PRESS RELEASE
From Comic Books to Television, The MAX Hosts Two Events with Mississippi Creators in October
MERIDIAN, Miss. (October 8, 2026) – From comic books to television, Mississippi creators are making their mark on the world. This October, the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is hosting two events where you can hear how they do it: The Jackson Comics Experience on Saturday, October 17, and A Conversation with Laura Kittrell on Thursday, October 22.
Blake Barnes created Jackson Comics in 2022 with support from the Mississippi Arts Commission. The comic book series features Mississippi artists and stories about Mississippi, with an upcoming issue paying tribute to B.B. King and Eudora Welty. Mississippi Macabre #1, part of the series’ horror anthology, includes “Robert Johnson at the Crossroads,” written and illustrated by John Jennings, a New York Times bestselling graphic novelist. Jennings’ work is on display now at The MAX in the Fred and Sissie Wile Changing Gallery.
Join us on Saturday, October 17, at 12 p.m. for a panel moderated by Walt Grayson with Barnes, Talamieka Brice and Rod Mooney. They’ll talk about how Mississippi artists put the state’s legends and stories on the page. Workshops follow from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on visual storytelling, drawing emotions and creating and illustrating your own comics.
The afternoon wraps up with the opening of The Jackson Comics Exhibition, featuring work by Steven Butler, Justin Ransburg, Robin Martéa, Chris Windfield and other Mississippi artists. It’s on view at The MAX through December 5. An opening mixer runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m., with a set by DJ Venom (Phillip Rollins), who owns Jackson’s comic book and record store Offbeat. The mixer is also the launch of Mississippi Macabre #2, with stories about the Three-Legged Lady, Bigfoot and other Mississippi cryptids. The panel, workshops and mixer are all free with admission.
On Thursday, October 22, The MAX welcomes Meridian native Laura Kittrell home for a conversation at 6 p.m. about her career in television. Kittrell, a Peabody Award winner and Emmy nominee, created and is co-showrunner of Elle, a new Amazon Prime series that serves as a prequel to the Legally Blonde films.
Wear pink if you’d like, a nod to Elle Woods. Kittrell will talk about her path from Mississippi to Hollywood, including bringing a new chapter of the Legally Blonde story to life. Dr. Suzanne Hirsch, Executive Director of the Mississippi School of the Arts, will moderate.
RSVPs are encouraged for both events, which are chances to hear directly from Mississippi creators about their work. Additional information and registration are available at msarts.org/events. All events are free with admission or become a Friend of The MAX for free admission.
About Jackson Comics:
Jackson Comics is a Mississippi-based comic book publisher that showcases local stories in the visual medium of comics. These comics both reimagine classic Mississippi tales while also creating new ones for our future, all while shining a spotlight on the Mississippi artists and writers that work in collaboration to visualize these stories like never before.
About Laura Kittrell:
Laura Kittrell is the creator and co-showrunner of the Amazon Prime series Elle—a prequel to the film Legally Blonde. Prior to this, Laura worked as the co-showrunner of the Amazon Freevee series High School. She also worked as a co-executive producer and writer on all five seasons of HBO’s Insecure. Alongside the writing staff there, she won a Peabody Award and was nominated for an Emmy for best comedy series. She has also written on the shows Black Monday (Showtime), Downward Dog (ABC) and The Comedians (FX).
About The MAX:
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is an arts and cultural center in the heart of downtown Meridian that celebrates Mississippi’s creative legacy through interactive exhibits, workshops, and live performances. The multipurpose facility contains a two-story Hall of Fame celebrating the state’s groundbreaking artists like Walter Anderson, William Faulkner, Morgan Freeman, Jim Henson, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and Leontyne Price to name a few, along with over 20,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, art studios, a recording studio, and performance spaces. Every visit to The MAX is a unique experience that leaves visitors feeling inspired and in awe of Mississippi’s global impact on music, literature, art, and entertainment. Visit www.msarts.org to learn more.
