TCAF Programming Schedule

Just in case you were curious, here’s the programming schedule for Saturday/Sunday at TCAF. I’m quite happy about all of this actually. 🙂

Behind the cut:

Saturday May 9^th

 

10:00am-5:00pm: Academic Programming Stream, Andrew Lesk, University of Toronto

This semi-private stream of programming featuring noted academics working in the fields of comics and art will occur during all open hours of TCAF. A full schedule will be posted, and seating preference will be given to registered attendees of this programming. 5 minutes before each programming session, a survey of available space will be taken and general TCAF attendees will be allowed to fill and unused seating.

Learning Centre 2

 

10:15am-11:15am: Concept Comics: Abstract Comics Ideas

Comics have been described as a hybrid medium that performs an elaborate show and tell – with concrete images covering the “show” part of this equation, and abstract language the “tell.”  But a number of artists have recalibrated the formal elements of comics to concretely portray intangible concepts, from emotional states and sensory perceptions to mathematical concepts and abstract ideologies. Bill Kartalopoulos will investigate the challenges and opportunities of communicating abstract ideas in the comics form with artists Tom Kaczynski, Scott McCloud, Dash Shaw and Jason Shiga.

Learning Centre 1

 

10:30am-11:30am: The Secret History of Manga in North America!

It’s been more than 30 years since the first manga was translated into English. How did it all happen? From MixxZine to Raijin, from Astro Boy to OEL, join Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide) on a visual time machine full of dreamers, self-publishers, antiwar activists, and ninja. Lots of ninja.

TCAF Gallery

 

11:15am-12:30pm: Spotlight: Anke Feuchteberger

German artist and TCAF Guest of Honour Anke Feuchtenberger is equally at home in the worlds of comics and fine art. This creator has had a long, varied, and fascinating career, from creating very political art on the other side of the iron curtain to her contemporary gallery showings and comics releases. ICAF member Mark D. Nevins will interview Anke in a panel designed to illuminate her life and work, and welcome newcomers to it. A spirited Q&A will cap-off the session.

Learning Centre 1.

 

11:30pm-12:30pm: Manga Around The World! International Perspectives on Manga

Cartoonist and About.com Manga guide Deb Aoki hosts a panel of international manga creators from across the globe including Antoine Dodé (Armelle et Mon Oncle), Becky Cloonan (Demo), Eric Ko (UDON Entertainment), Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim), Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide).

TCAF Gallery

 

12:30pm-1:30pm: Awesome Comix!

Join Frank Santoro, Robin McConnell, Dash Shaw, Dustin Harbin and Robert Dayton for a look at how mainstream comics of the silver and bronze age have a relevance and impact on modern alternative comics. The panel will explore the legacy of some of the more interesting “mainstream” work from the 70’s through to the 90’s.

Learning Centre 1

 

12:30pm-2:00pm: Spotlight: Emmanuel Guibert

Join international superstar comics creator Emmanuel Guibert as he discusses his groundbreaking new graphic novel The Photogapher. The Photographer relates the story of Didier Lefevre, a photo-journalist covering a Doctor Without Borders mission in 1980’s Afghanistan. Guibert incorporates Lefevre’s actual photos into the comics narrative to create a compelling, evocative, and deep work on this very serious subject. Guibert will discuss the work with moderator Bart Beaty.

TCAF Gallery

 

1:30pm-2:30pm: Books For Boys: Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers

Sure the girls are reading graphic novels now, but what about the boys? Creators Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom), Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table), Chad Solomon (The Adventures of Rabbit and Bearpaws) and J. Torres (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) discuss writing for a boy audience and the tricks they use to turn reluctant readers into lifelong readers. Moderated by Good Comics For Kids/SLJ blogger, Scott Robins.

TCAF Gallery

 

2:00pm-3:30pm: Scott McCloud: FAQ

Being one of the most public faces for the entire comics industry can be tough! Luckily, Scott McCloud is up to the challenge! The author of Understanding Comics, Making Comics, and ZOT! will be talking and taking questions from the audience! Have you ever had a question for Scott McCloud? What IS comics anyway? Well here’s your chance to ask Scott! A spirited discussion is sure to be held. Moderator TBA.

