My name is Christopher Butcher, and I am the co-founder and Festival Director of The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF). Just last weekend, I presided over our 7th festival in 9 years, a continued celebration of all that is great about comics and graphic novels, and their creators.
TCAF 2012 was our fourth event since making the Festival an annual affair, and the fourth to be held at Toronto Reference Library with Presenting Sponsor Toronto Public Library. Continuing our increased success and attendance year-over-year, TCAF 2012 was clearly our biggest and best-attended Festival yet, with more people than ever filing into the library to take part in all that our exhibitors, and the library, had to offer. Personally, as the Festival Director, I’ve never been happier or enjoyed one of our Festivals more than I did this weekend, and that’s thanks to the great staff of Toronto Public Library and TCAF, our amazing volunteers and exhibitors, and all of you members of the public who came to take part in our event.
In keeping with our tradition, I’m sending out this informal little note to talk about TCAF rather than doing a big PR, because TCAF is just that kind of show.
Higher Attendance, Less Crowded: Win/Win!
When you’ve done 7 of these events, you can feel when things are a little more bustling, a little more energized than they’ve been previously… and Saturday afternoon I could tell that we were seeing record crowds at the show. The best part though is that, following up on feedback from our exhibitors, the public, and the Toronto Public Library, the flow of traffic was smoother and less crowded than it had been for the past several years. The Festival evolves with each iteration, and this year’s decision to add additional offsite venues, to widen aisles and remove tables from the atrium, and to cap attendance in certain areas, meant that all of the library customers—regardless of why they were visiting—could have a more enjoyable year.
TCAF 2012’s attendance was a record 18,000 people. What that figure comprises is 17,896 people counted by Toronto Reference Library’s security gate above the average attendance on a normal Saturday/Sunday. While people were coming and going all day, this figure balances out the instances of a flood of people exiting through the counter all at once where only one person might be counted out of 4-5. Beyond that, we’ve averaged in the 400+ people in attendance for our awesome Friday-night kick-off event in The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon with Jeff Smith, Gabriel Ba, and Fabio Moon, and the more than 800 people per hour accommodated in our off-site venues: Owlkids Day @ St. Paul’s on Bloor, The Marriott BloorYorkville, The Pilot Tavern, and Ristorante Fortuna. While the possibility exists that there were in fact far more than 18,000 participants in 2012, we’re quite happy with the idea of a 20% increase in attendance over 2011.
Thank you for your continued support!
As TCAF heads into its 10th Anniversary show next year, it is our continued partnership with Toronto Public Library that enables it to easily remain an annual, free event for the people of Toronto and visitors from around the world. The partnership between TCAF and Toronto Public Library, and working with venue Toronto Reference Library, continues to reinforce the core ideals of the Festival: TCAF is a free event, TCAF is about books and authors, and TCAF is open to everyone—not just the ‘initiated’ comics fans. On behalf of myself and the entire TCAF organizational team, we’d like to thank our Partner and Presenting Sponsor Toronto Public Library for their support, promotion, and hosting of TCAF 2012. They’ve had a pretty tough year, as have many institutions in the City ofToronto, and we’re glad that we’re able to work with them.
We’d also like to thank TCAF’s other sponsors, the folks who help make the Festival viable financially. 2012 Kids Sponsor Owlkids was fantastically supportive in all of our new children’s and library initiatives, and allowed those initiatives the successes that they enjoyed. Thanks to Media Sponsor NOW Magazine, who provided us a wonderful avenue to help get the word out about the Festival and our satellite events, to The Marriott Bloor Yorkville as the Offical TCAF 2012 Hotel and to Air Canada for travel support. Our thanks also to local sponsors Midoco, who helped supply the festival with all of the supplies we needed for exhibiting artists to present their craft to the masses, and Little Island Comics, for stocking and representing the best of children’s comics at TCAF.
Our consular and cultural sponsors helped us bring the world of comics and cartooning to Toronto for a week, and we greatly appreciate all that they have done. Our thanks to The Consulate General of France in Toronto; The Italian Cultural Institute; NORLA—Norwegian Literature Abroad, Fiction & Non-Fiction; The Flemish Literature Fund; and The Japan Foundation Toronto.
Finally, TCAF would not exist without the funding and support of The Beguiling, and their generous donations. It’s TCAF every day at The Beguiling, and their dedication to the medium of comics is unwavering. I’m truly grateful to them to be able to do what I’m able to do with TCAF every year.
About TCAF 2012
TCAF 2012 was the most ambitious festival yet, and my most ambitious personal undertaking. With more off-site and lead-up events than ever before, more partnerships than in previous years, an additional day of programming, and more than 20 featured guests, I worried in the weeks leading up to the show that perhaps we’d bit off a bit more than we could chew. Luckily through the talent and support of some wonderful folks we had varying levels of success on every front, and as always, lessons were learned and we think 2013 will be even stronger.
The personal highlight for me was the strengthening of our programming for children, by including a large dedicated space for children’s exhibitors on the floor of TCAF, as well as the creation of a day-long special event for children’s graphic novel creators. TCAF is about engaging every reader with the medium of comics, and I’m so happy that our ambitions to promote the medium to the next generation were fully-realized this year. We also expanded our amazing “small press” area, headed once again by the fine folks in the Wowee Zonk collective. They really transformed the space they exhibited in and created something unique, wonderful, and surprising—it was amazing to see. The addition of a day of panels and programming about comics aimed at librarians and educators was the realization of a long-held dream of mine to more fully share the vast amount of knowledge possessed by our attending authors and exhibitors with the people on the front lines of bringing new readers into the medium. It was a success, and it is a service we will continue to provide and support in the years to come.
We were also treated to a wonderful array of ‘gala’ presentations this year, from Guy Delisle’s Thursday-night launch of Jerusalem: Tales from the Holy City, to Friday’s amazing Topatoco spring launch and the aforementioned Kick-off Event with Smith, Ba and Moon, TCAF started with the biggest bang yet! We also had a real first, a team-up between TIFF Nexus and The Hand-Eye Society that saw a gallery’s worth of comics/videogame hybrids that showed at both Magic Pony and TCAF! Joining the events of Thursday and Friday night was our co-presentation of Kid Koala’s Space Cadet Experience with Wavelenth, a truly incredible concert event! The amazing activities continued into the weekend with three wonderful Saturday night comics events—the launch of Alison Bechdel’s long-awaited new memoir Are You My Mother?, a once-in-a-lifetime interview with Konami Kanata, and the 2012 Doug Wright Awards for excellence in Canadian Cartooning. All three events were packed to the rafters—as were our various afterparties around the city!
In short, I feel TCAF 2012 engaged more people inToronto—and from around the world—than it ever had before, bringing the medium of comics to thousands of new readers. That’s a truly great thing, and everyone who organized, volunteered, or participated in these events should feel proud.
We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You…
Speaking of the folks who worked so hard to make TCAF 2012 a success, we’d like to thank some of the individuals and organizations who were a part of this event. Thanks to:
- Our Sponsors: Toronto Public Library; The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon; The Beguiling; Little Island Comics; NOW Magazine; Owlkids; The Consulate General of France in Toronto; Istituto Italiano di Cultura (The Italian Cultural Institute); NORLA—Norwegian Literature Abroad, Fiction & Non Fiction; The Flemish Literature Fund; The Japan Foundation; Midoco; Hotel sponsor The Marriott Bloor Yorkville; travel assistance by Air Canada.
- Our partner organizations and guest sponsors: TIFF Nexus; The Hand-Eye Society, Miguel Sternberg, and Matt Hawkins; Magic Pony; Wavelength; Kid Koala / Envision Management; Houghton-Mifflin & Thomas Allen and Associates, First Second Books; Drawn and Quarterly; Selfmadehero; Topatoco, Vertical Inc.; Scholastic Books; Wowee Zonk; and Koyama Press.
- Our TCAF Librarian and Educator Day Sponsors: VIZ Media LLC.; Drawn & Quarterly; First Second Books; Kids Can Press; Owlkids; Scholastic Books; and UDON Entertainment.
- Venue Partners Toronto Public Library, The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Magic Pony, The Carlton Cinema, 918 Bathurst, The Pilot Tavern, The Marriott Bloor Yorkville, St. Paul’s on Bloor, Ristorante Fortuna, The Japan Foundation, Buddies in Bad Times, Art Gallery of Ontario’s Jackman Hall, Pauper’s Pub, and Lee’s Palace.
- TCAF 2012 Poster artists Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon for their amazing 2012 poster!
