TCAF 2010

On Saturday I attended the Toronto Comics and Arts Festival for the first time as a media representative for C&G Monthly. The festival was an awesome glimpse into the world of comics, graphic novels, and small press/indie publications. The day started early with a Tims coffee, a walk around the block, and a printing of my C&G business cards (I am still very excited to have business cards haha).

It progressed with the opportunity for me to get a copy of Body World signed and personalized by its author, Dash Shaw.

After a few rounds around exhibitors’ tables, I headed over to The Pilot to catch the spotlight on Paul Pope and Dash Shaw. Mediated by Vancouver-based Inkstuds’ host Robin McConnell, the spotlight was a fascinating look at comic productions, processes, and the things that drive both men.

Shortly after, following another coffee and bout of round-the-block networking, I managed to catch a panel of cartoonists and game contributors discussing the relationship between comic books and video games – a perfect discussion for us C&G reps to sit in on.

Overall, TCAF was awesome. The library quickly filled up in the afternoon. It was amazing to see so many people gather together – people who were related only by an intense passion for what they did. There were plenty of people that I met and plenty of publishers that I encountered that I would definitely love to investigate in the future.

In the meantime, I’m enjoying my personalized copy of Body World and harbouring a secret (well, now a not-so-secret) school girl crush on Dash Shaw!

Though the Toronto Comics and Arts Festival is over for this year, it is an annual event and I strongly encourage any interested comic fans to check it out next year. Just for the record, if this is something you may be interested in, be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing and walk-ready shoes (stilettos are strongly advised against, as well as sweaters that you are not willing to tie around your waist)!