TCAF Gallery

 

2:00pm-3:00pm: DIY Comics Seminar, with Willow Dawson

Need a kickstart to your comics project but not sure where to start? Willow Dawson (No Girls Allowed, 100 Mile House) explains the process of making a comic from idea to script to finished art. Then you put what you’ve learned to the test and create your own short comics, mini-comics and ‘zines.

Toronto Star Presentation Area, Lower Level

 

2:30pm-3:30pm: Spotlight on Francois Ayroles and Florent Ruppert.

Please join us in welcoming TCAF Guests of Honour Francois Ayroles and Florent Ruppert in their first appearance at a North American comics event! Francois Ayroles is the author of the debuting-at-TCAF work Key Moments from the History of Comics, and Florent Ruppert is one half of the cartooning duo Ruppert and Mulot, whose work has appeared in Kramers Ergot 7. Ayroles and Ruppert will be interviewed by Dr. Bart Beaty, eurocomics critic for Comicsreporter.com and author of Unpopular Culture: Transforming the European Comic Book in the 1990s.

TCAF Gallery Space

 

3:30pm-5:00pm: Storytelling Workshop, with Mark Siegel

Join First Second Books Editor-in-Chief Mark Siegel in a combination lecture/workshop on storytelling in graphic novels. Aspiring creators and established professionals alike are sure to find enjoy Mark’s presentation, as he discusses the difference in storytelling between graphic novels in Asia, Europe, and North America, and what we have to learn from one another. Note: Attendance for this workshop is strictly limited to 60 participants. Participants must register at the main registration desk before 12noon.

Learning Centre 1

 

3:30pm-4:30pm: Spotlight: Craig Yoe

Craig Yoe is a cartoonist, designer, and comics archivist whose most recent project has ignited a storm of controversy and interest! The book is Secret Identity: The Fetish Drawings of Superman’s Co-Creator Joe Shuster, and features truly shocking—and yet undeniably important—drawings by Shuster made at a difficult time in the creator’s life. Done for the magazines that may have single-handedly kicked off the anti-comics crusades that nearly destroyed the comics industry in the 1950s, this book is a revelation for classic comics and superhero fans. Yoe will be interviewed by Douglas Wolk, noted critic and author of Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean.

TCAF Gallery

 

7:00pm-9:00pm: Event: Comic Books Are Totally Gay!

What’s gay about comic books? Everything! From Batman and Robin right up to 300 Spartans and Dykes To Watch Out For. Meet queer comics creators Liz Baille (My Brain Hurts), J. Bone (Jett Vector), Tim Fish (Cavalcade of Boys), Justin Hall (Hard To Swallow), Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter), and Erika Moen (Dar: A Girly Comic) as they read from their newest works. Then Alan Moore collaborator Jose Villarrubia will lead all of the creators in a spirited conversation about what’s queer in comics, both on the page and behind the scenes.

This event takes place off-site at Fire On The East Side Bar & Restaurant, 6 Gloucester Street, 4 blocks south of Toronto Reference Library.

 

Sunday May 10^th

 

11:15am-12:00pm: Storybook Theatre, with Hilary Leung, David Bruins and Matt Hammill

Join creators Hilary Leung & David Bruins as they read from their picture book The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear and play the Ninja Cowboy Bear game! Then, Matt Hammill, author-illustrator of the critically acclaimed picture book Sir Reginald’s Logbook, will take kids on an imaginative journey…involving monsters!

Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

11:30am-1:00pm: All About Eurocomics!

Join professor Bart Beaty, author of the book Unpopular Culture: Transforming the European Comic Book in the 1990s in this introduction to, and exploration of, the world of Bande Desinee and European Comic Books. Joining him are all of TCAF’s wonderful European cartoonists, including Florent Ruppert (Panier de Singe), Francois Ayroles (Les Amis), Anke Feuchtenberger (W The Whore), Emmanuel Guibert (The Photographer), Antoine Dode (Armele), and Jose Villarrubia (The Mirror of Love).