- To the staff of Toronto Public Library and Toronto Reference Library for all of their work on our behalf, with special thanks to TCAF Liaison Ab Velasco and Bram and Bluma Appel Salon Liaison Beth Kawecki.
- To our TCAF Featured Guests and Exhibitors, including Aislin, Gabriel Ba, Kate Beaton, Alison Bechdel, Arne Bellstorf, Jose-Luis Bocquet, Guy Delisle, Tom Gauld, Matt Holm, Jennifer Holm, Jason, Konami Kanata, Kazu Kibuishi, Kid Koala (Eric San), Bryan Lee O’Malley, Micol and Cornelius Books, Fabio Moon, Catel Muller, Michel Rabagliati, Jeff Smith, Pendleton Ward, Adam Warren, and the more than 300 other attending artists, exhibitors.
- To the hosts and staff of The Doug Wright Awards for throwing another wonderfully successful event.
- To Corey Mintz for his spectacular restaurant guide; To Chip Zdarsky for his continuing design assistance; To John Green and Dave Roman for their amazing TEEN BOAT comic in our program guide; To show photographer Paul Hillier for capturing so many wonderful aspects of the festival; To Nathalie Atkinson for her continuing support.
- To 2012 Festival Guide Designer Diana McNally—it was wonderful working with you, thanks for saving our butts…
- To 2012 Website Designer Nadine Lessio; with additional thanks to Shane Bennett for technical assistance.
- To the staffs of The Beguiling and Little Island Comics, for once again working through their weekends.
- To on-site coordinators Lindsay Archibald, Greg Baker, Athena Pheasant, Linda Moss, Andrew Eaton, Alex Hureanzu, Christopher Hureanzu, Bled Celhyka, Michael Lamore, and Laura Prinselaar.
- To our more than 200 volunteers: You were amazing, and are routinely regarded by people all over the world as one of TCAF’s greatest strengths. Our sincere thanks for your time and effort, and we hope you’ll continue to support us into 2013 and beyond.
…and finally, my personal thanks to our amazing TCAF organizational team, Miles, Gina, Scott, Andrew, Andrew T, Parrish, and Krystle: It was a hell of a year. Everyone gets one month off until we start planning the next one. Speaking of which:
TCAF 2013: TBA
Last year, we waited a month until we had the date and location of TCAF 2012 locked down before writing this little note to all of you, and people didn’t seem to enjoy that as much—they wanted to know all about how the fest went down right after the big event! So this year we’ve released our little year-in-review much earlier, but that means we haven’t had a chance to sit down with our partners and sponsors to review this year, and talk about next year.
What can I say about TCAF 2013? Well there’ll be one, for starters. While we’d played with the idea of going back to a biennial event, there’s just no way we’re going to miss our 10th anniversary year! From our modest beginnings as a one-day-event for 600 people on March 29th, 2003 at Trinity St. Paul’s Church, to our new home for 18,000 at Toronto Reference Library, it’s been an amazing period of growth and change for the Festival and for comics in general, and we look to continue supporting and promoting authors and comics next spring.
As soon as we can confirm the 2013 show, we will.
In Conclusion…
So on behalf of myself and the entire staff, I’d like to offer our sincere thanks to everyone who made The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2012 such a massive, unprecedented success. Whether you’re an attendee, and exhibitor, or a volunteer, your support of each other and of TCAF is what makes this amazing, free, accessible, comic book event possible. We appreciate it, and we hope we’ll have you back for the years to come.
Best,
Christopher Butcher, Festival Director and Co-Founder The Toronto Comic Arts Festival
On behalf of…
Peter Birkemoe, Co-Founder
Miles Baker, Assistant Festival Director
Gina Gagliano, Programming Coordinator
Scott Robins, Kids Programming Coordinator
Andrew Woodrow-Butcher, Volunteer Coordinator
Andrew Townsend, Festival Assistant
Parrish Kilthei, Tech Coordinator
Krystle Tabujara, The Beguiling/Little Island Comics Liaison
…and the staff of The Beguiling, The Beguiling Library Services, and Little Island Comics
As a special reminder, The Italian Cultural Institute proudly presents a retrospective exhibition of Gabriella Giandelli. On exhibit are over 80 original drawings of one of the most prolific Italian illustrators and graphic novelists, including the celebrated series Interiorae. The artist will be in attendance. Opening remarks by Gianni Bardini, Consul General of Italy. Free to attend.
About: Gabriella Giandelli was born in Milan in 1963. She published her first comics in 1984 and soon established herself as one of the most important comic authors in Europe. Her graphic novels have apparead in volumes published by Coconinopress (Italy) Seuil and Actes-Sud (France), Fantagraphic Books (USA). She has collaborated with Le Monde (France) and she is currently collaborating weekly with La Repubblica. She has been a regular collaborator for Internazionale for the past 12 years.
Her illustrations have appeared in Italy for Il manifesto, Il Sole 24 Ore, Marie Claire, Vanity, Urban, Flair. Her work has appeared as cover art for volumes published by Feltrinelli, Einaudi, Mondadori, Ponte alle Grazie, Minimumfax. She has worked as a designer for Alchimia, Memphis, Alessi, and Swatch. Her children’s serial character “Milo”, featured in numerous volumes published in Italy by Mondadori, has recently been adapted for television in Italy and France. Her single and collective exhibitions include shows in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and America. She lives and works in Milan.
The exhibition runs through Friday, September 14, 2012
Italian Cultural Institute
496 Huron Street
Regular gallery hours: Mon – Fri: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
This post will be updated right until the day of the event with last minute changes to TCAF. Into every life a little rain must fall, etc.
Event Updates
- Modelling at the Dr. Sketchy’s event will be Dolly Berlin and Fionna Flauntit. The evening is also to be hosted by The Wolfman. Please view the event page for more information.
Additions
- Christina Strain, colourist and writer, will now be sharing Adrian Alphona’s table #211
- Noreen Rana will now be joining Faith Erin Hicks at table #260
- Stuart Livingston, storyboard artist and cartoonist, will be on hand to discuss Explorer: The Mystery Boxes
Cancellations
- Jeph Jacques has had to cancel his TCAF appearance due to illness.
- Olivier Schrauwen has had to cancel his TCAF appearance due to a personal issue.
- JP Coovert, Stephen Floud, and James Hindle have had to cancel. Joseph Lambert will be representing One Percent Press alone at table #103.
- Mario Gonzales has had to cancel.
- Kris Pearn got some great news–his movie’s going into production! The bad news is that he’ll no longer be able to attend TCAF, or give his animation workshop on Sunday afternoon.
Other
- Christine Redfern has been added to the panel “Making Comics: The Process”, Sunday @ 2pm at The Pilot.
- Jon Chad has been added to the panel “Food vs. Animals Draw-Off”, Sunday @ 4:15pm at Learning Centre 1.
- Ed Choy has been added to the panel “New, Exciting, and Queer”, Saturday @ 3:15pm at The Pilot.
Here it is! Your guide to the location of all of your favourite TCAF Exhibitors! But first a few things you need to know:
- If someone is listed as “Signing”, that means they’re signing in one of our signing areas and appearing on programming, but don’t have a regular table space. Check our signing schedule (coming shortly) and our programming to find out where they’ll be!
- If someone is listed as “Sunday Only”, they can be found in the Beeton Auditorium, Kid Koala Area on Sunday as Kid Koala will only be at TCAF on Saturday.
- If someone has multiple tables listed, that means their space encompasses multiple tables that are beside one another.
- If two people or more have the same table number, that means that they’re sharing the table, and/or it is a publisher table and artists are sitting with their publisher.
- You should probably use Ctrl+F to find the person you’re looking for!
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2012 is proud to announce its full slate of programming for the May 5th and 6th weekend. Incorporating a record 5 venues (including Toronto Reference Library) this is TCAF’s most ambitious slate of programming to date!
Highlights of the program include amazing interviews and presentations by our featured guests, including Kate Beaton (Hark, A Vagrant), Guy Delisle (Jerusalem), and Konami Kanata (Chi’s Sweet Home)! TCAF also features two different panel discussions featuring many of our international guests, including International Perspectives: Europe and Commonwealth Comics. Music & Comics fans will thrill to a spectacular panel teaming Featured Guests Arne Bellstorf (Baby’s In Black), Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim), and Kid Koala (Space Cadet), talking about how music influences and is interpreted in their work!
2012 will see TCAF’s first-ever series of Workshops, aimed at older teens and adults who are interested in honing their comics skills. Workshops will include an inking demo by Jeff Smith, a pitching-your-comic panel by David Saylor (Editor, Scholastic), and “Living a Creative Lifestyle” with First Second Books publisher Mark Siegel, amongst many more.
