You Should Totally Go, Bro: Free Comic Book Day and TCAF THIS WEEKEND
Hey there, loyal minions! So I know this post is totally last minute, but I’ve been busy trying to teach my new son how to set fire to things with his brain. Or at least watch episodes of Jackie Chan Adventures with me. So far, he’s mostly just mastered screaming, blowing more chunks than the school slut on prom night and staring at a lamp for hours. It’s a work in progress, I suppose.
Anyway, GREAT things are happening this weekend. AWESOME things. And I don’t just mean the GEEKPR0N 1st Anniversary/Star Wars Party, though I hope to see your lovely faces there. This weekend is a whirlwind of nerdity, with TCAF and Free Comic Book Day happening as well. Bonus: both are free! But with all the comic book shops in our fair city, which one do you hit for your complimentary funnybooks? WHAT IF YOU MISS OUT ON THINGS? Well, I’m here to make sure that won’t happen. Here’s a quick guide to the places you should be going and the things you should be seeing this weekend. It’s going to be a bit short, because I’m trying to get this written before my little larva wakes up and starts screaming for boobs again.
First up, GEEKPR0N party. Go or you suck.
Secondly, Free Comic Book Day!
The Silver Snail, my personal favorite comic book store, has some special treats in store this year. In addition to the plethora of new comics, written exclusively for FCBD(and some sneakily re-branded copies of popular back issues), the staff are costuming dynamos. It’s worth going just to admire the incredible detail that goes into the costumes and ogle the inevitable barely dressed attractive women. Plus, Buffy and X-Men Origins artist Phil Noto is doing a signing, and local nerd musicians Nerds With Guitars and The Wordburglar will be performing throughout the day.
Another reason to go: The Snail is moving next year, so this will be the last FCBD in their iconic Queen St location.
Also happening ALL WEEKEND LONG WOO at the Toronto Reference Library is the Toronto Comics Art Festival! TCAF boasts talent from all over the world. This year, you can expect to see The Umbrella Academy‘s Gabriel Bá, Scott Pilgrim‘s Brian Lee O’Malley, and the creator behind the comic that got me into comics, Bone‘s Jeff Smith. Also in attendance will be webcomics heavyweights Jeph Jaques and my internet wife, Danielle Corsetto. Danielle was kind enough to do a quick Q&A with me on TCAF:
1) How long have you been coming to the show?
I think my first TCAF was in 2007! I’m not sure, actually, because whenever it was, it was before I started taking thorough notes on my conventions. 😉
2) How did you get involved with the show?
I want to say that Chris Butcher himself suggested that I attend. But I’d also heard good things from my fellow webcomicking friends, so it was on my radar.
3) You drive a LONG way to come up for TCAF. What makes TCAF, a free show, worth the distance when you don’t do any other Toronto cons?
I absolutely love Toronto, and I absolutely love TCAF. Not only is TCAF an excellent show in general, but it’s held in a beautiful, cozy library, which makes for a much more pleasurable experience than most other shows, which are often held in cold, windowless convention centers. Moreover, the staff of TCAF makes a visible effort to make their guests feel at home, and being able to contact one of the organizers for help is something that I can’t get most big shows.
If I had more spare time, I’d attend Toronto conventions more often, because it’s one of my favorite cities. But since TCAF is so great, it’s the only one on my annual convention list.
4) Greatest TCAF moment?
Meeting Kat Curtis of the Naked News. 😉 That, and having cider while doing a panel at a bar. Man, that is the BEST way to get me to do a panel!
5) What edge does a tiny show like TCAF have over larger conventions?
Its size is actually a huge bonus. They cherry-pick their guests, which means more quality in a smaller space. The guests are all comic-related, and the staff are all helpful and available to us. At larger shows with media guests, we cartoonists often get less attention and aid than the non-comics guests. Which is understandable, but kind of a bummer for us artists!
Also: as mentioned, booze panels. And pre-/after-parties, woo!
Anyway, that’s what’s going on this weekend. Hope to see you out! And if you see Danielle, bring her booze on my behalf. 😉
xoxo
Kat
