The board of directors is looking for a full-time store manager for the location, to help in revitalizing the business and the space, and they’ve posted the job in various spots. I thought that the least I could do was post it up here, so those of you who might be looking for a great, challenging, rewarding job in the book field might apply.

- Chris

POSITION AVAILABLE
Glad Day Bookshop Store Manager

Glad Day Bookshop is now the oldest LGBTQ bookstore in the world and is under new ownership. We are seeking an individual who meets challenges with a creative mind and a fierce heart – someone who can balance imagination and concrete results.

This position will be a phenomenal amount of work but training will be available and you will have a skilled Board of Directors who are able to support you in every aspect of the job.

POSITION OBJECTIVES
Sales
-Increase revenues and profitability
-Actively market and merchandise to meet sales targets
-Create positive relationships with vendors and suppliers
-Manage online sales including inventory, shipping, etc.
-Track revenues and expenditures and report these to the Board
-Improve daily processes and systems to maximize profitability
-Work to ensure fiscal stability and longevity of the business

Direction
-Revitalize Glad Day as a cultural institution in Toronto and Canada and
as the world’s oldest bookstore dedicated to the LGBTQ community
-Provide the highest level of customer service to the public
-Procure and replenish the most robust selection of queer books and media in Toronto
-Know what’s current in LGBTQ print and media, and respond to trends and market demands
-Develop a roster of event programming and promotions that engages the community and that generates short- and long-term sales
-Embrace new technological opportunities as they become available
-Manage website and social media
-Develop positive relationships with queer authors/artists and organizations
-Foster a sex-positive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive environment
- Other duties as assigned

People
-Recruit, develop and sustain a team capable of doing the work
-Hire, train, and manage the performance of part-time employees
-Work with the Board of Directors to meet organizational priorities
-Work with the Board and staff to facilitate special projects & events
-Meet with the Board and staff regularly

QUALIFICATIONS
- Retail management experience or related experience that prioritizes multi-tasking, delegation and flexibility
- Experience in book retail, or another facet of the book industry
- Demonstrable knowledge of LGBTQ literature
- Microsoft Word, Excel
- Familiarity with internet and internet applications including social media and database-driven applications
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English
- Understanding and connection to the LGBTQ community
- Professional or volunteer experience within the LGBTQ community is an asset

CONDITIONS
- Full-Time Salaried Position
- Evening and Weekend Shifts Required
- Salary, Benefits and Bonus options will be discussed with successful applicants

Please reply with a resume and cover letter by 9pm on Wednesday February 15th.

Send resumes and inquiries to: gladdayhiring@gmail.com

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Infinite Kung Fu Launch Party – Featuring Hop Fu!

Friday September 2nd, 2011 @ Revival Bar, 783 College
Doors open at 8:30 – Presentations start at 9pm!
$5 or free admission with book purchase.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157265297683859

Presented by The Beguiling, Top Shelf Books, and Revival Bar

THE LONG-AWAITED DEBUT! It’s the official book launch for Kagan McLeod’s INFINITE KUNG FU, a massive 464-page graphic novel by Kagan McLeod. Serialized in comics, serialized on the internet, with short stories in jams across the world, the whole story is now complete and ready for you to put in your hot little hands!

FEATURING HEADLINERS HOP FU – New York-based scratch champions DJ 1XL and DJ Excess perform as Hop Fu, providing a live remixed score to a screening of the Shaw Brothers classic kung fu film “Super Ninjas.” Must be seen to be believed!

CHIP ZDARSKY hosts the evening and interviews Kagan about the book!
KAGAN McLEOD signs copies for fans!
DJ ILLSCIENCE keeps the evening lively and fun, dance if you wanna!
THE BEGUILING will be on hand selling books and prints

This will be the biggest book launch of 2011, don’t miss out!

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8:30pm: Doors Open
9:00pm: Q&A with Kagan McLeod, followed by book signing
11:00pm: Hop Fu performance…!

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ARTISTS HELP JAPAN: TORONTO RAISES $20,000
Toronto comic artists and DJs band together for Japanese Quake & Tsunami Relief

Artists Help Japan: Toronto is proud to announce that their 12 hour live art/DJ event on April 17th was an extraordinary success, raising $20,000 towards Tsunami and Quake relief in Japan.

Spearheaded by a consortium of Toronto illustration studios, the Artists Help Japan: Toronto event was the local iteration of a charity movement begun by Dice Tsutsumi at Pixar. The Toronto edition featured live art and DJ music, a silent auction and dozens of artists selling commissioned drawings, which raised about $18,000 over the 12 hour event. Event organizers UDON Entertainment have stepped in with an additional $2000 donation to help bring the final total to $20,000, with all proceeds being donated to the Canadian Red Cross.

The organizers of the event would like to thank all of the talented artists, illustrators, and DJs who donated their time and expertise, and the hundreds of Torontonians that came out in support of this event. The organizers will continue their various fundraising efforts over the weeks and months to come, including a series of special auctions featuring artworks donated by artists at the fundraiser! Look for details on these auctions in the next week.

Some words of thanks from the organizers:

Erik Ko, founder of UDON Entertainment: “I have a lot of friends and colleagues in Japan who were affected by this unfortunate event. I felt a real need to try and lend a helping hand to the people there and I really appreciate so many people supporting us! Thank you so much!”

Bobby Chiu, head of Imaginism studio: “People were incredibly generous with their money that day. It was truly touching to see a city come together to support the people of Japan.”

Alvin Lee, comic artist on Street Fighter and Birds of Prey: “It was awe inspiring to see the outpour of support and compassion from Toronto’s Art and Music scene. To give back to a country that has influenced so many of today’s artists, including myself – I felt like it was the least I could do.”

Krystle Tabujara, Library Services Coordinator for The Beguiling: “Having recently travelled to the Pacific Rim with my partner, I felt an obligation to be a part of such a great cause. It was an honour to be working alongside some of Toronto’s most talented artists.”

Jim Zubkavich, writer/creator of Skullkickers from Image Comics: “All of us involved with this event feel a deep connection to Japan and we’re ecstatic that so many people came out to show their support. To the artists, musicians and donators – Thank you everyone!”

Christopher Butcher, manager of The Beguiling and Director of the Toronto Comics Art Festival: “Japan has been an inspiring, near-mythical presence in my life since I was very young, and their culture and traditions have had a huge influence on my writing and career. Coming together with so many like-minded people to give something back has been similarly inspiring, and I’m humbled by the generosity of our volunteers, artists, DJs, and the hundreds of attendees who came to the event. Thanks everyone and please, if at all possible, don’t stop giving.”

The organizers would also like to thank the many volunteers and supporters who helped make the event a success, including: all of the wonderful artists and publishers who donated art and other items for our silent auction; Jeff at Imaginism; Michael, Akiko, Magda, Marc, Andrew, and Shane who helped out on the day-of; Peter Birkemoe and The Beguiling; Joe Saturnino and the entire staff of Revival.

ABOUT:

Artists Help Japan is a charity movement initiated by Dice Tsutsumi, an art director at Pixar Animation Studios, who was also behind 2008 Totoro Forest Project to help preserve Sayama Forest in Japan and Sketchtravel Project, to gather the force of communities of artists and creative minds around the world. We believe artists have special roles to contribute to the society. http://artistshelpjapan.blogspot.com/

Artists Help Japan: Toronto was spearheaded by Imaginism Studios President and illustrator Bobby Chiu, who was contacted by Dice Tsutsumi to run the Toronto event. Working with Illustrator Alvin Lee, UDON Entertainment CEO Erik Ko, writer/artist Jim Zubkavich, and Christopher Butcher of Toronto comic book store The Beguiling and the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, the team brought together Toronto’s diverse and exciting artistic community to engage the public in an unprecedented fundraising endeavour.

Participating artists at Artists Help Japan: Toronto included: Agnes Garbowska, Alex Milne, Alvin Lee, Bobby Chiu, Brian McLachlan, Chip Zdarsky, Dale Keown, Eric Kim, Eric Vedder, Francis Manapul, Jason Bradshaw, Jeff Lemire, Jim Zub, Joe Ng, Julie Faulkner, Kagan Mcleod, Kalman Andrasofszky, Kei Acedera, Ken Lashley, Marcio Takara, Marcus To, Michael Cho, Ramon Perez, Ray Fawkes, Scott Hepburn, Stuart Immonen, Svetlana Chmakova, and a number of other local artists who showed up on the day of the event to offer their support and assistance!

Participating DJs at Artists Help Japan: Toronto included: Riviera [Perfecto,Myth, Kinetika NYC], Felix & Gani [Milk. Audio], Lazy Ray [Nighttrackin'], Gerrence [Nighttrakkin'], Alvaro G [Kings Of Late Night], Roland Gonzales [Studio+], Carlovega [Studio+], Jason Ulrich [Lab.Our Union],Shingo [Hot Sauce], Uncle Matty & Dutty Maus [The Beacs], and Illscience.

All proceeds from Artists Help Japan: Toronto will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross, specifically earmarked to aid in Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. http://www.redcross.ca/

SPONSORS:

Revival Bar has been entertaining guests, visitors and fans as a premium event space since 2002. Revival generously donated the use of their main space for the Artists Help Japan: Toronto event, and donated $1 from the cost of every drink towards fundraising efforts. http://www.revivalbar.com/

The Beguiling Books and Art is Canada’s premiere source for comics, comix, and high-art funnybooks. Visit us online at http://beguiling.com.

If you’re in or around Toronto tonight, we’re throwing a launch party for my buddy Jim’s new graphic novel SKULLKICKERS. It’s from 5-7pm, and we’ll probably go for a drink after and Jim will tell stories about comic books.

Feel free to drop by!

- Chris

INKSTUDS X BENT
Robin McConnell Interviews Dave Cooper
Sunday, November 28th, 3pm-6pm
@ The Central, 603 Markham Street (next to The Beguiling)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122348711160147
FREE

Presented by The Beguiling, Conundrum Press, and Fantagraphics Books

Toronto! Get ready for a fantastic comics event as Robin McConnell, host of the INKSTUDS podcast and author of the new book of the same name, will interview Canada’s own Dave Cooper, who has recently released his own new artbook BENT! Following the interview will be a moderated Q&A with the audience, and a signing.