We’ve also added a large new programming venue at our Official Convention Hotel, Marriott Bloor Yorkville’s High Park Ballroom. There we’ll throw our biggest panels in the 200-person auditorium. Reprising our most popular panel of 2011, Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward returns to TCAF for the ADVENTURE TIME Panel, which will include a Presentation, Q&A, and even a draw-off contest!
Read on for the more than 50 presentations taking place at the main TCAF Exhibition on Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th… and don’t forget about all of our amazing evening events happening over the week of TCAF!
1. Toronto Reference Library – 789 Yonge St.
1st Floor: Learning Center 1
Located on the first floor of Toronto Reference Library, this programming space seats approximately 75 people, and programs are geared towards more literary and informative programs.
Saturday
10:30 – 12:00 – Michel Rabagliati Spotlight Multiple award-winner Michel Rabagliati debuts The Song of Roland from Conundrum Press, his latest book in English, and what is being called his “mid-career masterpiece.” It focuses on the life and death of the father-in-law of Rabagliati’s alter-ego Paul, who Le Devoir called “the Tintin of Quebec.” Rabagliati will do a short presentation discussing the process of creating his latest books , including an interview with host Rupert Bottenberg,Montreal comics organizer, artist, and former editor of the Montreal Mirror. Questions from the audience can be in English or French. Moderator: Rupert Bottenberg
12:15 – 1:30 – Comics vs. Games: Behind the Battle Participants from the TIFFnexus Comics vs Games project talk about their experiences collaborating across creative mediums and discuss the similarities and differences between working in comics and indie games. What challenges and opportunities face comics and games and what can they learn from each other? With Andy Belanger, John Martz, Christine Love, Steve Manale, Damian Sommer. Moderator: Miguel Sternberg
1:45 – 2:45 – Arne Bellstorf Spotlight Arne Bellstorf, creator of the TCAF show debut Baby’s in Black, the graphic novel about the beginning of The Beatles’ rise to stardom (called “remarkable” by Booklist), discusses his exciting new graphic novel, his art process, and his interactions with Astrid Kirchherr, the pop-modernist photographer who’s the subject of Baby’s in Black. Moderator: Calista Brill
4:15 – 4:45 – Visual Literacy and Graphic Narrative A blend of linguistic and visual literacies makes the most productive approach to the demands of life in the 21st century. Graphic narratives are a hybrid literary form that satisfies the needs of both of these literacies, making comics a key component of understanding the way this 21st-century world works. With Andrew Perry.
Sunday
11:30 – 1:00 – Thoughts on Panel Layout This panel looks at the nitty gritty of layouts around the world—where and how scene breaks happen (middle of page, end of page, fade out, formulas for transition), panel shapes and page structures (even grids, angled, borderless), “camera” angles and staging, frequency of certain types of panels (all-text, scenery only, etc), trying to figure out patterns that would be useful to clarify for creators. We’ll talk about individual creators as interesting or notable examples, and look at a big spread of works from every market. With Bryan Lee O’Malley, Jessie Moynihan, Kim Hoang, Aaron Diaz, Emily Carroll, and Francis Manapul. Moderator: Angie Wang
1:15 – 2:45 – Crowdfunding a Project With the advent of Kickstarter, opening up funding of art projects to the general public has become a reality, with authors and artists receiving directly from fans the hundreds – or thousands – or tens of thousands of dollars that are needed to make their creative projects a reality. What’s involved with creating a crowdfunded project? And how does it change the creative process to do something directly for fans, rather than working through the intermediary of a publisher or working on an author-driven project? With Becky Dreistadt, Frank Gibson, Scott Campbell, Raighne Hogan, Yuko Ota, and Evan Dahmn. Moderator: George Rohac
3:00 – 4:00 – Gay for You? Yaoi and Yuri Manga for GBLTQ Readers Depending on who you’re talking to, yaoi and yuri manga are adored or reviled. These same sex romances challenge manga conventions of sexuality, romance, intended audience, and appeal. Or do they? Join a panel of manga commentators, reviewers, fans and librarians to debate the joys and disappointments of GLBTQ fans reading yaoi and yuri manga. With Snow Wildsmith, Leyla Aker, and Christopher Butcher. Moderator: Robin Brenner
4:15 – 5:00 – Food vs. Animals Draw-Off Who would win in a bar fight, food or animals? Find out in this epic draw-off. With Andy Runton, Lucy Knisley, Vera Brosgol, Yuko Ota, and Corinne Mucha. MC: Gene Ambaum
1. Toronto Reference Library – 789 Yonge St.
2nd Floor: Appel Salon, Novella Room (For Kids)
Located on the second floor of Toronto Reference Library in the Owlkids Area, these programs will accommodate about 40 kids, and are great for kids up to age 14 who are curious about their favourite books, or interested in creating comics themselves! This area also features The Kids Comics Lounge, for your comics reading pleasure, and TCAF Kids Presents The Art Garage, with two-days worth of crafting fun for kids!
Saturday
9:00am-10:00am: Free Comic Book Giveaway
From superheroes and fantasy to funny animals and cartoon fun, come to the show early for FREE COMICS! Limit 3 for children 12 and under. Limited quantities each day.
10:00am-10:45am: Let’s Make Comics Together!
Draw one panel and pass it on! Tory Woollcott (Mirror Mind) will lead you in this comics jam where you can create a comic together that everyone can enjoy!
11:00am-11:45am: The Pirate Girl’s Treasure: Read and Create!
Meet Hilary, Peyton and Ben (The Brothers Leung) and enjoy an interactive session that includes a reading of the story by the creators followed by some fun origami activities.
12:00pm-12:45pm: Saturday Morning Webtoons: Game Show Fun!
Read comics! Play games! Win prizes! Meet the Saturday Morning Webtoons crew including J. Torres, Jack Briglio, Agnes Garbowska, J. Bone and Stefan Grambart, and learn all about their all-ages webcomics!
1:00pm-1:45pm: Kids Comics Quickfire
Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Featuring Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy),Raina Telgemeier (SMILE), John Green (Teen Boat) and Bob Flynn (Heeby Jeeby Comix).
2:00pm-2:45pm: Spotlight: Knights of the Lunch Table
If you love reading myths and legends, you should be reading Knights of the Lunch Table! Join series creator Frank Cammuso and learn how the legends of King Arthur gave him ideas for this series, plus a live drawing demo of the main characters including Artie, Percy, Mr. Merlyn and more!
3:00pm-3:45pm: Owl Comics Games
Comics are great for stories but you can also make them into games to play with your friends. Learn how as Owl cartoonists CTON and Brian McLachlan duel each other with markers, paper and panels.
4:00pm-4:45pm: Facts, Fiction, and Unfolding Comics
If you thought that there was only one way to read a book, think again! Jon Chad (Leo Geo) will talk about different kinds of books, incorporating science into comics, and how to make your own expanding comic! Everyone will leave with their own handmade comic!
Sunday
11:00am-12:00pm: Free Comic Book Giveaway From superheroes and fantasy to funny animals and cartoon fun, come to the show early for FREE COMICS! Limit 3 for children 12 and under. Limited quantities each day.
12:00pm-12:30pm: Rabbit and Bear Paws Puppet Show
Join your favourite characters Rabbit and Bear Paws and hear the Anishinabe oral story of Nanabazhoo & the Animals. Audience members will become puppeteers in this comical retelling of how Turtle Island came to be.(Featuring Chad Solomon)
12:45pm-1:30pm: Turn Your Life Into Comics
The inspiration for Raina Telgemeier’s book, Smile comes from her own life as an eleven-year old girl who injures her two front teeth. Are you ready to tell your life story in comics?
Get tips on how to pick ideas from your own life to create your own autobiographical comics.
1:45pm-2:30pm: Kids Comics Quickfire, The Sequel
Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Featuring Jennifer and Matt Holm (Babymouse, Squish), and Andy Runton (Owly). Hosted by Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy).
2:45pm-3:30pm: Spotlight: Explorer The Mystery Boxes
Join the creators of Explorer: The Mystery Boxes: Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet), Jason Caffoe (Flight), Stuart Livingston, Raina Telgemeier (Smile), and Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), as they read their stories live on stage, with a little help from the audience!
3:45pm-4:30pm: Drawing Simple Characters
Using scribbles, dots and round blobs, you can create lively characters. Join Melissa Mendes (Freddy Stories) and David Huyck (Cloudy & Sunny’s Book-O-Doodles & Things To Do) as they walk you step-by-step through drawing your favourite characters and inventing a couple of new ones, too.
