May 9th-10th, 2009 - The 2009 Toronto Comic Arts Festival has come to a close, and to sum everything up... WOW! This was a great show, from start to finish. I wish I had more time (and money) to check everything out. Thanks to Chris Butcher, Peter Birkemoe and everyone else involved in putting on a great show!
Saturday May 9th, 2009
Before going into the show, I was curious as to how TCAF was going to be set up this time around. I had never been to the Toronto Reference Library, and I didn't even know where it was, until Danny pointed it out when we passed by it on Free Comic Book Day.
We arrived at TCAF around 10am, and I made my way over to the Joe Shuster Awards table. I wasn't working at the table at all this past weekend. I was there to pick up the new printout containing the updated information for the Visions of an Icon - Wolverine Gallery, in hopes of gathering more pieces for the Gallery.
I started to make my rounds at the show, to get some books signed, get some sketches, etc. The first person I went to see, Michael Cho. I was hoping to catch him at the Fan Appreciation Event last month, but due to a nasty flu bug, he was unable to make it to that show.
I am grateful that he was willing to do the sketch requests that Danny and I sent him a couple of weeks back. I am even more grateful to have the Zatanna in my collection (and soon to be on my wall!).
As people were still getting set up, I continued roaming around the floor, just trying to figure out were everyone was being set up (especially those that I wanted to see). I found my way into the Beeton Auditorium, where the publishers were set up, along with the creators representing those publishers. Bryan Lee O'Malley had arrived, and the line-up started to form. Glad I wasn't too far back. I ended up purchasing one of the Ramona Prints, and a couple of copies of Scott Pilgrim: Full-Colour Odds & Ends 2008. The Oni Press booth was sold out of these books by early Sunday afternoon.
I've been wanting a copy of this, since it was announced for San Diego Comic-Con last year, but never did place an order. So, I jumped at the chance here. Too much goodness in this, and I like owning books that contain a page (or pages) of original art that I own, and I now have it in colour (the page was originally released in the FCBD book, "Free Scott Pilgrim."
As it was still early in the day, I spent a good chunk of time continuing to roam around the area, getting books signed, and finding were people were setting up. I came across Troy Little, during my roamings. I had been meaning to pick up a copy of Angora Napkin, back when it was released, but sadly never got around to it. Then he was announced for TCAF, and I knew I was going to pick it up there. I was going to pick up Chiaroscuro as well, but Danny ended up purchasing that.
Eric Wight was one of the main people that I was looking forward to meeting at TCAF. I can't remember how I came about being a fan of his (it was within the last 2-3 years). So I was excited when I saw his name on the guest list. I picked up a copy of Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom, which I was considering picking up for my little bro, but am keeping it for myself (don't worry, I got him something else).
I actually spent a good chunk of the morning, roaming around the place, searching for Eric Wight (while also putting my name down on sketch lists). Thankfully, Chris Butcher pointed me in his direction (while he was still setting up).
At this point, I made my way to the car, to switch up books that I had to get signed. I also grabbed lunch (so many food selections in the area, but I stuck with Pizza Pizza both days). I came back with a bunch of books to get signed, and off I went. I found Cecil Castellucci chatting with Jim Rugg, the team behind The P.L.A.I.N. Janes and Janes In Love. I managed to catch them at the perfect time, as the conversation was finishing. Cecil even handed out pocket protectors, promoting Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, before she left. I stuck around for the sketch by Jim Rugg.
After noticing not one person in line for Joe Bluhm, I totally jumped at the chance to get my caricature done by him. Talk about perfect timing, because later on in the day, he was busy. And from the looks of Sunday, he appeared to have a line for the entire day. I always get a kick seeing creators leaving their tables, so they could get a caricature done by Joe. They were bringing their families to get them done! It was like that at the last TCAF, where I have been regretting not getting one done then, so this was one of the must for me.
Side note here, Danny and I ended up giving our respective caricatures to our mother for Mother's Day (in addition to the actual gift). We showed the family as well at the time, and everyone just broke out into laughter. These will actually be hung up in our family room in the near future.
