Last weekend was TCAF (the Toronto Comic Arts Festival) 2010. I did it a little different this year, choosing to go to a lot of panels, so much so, that i actually didn't have enough time on the floor looking at comics. Ugh, my neck was really hurting - something had happened, and Saturday was the worst: i had trouble looking left.

Also, i noticed by the map there were rooms i didn't actually get to!

(left to right, i hope) Robbi Behr, Matt Wiegle, Alexis Frederick-Frost, Lizz Lunney, Matt Swanson and Willow Dawson.

First up Saturday morning was Comics as Art Objects: Form vs Function. "Screenprinted; hand-sewn; individually colored; hand-done die-cuts — some comics are created as art objects in and of themselves. How does this focus on the comic as an art object affect the stories comics tell?" I didn't know about any of them, although i'm sure i've seen Willow Dawson somewhere.

Looking down from the Reference Library's stairs.

Marc Ellerby and Adam Cadwell towards the lower left.

Robin McConnell, Paul Pope and Dash Shaw.

Then it was Spotlight: Paul Pope and Dash Shaw at The Pilot. "Inkstuds Radio/Podcast host Robin McConnell will moderate a conversation between these two [groundbreaking] creators about the role that influences play in creating comics, ranging from traditional comics to film and music and from classical to contemporary works. This also includes a discussion of education, some key points in creating your own vision in comics, and an examination of how to make influences work and finding out where they lead you." I need to get more Paul Pope stuff - i really liked Heavy Liquid from years ago. Dash Shaw is new to me, so i'll have to look for his work.

Erika Moen, Adam Bourret, Marc Ellerby, Adam Cadwell, Tory Woollcott (a few minutes late - i took a photo of her later), the moderator (sorry, forget his name).

After a quick lunch at Crêpes à GoGo, i went to The Perils of Autobiography. "Telling your own life’s story on the page — sounds easy, right? But once that story is out there, it comes with all sorts of complications. Four autobio comics creators discuss their own work and the responses (positive and negative) that they’ve received." I've been following Erika Moen since last TCAF, Marc Ellerby for years, since the Oni Press board's heyday. Adam Cadwell i'd heard of, from mentions in Ellerbisms, but hadn't made the leap until now. Adam Bourret and Tory Wollcott's books i did pick up. I like autobiography - as much as i like fantasy/fiction, there's something about 'real' that's so satisfying.

Prof. Bart Beaty (moderator), Marc Bell, Seth, and i think Peter Thompson (or maybe Scott Campbell?), Amy Lockhart. Sorry, i would've remembered better if i'd done this the same day.

The final panel of Saturday was Canadian Drawing and Cartoon Art in Galleries. "In the past several years, comics art has slowly but surely been making its way off the page and into the art gallery. This program showcases a number of cartoonists discussing how the climb to the gallery world affects their art and their careers — and peoples’ perceptions of the medium as a whole." I've seen Marc Bell's work at MOCCA and Seth's at the AGO.

I had lunch at Spring Rolls - Vietnamese rice platter, with porkchop & chicken.

Holly Post (moderator), Ananth Panagariya (Applegeeks), Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie), Spike (Templar, Arizona) [twice, which somehow seems appropriate, lol], Tara Talan (Galaxion), Cameron Stewart (Sin Titulo), and Ramon Perez (Kukuburi).

The first panel of Sunday for me, Webcomics and Serial Storytelling, was at the Pilot (uhhh.. i had a Strongbow, lol). "Comics have a long history of gag a day and serialized storytelling in comic strip culture… but as the medium has moved to the web it is the gag-a-day strips that seemed to find immediate success. We talk to a number of comics creators doing long-form, serialized comics on the internet to see the challenges they face, and how serial storytelling works when it’s online." Actually, i haven't read any of them - i tend to go for the printed versions, although i have bought Cameron Stewart's work. At some point i do want to find these works online.

After the last panel, i grabbed a burger at Craft Burger, then ran into the Library for like 10 minutes. That's Jamie McKelvie in the lower left, drawing i think.

Ray Fawkes and Faith Erin Hicks lower centre.

Robin Brenner (moderator), Lucy Knisley, Danielle Corsetto, Jim Zubkavich, Chester Brown.

I rushed back to the Pilot for the next show (going in early to make sure i get a half decent seat), A Day in the Life of a Cartoonist. "If you ask, they’ll say they’re “cartoonists” or “graphic novelists.” But what does that mean these people really do all day, how do they create their work and balance creativity with the demands of other creative, business, and personal endeavours?" Lucy Knisley was the only one's whose work i've bought recently (though i do have an issue of Chester Brown's Yummy Fur from way back).

Jay Stephens, Faith Erin Hicks, Troy Little, Meredith Gran, Graham Annable, and moderator (not on the schedule, sorry, missed his name).

Then i only had 30 minutes before the next panel, Indie Comics and Indie Animation, inside the Library (so less, once you factor in walking and getting a seat). "...cartoonists who are also animators discuss the ins and outs of the interplay between the two mediums. What’s different? What’s the same? How do the two affect each other and what’s the difference between working on independently-driven animation and comics and corporate pursuits?" Interesting that virtually all prefer comics over animation. Jay Stephens is somewhat different, as he isn't really an animator but had his comics work adapted into animations.I have a bunch of his books. I also have a couple of Faith Erin Hicks works (inlcuding one i picked up this year). The rest are new to me, in either medium.

Cameron Stewart doing an awesome sketch for me (i will post a shot later).

A shot from the Transmission X Comics section. Oh, i hardly spent any time on the floor! And just a half hour left!

Eric Kim (i have his Love As A Foreign Language, and picked up another of his books), Tory Woollcott (i mentioned her before).

In the centre is Erika Moen, and Lucy Knisley (behind those people, lol).

What are they lined up for? Or rather, who? *Okay, been reliably informed that it's Kate Beaton, which i could have found out if i'd checked the map, lol. I don't know her work, but i keep seeing her name popping up, so obviously someone i should look into.

I ran around buying a handful of posters and comics with no time to spare - this is TCAF just as it closed.

[not my photo] Ha ha, someone named Rosemary Travale took a shot that happened to include me, dead centre. One of my students noticed it was me. SPAZZ!

I really enjoy going to TCAF - my favourite con, although i wish i were better at socializing.

This is the stuff i got at TCAF this year, random order (whichever i happened to grab first). I haven't even STARTED to look at any of these, lol. I guess that's why i have summers off.

And of course, this is just what i picked up at TCAF - if it's been in Previews, i ordered it there. I was lazy this year, i didn't bring anything for anyone to sign (i lost my copy of Emiko Superstar somehow when i got it signed last year).

Signed by Willow Dawson.

Sadly the last volume, lol.

Turns out he knows one of my students! But works for a competing school, lol.

Also by Jim Zubkavich. I'm okay with Photoshop, but more for editing than colouring. What i need is a good booklet on paths and Illustrator, lol.

Also by Stephanie Yue, this adorable poster. If you scroll fast it animates, lol.

by Becky Dreistadt & Frank Gibson.

Autobiograpical? lol

Now THAT is an awesome sketch - he used at least 4 different tones.

I also bought a poster by Hyein Lee.

This poster is by Scott Campbell (they're all lumberjacks, lol).

I can't find who did this poster! Argh! The table seems to be assigned to Alexis Frederick-Frost? Maybe, but there's nothing like it on his website. *Okay, it's definitely Alexis, lol: http://alexisff.blogspot.com/.