2. The Pilot Tavern – 22 Cumberland St
Located on the second floor of the venerable Pilot Tavern, these programs tend to be a bit more fun… and loud! The Pilot is also a fully-licensed restaurant, so consider taking in a panel and your lunch… or just a bevvy… on Saturday or Sunday! These panels will accommodate about 115 people.
Saturday
10:00 – 11:00 – Behind the Scenes at a NYC Publisher This panel takes you inside the offices of one of the most prominent of comics publisher, Scholastic, and shows you exactly how a big publisher works – from contracts to editorial to production to design to marketing, sales, and rights. With David Saylor, Cassandra Pelham, Kazu Kibuishi, and John Green. Moderator: Eva Volin.
11:15 – 12:30 – Comics & Music The visual and the auditory – two very different mediums. But somehow, words and music combine in comics and graphic novels. Three superstar creators talk about how their own music-based comics projects, and how they make them work. With Bryan Lee O’Malley, Kid Koala, and Arne Bellstorf.
12:45 – 1:30 – Ed Mirvish Rollerball Derby Draw-Off For generations the question has gone unanswered: who is better at drawing Toronto discounting legend Ed Mirvish — Australians or Canadians? Three uppity Aussies take on three staunch Canadians in a game-show ink battle for the ages. While they draw, host John Retallick will do his best to distract the contestants, quiz the audience and toss free books every which way. With Sarah Howell, David Blumenstein, Matt Taylor, Katie Shanahan, John Martz, and Brian Fukushima. Moderator: John Retallick
1:45 – 3:00 – Comics Childhoods What was your childhood like? Four cartoonists discuss their depictions of their own childhoods in comics. Why does childhood have strong pull on cartoonists’ stories? And what’s involved with visually recreating youth? With Alison Bechdel, Jenni Holm, Michel Rabagliati, and Raina Telgemeier. Moderator: Robin Brenner
3:15 – 4:15 – New, Exciting, and Queer This year at TCAF, as part of our queer programming, we spotlight the release of two important anthologies of queer comics that will be debuting at the festival! The books Little Heart and The Letter Q will make their debut, and this panel will discuss these ground-breaking anthologies and the general state of queer comics publishing. With Maurice Vellekoop, Emily Carroll, Lucy Knisley and Raighne Hogan. Moderator: Jose Villarrubia
4:15 – 5:00 – Comics Made Me Gay w/ Brad Fraser & Dale Lazarov
Playwright and illustrator Brad Fraser and gay erotic comics writer/editor Dale Lazarov talk about homoeroticism in comics and why the medium is a perfect vehicle for representing the erotics and aspirations of gay male sexuality, fantasy, and intimacy.
Sunday
11:00 – 12:30 – Ba and Moon Spotlight: Open Your Eyes, Comics. There’s No Turning Back The comics medium has the potential for all sorts of possibilities and diversities in subject, format, and technique. How does that affect the way that creators work and that comics projects develop? Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon discuss the comics that showed them different narrative and artistic ways to tell stories, and how they endeavor to expand peoples’ ideas of what’s possible in comics with their own work. Moderator: Jose Villarubia
12:45 – 1:45 – Webcomics Draw-Off Which webcomics character would win in a battle of words? Or of thumb-wrestling? Find out in this draw-off to end all draw-offs! With Jeph Jacques, Meredith Gran, Tony Cliff, and Mark Siegel. Moderator: David Malki!
2:00 – 3:15 – Making Comics: The Process Creators discuss how they make comics: what’s the process of writing and drawing that they go through to create individual creative projects? When a comic varies from only writing to nonfiction journalism to fantasy, how does the process change? With Mike Dawson, Adam Warren, Cecil Castellucci, Christine Redfern, and Kagan McLeod. Moderator: Tina Coleman
3:30 – 5:00 – Comics in the New Millennium Today’s comics can be in print, online, animated, screenprinted, hand-bound, mass-produced – what makes a comic a comic isn’t the format that it’s produced in. What changes will the comics industry see in the coming years because of today’s changes in technology – do they really foretell a change in reading? With Box Brown, FaithErin Hicks, Jeffrey Rowland, and Matt Forsythe. Moderator: Matt Madden.
3. Ristorante Fortuna (Workshops) – 12 Cumberland St.
TCAF’s first ever steam of workshop programming! For serious aspiring and professional creators only. This space accommodates about 50 people, and space will be strictly limited for each presentation. This is a fully functioning Italian restaurant which we have booked for the day, and food and drinks are available during programs. Participants _will_ have to queue outside if space is not available for presentations, so dress appropriately.
Saturday
10:00 – 11:00 – The Comics Checklist In this seminar, Matt Madden will walk you through the many considerations you should keep in mind when you embark on a new comic, whether a one-pager, a webcomic, or a graphic novel. Madden will help you strategize and come up with a working plan for your next project. He will cover a variety of bases, including:: creative block and coming up with ideas, choosing a format and platform that makes sense, setting goals and scheduling your time so that you can reach them, finding an audience and looking for collaborators and/or publishers. So bring some paper and be ready to take notes on your next big (or small) project!
11:15 – 12:45 – Making Successful Kids Comics What makes a successful kids comic? As kids comics become ever popular – with the success of graphic novels like Bone, American Born Chinese, Babymouse, and Amulet – it becomes clear that writing and drawing kids comics isn’t just about using words of only one syllable. David Saylor, Vice President and Creative Director of Scholastic and Graphix, takes you through what exactly is involved in producing work for kids. Moderator: Cassandra Pelham
12:30 – 2:00 – Living a Creative Lifestyle Come meet Mark Siegel, editorial director of First Second Books for a workshop on the creative process as it relates to graphic novels. Art and business continue their awkward, sometimes impossible dance. For creators in any discipline, orchestrating these can be a challenge and a source of happiness and/or frustration. Together, let’s look at the whole picture of living the throughout life of a creator in comics.
2:15 – 3:45 – Teen Comics Workshop So you’re sixteen years old . . . and you want to be a cartoonist. What should you be doing to help make your career a reality? Award-winning graphic novelist and webcartoonist Faith Erin Hicks discusses her own journey to publication and talks about things that worked and things that didn’t from her own career. Moderator: Calista Brill
4:00 – 5:00 – The Realities of Being a Comics Professional So you want to earn your living working in comics or illustration . . .what’s next after college? Michael Cho will take you through this hour-long workshop detailing the realities of starting your career in the creative industry – discussing work for hire, freelancing, and how to figure out living the life of your dreams.
Sunday
11:30 – 12:30 – Inking with Jeff Smith Watch Bone and Rasl cartoonist Jeff Smith demonstrate his artistic process from pencils to inks in this special one-time-only TCAF interactive panel. This hour-long session is not to be missed!
12:45 – 1:45 – Pitching Your Comic to a Publisher Are you looking for a publisher for your graphic novel? In this workshop, Scholastic Creative Director David Saylor discusses how to craft a pitch for maximum publisher impact. It’s not just being able to do good work – it’s knowing how to talk about it. Moderator: Cassandra Pelham
2:00 – 3:00 – Writing Pictures with Words: Comic Writer’s Craft Brainstorming ideas, describing scenes, building plot and creating dialogue. Learn comic writing techniques and tips from prolific comic pros Becky Cloonan (Conan, Wolves), Ray Fawkes (One Soul, Possessions), Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics, Adventure Time) and Jim Zub (Makeshift Miracle, Skullkickers).
4. Marriott Bloor Yorkville – 90 Bloor St. E.
High Park Ballroom
Our largest programming space ever! Accommodating nearly 200 people, the High Park Ballroom is located in the The Marriott Bloor Yorkville, our official convention hotel just 5 minutes walk from Toronto Reference Library on Bloor Street east. Due to size and queuing issues, we recommend TCAF attendees arrive for panels up to 30 minutes before their listed start time.
Saturday
10:00 – 11:00 – International Perspectives Comics creators from around the world come together in this panel to showcase the similarity and differences of their approaches to the comics medium. With Jose-Louis Bocquet, Gabrielle Giandelli, Tom Gauld, Jason, Hugues Micol, and Oliver Schwauren. Moderator: Caitlin McGurk.
11:15 – 12:15 – My Friend Dahmer
Derf Backderf discusses his critically acclaimed, new graphic novel, My Friend Dahmer, the memoir of his teenage friendship with the strange boy who would become the most depraved serial killer since Jack the Ripper. Derf’s presentation will show how this meticulously researched book, 20 years in the making, came together, with examples of layouts, pencils and sketchbook pages… and dozens of photos and cartoons Derf made of Dahmer when they were in high school together.
