Capes, Tights and So Much More!
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2007
Once upon a time, the comic book – sequential narrative art – was relegated to a lowly status indeed. Most penny comics featured two-dimensional characters, poor story telling and lackluster art. However, the comic book has also always been a medium of great talent, art and expression. From the medium’s earliest manifestations comic books have been a means of sharing special stories with fantastic writing and images in an entirely novel way. Much ink has been spilled over comic’s transformation from a frivolous pastime of youth to an art form and movement in its own right. This weekend, Saturday August 18 and Sunday August 19, The Toronto Comic Arts Festival celebrates the revision of comic’s value and place at UofT’s Old Victoria College.
An effort of Toronto’s indigenous comic book elite, The TCAF is “interested in promoting the literary and artistic merits of comic books and graphic novels”. This year’s event, the third since its inception in 2003, will focus on Toronto’s place as a world-class city home to a diverse and talented group of creator’s, responsible for furthering comic art, it’s appeal and respectability. The Festival hopes to bring together old fans and new, demonstrating comic’s diverse subject matter, style and broad appeal. The gathering also seeks to honour Toronto as a cultural magnet and artistic generator in general, and comic’s place within that thriving practice. The TCAF welcomes superstar creators like Dave Sim, Evan Dorkin, Darwyn Cooke, Seth and Chester Brown, as well as lesser-known but equally deserving practitioners with a total guest list of hundreds.
As opposed to the more commercial Canadian National Comic Book Expo (August 24-26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre), the TCAF is “unconventional”, free of charge and open to anyone. The show includes book releases, panel discussions, creator forums, signings, workshops, commerce and more. There’s also a party at Sneaky Dees (431 College at Bathurst) Saturday night, to consummate the revelry (with your $5 cover). Brought to you by Toronto’s premiere comic shop, The Beguiling (601 Markham St, south off Bloor in Mirvish Village – http://www.beguiling.com/home.htm), amoungst others, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival is worthy of the wonderful cultural production Toronto needs and thrives on. This event will make a great date for the aficionado, patron, explorer and thrill seeker. Look forward to a weekend fulfilled with meaningful production, stimulating subject matter and beautiful art.
What and Where: Comic Book Commune at UofT’s Old Victoria College – 93 Charles St W, off Queen’s Park and Bloor.
When: Saturday August 18, 10am-7pm, Sunday August 19, 10am-6pm
Price: Free admission, workshops extra
Web: http://www.torontocomics.com/tcaf
Note: Workshop pre-registration is required. Contact 2007@torontocomic.com for details