The event is going down on Sunday, November 28th, from 3pm-6pm next door to The Beguiling at The Central. Both the INKSTUDS book and Cooper’s BENT (as well as other fine graphic novels) will be available for sale.

This is pretty amazing as the INKSTUDS book is great, and anyone with a deeper interest in comics will get a lot out of it. And Dave Cooper hasn’t been at a comics-related event in Toronto for almost 10 years, at this point, and I’m totally psyched that he’s travelling down from Ottawa. This is going to be really cool, we hope you can make it out.

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- Chris

Just one last bit about Gamercamp this weekend. They designed a truly amazing map to go into the attendee bags/speaker packages, to help folks get around town to all of the events. It is utterly brilliant, and I want to steal the idea for myself, somehow. Check out the full map at http://www.gamercamp.ca/directions.

Tickets still available! See you this weekend!

- Chris

I’m happy to say I’ll be participating in Gamercamp this weekend, November 13-14. Gamercamp is “a celebration of the art, creativity and fun of video games,” hosted annually in Toronto. I have some friends in the gaming/indy gaming community, and if you’ll notice this year at TCAF we included a small–but to my mind important–indy gaming component. I think there’s some real interesting crossover between indy gaming and indy comics, particularly the development of narrative and working outside of the studio/corporate model, and that’s actually the subject of the panel I’m on! Here are the details:

Gamercamp: Developing Narrative in Comics & Gaming
Sunday, November 14th, 12:30pm-1:30pm
Comic books and video games—these two relatively young media have grown out of their infancy and are taking on complex issues, emotions, and ideas. Join us as we discuss the intersection of these media and what they can learn from each other. We’ll also be showcasing a range of interesting mutations that cross the barrier between media.
With Miguel Sternberd, Benjamin Rivers, and Christopher Butcher

Exciting! I’m definitely going to try to spend as much time as I can there this weekend as well, as the other panels, talks, and exhibitions seem quite cool indeed. Plus there’s two nights of cool events including a concert by Anamanaguchi, and a double-feature screening of The Wizard and The Last Starfighter! Neeeeeat.

Head over to http://gamercamp.ca for all the deets, and hopefully I’ll see you there this weekend.

- Chris
Image is a screenshot of the game “The Depth To Which We Sink” by Bigpants

But this is the time that they need YOU. Yes, YOU. You see, the public is encouraged to vote from the list of the top 40 nominees, to narrow that down to 10 books. I’d certainly like to think that both books are solid and enjoyable enough to make it to the top 10 entirely on their merits, but I’d also like to send as many people as possible over to go and vote for either of these fantastic graphic novels!

So if you’re reading this, please head to http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/, and vote for either Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, or Essex County, by Jeff Lemire.

You can only vote once, and you need to vote IMMEDIATELY. I was off travelling and didn’t notice that you can only vote until Sunday at Midnight.

This is a great chance to get some notice and acclaim for graphic novels, and some truly talented and wonderful creators who, incidentally, all happen to be friends. It also generally means good sales and some extra royalties for these guys, and a lot of attention outside of the ‘literary’ community. In short, it’s a good deal all over. Please head over and vote a.s.a.p.

Thanks,

- Christopher

Anyway, if you’re out in Toronto this week come check all this out, it’s gonna be awesome!

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Wednesday September 22nd: Skullkickers #1 Launch Party w/ Jim Zubkavich
Saturday September 25th: Bill Everett: Fire and Water Book Launch w/ author Blake Bell and daughter Wendy Everett
Saturday September 25th: Lewis Trondheim!!!

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SKULLKICKERS #1 Book Launch!

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FIRE AND WATER: Bill Everett, the Sub-Mariner & the Birth of Marvel Comics
Book Launch and Discussion with Author Blake Bell, and speech by Bill Everett’s daughter Wendy Everett
Saturday, September 25th, 4:30pm-6pm
Innis College Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue (St. George south of Bloor)
FREE
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=150867711602264

For a Preview of this book, click this link: http://beguiling.com/firewater-8p-pre.pdf

UPDATE: We’re pleased to announce that Wendy Everett, the daughter of Bill Everett, will now be attending this book launch and discussion, and will be participating in the discussion of her father’s work. We couldn’t be more excited, and we’d like to thank Ms. Everett for participating!

In 1939, decades before it would become the powerhouse behind such famous super-heroes as Spider-Man, The X-Men, and Iron Man, Marvel Comics launched its comics line with a four-color magazine starring a daring new antihero: The Sub-Mariner, created by the great Bill Everett.

The Sub-Mariner alone, and his status as the original Marvel (anti-)hero, would have insured any cartoonist’s place in comics history. But Everett was a master of many kinds of comics: romance, crime, humor, and the often brutal horror comics genre (before it was defanged by the Comics Code Authority in the 1950s), for which he produced work of such stylish and horrific beauty that he ranks with the artists who kept the legendary EC comics line awash in blood and guts.

Written by Blake Bell (the author of the best-selling critical biography of Steve Ditko, Strange and Stranger) and compiled with the aid and assistance of Everett’s family, friends, and cartoonist peers, Fire and Water: Bill Everett, the Sub-Mariner & the Birth of Marvel Comics is an intimate biography of a troubled man; an eye-popping collection of Everett’s comics, sketchbook drawings, and illustration art (including spectacular samples from his greatest published work as well as never-before-seen private drawings); and an in-depth look at his involvement in the birth of the company that would revolutionize pop culture forever: Marvel Comics!

In celebration of this book, The Beguiling will be welcoming author Blake Bell to Toronto to discuss this new book, and the life and career of Bill Everett. Special guests may also be on hand to help us celebrate this release, keep watching this space for details…!

FIRE & WATER: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics will be available for sale at this event, alongside other classic Marvel Comics collections and previous books by Blake Bell.

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Lewis Trondheim, In Conversation et “Rencontre Desinée”
Saturday, September 25th, 7PM
@ Innis College Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue (St.George south of Bloor)
FREE
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100335500031016

The Beguiling is proud to be partnering with The French Consulate in Toronto and The Alliance Francaise de Toronto to welcome the bestselling French cartoonist Lewis Trondheim to Toronto! Mr. Trondheim will be in the city for the last two weeks of September, and we are thrilled to have the chance to present this English-language engagement with him.

Trondheim is the creator or co-creator of such wonderful series as Dungeon, Little Nothings, Kaput and Zosky, ALIEEEN, Tiny Tyrant, Bourbon Island 1730, Mister O & Mister I, and more, and those are just the ones in English! He’s created dozens of albums in French as well, and is one of the most famous and respected cartoonists in the entire world—this is quite possibly a once in a lifetime event.

Mr. Trondheim will be giving a drawing presentation and will be interviewed in an event that will primarily take place in English, but will have some small French-language components that will also be translated.

Books are currently available for sale at The Beguiling and will be available for sale at the event.

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- Christopher

Skullkickers #1 Cover A.

My friend Jim Zubkavich is a good guy. He works primarily as the creative director at UDON here in Toronto, and he organizes all of their creative services and manages all of their artists and heads up all kinds of projects for them, most notably the very successful Street Fighter Tribute and Darkstalkers Tribute volumes, which saw him organize over a thousand submissions from professional and amateur artists into two very handsome artbooks.

I’m the Best Man at Jim’s upcoming wedding, so it’s pretty clear that it is difficult at best for me to be unbiased about his work, and tbh the work of Udon in general. Difficult but not impossible of course, when they get something wrong I will tell them and Jim is gracious enough to accept criticism well (he may occasionally argue, as is his right).

Jim’s got his own creative ambitions outside of working on licensed material at UDON, in fact he had been producing a webcomic called Makeshift Miracle well before he started at UDON, and after much prodding at my behest he finally got it together and released a book collection of Makeshift 3 or 4 years ago. It’s a nice looking book, we had a launch party for it, it was a great time.

Jim’s next major creative project was actually just solicited last month, and due to the insanity surrounding San Diego and Scott Pilgrim I never got a chance to mention it here on the blog. It’s called SKULLKICKERS, and it’s a full-colour 5-issue mini-series coming out from Image, with the first issue dropping September 22nd. Jim’s been a project manager and creative director for a while now, he’s got his act together and with this series and he’s put together an amazing creative team with artist Edwin Huang knocking the art out of the park on his first go. The first issue is totally complete. The second issue (in the Previews now) is totally complete. The third issue is underway. The series is gonna come out on time, in full colour, and it looks great. You can see a bunch of stuff at the SKULLKICKERS website, http://www.skullkickers.com/.

Skullkickers #1 Cover B

So SKULLKICKERS. It actually launched out of two short stories in Image’s POPGUN anthology over the past few years, and they were short, sharp, funny little pieces. The premise of the series is basically “What if Army of Darkness had two Ash’s, and it was set inside a Dungeons and Dragons game?”  I’ve read the first issue thanks to Jim providing me with a preview, and it’s just as good as the shorts, maybe better as the longer format allows for some longer set-up… and follow-through on the jokes, and the action has more room to breathe. It’s a really solid first issue, and I enjoyed it as a reader, and I’m proud of my friend for following up on his creative ambitions and making this book happen. I think it’s going to be one of those surprise hits that Image has been publishing lately.

As I mentioned, the first issue was in the last Previews. Issue #2 is in the current Previews.  The item codes are, if you are so inclined:

We ordered 50 copies of the first issue, to support the work and to entice Jim into doing a signing at the store, and because I feel like we can probably sell a bunch of copies of a very solid new indy book. Hell, it’s even $2.99, cheaper than most of Marvel’s and DC’s stuff, and with their deep pockets they could almost assuredly afford to lower their prices… Anyway.

So the reason I’m telling you all of this is because I’ve got this blog here, and for the last 13 years or so I’ve used my web presence to direct as much attention and energy and sales and good fortune as I’ve been able towards comics I like, and comics by my friends, and those are usually both the same things. I have spent a lot of time telling all y’all about how good things like Scott Pilgrim are, because I believe in Mr. Bryan Lee O’Malley and I believe in his work, and now this weekend a major motion picture based on the work of my friend is opening across North America. It is amazing. My friend is now a bestselling author, and has a measure of financial security not often afforded to people in the comic book industry, and while I don’t pretend to take credit for the incredibly hard work he’s put in over the last six years, I am quite happy to have done my part to get that work into as many peoples’ hands as possible.