Another named that caught my attention, and had me quite excited to meet, Jamie McKelvie. I have taken a liking to Jamie's clean artwork, so I was hoping to get something done by him. I wish I had gotten more.
Another person I was looking forward to meet, Steve Rolston (nominated for a Joe Shuster Award for Artist). I believe it was some time last year or two years ago, when I realized he was a fellow Canuck (while reviewing material as part of the nominating committee for the Awards, or helping out with corrections).
I had also been in contact with him recently, in hopes of a donated piece for the Visions of an Icon gallery. It was nice to put a face to a name, and hopefully his schedule frees up a bit, because I'd love to see a Wolverine by him. But until then, I get to look at the Zatanna. :)
I was surprised to see that Tara McPherson was not too busy (and the same goes for Steve Rolston, Chip Zdarsky, Kagan McLeod, Derek Kirk Kim, and all the others that where seated slightly away from the main area). I figured Tara would be one of the more popular guests. Sadly, it probably had something to do with the location.
It did work out for me, but really, many people probably missed out on all of the fabulous creators in that area, and the creators could have potentially made more money. Seating in this part of the library was probably the only negative thing I can think of, when looking back at TCAF 2009.
Marcio Takara was one of the four guests we had signing at the Joe Shuster Awards table (the others being: Agnes Garbowska, Alina Urusov, and Kelly Tindall).
I had some books to get signed by Marcio (Incredibles: Family Matters), so I jumped at the chance for a sketch, since he was available for one.
Returning to Toronto (for TCAF), from Montreal, Cameron Stewart and Karl Kerschl. After the last TCAF, I really went in thinking that most of the Transmission-X crew were not going to be sketching, so I didn't really plan ahead from them (I do have Zatanna sketches by both of them, so I drew a blank). I did flip through Cameron's binder full of pre-done pin-ups that he's been drawing and posting on his blog.
For a week in April, Cameron had been posting several drawings of Umbrella Academy characters, which was something I was even more interested in, as I am liking the Umbrella Academy series. Once I saw them, I knew I had to pick up at least one of them. It became between The Rumor and The White Violin. I really like them both in the series, and both of Cameron's drawings. I settled for The Rumor. I don't regret purchasing it, I do regret no purchasing The White Violin as well. Argh, budgeting for the weekend.
As mentioned earlier, Kelly Tindall was another guest at the Joe Shuster Awards booth. I had never met Kelly prior to this event, though I think I remember seeing him at Fan Expo Canada last summer, when members of Tim Sale's message board, met around Tim Sale's table. I just happened to be there too.
For those that are not familiar with Kelly's work, you should be checking out Image Comics' Proof, which does feature back-up stories of Archie Snow, by Kelly. He also provided the artwork of for the main story in issue #17 of Proof (regular artist, Riley Rossmo... also Canadian!).
The final sketch of the day, came right at the end, by Becky Cloonan. I actually pick this up minutes before TCAF came to a close for the day. I've been enjoy her weekly Comic Attack strips, she has been posting weekly on her blog, in addition to her previous works. Couldn't pass up another sketch by her.
This brings an end to my Saturday at TCAF. Danny and I ended up heading home for some steaks, and various other food and beers, to relax/scan everything, and get ready for the following day. I was glad that I was just down to four books that I had to get signed, so Sunday was going to be an easy one for me.
Sunday May 10th, 2009
Day Two of TCAF was just to get remaining books signed, purchase more items, get a few more sketches from those I was not able to see on Saturday, and to pick up some sketches.
The two here, were the two that I was picking up, done by two great creators. Zatanna by Andy B. (of the awesome webcomic, Raising Hell), and Batgirl by Faith Erin Hicks (The War at Ellsmere, Zombies Calling).
Back in the Beeton Auditorium, I was there to get some signatures, that I didn't get previously, because I didn't know what some of the creators looked like. Thankfully, Jamie Coville took quite a lot of photos, and included creators names. That was quite helpful for me.
Also in this room, at the Oni Press booth, were two creators I had hoped to add to the sketch collection, Scott Chantler and Ross Campbell. Based on the pictures to the side, it worked out for me.