Learning Centre 1

 

11:30am-12:30pm: Will Libraries Save Graphic Novels?

In this time of economic uncertainty, graphic novel publishers are looking to librarians for their support. Join panelists Jim Ottaviani (creator, T-Minus: The Race to the Moon), Lisa Heggum (librarian, Toronto Public Library), Douglas Davey (librarian, Halton Hills Public Library), Kent Allin (teacher, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board), Diana Malizewski (teacher, Toronto District School Board) and Scott Robins (blogger, Good Comics for Kids/SLJ) as they discuss the current and future role of graphic novels in school and public libraries. Moderated by The Beguiling’s Library Services Coordinator, Jason Azzopardi.

Learning Centre 2

 

12:00pm-1:00pm: Owlkids: Kids Draw!

Feel like drawing? Clayton Hanmer (CTON’s Super A-Maze-ing Year of Crazy Comics!), Scott Chantler (Three Thieves), Patricia Storms (The Pirate and the Penguin) and Wendy Ding (Chirp magazine) demonstrate the basics of cartooning… with your help! Watch them create awesome art right before your very eyes. Moderated by Naseem Hrab of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

12:30pm-1:30pm: Graphic Novels for Young Adults
Creators of young adult comics and graphic novels discuss what it’s like to write, illustrate and create for teen readers. Panelists include Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole), Cecil Castellucci (The Plain Janes), Derek Kirk Kim (Eternal Sunshine), Jeff Lemire (The Essex County Trilogy) and Mariko Tamaki (Skim). Moderated by Stacy King, middle grade author and Marketing Manager of UDON Kids.

Learning Centre 2

 

1:00pm-2:30pm: Newspapers, Comic Books, and The Internet.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, you know that newspapers—and especially editorial cartoonists and daily comic strips—are undergoing a radical change thanks to the Internet. Comic books are facing this sea-change as well, and everyone wants to know what’s going to happen. What’s next? Luckily, we’ve got the answer. We’ve assembled a crack team of panelists to discuss the future of newspapers, the future of comics, and their possible future on the internet.

On the panel is R. Stevens, the creator of the webcomic Diesel Sweeties. He entered into a deal with United Features Syndicate to distribute his comic in newspapers, and ultimately left that deal to concentrate on his web efforts. Joining him will be: Scott McCloud, author of Understanding Comics and the controversial futurist text Reinventing Comics; Stuart Immonen, an accomplished “mainstream” comics artist on Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man, and also a self-publisher who prints his own books and comics, and serializes work online; Brendan Buford, Comics Editor for King Features Syndicate, and a cartoonist, publisher, and someone who works with mainstream book publishers; and John Martz, co-creator of Drawn.ca and Chair of the Canadian Chapter of The National Cartoonist Society. The panel will be moderated by Steven Murray, writer, illustrator, self-publisher, webcomics artist, and cartoonist and journalist for Canada’s National Post newspaper.

Learning Centre 1

 

1:00pm-1:30pm: Eric Wight Presents: Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom!

Meet Frankie Pickle, the kid with the most amazing imagination! Eric Wight will introduce fans to this brand new character for young readers with a reading from The Closet of Doom and a live drawing presentation.

Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

1:30pm-2:30pm: Going to School For Comics

Are there benefits to going to an institute of higher educated in order to learn… comic books? We’ll meet several graduates of art, illustration, and comics-specific programs who do comics, as they talk about their experiences in art school, and how they’ve applied them to their comics career. Panelists include Lucy Knisely, Ross Campbell, Ginette LaPalme, Tom Humberstone. Moderated by Douglas Wolk.

Learning Centre 2

 

1:30pm-2:00pm: Alexis Frederick-Frost Presents: Adventures in Cartooning!