That’s the reason I’m telling you about SKULLKICKERS. My friend Jim did a really fun book, and it’s coming out soon, and what do I have this small measure of internet fame for if not to sell some good comics and help my friends out? Well, that and to get on comp lists.

So in closing, if you are a reader who would like to take me at my word and check out this comic, I strongly recommend you talk to your local retailer and make sure they’ve ordered it. They may not have–there are a lot of books in every given PREVIEWS. If you are a comic book retailer, I would urge you to pick this book up as it is likely to be underordered, and likely to receive some very positive attention in stores. Retailers can increase their orders until the FOC date of September 2nd, and for every 10 you order, you get 1 free as an ordering incentive!

Congrats to my buddy Jim on the first issue of his new series. Best of luck on the next and the next.

- Christopher

Chris with Megaphone. Photo by Paul Hillier, http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadragebunny/

I swear, I was much happier than this last night.

Seriously, that was a pretty ridiculous night. We feel like there were over 2,000 people at the event, we did counts on the line and there were over 800 people lined up for Mal for the midnight signing (that went until about 3:45am). About that many in the “I just want my book” line, and people milling out, seeing bands, playing video games, listening to music, drinking, having a good time.

In short, it was the most successful event I’ve ever run. Thanks to everyone who helped out. Thanks to our sponsors. Thanks to Oni for helping us set it up. Thanks for coming out. Thanks for not calling the cops. Oh, and thanks to Mr. O’Malley, who basically killed himself in the service of comics… that’s all I really ask of anyone :)

- Christopher

The 2010 Festival will feature over 200 comics authors and artists, including including Daniel Clowes (Wilson, Eightball, Ghost World), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Dash Shaw (Body World), James Sturm (Golem’s Mighty Swing, Market Day), Charles Vess (Stardust, Blueberry Girl, Instructions), and Jim Woodring (Frank). Other special installations include The Webcomics Pavilion featuring Kate Beaton, Jeph Jacques, and Ryan North, The Toronto Small Press Schooner (presented by Broken Pencil and Wowee Zonk!), The Publishers Pavilion, and more than two-dozen creators from outside of North America!

For more information on TCAF and related events, please visit http://www.torontocomics.com.

- Christopher

TCAF's set-up at last week's SpeakEasy art show, a plethora of posters and promotional art by talented artists!

Just a quick reminder that the deadline to apply to exhibit at The 2010 Toronto Comic Arts Festival is this Sunday, November 15th. If you or a talented comics person you know might want to exhibit, get your application in at http://torontocomics.com a.s.a.p.!

- Christopher

I’ve known about this for a little while (was really trying to have it happen in conjunction with TCAF–no dice) but it slipped my mind that the date was upon us… Junko Mizuno will be in Toronto this week for the opening of her new show at Magic Pony’s Narwhal Gallery! It features ALL NEW paintings and work, inspired by Canadian folklore! Super awesome!

The opening is this Thursday evening, do NOT miss out! Details below, more info at http://magic-pony.com.

RED TRESSES AND FRECKLES: Junko Mizuno Solo Exhibition
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 18 from 7-10pm
Artist will be in attendance

Narwhal Art Projects (Near Magic Pony Gallery)
680 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, Canada
647.346.5317

Exhibition Dates: June 18 – July 26, 2009

For more information, including a selected gallery of pieces, please check out http://www.magic-pony.com/gallery/2009_junkomizuno.php.

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See you there!

- Chris

We’ve just put up most of the TCAF Events that will be happening in Toronto surrounding the Festival. We’re nailing down the dates on others, but yeah, it’s pretty outstanding, if I do say so myself. You can check it all out at http://www.torontocomics.com/tcaf, or if you’re more of an RSS person, all future updates are going to also be made via the blog on the front-page of http://www.torontocomics.com.

I am pretty proud of all of this I gotta say.

- Chris

KTR: Graphically Speaking. (L to R) Christopher Butcher, Kate Beaton, Willow Dawson, Emily Horne, Ryan North, and Brian McLachlan

Last night was our event Graphically Speaking: Webcomics, as part of Toronto’s Keep Toronto Reading month! We had a great turnout, well over 100 people (and I only knew like 10 of them!) including journalist Matthew Braga from Blog.T.O., who just put up a short article on the event:

“While the evening was a superb way to learn more about the burgeoning community of webcomics, both in Toronto and on the web, it won’t be the only chance for fans to interact with some of their favourite online authors and artists. Both the Toronto Public Library and The Beguiling will also be hosting the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) this May, where most of Tuesday’s panelists should be in attendance.” –  BlogT.O.

A superb evening AND a TCAF plug. Hoo-ray!

- Christopher

Graphically Speaking: Webcomics!
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
@ North York Central Library
http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca/events/graphically-speaking
TOTALLY FREE

As you might be aware, The Beguiling works really hard to keep books in stock (for you!) that aren’t offered through standard distribution channels. That includes minis and zines, it includes specialty books of interest to comics fans but not necessarily carried by Diamond, and it also includes print versions of popular online comics (generally referred to as ‘webcomics’). We do this because we like to sell things and make money, but also because we feel that a big part of being a comic book store is… wait for it… Selling Comic Books. And that means regardless of the format, or where they originally appeared. We like comics, we sell comics, and we’re happy to do it.

Over the past few years, more and more comics material has started to become available online. Granted, comics on the internet go back to more-or-less the first protocols for displaying graphics online (and even earlier if you count bbs’), but it’s really been in the past few years that comics specifically intended for the web have become viable, moneymaking enterprises for the folks that do them. Penny Arcade, PVP, Deisel Sweeties, Questionable Content, Wigu/Overcompensating, Achewood, and Toronto’s own Dinosaur Comics, are just a few examples of folks who are making a go of publishing online, and deriving their income from those pursuits.

But how are they doing it? And how does that affect us, a comic book store, the ‘middleman’ who’s being ‘skipped’ in this publishing model.

That’s what we’re going to discuss!

I (Christopher Butcher) am going to be interviewing 6 Toronto-area webcomics creators about what they publish, and how, and why. “Can you make money at this? How much? More importantly, do you even want to make money? What are the differences between between print and online as a medium? Is this your career, a hobby, or both? What would you recommend for someone interested in following in your footsteps?”

(I might pause between questions to let them answer… we’ll see)

And who are the fine webcomics creators who will be participating in this event?

Kate Beaton (History Comics)
http://harkavagrant.com/index.php

Willow Dawson (100 Mile House)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/ts2.0/artist/320

Emily Horne (A Softer World)
http://www.asofterworld.com/

Brian McLachlan (The Princess Planet)
http://www.theprincessplanet.com/

Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics)
http://qwantz.com/

…and to be honest, likely a dozen other webcomicsy people will be in the audience (they travel in packs!). Books (where available) will be on hand for sale at the event, and all of the creators will be available following the discussion to chat with and sign for fans and attendees.

So come one, come all, to this rather interesting look at reading and creating work online! It’s all part of Toronto Public Library’s Keep Toronto Reading event, which I have to say, is pretty forward-thinking on their parts.

Best,

- Chris @ The Beguiling

At any rate, the Shusters tend to have a different focus than the recently-announced Doug Wright Awards, but I’ve been trying to figure out a way to delineate the differences between the two awards and their aims for the past 10 minutes, in a way that won’t offend one or both of the committees who put their respective awards together, and I can’t do it. I think the fact that none of the nominees on the Wright Awards list are on the Shuster List, or vice versa, except for Mariko Tamaki and Kate Beaton? That speaks for itself right there. Variety is the spice of life…

Anyway, congratulations to all of those nominated!

–

JOE SHUSTER AWARDS 2009 NOMINEES for Work Published in 2008

Artist/Dessinateur

* Marc Delafontaine – Les Nombrils, Tome 3 : Les liens de l’amitié (Dupuis)
* Dale Eaglesham – Justice Society of America #12, 14-15, 18-22 (DC Comics)
* David Finch – Ultimatum #1-2 (Marvel Comics)
* Karl Kerschl & Serge LaPointe – Teen Titans: Year One #1-6 (DC Comics)
* Jacques Lamontagne – Les Druides, Tome 4 : La Ronde des Géants (Soleil Productions)
* Steve McNiven – Amazing Spider-Man #546-548, Wolverine #66-70 (Marvel Comics)
* Steve Rolston – Emiko Superstar (DC/Minx), “Familiar” – House of Mystery #4 (DC/Vertigo), You Ain’t No Dancer #3 (New Reliable Press)
* Stephen Sadowski – Avengers/Invaders #1-7 (Marvel Comics/Dynamite Entertainment), Superpowers #0 (Dynamite Entertainment), Jack the Lantern: Ghosts #2 (Castle Rain Entertainment)

Cartoonist/Créateur

* Grégoire Bouchard – Vers les Mondes Lointains (Paquet)
* Darwyn Cooke – “Chapter X: The Greater Good” Justice League: The New Frontier Special #1, The Spirit #12 (DC Comics)
* Francis Descharnais – Burquette (Les 400 coups)
* Jean-Paul Eid – Des tondeuses et des hommes (La Pastèque)
* Michel Gagne – “The Saga of Rex” Chapter 4 – Flight Vol. 5 (Ballantyne Books)
* Faith Erin Hicks – The War at Ellsmere (Slave Labor Graphics)
* Jeff Lemire – Essex County Vol. 3: The Country Nurse (Top Shelf)
* Seth – “Thoreau MacDonald” Kramer’s Ergot 7 (Buenaventura Press)
* Dave Sim – Glamourpuss #1-4, Judenhaas (Aardvark-Vanaheim)