12:30 – 1:45 – Comics & Mental Health Comics offer a unique resource to educate medical professionals and the public about issues of mental health. However, the relationship between comics and mental health can go deeper. What does it mean to people writing and drawing comics that deal with these issues? What is it about comics that lends them to these kind of narrative? Lizz Lunney, Darryl Cunningham, John Porcellino, Simon Moreton, and Ian Williams
2:00 – 3:00 – Guy Delisle Spotlight Internationally renowned cartoonist Guy Delisle is the author of Pyongyang, Shenzhen, and his latest book, Jerusalem, which depicts his recent visit to that land. Delisle has spent ten years, mostly inEurope, working in animation which allowed him to learn about movement and drawing. Here he discusses his background in animation, how it contributes to his comics work, and his influences for his award-winning non-fictional narratives.
3:15 – 5:00 – The Adventure Time Mega-Panel! Who doesn’t love adventures? TCAF presents: Adventure Time creators doing what they do best: making crazy-delightful comics about the series they work on. Don’t miss this fun-filled live drawing session, accompanied by Q&A and general discussion. With Pendleton Ward, Ryan North, Bob Flynn, Andy Ristiano, Michael DeForge, Steve Wolfhard, and Jesse Moynihan
Sunday
11:30 – 12:30 – Making Manga in North America The manga aesthetic has permeated American comics culture, with creators like Becky Cloonan, Bryan Lee O’Malley, and Adam Warren using manga storytelling and art techniques to tell their own American or Canadian stories. How does manga affect their writing and drawing process? With Bryan Lee O’Malley, Adam Warren, and Becky Cloonan.
12:45 – 2:00 – Younen Manga – Japanese Comics for Kids with Konami Konata While most people familiar with manga have been exposed to works marketed to and written for a teen audience, at the core of all modern day manga is a long tradition of children’s comics. About.com’s Deb Aoki and Vertical, Inc.’s Ed Chavez will reveal nearly 80 years worth Japanese kid’s manga history. And after their presentation they will sit down to speak with an artist whose works have been read by kids of all ages over the last three decades – Konami Kanata, author of the New York Times Best Seller Chi’s Sweet Home.
2:15 – 3:15 – Commonwealth Comics: What Would the Queen Mum Think? Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US all have a thriving independent comics scene. Find out what makes them all tick in this panel with participants from each country. We promise thrills, chills, and also: accents! With Pat Grant, Sarah Howell, Anne Koyama, Leon Avelino, and Matthew Sheret. Moderator: John Retallick
3:30 – 4:45 –Kate Beaton Spotlight Creator of the acclaimed ‘Hark! A Vagrant’ webcomic and subsequent New York Times Best-Selling Graphic Novel, Kate Beaton talks about life, comics, and the vagaries of history. Moderator: Chip Zdarsky
5. St. Paul’s on Bloor (Owlkids Day) – 227 Bloor St. E.
Owlkids Day is a special one-day-only event on Saturday May 5th that offers a non-stop selection of presentations by TCAF’s biggest kids guests, and creates a special location for families just 8 minutes walk from main TCAF site, at St. Paul’s on Bloor (just east of Church Street). Capacity for all events is approximately 200 people.
Owlkids Day (Saturday Only) Schedule of Events:
9:30am: Doors open at venue St. Paul’s, 227 Bloor Street East
10am: Meet Owly creator Andy Runton!
Creator Andy Runton will take fans on an amazing journey through the world of Owly! Intended for children 3 and up. Following his presentation, Andy Runton will be signing in the Owlkids Area at Toronto Reference Library!
11am: Meet Jennifer Holm & Matt Holm, creators of Babymouse & Squish!
The creators of the hit graphic novel series’ Babymouse and Squish, brother and sister graphic novel team Jennifer Holm and Matt Holm will wow the audience with an interactive presentation from their series! Intended for kids 6 and up. Following their presentation, Jennifer Holm & Matt Holm will be signing at St. Paul’s! Then they’ll be headed back to The Owlkids Area at Toronto Reference Library!
12pm: Owlkids Presents: How to Write and Draw Max Finder with Craig Battle and Ramon Perez!
One of the most popular sections of Owl magazine are the awesome adventures of Max Finder, the mysteries that you can help solve! Creators Craig Battle and Ramon Perez will create an all-new mystery with the audience! Intended for ages 7 and up. Following their signing, Ramon Perez and Craig Battle will be signing at St. Paul’s, and then headed back to Toronto Reference Library.
1pm: Meet Jeff Smith, the author of Bone!
Jeff Smith is the creator of Fone Bone, Smiley Bone, and Phoney Bone, the Bone cousins! Now, Jeff Smith will do a presentation from his series and answer questions from fans! Intended for ages 10 and up. Following his event, Jeff Smith will be signing for fans from 2pm-3:30pm at St. Paul’s. Jeff Smith will only be able to sign for 2 hours, on a first-come, first-served basis.
2:30pm: The world of Amulet, with creator Kazu Kibuishi!
Kazu Kibuishi is the author of the new smash-hit fantasy series Amulet! Kazu and series colourist Jason Cafoe will be on hand with a presentation from the series! Intended for ages 10 and up. Following his event, Kazu Kibuishi will be signing at his table in The Owlkids Exhibitor Area at Toronto Reference Library in The Appel Salon.
3:45pm: It’s the “launch” of Teen Boat! With creators Dave Roman & John Green!
Friends Dave Roman and John Green have worked together on all kinds of projects, including Nick Jr. Magazine and Avatar: The Last Airbender comics! Now they’ve created their own new graphic novel: TEEN BOAT! It’s the angst of being a teen, and the thrill of being a boat! Join the creators for the launch of the graphic novel at TCAF! Intended for ages 11 and up. Following their event, John Green and Dave Roman will be signing at their table in The Owlkids Exhibitor Area at Toronto Reference Library in second floor The Appel Salon.
If you’re interested in seeing some of the exciting work being made by local Toronto artists, then we’ve got some great news for you! The Toronto Reference Library’s newly completed Browsery will be taken over by the Wowee Zonk Small Press Space! Be sure not to miss out on comics, zines, prints, and other art being made in your own neighbourhoods (if, that is, you live in Toronto). This year the Wowee Zonk Small Press Space will feature:
The TIFF Nexus Comics vs. Games Creative Jam produced 5 amazing games, and the creators are bringing the games to TCAF! Check out the amazing trailer above!
TCAF is only a week away, but it’s never too soon to start planning your days at the Festival! Take a look at our fantastic slate of Kids Programming happening Saturday and Sunday in the Appel Salon, 2nd floor of the Toronto Reference Library. Time to start plotting where you’ll be and when, or at the very least you’ll be ready to camp out for hours of comics and fun!
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TCAF Kids Programming
Come and join the fun in the Owlkids Area (Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library Second Floor) all weekend long for:
Kids Comics Lounge: Settle in and browse a wide selection of great kids graphic novels. If you have a library card, you can borrow them, too!
TCAF Kids presents…The Art Garage! Four interactive activity stations to get your creative comics juices flowing!
1. Puppet -a-palozza! - Let our expert art staff help you make you very own super hero action puppet. Using markers, scissors, glue stick , construction paper and imagination we can make your action puppet come to life! Awesome!
2. Comictransformation! - Have you ever made a fold in picture? Not to worry …. Come by this craft station and we will “transform” you into a fan for sure . Batteries are not included ..,because you won’t need them!
3. Cartoon mix up! - Let our team show you how to make a cool drawing tool that will keep track of the awesome cartoon faces you can make! No joke… You will love this craft for sure!
4. Stand “E” - Have you ever seen the cool character on card board cut outs that sit on top of the shelves in the library? From Tintin to Bone , let’s make one if your own character!
While there make sure to check out our exciting programming!
Saturday, May 5th
9:00am-10:00am: Free Comic Book Giveaway
From superheroes and fantasy to funny animals and cartoon fun, come to the show early for FREE COMICS! Limit 3 for children 12 and under. Limited quantities each day.
10:00am-10:45am: Let’s Make Comics Together!
Draw one panel and pass it on! Tory Woollcott (Mirror Mind) will lead you in this comics jam where you can create a comic together that everyone can enjoy!
11:00am-11:45am: The Pirate Girl’s Treasure: Read and Create!
Meet Hilary, Peyton and Ben (The Brothers Leung) and enjoy an interactive session that includes a reading of the story by the creators followed by some fun origami activities.
