Gardenfors -- a well-known Swedish rapper as well -- will also be featured in a special performance.

FRIDAY THRU SUNDAY, APRIL 16TH-18TH, C2E2 (CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO) -- McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Downtown Chicago -- Hang out with us at the Top Shelf, Nerd City, and Chicago Comics booths, where the Swedish crew will be signing books all weekend long. -- Also appearing: Jeffrey Brown, with his new UNDELETED SCENES!