Colourist/Dessinateur Couleur

* Jean-Francois Beaulieu – G.I. Joe: America’s Elite 31-36, Voltron: A Legend Forged 1 (Devil’s Due), Marvel Zombies 3 #1-3, Wonderful Wizard of OZ #1, X-Men: Divided We Stand #1, X-Men Legacy #215 (Marvel Comics)
* Blond – Team 14 #1 (Digital Webbing), Freshman: Summer Vacation Special #1, Magdalena/Daredevil #1, True Blood: The Great Revelation NN, Witchblade: Takeru Manga #11-12 (image/Top Cow), Ultimate Fantastic Four #50-59 (Marvel Comics), Beyond Wonderland #4, Grimm Fairy Tales 2008 Annual (Zenoscope)
* Chris Chuckry – Brave and the Bold #17-18, Countdown to Mystery #4-8, Simon Dark #4-7, Two Face: Year One #1-2 (DC Comics), Air 1-5 (DC/Vertigo), G.I. Joe #0 (Devil’s Due), Comic Book Tattoo (image), Amazing Spider-Man #546, 565-567, newuniversal: Shockfront #1-2, The Twelve #1-8 (Marvel Comics)
* Maryse Dubuc – Les Nombrils, Tome 3 : Les liens de l’amitié (Dupuis)
* Nathan Fairbairn – Fear Agent 21 (Dark Horse), Pilot Season: The Core #1 (image/Top Cow), Civil War: House of M #3, Guardians of the Galaxy #1-3, Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? NN, Wolverine: Origins #31, X-Men: Divided We Stand #2, X-Men: Kingbreaker #1, X-Men Legacy #217, X-Men: Manifest Destiny #1, 3, Young Avengers Presents #1 (Marvel Comics), Stephen Colbert’s Tek Jansen #3 (Oni Press)
* Lovern Kindzierski – Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1-2 (DC Comics), The Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons #1-2Coraline (HarperCollins), Giant-Size Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel Comics) (Devil’s Due),
* François Lapierre – “Gédéon et la bête du lac” Contes et légendes du Québec (Glénat Québec), Magasin général 4 (Casterman)
* Dave McCaig – Star Wars: Dark Times #11-12 (Dark Horse), Action Comics #861-863, Final Crisis: Rogue’s Revenge #1-3. Joker’s Asylum: The Penguin #1, JSA Classified #35-37 (DC Comics), Family Dynamic #1-2 House of Mystery #4, Northlanders #2-8, 11-2 (DC/Vertigo), Broken Trinity: Angelus #1, First Born: Aftermath #1, Pilot Season: The Core #1 (image/Top Cow), Fantastic Four Cosmic Size Special #1, Secret Invasion X-Men #1-4, Ultimate Iron Man II #3-5 (Marvel Comics), Stephen Colbert’s Tek Jansen #2 (Oni Press) (DC/Johnny DC),

Writer/Écrivain

* Ian Boothby – Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror #14, Bongo Comics Free-For-All 2008, Futurama #35-39, Simpsons Comics #136, 141, 148, Simpsons Summer Shindig #1, Simpsons Super Spectacular #7 (Bongo Comics)
* Cecil Castellucci – Janes in Love (DC/Minx)
* Darwyn Cooke – “Dragster Riot starring Robin the Boy Wonder”, “Wonder Woman and Black Canary” Justice League: The New Frontier Special #1, Superman Confidential 11 (DC Comics)
* Maryse Dubuc – Les Nombrils, Tome 3 : Les liens de l’amitié (Dupuis)
* Ray Fawkes – The Apocalipstix (Oni Press)
* François Lapierre – “Gédéon et la bête du lac” Contes et légendes du Québec (Glénat Québec)
* Mariko Tamaki – Emiko Superstar (DC/Minx), Skim (Groundwood Books)
* J. Torres – The Family Dynamic #1-3, Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #11, 13, 17-19, Teen Titans Go! #51-55 (DC/Johnny DC), Wonder Girl #5-6 (DC Comics)

Cover/Couverture

* Adrian Alphona – Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season Two #1 Variant (Marvel Comics)
* Darwyn Cooke – The Spirit #12 (DC Comics)
* Marc Delafontaine – Les Nombrils, Tome 3 : Les liens de l’amitié (Dupuis)
* Dale Eaglesham – Justice Society of America #14 Variant (DC Comics)
* David Finch -Amazing Spider-Man #572 Variant (Marvel Comics)
* Philippe Girard – Les Ravins (Mécanique Générale)
* Niko Henrichon – Hostile Tome 1 (Dupuis)
* Steve McNiven – Kick-Ass #1 Variant (Marvel Comics)
* Dean Motter – Mister X: The Condemned #1 (Dark Horse)
* David Sim – Glamourpuss #4 Zombie Variant (Aardvark-Vanaheim)

Webcomics/Bandes Dessinées Web

* Kate Beaton – Hark! A Vagrant http://harkavagrant.com
* Michael Cho – Papercut http://www.transmission-x.com/_papercut
* Lar De Souza & Ryan Sohmer – Least I Could Do http://www.leasticoulddo.com / Looking for Grouphttp://www.lfgcomic.com/
* Kathryn & Stuart Immonen – Moving Pictures http://www.immonen.ca/comics
* Karl Kerschl – The Abominable Charles Christopher http://www.abominable.cc
* Gisele Lagace – Menage A 3 http://www.menagea3.net/
* Ramón K. Pérez– Kukuburi http://www.kukuburi.com / Butternut Squash (w/Robert Coughler) http://www.butternutsquash.net
* Cameron Stewart – Sin Titulo http://www.sintitulocomic.com/

Publisher/Éditeur

* Aardvark-Vanaheim
* Arcana Studio
* Conundrum Press
* Drawn & Quarterly
* La Pastèque
* Les 400 Coups/Mécanique Générale
* Red 5 Comics
* Udon Entertainment

–

All of this information and much, much more available at http://joeshusterawards.com/.

- Christopher

Graphically Speaking: Webcomics!
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
@ North York Central Library
http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca/events/graphically-speaking

Ever wondered how to publish your comics online? Top Toronto graphic novelists discuss web comics, from developing an idea to publishing and distribution.

Featuring:
• Kate Beaton (History Comics)
• Willow Dawson (100 Mile House)
• Emily Horne (A Softer World)
• Brian McLachlan (The Princess Planet)
• Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics)

• Moderated by Christopher Butcher (Comics212.net, The Beguiling)

–

Graphically Speaking for Kids
Saturday, April 25, 2009 2:00pm – 3:30pm
North York Central Library, Room 1
http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca/events/ktr-for-kids/graphically-speaking-for-kids

Julie Faulkner from Udon Entertainment (Street Fighter comics) leads a workshop where kids learn the basics of creating comics. For kids ages 9 to 12. To register, call 416-395-5630 – or drop in on the day of.

–

Anime Bash: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Saturday, April 18, 2009 2:00pm – 5:00pm
North York Central Library, Auditorium

http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca/events/books-art-and-fashion/anime-bash

Come in costume and cosplay with other fans. World-class costume designer Jacqueline M. Ward gives tips to designing jaw-dropping costumes. Then catch a screening of acclaimed anime film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

Film synopsis:
When 17-year-old Makoto Konno gains the ability to “leap” backwards through time, she immediately sets about improving her grades and preventing personal mishaps. However, she soon realises that changing the past isn’t as simple as it seems, and eventually, will have to rely on her new powers to shape the future of herself and her friends.

–

- Chris @ The Beguiling

KRAMERS ERGOT 7 TOURS TORONTO
Presented by The Beguiling Books & Art

Featuring Shary Boyle, Sammy Harkham, Kevin Huizenga, John Pham, Ron Rege Jr., Souther Salazer, and Seth!

Thursday December 11th, 2008, 7PM-10PM
918 Bathurst Street (Former Buddhist Temple)
1 Block North of Bathurst TTC [Google Map]
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=30811628299
FREE

Kramers Ergot is the name of the groundbreaking comix anthology that has taken up the tradition of Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly’s RAW MAGAZINE in bringing the most innovative, challenging, and beautiful comics work to the masses… and volume 7 is the greatest yet! This massive new tome includes brand new comics from some of the world’s greatest living graphic novelists, and this December several of the contributors will be in Toronto to officially launch the new book!

Kramers Ergot Volume 7 is sure to top many critics’ Best Comics Of 2008 Lists, thanks to its all-star line-up of contributors including Seth, Chris Ware, Shary Boyle, Andrian Tomine, Dan Clowes, Ivan Brunetti, and Gabrielle Bell to name just a few. But equally as stunning is the book’s presentation: Kramers Ergot Volume 7 is a massive 16 inches by 21 inches in hardcover, with each contributor offering up an original double-page spread of brand new work for the book. Kramers Ergot Volume 7 will make its official debut at this launch event, and will not be available in stores before then. It is sure to be in short supply this holiday season.

“People are focusing on the enormous size of this book, and with good reason,” says Peter Birkemoe of The Beguiling. “But the sheer talent assembled into this volume, from established names and friends of The Beguiling like Seth and Shary Boyle, to relative newcomers including John Pham, that’s what will have people lining up for this one.”

The Kramers Ergot Volume 7 Tour will feature appearances by series Editor and contributor Sammy Harkham, as well as Shary Boyle (Otherworld Uprising), Kevin Huizenga (Ganges, Curses), John Pham (Sublife), Ron Regé Jr. (Skibber Bee Bye), Souther Salazar (Destined for Dizziness), and Seth (Palookaville, Clyde Fans) and publisher Alvin Buenaventura. At 7:30PM the contributors will be interviewed on stage by The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe, and a signing will follow. Doors open at 7PM.

The event will be held at the beautiful new event space ‘918’ located at 918 Bathurst. A former Buddhist Temple, the space is a classic A-frame building located just a block north of Bathurst Subway station and 3 blocks from The Beguiling.- Chris

–
NOVEMBER 25: TONIGHT
Maurice Vellekoop’s PIN-UPS Book Launch
Featuring Maurice Vellekoop!
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 @ 6:30PM
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=30596127854
FREE, 18+

The Beguiling is teaming up with the fierce folks at Green Candy Press to present Maurice Vellekoop’s PIN-UPS! It’s a cross between his most recent collection, “A Nut At The Opera,” and his most infamous collection, “ABC: A Homoerotic Primer,” featuring tributes to hundreds of years of gay imagery from film to fashion to fantasy, all rendered in Maurice’s lush trademark style.

The event will feature a gallery show, presentation from the book, and some fantastic music courtesy of DJ Johnny Wacker… Maurice himself will be on hand to sign copies of the work, and in addition to book sales we’ll have a selection of original art, prints, and more, on hand.

If you’ve ever thought about coming out to one of our events, this one guarantees to be the most fabulous.