Can you draw simple things like trees, fish and candy? If your answer is YES, then Alexis Frederick-Frost will show you the basics of how to turn your doodles into comics to share with your friends.

Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

1:30pm-2:30pm: Reading: Cecil Castellucci

Cecil Castellucci is the author of the young adult graphic novels The P.L.A.I.N Janes and Janes In Love, and a plethora of great YA Novels! Join Cecil as she reads from her works in this special presentation for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival!

Toronto Star Presentation Area, Lower Level

 

2:00pm-2:30pm: John Mejias Presents: Paping: A Puppet Show!

John Mejias. Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

2:00pm-3:30pm: Signing: Kid Koala and Paul Pope.

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival is proud to present musician, turntablist, and cartoonist Kid Koala at this exclusive signing! Joining him for the signing will be TCAF Guest of Honour Paul Pope, author of 100%, Heavy Liquid, and THB.

Beguiling Signing Area, 2^nd Floor

 

2:30pm-3:00pm: Cartoonists and Cartoons: Comics Artists Who Animate!

What are the ties between comics and animation? Do all comic artists secretly want to be animators? Do all animators want to do comics? Which one is “just the day job?” We’ll meet comics creators and animators including Graham Annable, Faith Erin Hicks, Brian Envinou, and Paul Rivoche as they discuss the ins and outs of both industries. Moderated by Jim Zubkavich.

Learning Centre 1

 

2:30pm-3:30pm: Editing Comics

The role of a comics editor – particularly in auteur-driven comics – is as varied and difficult to define as it is important and influential. Panelists Alvin Buenventura, Brendan Burford, Tom Devlin and Greg Means will join moderator Bill Kartalopoulos to discuss various forms of editing, from editing individual pieces, anthologies, and daily comic strips to choosing artists and books for publication.

Learning Centre 2

 

2:30pm-3:30pm: Spotlight: Emmanuel Guibert’s SARDINE!

Join the author of the hilarious SARDINE series, Emmanuel Guibert in an interactive presentation as he speaks all about the goofy adventures of this red-headed space heroine—a feast for the imagination of young readers.

Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

3:30pm-5:00pm: TELETOON’s Superfan Fridays Presents: The Many Incarnations of The Batman

The Batman has been a consistently popular character since his introduction in 1939. But who is The Batman? Is he a dark and brooding vigilante? A bright and fun character for kids? A kitsch icon doing the “Bat-Tusi”? Yes! There are an unlimited number of interpretations and incarnations of The Batman, and in this panel we’ll the creators who bring The Batman to life! Join Paul Pope, author of the century-spanning Batman Year 100, J. Torres, writer of the comic book Batman: The Brave and The Bold based on the new cartoon, J. Bone, artist for DC Superfriends and Justice League: The New Frontier, and Paul Rivoche, background artist and designer for various Batman cartoon series including “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Batman Beyond,” and “The New Frontier.”

Learning Centre 1

 

3:30pm-4:30pm: Critics Roundtable.

A panel of top comics critics will address general issues facing comics criticism today and will discuss several new and recent works – including the new Doug Wright anthology and David Mazzucchelli’s forthcoming Asterios Polyp – in a lively roundtable conversation. Bart Beaty, Jeet Heer, Dan Nadel and Douglas Wolk will share their acute critical insights with moderator Bill Kartalopoulos.

Learning Centre 2

 

3:30pm-4:30pm: Kids Draw!

Do you wanna learn how to draw? Join a fantastic lineup of kids’ cartoonists as they teach kids the basics of cartooning! Cartoonists include Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table), Tom Fowler (MAD Magazine), John Martz (Drawn.ca, Kayak magazine) and Kean Soo (Jellaby). Moderated by Naseem Hrab of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

Owlkids Day Gallery Space

 

4:30pm-5:00pm: Reading: Miriam Libicki

Joing Miriam Libicki, author of jobik! an american girl’s adventures in the israeli army as she reads from her politically-charged work.

Learning Center 2