Another creator that I had been meaning to meet for years, but never did, was Kagan McLeod. I've regretted it every time that I never went over to see him, because I have enjoyed his artwork for several years now. I made sure that this year, I would meet him, and I am so glad that I did. Such a great artist, with many great pieces of artwork for sale, at such reasonable prices. I so wanted to pick up more.
Frank Cammuso, I wanted to meet, mainly to grab a copy of Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles, for my little bro, which my bro seems to be enjoying. Maybe I should show him the Dodgeball game that Scholastic has on their website, for this book. Hmm...
Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, webcomic The Port), I was hoping to get a sketch from at the previous two conventions, but he did not make to both of them. Glad I was able to catch him here.
The only time I went to the second floor to line up for a signing, was for Paul Pope. For me, I had to get my copy of The Escapist signed (previously signed by Brian Bolland, Alex Ross, and Steve Rolston). Just some nice names in that book. And since I was there, I ended up with some other items, to get signed for others (Sure, why not? I'm already there, and there didn't appear to be a limit).
For the rest of the day, I was just roaming around, relaxing, chatting with several people. I was actually on my way out, when I caught Milo and Kathryn leaving as well. We met with Danny at the front of the library, but inside, looking at each others' hauls. They mention to me Eric Vedder (now part of Transmission-X with his webcomic Aardehn), who was selling pre-done head sketches for fairly cheap. I went to his back to his table, to look at whatever he had left, and picked up the only one remains, Morrigan from Darkstalkers.
Also, they told me where Graham Annable was seated. So I made my way back inside, to see him. I've taken a liking to his work, ever since I saw the Visions of an Icon piece he donated last year. I wanted that piece, but knew who else wanted it... I backed out, knowing I wasn't going to win.
The last two people I went to see, I was cutting it close to the closing time. This was all within the last 10-15 minutes, prior to close.
Sometime in the mid-afternoon, Canadian actress, Sandra Oh dropped by TCAF to pick up some books, and chat with creators. After some hesitation, and some help from Milo, I mustered up the courage to ask if Sandra Oh would pose for a picture with me. Unfortunately, she doesn't do pictures, which was disappointing, but whatever. That was the best picture I got of her.
Sadly, I didn't take too many pictures at the show. Aside from the crowd shot below (from early in the day on Saturday), and the picture of Sandra Oh, I just never broke out the camera. Heck, after the first day, Jamie Coville took more pictures with my camera, than I did. He took three while I was getting my caricature done by Joe Bluhm.
Crowd Shot from early Saturday
Joe Bluhm drawing MeAlso, after this show, I have decided that I won't be going buck wild on the amount of Zatanna sketches, like I have been doing recently. The theme is not done, and I don't think I'll end it anytime soon, but there just won't be as much. Back to putting some thought into these.
As I stated at the beginning, this was a great show. There was the only one negative thing that I mentioned earlier, about the area off to the side, causing not that much exposure for some of the guests. Aside from that, the show was flawless. Glad I knew about it, because there were guests that I wanted to see in that area.
Thanks again to
Chris Butcher,
Peter Birkemoe and everyone else involved in putting on a great show! Also, Thanks to
Agnes Garbowska,
Marcio Takara,
Alina Urusov, and
Kelly Tindall, for spending their time at the Joe Shuster Awards table, signing and sketching for fans. Thanks to anyone that dropped by the Joe Shuster Awards table. Thanks to those that donated pieces for the Visions of an Icon Wolverine Gallery (I got to see some of them, and they are simply amazing!) Thanks to everyone that worked on a sketch/drawing that is posted above. Thank You!
***UPDATE 6:16PM***
Here is a shot of some of the stuff I picked up at TCAF. There is probably more, but aside from the "Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles" that my little bro left at school, I can't remember what else I picked up.
I'm sure you have heard by now, that Archie is going to pop the question. It's been on the news, it's CP24's webpoll for the day. And on top of that, Peter Dixon of Paradise Comics was on CP24 earlier today (I didn't really get to hear the interview, as I was at the bank at the time).
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