–

DECEMBER 3

Dave Lapp’s DROP-IN Book Launch
Featuring Dave Lapp in conversation with Chester Brown
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 @ 7PM
The Central, 603 Markham Street (Next to The Beguiling)
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=36387779614
FREE

The Beguiling is proud to present the official launch for cartoonist Dave Lapp’s new graphic novel, DROP-IN. A surprising, insightful look at some of Toronto’s most economically disadvantaged communities, DROP-IN chronicles Lapp’s experiences as a teacher at a drop-in art centre, and the children he meets there.

The book launch event will see Dave Lapp perform a multimedia reading from DROP-IN, and following that Lapp will be interviewed on stage by long time friend and colleague Chester Brown (Louis Riel) about his career in comics, and the specific challenges of creating DROP-IN. A signing will follow.

DROP-IN is currently available for sale at The Beguiling, and will be available for sale at the event.

–

LAUNCH! TeaTime 2 and Brick Literary Journal 82
high literature, visual oddities, and gratuitous drinking
at Mitzi’s Sister (1554 Queen Street West)
on Wednesday the 3rd December (doors at 7.30)
http://steflenk.com

There will be readings and excellent company and drinks and books for sale too. As always, friends, strangers, and those appreciative of oddities are all welcome.

Join our friend Steflenk for the launch of the second issue of her new comic series TeaTime, alongside the official launch for Brick Literary Journal #82. Yes, we know this conflicts with Dave Lapp’s launch. We’re really sorry to all involved: December is a very busy month. Hope you can make it out to one—or both!

–

DECEMBER 4

Clayton Hamner’s Christmas Party & Book Launch!
Featuring C-Ton’s Super A-Maze-Ing Year Of Crazy Comics, from Owlkids.
Thursday December 4, 6pm-9:30pm
@ Reactor Art & Design, 51 Camden St., Main Floor
http://cton.ca

Join Toronto Illustrator Clayton Hamner for the launch of his new all-ages book and Christmas Party, “C-Ton’s Super A-Maze-Ing Year Of Crazy Comics”. Clayton will be joined by his friends at Reactor, Owlkids, and many more to meet and greet, launch the book, and celebrate the season.

–

DECEMBER 7

Comics to Watch Out For
Featuring Mariko Tamaki, Douglas Davey, Jen Stewart and Amy Chop
Sunday December 7th, 2008 2pm-4pm
Ebar, 41 Quebec St., Guelph Ontario
$5-$10 suggested donation

The Dragon comic book store in Guelph and ‘Out On The Shelf’ Queer Library and Resource Centre are proud to present “Comics to Watch Out For”. This day-long fundraiser for Out On The Shelf will feature:

Author Mariko Tamaki, reading from her graphic novels SKIM and EMIKO SUPERSTAR.
Librarian Douglas Davey, presenting on The History of Queer Comics and Graphic Novels Comics Retailers Jen Stewart and Amy Chop, presenting on Women And Comic Books

Tickets are available at the door.

–

DECEMBER 10

HERO INITIATIVE FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, December 10 2008, 3pm-7pm
Paradise Comics, 3278 Yonge Street, Toronto
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=33959769554
FREE

Paradise Comics and The Hero Initiative are pleased to announce a special in-store signing of the brand new The Hulk 100 Project, featuring special comics guests including Dale Keown, Leonard Kirk, Agnes Garbowska, and Francis Manapaul.The Hulk 100 Project features more than 100 original cover illustrations for the recent HULK #1 courtesy of superhero artist greats, with all proceeds going to benefit The Hero Initiative.

–

DECEMBER 11

KRAMERS ERGOT 7 TOURS TORONTO
Presented by The Beguiling Books & Art

Featuring Shary Boyle, Sammy Harkham, Kevin Huizenga, John Pham, Ron Rege Jr., Souther Salazar, and Seth!

Thursday December 11th, 2008, 7PM-10PM
918 Bathurst Street (Former Buddhist Temple)
1 Block North of Bathurst TTC
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=30811628299
FREE

Kramers Ergot is the name of the groundbreaking comix anthology that has taken up the tradition of Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly’s RAW MAGAZINE in bringing the most innovative, challenging, and beautiful comics work to the masses… and volume 7 is the greatest yet! This massive new tome includes brand new comics from some of the world’s greatest living graphic novelists, and this December several of the contributors will be in Toronto to officially launch the new book!

Kramers Ergot Volume 7 is sure to top many critics’ Best Comics Of 2008 Lists, thanks to its all-star line-up of contributors including Seth, Chris Ware, Shary Boyle, Andrian Tomine, Dan Clowes, Ivan Brunetti, and Gabrielle Bell to name just a few. But equally as stunning is the book’s presentation: Kramers Ergot Volume 7 is a massive 16 inches by 21 inches in hardcover, with each contributor offering up an original double-page spread of brand new work for the book. Kramers Ergot Volume 7 will make its official debut at this launch event, and will not be available in stores before then. It is sure to be in short supply this holiday season.

“People are focusing on the enormous size of this book, and with good reason,” says Peter Birkemoe of The Beguiling. “But the sheer talent assembled into this volume, from established names and friends of The Beguiling like Seth and Shary Boyle, to relative newcomers including John Pham, that’s what will have people lining up for this one.”

The Kramers Ergot Volume 7 Tour will feature appearances by series Editor and contributor Sammy Harkham, as well as Shary Boyle (Otherworld Uprising), Kevin Huizenga (Ganges, Curses), John Pham (Sublife), Ron Regé Jr. (Skibber Bee Bye), Souther Salazar (Destined for Dizziness), and Seth (Palookaville, Clyde Fans) and publisher Alvin Buenaventura. At 7:30PM the contributors will be interviewed on stage by The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe, and a signing will follow. Doors open at 7PM.

The event will be held at the beautiful new event space ‘918’ located at 918 Bathurst. A former Buddhist Temple, the space is a classic A-frame building located just a block north of Bathurst Subway station and 3 blocks from The Beguiling. Sponsored by Steam Whistle Brewing.
–

So, you can see why I’ve been busy.

- Chris

This weekend in Waterloo (about an hour outside of Toronto) is the Waterloo Animated Film Festival. It’s an amazing event! I’m going to be missing the screenings because I’m the best man at the wedding of two of my most wonderful friends… But if you aren’t going to be there, check it out online at http://www.wfac.ca/.
The two headline events for me are a North American premiere showing of the new Evangelion film, Evangelion 1.0: You Are Not Alone, and a special Canadian stop for a travelling presentation of the Ghibli masterpiece GRAVE OF THE FIREFILES which sounds amazing:

“Anime Masterpieces, a new screening series highlighting the best in Japanese animated feature films, will be presenting Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies on Friday, November 14. The winner of several international film awards, Grave of the Fireflies chronicles the experiences of two children as they valiantly struggle to survive amidst the ravaged landscape of Japan during World War II. It is considered by many critics as one of the most moving anti-war films ever made.

“The film, which critic Roger Ebert calls “an emotional experience so powerful it forces a rethinking of animation,” will be followed by a panel discussion with leading scholars and authors on the subject of Japanese animation. The panel will feature Frederik L. Schodt (author of Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics), Brian Ruh (Stray Dog of Anime: The Films of Mamoru Oshii) and John O’Donnell (founder, Central Park Media).

“The presentation at the Waterloo Festival will be the first and only Canadian stop for this programme to date, before it goes to the Smithsonian and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

“The Festival is presenting the programme free to the public. Advance tickets can be reserved through the Festival’s online box office, or via phone at +1 (800) 838-3006.”

Frederik L Schodt!

There are tons of amazing, amazing animated films screening this weekend. Piano no Mori! Genius Party! Sita Sings The Blues! Awesome, awesome stuff. If you’re in the area or can get there, GO.

- Chris

An Evening with Igort and David B.
Discussing the international Ignatz publishing line
Rocco’s Plum Tomato, Plum Room
585 Bloor Street West (Enter off of Markham Street)
Saturday November 15th @ 7PM (doors open at 6:30pm)
FREE

Please join us in welcoming internationally acclaimed graphic novelists Igort (Italy) and David B (France) on the occasion of the release of their newest works, Baobab and Nocturnal Conspiracies. The evening will include a slide presentation of the authors works, an on-stage discussion and a question and answer session moderated by The Beguiling’s Owner Peter Birkemoe beginning at 7:00pm. Following the presentation the authors will be available to sign their books.

Their new titles, and many books from their backlist in both English and French are available now at The Beguiling and will be available for sale at the event (Cash and Credit Card only, no Debit at the event).

IGORT is the creator of the international publishing effort known as “Ignatz”, which simultaneously releases new comics and graphic novels in numerous languages and countries around the world. His own work for the line, Baobab, is a sprawling epic that will eventually amount to over 600 pages. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, he has created a wealth of notable comics albums. His works published in English include the first 3 installments of Baobab and the graphic novel 5 Is The Perfect Number.

DAVID B. is a founding member of L’Association, a group of French cartoonists who banded together as publishers in 1990 and have revolutionized European comics with their groundbreaking approach to format, subject matter, and style. He has received many awards, including the French Alph’ Art award for comics excellence in 2000, and he was cited as European Cartoonist of the Year in 1998 by The Comics Journal. His works published in North America include Epileptic, Babel, and several stories in the anthology Mome. He lives in France.

This event is generously supported by the Italian Cultural Institute, the cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States and the French Consulate of Toronto.

Shaun Tan Signing in Toronto
In Support of his new book, Tales from Outer Suburbia
Tuesday, October 28th, 5pm-7pm
@ The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street, Toronto
Free to attend
The Beguiling is proud to welcome Australia’s Shaun Tan to Toronto, on tour for his new book Tales from Outer Suburbia. Despite being an accomplished and award-winning illustrator, Tan first came to the attention of graphic novel fans around the world for his epic, wordless graphic novel The Arrival. The Arrival won all sorts of awards and brought the extremely talented Tan to the attention of the comics industry, a rare “crossover” and, according to lumnaries like Art Spiegelman, a graphic novel in the truest sense of the phrase.

Tales From Outer Suburbia is a fascinating hybrid storybook and graphic novel, showcasing Tan’s gorgeous art through prose, comics, and gorgeous full-page illustrations. A collection of short stories to be enjoyed by readers from 6 to 60, Tales From Outer Suburbia is exactly the sort of book that could become anyone’s favourite.