12:00pm-12:45pm: Saturday Morning Webtoons: Game Show Fun!
Read comics! Play games! Win prizes! Meet the Saturday Morning Webtoons crew including J. Torres, Jack Briglio, Agnes Garbowska, J. Bone and Stefan Grambart, and learn all about their all-ages webcomics!
1:00pm-1:45pm: Kids Comics Quickfire
Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Featuring Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), Raina Telgemeier (SMILE), John Green (Teen Boat) and Bob Flynn (Heeby Jeeby Comix).
2:00pm-2:45pm: Spotlight: Knights of the Lunch Table
If you love reading myths and legends, you should be reading Knights of the Lunch Table! Join series creator Frank Cammuso and learn how the legends of King Arthur gave him ideas for this series, plus a live drawing demo of the main characters including Artie, Percy, Mr. Merlyn and more!
3:00pm-3:45pm: Owl Comics Games
Comics are great for stories but you can also make them into games to play with your friends. Learn how as Owl cartoonists CTON and Brian McLachlan duel each other with markers, paper and panels.
4:00pm-4:45pm: Facts, Fiction, and Unfolding Comics
If you thought that there was only one way to read a book, think again! Jon Chad (Leo Geo) will talk about different kinds of books, incorporating science into comics, and how to make your own expanding comic! Everyone will leave with their own handmade comic!
And don’t forget Owlkids Day at St. Paul’s on Bloor (227 Bloor Street East), happening all day Saturday!
10:00am: Meet Owly creator Andy Runton!
11:00am: Meet Jennifer Holm & Matt Holm, creators of Babymouse & Squish!
12:00pm: Owlkids Presents: How to Write and Draw Max Finder with Craig Battle and Ramon Perez!
1:00pm: Meet Jeff Smith, the author of Bone!
2:30pm: The world of Amulet, with creator Kazu Kibuishi!
3:45pm: It’s the “launch” of Teen Boat! With creators Dave Roman & John Green!
11:00am-12:00pm: Free Comic Book Giveaway
From superheroes and fantasy to funny animals and cartoon fun, come to the show early for FREE COMICS! Limit 3 for children 12 and under. Limited quantities each day.
12:00pm-12:30pm: Rabbit and Bear Paws Puppet Show
Join your favourite characters Rabbit and Bear Paws and hear the Anishinabe oral story of Nanabazhoo & the Animals. Audience members will become puppeteers in this comical retelling of how Turtle Island came to be. (Featuring Chad Solomon)
12:45pm-1:30pm: Turn Your Life Into Comics
The inspiration for Raina Telgemeier’s book, Smile comes from her own life as an eleven-year old girl who injures her two front teeth. Are you ready to tell your life story in comics?
Get tips on how to pick ideas from your own life to create your own autobiographical comics.
1:45pm-2:30pm: Kids Comics Quickfire, The Sequel
Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Featuring Jennifer and Matt Holm (Babymouse, Squish), and Andy Runton (Owly). Hosted by Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy).
2:45pm-3:30pm: Spotlight: Explorer The Mystery Boxes
Join the creators of Explorer: The Mystery Boxes: Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet), Jason Caffoe (Flight), Stuart Livingston, Raina Telgemeier (Smile), and Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), as they read their stories live on stage, with a little help from the audience!
3:45pm-4:30pm: Drawing Simple Characters
Using scribbles, dots and round blobs, you can create lively characters. Join Melissa Mendes (Freddy Stories) and David Huyck (Cloudy & Sunny’s Book-O-Doodles & Things To Do) as they walk you step-by-step through drawing your favourite characters and inventing a couple of new ones, too.
Even though the festival is barely a week away, there’s still lots of news coming down the pipeline. Keep checking here, Twitter, and Facebook for announcements as they come through!
The centrepiece for our queer programming at TCAF is a highly anticipated talk by Alison Bechdel, who will be presenting from her new book Are You My Mother?! The eagerly-awaited follow-up to her bestselling and critically acclaimed Fun Home, Are You My Mother? will debut at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival! Bechdel’s presentation will be followed by an on-stage interview and our queer mixer for comics creators and fans! This is a free event taking place at Buddies in Bad Times (12 Alexander Street), doors at 6:30pm, starting at 7:00pm. Show up early or show up late!
Presented in association with North America’s newest graphic novel imprint, SelfMadeHero, and TCAF, Dr. Sketchy’s is making an exciting return to Toronto. Come on over to The Pilot at 5:30 on May 5th and join Featured Guests Catel Muller and Jose-Luis Bocquet for an evening of life drawing, alongside some music, food, drinks, and the chance to discuss their book KIKI de Montparnasse.
Featured Guest Gabriella Giandelli’s work is being celebrated at two events put on by the Italian Cultural Institute. The first is the launch of Gabriella Giandelli: A Toronto Retrospective on May 4th. This show will display over 80 pieces from Giandelli’s career in comics and art from May 4th until September 14, 2012. The second even is Gabriella Giandelli and Marco Cappelli in Conversation at IIC on May 7th. Come see Gabriella Giandelli and music composer Marco Cappelli engage in a conversation on their artist careers and the influence that music has on comics.
In partnership with the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, TCAF present the screenings of two films about the work of underground comics legend Art Spiegelman. Sunday, May 06, at Innis Town Hall, the TJFF will be hosting a presentation of The Art of Spiegelman, a documentary about the creators life and work. Next up is In the Shadow of No Towers, A powerful and experimental adaptation of Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel recounting his first-hand experience at ground zero on 9/11, as well as his grief and disillusionment that followed in the days and years afterward. Director Marco Cappelli will be attending the screening.
NEW FEATURED GUEST!
TCAF is happy to invite back to the festival Adventure Time creator Pendelton Ward!
Pendleton Ward is the creator of Adventure Time with Finn & Jake, an animated series from Cartoon Network Studios. Based in Los Angeles, Ward created the pilot for the show with Fred Seibert of Frederator Studios, which was then picked up as a full series by Cartoon Network. Adventure Time follows a human boy, Flynn, and his adopted brother — a magical dog named Jake — who set out to become righteous adventurers in the Land of Ooo.
Continue to check the site closer to the festival for details about panels and a signing schedule.
NEW EXHIBITORS!
There are lots of new exhibitors coming to TCAF, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Josh Bayer (Raw Power) will be coming with Retrofit Comics, Rupert Bottenberg, who will be debuting his new book Traumstadtdenken: Comix + Images, Jon Rosenberg (Goats, Scenes from a Multiverse) and Jeffrey Rowland (Wigu, Overcompensating) will be joining the Topatoco crew, Jose Villarrubia (The Mirror of Love, Sweet Tooth) is returning to host some panels, and the Royal Academy of Illustration of Design will be bringing a whole slew of guests into the RAID Room, including Cameron Stewart, Eric Vedder, Francis Manapul, Agnes Garbowska, Ian Herring, Brian Mclachlan, Jason Laudadio, Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col, and Ramon Perez. Wow!
NEW BOOKS!
As of right now there are a total of 41 books debuting at TCAF this year! Recently announced debuts include:
Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel Little Heart: A Comic Anthology for Marriage Equality by Various Artists Girl Apocalypse by Angie Wang Cereal by Brian Fukushima Diary Comics #3 by Dustin Harbin Traumstadtdenken: Comix + Images by Rupert Bottenberg A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kid’s Comics: Choosing Titles Your Children Will Love by Scott Robins & Snow Wildsmith Cloudy & Sunny’s Book-O-Doodles & Things To Do by David Huyck Mikenesses by Mike Holmes Ojitos Borrosos by Inés Estrada Distance Mover #1 by Patrick Kyle
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CANCELLATIONS
Sadly, Eric Wight will no longer be able to attend TCAF, due to a family emergency. Leela Corman will also no longer be able to attend TCAF. Her book Unterzakhn is no longer be debuting at the Festival.
Starting on Tuesday, April 24th, the TCAF Website will be running an all new Teen Boat Adventure: Teen Boat Comics to TCAF! Created by the Teen Boat team of John Green and Dave Roman, this exciting new adventure will be serialized on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! Experience the thrill of being a Teen, the angst of being a boat, and… the difficulty of coming to Toronto for a comics festival.
Creators John Green and Dave Roman will be on hand for TCAF 2012, and their epic all-ages adventure TEEN BOAT will be making its international debut at the fest! To see all of the Teen Boat strips, just click this link: http://torontocomics.com/news/tags/teen-boat/
TCAF is proud and excited to announce three new featured guests, two new attending publishers, and one English-language debut book, all of which originate from the vibrant French comics scene overseas.
