Phil Yeh, Godfather of the Graphic Novel, will be conducting workshops throughout the United States until 2010.

Long Beach is the birthplace of the American graphic novel, thanks to the efforts of Phil's mentor and friend, Richard Kyle. Phil published one of the very first all-new graphic novels in 1977, earning him the title of Godfather of the Graphic Novel though Will Eisner was given the title Father of the Graphic Novel with his book in 1978. The story of what was happening in Long Beach, California during those years is finally being told, with media coverage for Phil Yeh's 2006 Graphic Novel Tour.

Contact Cartoonists Across America and Phil Yeh directly by email to book Phil for this last big American tour. During the last 3 years of his 25 year long tour, he will present his ideas in events throughout Europe, Asia, Mexico, South America, Africa and Australia.


In the past 21 years, Phil and Cartoonists Across America & The World have painted over 1,600 colorful murals promoting literacy, the arts and other positive issues. Phil's 38 years as a publisher, professional artist, and literacy & arts advocate have given him some wonderful insights on how to motivate people in constructive ways. He started his own art studio and publishing company while still in high school at the age of 16. He began his own newspaper in Southern California in 1973 and it lasted for 19 years, publishing original interviews and articles by and about some of the leading artists and thinkers of our time. Phil has had the wonderful opportunity to meet thousands of people and to listen to their ideas. His comic book series,The Winged Tiger Comics & Stories, features his rabbit character Patrick, floating in a light-bulb ship until the year 2010, asking artists of many fields and other wonderful folks, from George Lucas to Los Lobos how they get their ideas. These books are always given away as part of Phil's assemblies. The feedback from readers as young as 5 and as old as 85 proves that these books are for all ages and that the message that we are telling in these stories is truly universal. All of Phil's characters are global, and his work is suitable for all readers with absolutely no violence in his stories! Perhaps this explains why Hollywood has NOT been beating a path to Phil's door! Phil believes that it is possible to entertain people and enlighten them at the same time.

Recent long-term studies conducted by Harvard and other leading universities have concluded that students who take at least four years of art and music education before college do far better on their SAT exams. Art and music students scored an average of 59 points higher on their verbal skills and 44 points higher on their math test scores than students who did not study the arts. Our campaign is directed at students of all ages but we also speak at educational conferences, to parents, to the business community and to audiences all over the world about the importance of the arts and the creative process and how using the arts can indeed make people more literate and productive. Our program is also a very real and positive solution for dealing with drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, high-school drop-outs, youth crime and school violence.

Phil speaks to students all over the world and to people from all walks of life. His assemblies in the schools are fun and informative and Phil uses lots of humor and live drawing to get his message across. He loves to speak to the very young because as the father of three teenage sons (who are all artists and writers), he knows exactly how to communicate with the younger generation. Phil likes to joke that his speeches to five year olds are the same as to grown-ups, only he speaks slower to the adults! Many communities are now arranging to have Phil speak in the day to the students and in special evening programs for the parents.

Phil Yeh founded Cartoonists Across America & The World in 1985 after meeting Wally "Famous" Amos, the National Spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America. Phil pledged to tour the world, promoting literacy and creativity until the year 2000. On September 12, 1999, Phil was honored with a new award (the Alphie) by the Los Angeles County Library Foundation, along with Imperial Toy Company CEO Dr. Fred Kort and actor/activist Edward James Olmos. The event was held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City and was hosted by the late Steve Allen, a lifelong advocate for common sense and also for the arts. Wally flew in from his home in Hawaii to personally present the award to Phil, who in another moment of madness announced that he would continue to tour the world for another decade (until the year 2010).

We really DO travel all over the world! Call, write or email us and we will try and set up an event in your area. To date, we have appeared in 49 US States, Mexico, Canada, France, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore and The Cayman Islands.