The book will go on sale for the first time at this event.

For more on Shaun Tan, check out his website at http://www.shauntan.net/.

–

I’m quite excited about this signing. I’m sorry I haven’t mentioned it until now, but if you can manage to make it out you won’t be disappointed. All art from Tan’s new book, Tales From Outer Suburbia, Copyright 2008 Shaun Tan.

- Chris

A few weeks ago I took a little vacation from my day job selling comics for The Beguiling, to head out to Seattle and sell some comics for my friends at Udon. They exhibited at the Penny Arcade Expo, or PAX, in Seattle, WA, a video-game convention hosted by the popular webcomic Penny Arcade. They’re really strict about who does or doesn’t get to exhibit at their show (though anyone can attend), and it’s the incredible devotion of the Udon guys to the Street Fighter videogames that got them through the door. I had a fun time, ate some great food, hung out with cool folks, and played a lot of Bomberman on my DS… I really gotta buy that at some point.

Anyway, the above notice was posted by the entrance ways to the exhibit hall, and a version of it appeared in the convention booklet that every attendee was given. Notice #5 there? It doesn’t take a genius to realize that getting a bunch of folks all in one place and getting them amped up, and maybe even a little turned on? There need to be some ground-rules laid out. The PAX guys throw an outstanding convention, really top-notch, and figuring out little things like this help a lot. Better still, security guards were both centralized and roaming, they received solid training, and there was never someone more than a yelp away. It was a safe, attentive, and solidly planned event. An event that ballooned from under 3,000 people 5 years ago to more than 50k this time out, with only the most minute of growing pains.

Why is this so hard for comics? Why all the hand-wringing and endless debate about nothing? It’s just like the bullshit about drinking or not drinking at the Hyatt during San Diego… endless chat and recrimination and “fun” suggestions and “concerned” suggestions and nerds marching to “a different drummer” but in the end? Just do the right thing. It’s not even hard. You’d think it was, but it’s not.

John DiBello is by all accounts a nice guy. I’ve never met him but people I like vouch for him, so that’s really all it takes–he’s a nice guy. He witnessed some pretty severe-sounding sexual harrassment at Comicon this year, tried to do something about it, and then realized that the biggest comics event in North America doesn’t have a policy on sexual harassment at their show… So he made some noise about it. Seems pretty open and shut, right? But… Angry nerds are still cluttering up comments sections with this stuff though, arguing against it, against him. But yeah, you can go to PAX and they (proudly, even) post right at the front door “Don’t be a dick guys, we’re all here to have fun.” and it’s not controversial, it’s not a problem that needs to be solved with zany solutions or protesting against organizations by giving them our money (I mean come on…). Some people just get it, and do the right thing. So, do it.

It’s funny, the first time I went to the Ad-Astra science fiction convention in Toronto, a small, fan-run and fan-oriented event north of the city, I kinda chuckled when I got to the part in their convention program about proper behaviour for attendees, and that included unwanted sexual advances… I mean, what kind of nerd needs to be told not to touch someones tits or that not everyone wants to hug you? But as soon as a friend I was hanging out at the show with expressed that same disbelief out loud, it clicked for me–this is a sexualized environment. Some people are going to be wearing little clothing, some people are being paid to be friendly (up to a point), some people are going to be demonstrative about their… affections. And that might give someone the wrong impression–that impression being “Holy shit she just made out with that guy I’ma gonna make out with her too!” There’s nothing wrong with setting ground rules.

It’s not like I don’t understand why certain comics folks get a little defensive about stuff like this… The idea is that having a sexual harassment policy means that you need a sexual harassment policy because comics people can’t be trusted to behave themselves. But guys (And It Is All Guys), that’s not the case. Every modern company of more than 4 or 5 people has a sexual harrassment policy, I’m pretty sure you need to have one by law in most places. Every con should have one just like every con should have rules regarding people taking pictures in the aisles, people with carts full of long boxes of books to be signed, and even when the doors open to let people in. That just ensures that a show happens that’s well organized, where everyone is on the same page, and if someone does behave badly there’s a clear statement saying “you shouldn’t have done that” and a very clear set of reprecussions for that person (“gtfo”).

So let’s take a cue from our kissing cousins over at PAX; there’s nothing wrong with telling people how to behave at your event, period. It not that hard to do the right thing.

- Christopher
P.S.: This is nice to read.

THE APOCALIPSTIX: RAGNAROCK PARTY

The Official Launch for the new Graphic Novel

Wednesday, August 6^th, 8PM
REVIVAL BAR, 738 College St., Toronto
ALL AGES + NO COVER

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=25642968337

TORONTO, Ontario –THE APOCALIPSTIX is the new graphic novel by Toronto authors Ray Fawkes and Cameron Stewart, and fresh from their sold out pre-release at the San Diego Comic Convention these two top graphic novelists return to “play” their hometown with a book launch party featuring bands, prizes, and more, Wednesday, August 6th, at Revival Bar, 783 College St.

“It’s like Josie and the Pussycats meets Mad Max!” enthused Christopher Butcher, manager of The Beguiling, Canada’s premier retailer of comics and graphic novels. “Ray Fawkes and Cameron Stewart are top comics talents and The Apocalipstix is their best work yet… We’re anticipating the folks who loved the indy graphic novel SCOTT PILGRIM really getting into this one. I mean, three girls in a band after the end of the world, what’s not to like?”

THE APOCALIPSTIX: RAGNAROCK PARTY will feature musical performances by Toronto surf-punk band Terror Lake and all girl teen punk band DAME, and there’ll be door prizes and giveaways! Creators Ray Fawkes and Cameron Stewart will be signing and sketching for all comers! The event is all ages and features no cover charge! Revival Bar is located at 783 College St. at Shaw. Doors for the event open at 8PM, with the bands going on starting at 9:30pm.

ABOUT

Book: THE APOCALIPSTIX is a brand new 200 page graphic novel published by Oni Press. You can find out more about the graphic novel online at http://apocalipstix.com. The Apocalipstix is currently in stock at The Beguiling (601 Markham Street, near Bathurst St. & Bloor St. W), and will be available at the event.

Authors: Ray Fawkes is the Shuster Award Nominated author of Mnemovore and numerous graphic novellas and short stories, and can be found online at http://rayfawkes.com. Cameron Stewart the award-winning artist of Seaguy and The Invisibles, and the author of the serialized graphic novel Sin Titulo, and can be found online at http://cameron-stewart.com and http://transmission-x.com/.

Bands: Terror Lake can be found online at http://www.terrorlake.ca/. DAME can be found online at http://www.myspace.com/dameband.

MEDIA QUERIES: Christopher Butcher, Manager of The Beguiling, 416-533-9168, or via e-mail at chris@beguiling.com.

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- Chris

ITEM:

ITEM: Perhaps better and more importantly, my friend Scott Robins (previously of Scholastic and the “All Ages Blog“, and now at KidsCan Press in Canada) will also be headed to San Diego, and he’s fabulous on panels. Drop a note in the comments here if you want to get a hold of him.

ITEM: I’m kind of happy that I don’t have any big events between now and San Diego… That said, we’re working on a ton of great stuff at the store including a big Toronto launch for the new graphic novel by my friends Ray Fawkes and Cameron Stewart: APOCALIPSTIX. It’s officially dropping at the San Diego Comic Con (theme!) but that launch probably won’t have live bands and crazy swag and shit. At any rate, details are coming soon, but in the meantime everyone should check out the massive 50 page preview that’s running at Comic Book Resources: http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16776. It’s pretty coooooool.

- Christopher

ODE to EDO
Legacy of the Samurai

Opens tonight!

SMASH Gallery
2880 Dundas Street West (at Keele)
June 19th, 7PM to 11PM

See the exquisite collection of 14 Samurai armor sets and paintings by 21 contemporary artists. Today the spirit and visual richness of the Samurai culture speaks to us through films, manga, and personal experience. This collection, with pieces dating back to the 1890s, serves as inspiration for both western and eastern artists. This is our Ode to Edo and the traditions that honoured the samurai essence during this time.

Featuring:

Amro Attia, Harvey Chan, Nathan Fox, Charlotte Greenwood, Hiroshi Hirakawa, Sam Hiti, Kurt Ketchum, Tessar Lo, Kagan Mcleod, Tyrel McNicol, Joe Morse, Jose Ortega, Yukiko Otsu, Ben Shannon, Jon Todd, Tomolennon, Martin Wittfooth, Yoskay Yamamoto, Andrew Zbihlyi, David Pepper.

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The show runs through June 30th, just in case you get this note a little late. Be sure to check it out.

- Christopher
All illustrations in this post by Kagan McLeod, as part of the ODE to EDO show.

So earlier this year I was approached by Book Expo to help develop their graphic novel programming for 2008, and I think it’s going to turn out very well indeed. Because I know that many industry types are readers of the blog, I did want to point out the two graphic novel programs that I’ll be moderating in case they’re of interest. I think both of them are going to be quite solid, and they’ll be happening right out in the middle of the show floor so they’ll be hard to miss.

Hopefully I’ll see you in the audience!

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Building a Great Graphic Novel Collection in Your Library
Sunday, June 15th 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Link to the BookExpo website.
Balancing classic graphic novel must-haves with in-demand new releases, and more.

Libraries have contributed to the rapid growth of the graphic novel industry, and in turn graphic novels have brought record circulation numbers to school and public libraries across the country! This informative panel will help librarians of all stripes understand this burgeoning medium, addressing the important issues of collection-building, content concerns, and navigating the depths of the thousands of graphic novels released every year. Moderated by Christopher Butcher, manager of The Beguiling Books & Art and writer for comics212.net.

Participants:
Jason Azzopardi, Beguiling Library Services Administrator
Cameron Drew, Canadian Manda Group/Diamond
Moneka Hewlett, Senior Director Sales, Publishing & Home Entertainment for Viz Media
Diana Maliszewski, Teacher-Librarian, TDSB
Michael Martens, Dark Horse Books
Alan Payne, IDW
Scott Robins, KidsCan Press

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Stocking and Hand-Selling Comics & Graphic Novels
Monday, June 16th 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Link to the BookExpo website.