GUESTS!
Micol, the pseudonym for Hughes Micol, was born in Paris in 1969. A graduate of the School of Graphic Arts in Paris, Micol worked as a freelance writer and illustrator before becoming a comics creator. His works include two Chiquito la Muerte albums, Eugène Sue’s series Les Mystères de Paris, Les Contes du septième souffle (Aohige in 2002, Shiro Yuki in 2003, Ayatsuri in 2004), and the wordless graphic album series 3. Micol is attending TCAF as a guest of publisher Cornelius, and his attendance is supported by The Consul General of France in Toronto.
Catel Muller co-authored Le Sang des Valentines with Christian De Metter, published by Casterman (People’s Choice First Prize at Angoulême 2005). For the same publisher, she produced three volumes of the adventures of Lucie, the character created in the year 2000 with Véronique Grisseaux at the Humanoïdes des Associés. Catel’s children’s illustrations include the Marion strip, written by Fanny Joly, for Bayard publishers. Heroines, both great and small, are a constant feature of her work, as in Piaf for Nocturne publishers. In 2008, she pursued her study of the eternal feminine with Quatuor by adapting the texts of Pascal Quignard, Jacques Gamblin, Thierry Bellefroid and José-Louis Bocquet.
José-Luis Bocquet published his first novel as part of the Black Series by Gallimard publishers. Since then, he has written seven other novels for a number of publishers. He is also the author of monographs devoted to Henri-Georges Clouzot, Georges Lautner, André Franquin and René Goscinny. As a scriptwriter for comic strips, his career began in the pages of Métal Hurlant, and went on to include ten titles with artists Serge Clerc, Arno, Max, Philippe Berthet, Francis Vallès, Andréas Geffe, Stanislas and Steve Cuzor.
PUBLISHERS!
Cornelius is a french publisher of comics and graphic novels, founded in 1991 in France.To quote Peggy Burns from Drawn and Quarterly, founder Jean-Louis “runs the company with a finely honed aesthetic that is at once instantly recognizeable as a Cornelius book, but also uniquely about the artist.” In 20+ years, Cornelius has published award-winning works by french creators Lewis Trondheim, Blutch, Dupuy & Berberian, Ludovic Debeurme and Hugues Micol, as well as internationally renowned cartoonists like Daniel Clowes, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, Charles Burns, and Robert Crumb. There’s a strong Canadian connection as well, as Cornelius has published Shrimpy and Paul and Friends by Marc Bell, and will be putting out French editions of Chester Brown’s Paying for It and Ed the Happy Clown.
SelfMadeHero is an independent graphic novel publisher based in London. Since its launch in 2007, SelfMadeHero has gained huge critical acclaim for its various series including Manga Shakespeare and Eye Classics. In 2009, it broadened its series to include Crime Classics and Graphic Biography. In 2010 the acquisition of The Moomins Cook Book began a new line of Gift Books inspired by iconic cartoon characters. 2011 saw the launch of Original Fiction series.
DEBUT BOOKS!
TCAF is proud to help the debut the English translation of KIKI de Montparnasse, winner of Angouleme Festival’s Essential Prix & RTL Grand Prix. In the bohemian and brilliant Montparnasse of the 1920s, Kiki escaped poverty to become one of the most charismatic figures of the avant-garde years between the wars. Partner to Man Ray, she would be immortalised by many artists. The muse of a generation, she was one of the first emancipated women of the 20th century.
Featured Guest Gabriella Giandelli is going to be having quite the busy weekend at TCAF this year! The Italian cultural Institute is hosting two events for Giandelli: a special on-stage presentation and the launch of a gallery show of her art and comics.
Gabriella Giandelli: A Retrospective Opening Night! Friday, May 4, 2012 – 6:30pm Istituto Italiano di Cultura – 496 Huron Street, Toronto Free Admission.
Gabriella Giandelli: A Retrospective is an exhibit over 80 original drawings of one the most prolific Italian illustrator and graphic novelist, including the celebrated series Interiorae. The artist will be in attendance, with opening remarks by Gianni Bardini, Consul General of Italy. The exhibition runs through Friday, September 14, 2012. The exhibit will be open through TCAF on Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Gabriella Giandelli and Marco Cappelli in Conversation at IIC Monday, May 7, 2012 – 6:30-8:30 Istituto Italiano di Cultura – 496, Huron St., Toronto Free Admission.
The Italian Cultural Institute is proud to present an evening with Italian comic author Gabriella Giandelli and music composer Marco Cappelli who will engage in a conversation on their artist careers and the influence that music has on comics. The conversation will be enriched by musical excerpts thanks to Marco Cappelli’s guitar.
These events are a rare chance to see one of Italy’s best comics artists in Toronto, and surely something not to be missed.
While TCAF has always sought to produce an inclusive and welcoming selection of programming for the queer community, this year is going to be one of our best yet! Headlined by Alison Bechdel and the debut of her eagerly awaited follow-up to the smash hit Fun Home, this will be an amazing year to attend!
May 5: The TCAF 2012 Queer Mixer, Featuring Alison Bechdel!
The centrepiece for our queer programming at TCAF is a highly anticipated talk by Alison Bechdel, who will be presenting from her new book Are You My Mother?! The eagerly-awaited follow-up to her bestselling and critically acclaimed Fun Home, Are You My Mother will debut at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival! Bechdel’s presentation will be followed by an on-stage interview and our queer mixer for comics creators and fans! This is a free event taking place at Buddies in Bad Times (12 Alexander Street), doors at 6:30pm, starting at 7:00pm. Show up early or show up late!
Panels, Presentations, and Programs!
On Saturday May 5th, The Pilot (22 Cumberland Street) will be hosting a number of great panels about comics and queer identities, beginning at 1:45pm:
“Growing Up In Comics” (1:45pm-2:45pm) features Alison Bechdel and three other amazing cartoonists talking about depicting their lives and growing up on the printed page.
“LGBTQ! – New Queer Comics” (3pm-4pm) Join a fabulous array of queer and queer-friendly comics creators as they discuss 2 important new anthologies about queer life. Little Heart is a brand-new benefit anthology for gay marriage rights in Minnesota, and Editor Raighne Hogan, and contributors Emily Carroll, and Ed Choy will be on the panel, joined by contributors to the new book The Letter Q, Maurice Vellekoop and Lucy Knisley. Moderator Jose Villarrubia will be sure to keep things lively!
“Feature Interview: Brad Fraser on Dale Lazarov” (4:15pm-5pm). Fabulous Toronto playwright Brad Fraser will interview his good friend Dale Lazarov, acclaimed creator of gay erotic comics including Sticky, Manly, and the brand-new Good Sports! This is sure to be one of the most talked-about programs of the year! (This interview will be 18+ only)
Debut Books @ TCAF 2012!
As previously mentioned, two fantastic new queer-themed anthologies will be debuting at TCAF this year.
First up from Scholastic is The Letter Q, where queer 50 authors, including TCAF exhibitors Lucy Knisley and Maurice Vellekoop, write letters across the barriers of time to their teenage selves, imparting wisdom from the future.
The second book is Little Heart: A Comic Anthology for Marriage Equality, a collection of comics aimed at raising funds and awareness for the cause of marriage equality in Minnesota. Many TCAF exhibitors are featured in the anthology, including Michael Deforge, Ed Choy, Emily Carroll, MariNaomi, Zac Sally, and more, with an introduction from TCAF Festival Director Christopher Butcher.
And a whole slew of queer creators and creators of queer-themed work!
While you’re wandering the exhibitor area and are wondering where to go to find some queer comics, go say “Hi!” to amazing creators and queer-folk like:
Alison Bechdel (Beguiling Signing Area) (Saturday only)
Dale Lazarov (Beguiling Store, 2nd floor Appel Salon)
Maurice Vellekoop (Koyama Press)
Jose Villaruba (Beguiling Signing Area)
and exhibitors Niki Smith, Anna Bongiovanni, Emily Carroll, MariNaomi, Jeremy Sorese, Kate Leth, Marian Runk, L. Nichols, and Chad Sell.
Also see queer-themed works by exhibitors Ed Choy, Mike Dawson, Kristina Stipetic and Tom Neely!
Not only are they an internet powerhouse, Topatoco is also one of TCAF’s longest and largest supporters, and this year they’re returning to Toronto with their biggest set-up yet!
First up, Topatoco is hosting their first-ever Welcome to TCAF party! This is a perfect chance to meet up and chill out with many of your favourite webcartoonists! The fun starts at 7 pm at The Pilot, 22 Cumberland Ave. (At 10pm, stick around, as the Welcome to TCAF party morphs into the TCAF Kick-Off After Party. It will be a party.)
