
Canadian Comix News & Culture
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tonite: Montreal Comix Jam
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/31/2008 03:26:00 PM details here
Bar des Pins, 3714 Park. Thursday, January 31 at 8 PMLabels: comic jams, events, Montreal
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Pia Guerra vs Dave Sim
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/31/2008 02:37:00 PM Not really, but here are some comics-related links concerning both:
- Oshawa's Adam Prosser pens the first review of Dave Sim's Glamourpuss I've seen. Elsewhere, Sim himself took to the Comics Journal messageboard to field questions and promote his new comic book series. As Sim has taken pains to reiterate, he is using a computer located at LOOKIN' FOR HEROES here at 93 Ontario St. S. in Kitchener (one block away from the defunct Now and Then Books.
- Canadian cartoonist Takeshi Miyazawa (Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane) is interviewed about working as a mangaka in Japan and the differences between North American and Japanese comics editing.
- Magazine writer, editor and publisher John Macfarlane retired last week. Over the years, Macfarlane helmed such Canadian institutions as Toronto Life, Saturday Night, and Weekend magazine (home of cartoonist Doug Wright in the 1970s). The National Post's Katherine Govier has a few anecdotes.
Labels: floppies, interviews, interweb, manga, publishing
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tonite: Industry Night at the Victory Cafe
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/30/2008 01:04:00 AM Industry Night @ The Vic This Wednesday
Industry Night @ The Vic Wednesday, January 30th, 7PM-onwards The Victory Cafe, 585 Markham Street FREE
The monthly social networking event for the Toronto comics community.
Labels: events, Toronto
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Tonite: Plain Jane Star Wars
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/30/2008 01:02:00 AM Cecil Castellucci (THE PLAIN JANES) and Scott Hepburn (STAR WARS) signing this Wednesday!
CECIL CASTELLUCCI & SCOTT HEPBURN For the new graphic novels The Plain Janes and Star Wars: Vector
Wednesday, January 30th, 5PM-7PM The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street (Around the corner from Honest Ed’s, at Bathurst TTC) FREE
The Beguiling is proud to present CECIL CASTELLUCCI, author of celebrated novel 'Beige' (named a 2008 Best Book for Young Adults by YALSA) and the new MINX graphic novel THE PLAIN JANES (named a Great Graphic Novel for Teens), alongside illustrator Scott Hepburn, artist of the brand new year-long comics event STAR WARS: VECTOR, in a special all ages in-store signing event. Both Castellucci and Hepburn will signing at The Beguiling in support of their new books. In addition, the first 20 attendees to the signing will receive a FREE Minx Poster featuring The Plain Janes, signed by Castellucci.
“We think this is going to be a really fun signing,” enthused Beguiling Manager Christopher Butcher. “While Cecil and Scott may seem like an odd pairing at first, they’ve both produced work aimed for a young adult audience that has resonated with readers of all ages, and we think that’s going to make for a diverse and interesting group of fans!”
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Cecil Castellucci is the author of the award-winning young adult novels 'Boy Proof', 'Queen of Cool', and 'Beige', all published by Candlewick Press. Her first foray into graphic novels is THE PLAIN JANES, from DC Comics/MINX, illustrated by Jim Rugg. Cecil’s work has received numerous honours from The American Library Association (ALA) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), with 'Beige' and PLAIN JANES receiving numerous awards just this week! Cecil can be found on the internet at http://misscecil.com.
Scott Hepburn’s art career includes illustrating numerous RPG books from White Wolf Publishing, and providing lead artistic duties for the YALSA-nominated graphic novel series SENTINEL from Marvel Comics. He provides the art for the new Star Wars comic series Vector, which begins in the title 'Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #25' which debuts THAT DAY! A perfect introduction to the popular comics, this first issue features characters from across the Star Wars Universe including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and many more. Scott is also currently creating the online graphic novel The Port for Canadian webcomics collective TRANSMISSION-X, at http://www.transmission-x.com/.
ABOUT THE BOOKS: The Plain Janes is published by DC Comics/MINX, and is $9.99. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #25 (Vector Part 1) is $2.99. Copies of all books will be available for sale at the event.