With manga and other graphic novels demanding more and more shelf-space in bookstores everywhere, it is growing ever more difficult to find a “way in” to this category for booksellers, and to be able to effectively sell this category to their clientele. This panel of experts from all aspects of the comics industry will discuss the ins and outs of graphic novel stocking, recommendations, shelving and display, and answer any questions from booksellers looking to better understand this category. Moderated by Christopher Butcher, manager of The Beguiling Books & Art and writer for comics212.net.

Participants:
Peter Birkemoe, The Beguiling
Cameron Drew, Canadian Manda Group/Diamond
Moneka Hewlett, Senior Director Sales, Publishing & Home Entertainment for Viz Media
Michael Martens, Dark Horse Books
Alan Payne, IDW
Jim Zubkavich, UDON

Graphic Novel Programming Sponsored by The Beguiling Books & Art

NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE Cartoonist JASON
Launches his new graphic novel POCKET FULL OF RAIN
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 @ 8PM
THE CENTRAL, 603 Markham Street, Toronto
FREE

Acclaimed Norwegian cartoonist JASON—currently serializing his newest work in The New York Times Magazine—will be in Toronto to launch his new work POCKET FULL OF RAIN. RAIN is a collection of early works by Jason, defying genre and style and showing his development into the internationally acclaimed author he is today. Jason will be interviewed on his life and career in an audio/visual presentation by The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe at The Central, located directly adjacent to The Beguiling, on Tuesday June 10th at 8PM.

THE WORLD OF STEVE DITKO
Book launch with Toronto author BLAKE BELL
Wednesday, June 18th 7PM-9PM
Lillian H. Smith Library, 239 College St., Toronto
FREE  

The Beguiling, in cooperation with The Toronto Public Library and The Merril Collection, officially launches STRANGE AND STRANGER: THE WORLD OF STEVE DITKO, the first ever biography of the reclusive co-creator of SPIDER-MAN! Toronto author and comics historian Blake Bell has exhaustively researched the life and career of Ditko, and it’s on every page of this lavishly illustrated book. Bell will be on hand to launch the book with an audio/visual presentation of Ditko’s artistic career on Wednesday, June 18th at 7PM at the Lillian H. Smith Library, 239 College St. (at Spadina).

In addition to the book launch and presentation, we are proud to announce that U.K. television and radio personality Jonathan Ross, who debuted his hour-long “IN SEARCH OF STEVE DITKO” documentary on the BBC last September, has granted us the rights to show the documentary at the Toronto event! This will be the first official screening in Canada, and attendees will get to view it for free!

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- Christopher

- Chris

Hey everybody! I just posted The Beguiling’s Free Comic Book Day wrap-up at: http://www.beguiling.com/2008/05/free-comic-book-day-2008-wrap-up.html.

We had a good year this year despite some pretty awful weather, and though I don’t have exact figures I’d say that we had at least 600 people through both events over the course of the day, and a lot (at least 200 of them) were under 14. Mission: Accomplished.

Because my site gets way more traffic than The Beguiling’s site, I did want to take the opportunity to send you to visit the online homes of all of our participating artists at this year’s FCBD events. They were really stars, drawing and sketching all day (many of them without any breaks) and sending you to check out their work is the least I can do.

Michael Cho (Transmission-X, Max Finder): http://www.transmission-x.com/ , http://chodrawings.blogspot.com/
Willow Dawson (Violet Miranda): http://www.willowdawson.com/
J. Korim (Neozoic): http://www.jkorim.ca/main.htm
Jessie Lam (Neozoic): http://axl99.net/
Steve Manale (Superslackers, You Crack Me Up): http://www.superslackers.com/
Nick Mandaag (Artist): no website!
Tyrone McCarthy (Corduroy High): http://www.corduroyhigh.com/
Alana McCarthy (Illustrator): http://www.alanaland.com/
Brian McLachlan (Princess Planet): http://www.theprincessplanet.com/, http://www.transmission-x.com/
Tara Tallan (Galaxion): http://www.girlamatic.com/comics/galaxion.php
Jeremy Tankard (Grumpy Bird, Me Hungry): http://www.jeremytankard.com/
Chip Zdarsky (Monster Cops): http://chipzdarsky.livejournal.com/

Hope you all had a great Free Comic Book Day!

- Christopher
(Photo: Jeremy Tankard talks about his very first home-made comics to a group of rapt youngsters and their parents at Free Comics For Kids Day)

Hope to see you there!

More at: http://www.beguiling.com/2008/04/reminder-free-comics-for-kids-day-this.html

More at http://www.beguiling.com

- Chris

I’m pretty up on the manga, I do my best to research the market, talk to fans, all that stuff. I’m spectacular at doing this within my field (comics retailers) but still at least pretty decent when compared to the legions of die-hard manga fans that populate the interwebs. But I totally need a hand with this, because the upcoming Anime North convention in Toronto at the end of the month? It manages at least one big surprise every time.

We do a massive set-up for this show, 18 tables in an island, something like 180 feet of frontage the way we set it all up. We try and bring every manga you can think of, because a lot of fans save up for months to come to AN and pick up the manga they love, that they’ve only read about on the internet (or in scaaaaaaaaaaaans) and they want to own it and love it and squee all over it. And we want to have it for them.

Every year we get blindsided by one major title, and it always pisses me RIGHT OFF.

2005: “Do you have Chrono Crusade?” Sure, we had like maybe 3-5 copies of each volume. That lasted about half way through the first day, and then the next 22 hours of convention were “I heard you guys have Chrono Crusade!? PLEASE! I NEEEEEED IT!” and I’m all “oh noes.”

2006: “I NEED OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB! O! M! G!” and I’m like are you kidding? We sell like 2 copies of that at the store. But yeah, getting asked 20 or 25 times a day for that book for 3 days? I can guarantee you we totally stock deep on that one now. It did us no good at the show, however.

2007: “Vampire Knight Vampire Knight Vampire Knight Vampire Knight” and I didn’t even know what that was. Seriously. Either like 1, or maaaaaaaaaybe 2 volumes had come out, and I figured it was some ultra-rare Infinity Studios title or something. No, Shoujo Beat again, we were barely selling it at the store, and it was the book we got the most requests for (of course, we ended up selling like a case of each volume of Death Note and Naruto at that show, we didn’t do too badly…)

So the 2008 Anime North show is coming up May 23-25, and I think I’ve done my homework this time and I’m trying to stock up on fan-fav series, but I’m sure that we’re forgetting something.

Soooo, if you’re going to Anime North, or if you just want to promote your favourite manga series (and it looks like I’m a little weaker at predicting the Shoujo/Crossover-appeal series than the Shonen) then I’d love to hear from you in the comments. I’m totally aware that this is asking you to do my work as a retailer for me, and I apologize for that, but I’m asking because I want to satisfy as many customers at the show as possible. Hopefully that counts for something!

Thanks in advance,

- Christopher

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
‘Super-Creator’ Comes to USA
French embassy hosts Christophe Blain; critics compare him to Vonnegut & Daumier
“Christophe Blain is one of those super-creators in France that very few English-speaking people have heard of.” — Read About Comics

“[Blain’s] styles of figuration and lighting marry Daumier and Munch.” — Booklist

“Like Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut.” — School Library Journal

Blain is the writer and artist behind Isaac the Pirate, the best-selling graphic-novel series about an artist who accidentally turns buccaneer and falls through a series of hilarious adventures. The book won the prestigious Angoulême International Comics festival’s highest award. Blain has also written and drawn graphic novels such as the critically lauded The Speed Abater and contributed to Lewis Trondheim and Joann Sfar’s popular Dungeon books. The French embassy’s Cultural Services Department is bringing Blain to the United States as part of its French Authors on Tour program (www.frenchculture.org/spip.php?article50&tout=ok). NBM, the publisher of Dungeon, Speed Abater, and Isaac the Pirate in the United States, is delighted to work with the Embassy on Blain’s tour.

At this writing, Blain is scheduled for the following events (and more may be added soon).

Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m.
Secret Headquarters
3817 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
323-666-2228
www.thesecretheadquarters.com
Sunday, April 27
12 noon: Booth 318 (Hi De Ho Comics)
2 p.m.: Booth 732 (French Cultural Services)
4 p.m.: Royce Hall, Room 306 (lecture followed by wine reception)
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
UCLA
405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90095
213-237-6552 or 800-728-4638 x72665
www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks
www.hidehocomics.com

Monday, April 28, 7 p.m.
Book Soup
8818 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310-659-3110 or 800-764-BOOK
www.booksoup.com

Thursday, May 1, 6 p.m.
Floating World Comics
20 Northwest 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
503-241-0227
www.floatingworldcomics.com

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- Christopher

+ Flight contributor and graphic novelist Neil Babra recently completed an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet for the “No Fear Shakespeare” line of graphic novels published by an arm of B&N. The “No Fear” line basically “translates” Shakespearian English into more direct or contemporary English, to make the stories more approachable for young readers. I have a complex array of feelings on the idea of changing the language of Shakespeare without a full modernization, particularly because I don’t think the plot of Shakespeare is as important as the actual language… But that said, I think there’s still value to this approach, both as a study guide and additional learning tool for readers who need a way “into” the works. Luckily Neil has lots of ideas on adaptation, translation, and Shakespeare’s language as well, and he addresses them all on the just completed information page on the No Fear: Shakespeare graphic novel adaptation of Hamlet. It’s really wonderful reading.

Also, I have included a more literal adaptation of my own to My reading of the classic; Neil draws Horatio hot all the way through the book.

+ Has anyone noticed that the new colours on the remastered hardcover edition of Batman: The Killing Joke are kind of boring? Check out this side-by-side comparison of the original colours and the new edition over at PopCultureShock. I think my problem with it is that while artist Brian Boland brings a high degree of craft to the new colouring, he’s drained all of the emotion and… art… out of the work. Little touches like the cast-shadows on the cuffs of the Joker’s sleeves, for example, added more personality and depth to the art than all of the soft airbrush modelling in the world could hope to accomplish. At work my opinion is in the minority, with the majority of customers loving the hell out of the new look. Enh.