And just who are these fabulous cartoonists you might ask? Joining Topatoco’s already dynamite list of is new exhibitor Ryan Pequin, who will be debuting the first collection of his incisive webcomic Three Word Phrase. We’re very happy to welcome Pequin to TCAF, along with all of Topatoco’s other fantastic cartoonists. The full list of Topatoco guests includes:
Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant)*
Wes Citti & Tony Wilson (AmazingSuperPowers)
Anthony Clark (Nedroid)
Aaron Diaz (Dresden Codak)
Frank Gibson & Becky Dreistadt (Tiny Kitten Teeth)
Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie)
Chris Hastings (The Adventures of Dr. McNinja)
Emily Horne & Joey Comeau (a softer world)
Andrew Hussie (Homestuck)*
Jeph Jacques (Questionable Content)
Sam Logan (Sam & Fuzzy)
David Malki (Wondermark)
Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics)
Yuko Ota & Ananth Panagariya (Johnny Wander)
Ryan Pequin (Three Word Phrase)
Jon Rosenberg (Scenes from a Multiverse, Goats)
Jeffery Rowland (Overcompensating)
Most of these guests will be signing in the Topatoco area on the second floor. Exhibitors marked with an asterisk will be signing in The Beguiling signing tables located in area B1. All signing times will be announced closer to the festival date.
And there’s still more! Along with Ryan Pequin’s Three Word Phrase collection, Topatoco are debuting four more new books! Get ready for a softer world Volume 3: Everybody Gets Got, Three Panel Soul: Book One, Homestuck Volume 2, and Dinosaur Comics Volume 3: Feelings Are Boring, Kissing Is Awesome. Don’t hurt your arms carrying all these great comics home!
If you thought our list of exhibitors at TCAF was impressive already, get ready, because that list just got a little bit sweeter:
Steve Manale (Superslackers, Chick and Dee), Adriana Blake (Fall on Me, Womanthology), Katie Shanahan (Shrub Monkeys, Silly Kingdom), and Leela Corman (Unterzakhn) will all be attending TCAF. It came to our attention that Nathan Stapley (DoubleFine) was lost in our website relaunch, but we want to assure everybody that he will be coming.
NEW PUBLISHERS!
La Pastèque is an internationally respected and acclaimed French language publisher, headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Publishing since December 1998 with its debut anthology Sputnik, La Pasteque has published more than 60 titles to date including original works by Pascal Girard, Michel Rabagliati, Pascal Blanchet, Nicolas Robel, Leif Tande, and more.
NEW BOOKS!
But wait! There’s more! Here’s a great list of new books debuting at TCAF:
Horrible #1 by Zack Worton, Michael Deforge, Patrick Kyle, and Chris Kuzma Unterzakhn by Leela Corman Devastator #5: Fantasy by Various Artists Delilah Dirk and the Seeds of Good Fortune by Tony Cliff
Cancellations: Sadly, Spike will no longer be able to attend TCAF. Also, the new edition of Ed the Happy Clown will not be available in time for TCAF.
Owlkids & Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2012 present:
Owlkids Day @ Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2012 Part of two full days of kid-oriented programming at TCAF
Saturday, May 5th, 2012, from 10am-5pm@ St. Paul’s, 227 Bloor Street East, Toronto Free To Attend http://TorontoComics.com/kids
TORONTO: The Toronto Comic Arts Festival has always been about promoting the medium of comic books and graphic arts to readers of every age, and in a historic first TCAF has partnered with leading kids’ brand Owlkids for Owlkids Day @ TCAF: A Full Day Featuring Some of the Bestselling Kids Cartoonists in the world! Join us at our special off-site location, St. Paul’s, for a full day of programming by an amazing array of Kids and Young Adult artists and authors, including Jeff Smith, author of the 10-million-copy-selling Bone adventure series!
Owlkids Day is a special one-day event that offers a non-stop selection of presentations by TCAF’s biggest kids guests, and creates a special location for families just 5 minutes walk from main TCAF site Toronto Reference Library. Presenters include cartoonists from Owlkids, Andy Runton (Owly),Jennifer Holm & Matt Holm (Babymouse, SQUISH), Jeff Smith (Bone), Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet), and Dave Roman & John Green (Teen Boat, Avatar: The Last Airbender).
As with most TCAF events, admission to all of these presentations is free, no tickets will be offered or are required, admission and seating is limited to the first 200 people in line for each event. Event queues start 30 minutes before each presentation.
Owlkids Day is just one of many kids activities happening at TCAF 2012, including The Owlkids Area at The Appel Salon on the second floor of Toronto Reference Library, Free Comic Book Day Giveaways, and dozens more wonderful cartoonists and graphic novel creators in attendance. For more information, please visit our website at http://TorontoComics.com/kids.
See you there!
Owlkids Day Schedule of Events:
9:30am: Doors open at venue St. Paul’s, 227 Bloor Street East
10am: Meet Owly creator Andy Runton!
11am: Meet Jennifer Holm & Matt Holm, creators of Babymouse & Squish!
12pm: Owlkids Presents: How to Write and Draw Max Finder with Craig Battle and Ramon Perez!
1pm: Meet Jeff Smith, the author of Bone!
2:30pm: The world of Amulet, with creator Kazu Kibuishi!
3:45pm: It’s the “launch” of Teen Boat! With creators Dave Roman & John Green!
All creators will be signing and sketching for fans after their presentations!
ABOUT
Owlkids: Owlkids is the English youth division of Bayard Canada. Owlkids publishes entertaining, unique, high quality magazines and books that nurture the potential of children and instill in them a love of reading and learning — about themselves and the world around them.
As publisher of Chirp, chickaDEE,and OWL magazines, Owlkids reaches more than 200,000 subscriber families and more than one million readers each month. Its book publishing unit, Owlkids Books, has produced such bestsellers as Max Finder Mysteries, My Beastly Book of Monsters, and Why? For more information, please go to www.owlkids.com.
TCAF: The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) is a week-long celebration of comics and graphic novels, culminating in a two-day exhibition at Toronto Reference Library on May 5rh and 6th, 2012. Featuring 300 cartoonists from more than 15 countries around the world, TCAF is Canada’s premiere celebration of comics and cartoonists. For more information please visit http://torontocomics.com.
Delilah Dirk and the Seeds of Good Fortune is the first follow-up to the Eisner-nominated Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant. Delilah Dirk must extract a signature from the corrupt chieftain of a small Greek town. Her plan becomes unravelled and her life endangered, though, thanks to the greedy manipulations …read more
This Toronto artist’s popular minicomics have finally been collected into her first graphic novel. Wilson has a flowing cartooning style, reminiscent of Roberta Gregory, with angry young women running around the city creating havoc.
We are a nation of storytellers. We can make stories out of anything. Four stories about stories: how we tell them (and how we understand them) in our limited but human way. The tales revolve around a doctor’s note, a bottle, a stone and a rubber duck. And, of course, people.
Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home was a pop culture and literary phenomenon. Now, a second thrilling tale of filial sleuthery, this time about her mother: voracious reader (London Review of Books to Star Magazine); music lover (opera to death metal); passionate amateur actor. Also a woman, unhappily married to a closeted gay man, whose artistic aspirations simmered under the surface of Bechdel’s childhood …read more
DISTANCE MOVER follows the exploits of MR.EARTH and his Distance Mover, a vehicle capable of moving great distances! Come with Mr. Earth and his companions to discover fantastic worlds in this exciting new serial. Patrick Kyle is an illustrator from Toronto. His previous comic book, Black Mass, is nominated in …read more
A Softer World book three is here, and it is chock full of secret alt texts and harsh truths about your love life. Put this book in the bathroom, next to the razor blades and old Rolling Stones magazines that remind you when you thought you could do anything!
When observing the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim populations that call Jerusalem home, Delisle’s drawn line is both sensitive and fair, assuming nothing and drawing everything. Jerusalem showcases once more Delisle’s mastery of the travelogue.
Could we possibly be living in the best of all possible worlds? Well, shoot, I don’t know, but this new collection of Dinosaur Comics sure does argue that the answer could be “maybe sometimes”? Dinosaur Comics: Feelings Are Boring, Kissing Is Awesome collects all full year’s worth of strips, plus …read more
My name is Christopher Butcher, and I am the co-founder and Festival Director of The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF). Just last weekend, I presided over our 7th festival in 9 years, a continued celebration of all that is great about comics and graphic novels, and their creators.
Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant)*
