-- Scott McCloud: Experimental and wildly popular comic artist and novelist (Making Comics) speaks tonight at "Evolution of the American Comic Book". Rory Root (owner, Comic Relief) and Andrew Farago (curator, Cartoon Art Museum) also speak. Starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Commonwealth Club, 595 Market; $7-$20.

-- End of Summer Slam Jam for Teens: Are there words prettier than "back to school"? Maybe. But when we start seeing back-to-school commercials and such, we get ever so giddy. And although it sucks to return, kids, a poetry slam by the Youth Speaks performers might help ease you into the semester season. Show goes from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, West Auditorium, 125 - 14th Street, Oakland; free.

-- Immigrant: Help this SF indie-rock band pop its CD-release cherry with performances by Apside Dos Troubadores (sic), and popscene's DJ Omar. And, of course, a live set by Immigrant. Show starts at 9 p.m. at Rickshaw Stop, 1155 Fell; $7.