+ I’m really glad that Johanna Draper-Carlson put the leg-work in to try and peel away some of the secrecy surrounding comics’ only national holiday (or outreach event…), Free Comic Book Day. I’ve never understood the lack of transparency or accountability that surrounds this event, and I find it incredibly frustrating every single time it rolls around. This time out? The organisation mandated that all books had to be all-ages appropriate, thus reflecting a vision of the industry that doesn’t actually exist. They disallowed the participation of a publisher and then apparently lied about the reasoning (see the comments section). Getting answers is like pulling teeth. They stopped answering. And then somewhat mysteriously retailer Joe Field, the founder of FCBD (before turning it over whole-hog to Diamond), a man who has made very specific mention in the past of his arm’s-length from FCBD, ends up responding to questions that were sent to Diamond.

I’m not one to critisize without putting the work in myself; I do lots of comics outreach. But I think you can do it without the secrecy and misdirection, and a damn site better than what’s gone on. And if Mr. Field wants to ask me for suggestions that generally aren’t followed up on, again, here’s one: Name the people and organizations on the FCBD comittee. Who’s making the decisions, specifically? I’d feel better about the organization and more inclined to support it if decisions weren’t being made behind closed doors, and without any more general consultation of the direct market.

+ My friend Mr. Bryan Lee O’Malley was interviewed on NPR’s “Fair Game” last week about Scott Pilgrim. It’s a fun little interview and it’s the last segment, so fast-forward until there’s about 10 minutes left in the program.

+ The New York Times’ “Papercuts” blog offers up The 7 Deadly Sins of Book Reviewing. In keeping with the form, the 7 sins are particular words that are overused by reviewers and critics to the point of uselessness… Are the standards in comics criticism high enough that something like over-use of word “poignant” is something we have to worry about? I mean, how often are we likely to see the word “lyrical” in the latest plot-recap of last week’s Avengers? Or am I just being a bitch? Or both?

+ At Gay Pop Culture Website AfterElton.com, prominent gay comics fan/writer Lyle Masaki has been covering comics and geek culture turning on the broader gay audience to all that’s gay in comics (though mostly the superhero and Buffy set). “Six Gay Geeks Who’ve Improved Popular Culture” is a recent piece from Lyle that tags comics mainstays like Phil Jimmenez and Andy Mangels for their comics-centric contributions to geek culture. It’s a solid read.

+ I found myself needing to write a short history of comics in North America recently, and found the website The History of Romance Comics to be a really useful compendium of knowledge on some of the most popular and bestselling comics North America has ever seen. Who knew that they also feature a great collection of romance comics reprints as well? Check out their fantastic collection of pre-code romance comics and history articles.

+ Thank you John Jakala for pointing out that Paul Levitz isn’t so hot at the math. Unfortunately, the platform for Mr. Levitz’ creative accounting is the blog & Newsarama, and the comments section there is such a fucking pit that any legitimate criticism of the facts presented in the column is likely to get drowned out by mouth-breathers still angry that every DC comic doesn’t come with bound-in $50 bills. Le Sigh.

+ Finally, though it isn’t specifically about comics I wanted to talk a little bit about bookstore culture… Here in Toronto the bookstore landscape is a-changing. Our neighbors at Ballenford Books on Architecture will be closing their doors in the next few months. They’re currently working to liquidate inventory which means some nice sales on some beautiful books… I really like this store and bookstores in general. It’s always sad when one decides to close their doors.

Meanwhile, one of my favourite indy bookshops is closing as well, but with a happier ending. “This Ain’t The Rosedale Library” will be closing their 22 year old spot in Toronto’s Gay Village, and moving to a smaller (and likely much cheaper) space in Kensington Market. They’re also having a pretty amazing sale right now, with 50% off of the already low prices on remaindered books. I’m going to try to get over there first thing tomorrow…

And that’s it for this post. Thanks for reading!

- Christopher

I think I’m going to be participating in a few panels while I’m at the show, but so far as I can tell the programming isn’t live yet so maybe I’ll just shut my gob… Anyone who wants me for a panel or anything, let me know through the usual channels, chances are I’m up for it.

Oh, and I got pillaged ($$) for a hotel room, and if I weren’t splitting it it would suck. If you’re looking to book, book soon, a lot of places near the convention were selling out as I was booking today.

- Chris

Just a quick note that Michel Rabagliati got a very nice interview in The National Post today, in advance of his appearance in Toronto this weekend:

It must be cathartic, however, for Rabagliati to tackle some of the issues he does: For instance, Paul Goes Fishing follows Paul and his partner, Lucie, as they try to start a family. The book deals with the multiple miscarriages they faced, but Rabagliati says his partner was OK with him discussing such matters in a public forum.

“It was tough,” he says. “When you start drawing it, and you start drawing the blood … it really puts you back in this particular context. It’s pretty sad sometimes. I must confess, sometimes I get a little bit depressed or I cry a bit when I [draw] that.

“I like drawing these stories about real life. [But] that’s the problem with it: I have to deal with that.”

I heard the event got a nice little mention in Xtra Magazine here in Toronto as well (Xtra.ca) but it’s not online, so you’ll have to go out and pick up a copy if you’re in the Toronto area. Thanks for putting up with my constant pimping of this event by the by, I’m quite excited about it and the books are among my favourites published by D&Q.
- Christopher

Art from Top: Paul in the Metro, French edition cover for Paul Goes Fishing, a musical panel from Paul Moves Out, and a moment of regret from Paul Moves Out. He looks so cute in his Y-Fronts. 

First up, Newsarama has an interview with Rabagliati, mostly just introducing the readership to the work of Rabagliati, although the discussion does bring to mind the recent publishing industry scandal about fake memoir in an interesting way:

NRAMA: When you started creating comics, what made you create a fictional alter-ego, Paul, through which to tell your stories rather than using real names?

MR: I did it to keep a certain distance. And Paul isn’t 100% autobiographical. The books are works of “auto-fiction” to various degrees. There’s plenty of fiction in them, but it’s fiction that draws on everyday life and isn’t necessarily visible to the reader. And so the reader thinks everything is true, when in fact what it is, is plausible.

Next up, The Toronto Star’s Raju Mudhar offers up an interview and profile of Rabagliati which touches on the artist’s move from illustration and graphic design to being a full-time graphic novelist.

“I kind of forgot about comics for about 25 years … I starting doing comics around when I turned 40 and stopped doing graphic design and illustration work. I’m that kind of guy and I do these kinds of moves in my life and they’re pretty hazardous sometimes. Now it’s paying off a little,” he says. “I’m 47 years old, I’m not supposed to do that. I’m supposed to have RRSPs at the bank, because I have a family and a house, it’s pretty perilous. It’s a career change you don’t usually do at that age.” - Michel Rabagliati

Edit: Thanks to Torontoist.com for their little primer on Michel and their plug for the event this weekend!  

Closer to home, we sent out the official press release for the event and I’ve included behind the cut below.

See you at the event this weekend!

- Chris

PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR EVENT LISTINGS

The Beguiling is proud to present…

IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHEL RABAGLIATI
Discussing the life and work of the author of Paul Goes Fishing

Saturday, March 15th, 5pm
The Lillian H. Smith Library, Basement Auditorium
239 College St., Toronto * FREE

TORONTO, Ontario – The Beguiling, Canada’s premier comic book retailer, is happy to announce that Michel Rabagliati, author of the Paul series of graphic novels including the newly-released ‘Paul Goes Fishing’, will be participating in a moderated Q&A and book-signing session on Saturday, March 15th at 5pm, at The Lillian H. Smith Library in Toronto.

Rabagliati will be interviewed on his life and art by The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe. The interview will include an extensive visual presentation of his work. Rabagliati is well-known in Quebec for his gentle, wistful series of French graphic novels detailing the coming of age his lead character “Paul” (really a thinly-disguised version of Rabagliati himself) in 1960s and 1970s-era Montreal. With ‘Paul Goes Fishing’, the author moves the titular character into his adult years as he and his partner suffer the joy and heartache of child-birth, city-living, and fishing in the country-side.

“Michel Rabagliati is one of Canada’s great literary graphic novelists,” said Birkemoe. “I think that recognition and appreciation of his excellent graphic novels is long overdue in English.”

“His art is rendered in the “clear line” style,” explains Beguiling manager Christopher Butcher, “and his previous career as a designer and illustrator imbues his art with a strong focus on design, particularly in his depictions of Montreal neighborhoods and their architecture. This really gives a lot of texture to his cartooning… it’s wholly unique in Canadian graphic novels but still accessible to those who love the graphic novels of cartoonists like Seth or Chester Brown.”

The free event will take place in the Lillian H. Smith Library auditorium on Saturday March 15th at 5pm. Doors will open at approximately 4:30pm, and a signing with the author will follow the presentation. The Lillian H.  Smith Library is located at 239 College St., just east of Spadina Ave., and houses The Merril Collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which includes the largest graphic novel collection in Canada.

The event is completely free and open to the public.

Books: Michel Rabagliati’s graphic novels ‘Paul Goes Fishing’, ‘Paul Moves Out’, ‘Paul Has A Summer Job’, and his comic book ‘Paul In The Country’ are currently in stock at The Beguiling (601 Markham Street, near Bathurst St. & Bloor St. W), and will all be available at the event.

The works of Michel Rabagliati are published in English by Montreal’s Drawn + Quarterly (http://www.drawnandquarterly.com) and are originally published in French by La Pasteque (http://www.lapasteque.com/).

About the Author: Like many kids in North America, Michel Rabagliati grew up reading comic books, but since he was born in 1961 in Montreal, instead of reading The Hulk or Superman, he was immersed in all the major comic albums being published in Belgium and France: Tintin, Spirou, Gaston, and of course Asterix, among others. A professional graphic designer and commercial illustrator and his work has appeared in a diverse array of publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Utne Reader, and Maclean’s. He has won a comics industry Harvey Award for Best New Talent for his first comic, ‘Paul in the Country’, and his previous graphic novel ‘Paul Moves Out’ was awarded a prestigious Doug Wright Award for best graphic novel. Michel Rabagliati lives in Montreal with his partner and daughter.

MEDIA QUERIES: For event queries, please contact Peter Birkemoe, owner of The Beguiling, 416-533-9168 or via email at: mail@beguiling.com.

For author queries, please contact Jamie Quail, Studio & Publicity Coordinator for Drawn + Quarterly, 514.279.0691 or via email at: jamie@drawnandquarterly.com.

This event is made possible with generous support of Drawn + Quarterly and The Toronto Public Library.