You can see more art from these creators at: http://www.beguiling.com/2008/01/press-release-cecil-castelucci-scott.html Labels: events, graphic novels, Toronto
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Wednesday: Dave Sim, Pascal Blanchet, 2007 Direct Market
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM - Pascal Blanchet's White Rapids is reviewed at the McGill Daily.
- Tom Spurgeon discusses the year-end numbers posted at Comics Chronicles. According to numbers released by Diamond Distributors, the Direct Market had its best year since 1995. This means that Diamond had sales of $429 million through all merchandise wholesaled to comic book shops in the U.S. and Canada.
- Madeline Ashby reports on the transculturelle academic workshop on manga and anime, held this past weekend in Montreal. She also discusses Montreal and Scott Pilgrim.
- Thanks to the BDQuebec forums for this link: Craig Yoe presents an early cartoon from Canadian cartoonist Raoul Barre.
Labels: bestsellers, comics retailers, floppies, graphic novels, manga, publishing, reviews
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tonite: Extraction Book Launch, Toronto
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/29/2008 05:16:00 PM When Comix and Journalism Collide …
Journalistic graphic novel portrays the dirty business of global resource extraction in the 21st century.
TORONTO Tuesday, January 29, 2008 COMIX JAM The Cameron House, 408 Queen Street West LAUNCH 8:00 p.m. info: 416-703-0811
http://www.cumuluspress.com/extraction
Cumulus Press recently released a new title EXTRACTION! Comix Reportage. This 'graphic novel' started with four journalistic stories about the mining industry. These stories were scripted then handed over to four comix artists (including 2007 Doug Wright Award winner, Joe Ollmann) to create a multi-styled comic book about mining that, according to Joe Sacco, "is the perfect idea for a graphic treatment."
Cumulus Press will launch this book of comix journalism within the January edition of the Toronto Comix Jam, whose jammers will create collective strips of journalism based on articles provided for the evening. Here the challenge will persist between the 'give' of verifiable facts and the 'take' of graphic interpretation, between the 'push' of fact-based details and the 'pull' of visual narrative. The craft of comix journalism does not stem from the combination of text and image, content and structure. It is the added meaning derived from the interaction between the symbolic and the realistic, the literal and the figurative that gives it strength.
The extraction of natural resources today is a dirty business. Since 2000, most energy and mineral prices are skyrocketing. Junior mining prospectors and unscrupulous transnational corporations rush into new territories to suck what's hot out of the earth's lucrative veins. In today's gas, oil and mining industries, the pace of exploration, extraction, transformation and delivery of the world's resources is mind boggling. The German magazine Der Spiegel speaks of a Third World War for the world's resources. It is more like a blitzkrieg.
EXTRACTION! looks into the exploration, exploitation and extraction gold, bauxite, uranium and oil, from a common-good social justice perspective, in Guatemala, India, Quebec and Alberta, respectively.Labels: cartoon reportage, comic jams, graphic novels
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New Location for the montreal comic jam
:: Posted by max @ 1/29/2008 11:46:00 AM Bonjour a Tous!
Eh oui, suite a la fermeture de l'Utopik et de la fin de ses memorables soirees de pouesie, a la demande generale, le Comix Jam se tiendra au Bar des Pins, 3714 rue du Parc Jeudi prochain, le 31 Janvier a 20hres. Comme d'habitude amenez votre attirail du dessinateur et votre bonne humeur!
Yup! Following the closing of Cafe Utopik and the end of their memorable poetry nights, by general request, the next Comix Jam will be held at Bar des Pins, 3714 Park, this coming Thursday, January 31 at 8 PM. As usual, bring your artist gear and good humor!
A la Prochaine! See Ya there!
http://comixjam.blogspot.com/Labels: comic jams, events, Montreal, Quebec
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The literary picture show on mcgilldaily.com
:: Posted by max @ 1/29/2008 10:35:00 AM Local illustrator Pascal Blanchet recounts the rise and fall of an idyllic Quebec small town in his newest book, White Rapids
By Alex Weisler Culture Writer
Like Persepolis and Maus, White Rapids is a testament to the rising mass appeal of the graphic novel.
"Graphic novels have been garnering increasingly mainstream attention and critical respect in recent years, with "slice of life" stories overshadowing the capes and tights familiar to the medium. The genre's literary merits have come to light with a slew of popular new works: Persepolis, recently adapted into a feature film; the Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus; as well as more subversive books like Alan Moore's Lost Girls, an erotic take on Victorian children's fiction." -->>
Pascal Blanchet's White Rapids is published by Drawn & Quarterly. It's available for purchase at the publisher's store (211 Bernard O.) for $27.95 or on their web site at drawnandquarterly.com.Labels: bd, new books, preview, publishing, Quebec
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Monday, January 28, 2008
Tonite: Monkeytown Comix Jam
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/28/2008 12:05:00 AM  For the gang in Moncton and environs:
Okay, we're de retour after skipping December...
The next monthly Monkeytown Comix Jam is this coming Monday, January 28 at the Laundromat (corner of Cameron and St.-George.) Starts about 7pm; ends when Marky kicks us out. (Usually 2am.)
Show up! Drink beer! Draw comix and stuff!
Ke, pis on est back apres avoir sauté le mois de decembre...
Le prochain Monkeytown Comix Jam aura lieu lundi le 28 janvier au cafe Laundromat (angle Cameron et Saint-George.) On commence, comme toujours, vers 19h.
Venez! Boire de la biere! Faites des bedes... et stuff.Labels: comic jams, events, New Brunswick
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Monday Links: Doucet, Johnston, Taillefer, Nunavut
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/28/2008 12:04:00 AM 
- 365 Days author Julie Doucet is profiled in the National Post: "probably the most acclaimed or respected female cartoonist of her generation," says Peter Birkemoe, owner of Toronto comic shop The Beguiling (which also sells Doucet's artwork).
- A quickie interview with Nepean, Ont.-based Craig Taillefer of Wahoo Morris fame, from the Carleton University student paper.
- Lynn Johnston changes her strip again. 2007's biggest comics newsmaker tells Editor and Publisher she is tweaking the nature of her long-running comic strip yet again this year:
The current plan: Continue tying up loose ends with various "FBorFW" characters (a process that's taking longer than Johnston expected). Then, no later than this September, freeze all these cast members in time. After that, the 1979-launched comic will focus on the younger versions of the characters.
But that doesn't mean the post-September strips will consist entirely of rerun material. Johnston plans to change various elements of the comics, create new story lines, etc. -- but do all that in the drawing style she used to have.
Labels: comic strips, graphic novels, interviews, Lynn Johnston
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Congratulations, Rebecca Dart
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/28/2008 12:04:00 AM Rebecca Dart, proud Canadian. Welcome home!
 Labels: cartoonists, events
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Friday, January 25, 2008
This Weekend: Small Press Expo Vancouver
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/25/2008 02:21:00 AM Sat Jan 26 1-5 pm Small Press Comic Expo Jem Gallery, 225 East Broadway Vancouver http://www.inkstuds.com/?p=250Labels: events, Vancouver
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Webcomics Round-up
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/25/2008 02:00:00 AM A new batch of serialized and not-so-serialized webcomics are online this week:
- Punk cartoonist Rick Trembles is all over the movie Cloverfield in one of his semi-regular genre movie reviews in intense comic-strip form.
- Salgood Sam quietly launched Dream Life on Live Journal, with the first installment.
- The weekly installment of Stuart and Kathleen Immonen's Moving Pictures graphic novel is out today: page 45.
 - Since November, the Butternut Squash team of Ramon Perez and Rob Coughler have been handing over the reins of their webcomic to a star-studded list of guest artists including Mike Cho and Cameron Stewart.
- Friday's at Transmission X is Andy Belanger's Raising Hell, but the site features a different strip everyday of the week.
- Fred Grisolm has a new artist (KC Green) for his Hate Song strip, meaning perhaps a more regular publishing schedule.
Do you have a new webcomic or news about your ongoing webcomic project? Would you like to see your work linked to through Sequential? Let us know.Labels: webcomics
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Jim Munroe: How to Publish a Graphic Novel without an Agent
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/24/2008 02:12:00 AM Writer Jim Munroe (Therefore Repent!, Everyone in Silico) pens a how-to essay about getting published and submitting work:
Going into the comics industry with my graphic novel Therefore Repent! I was, in some ways, back at square one. The artist and I put together an ashcan (almost as encouraging a word as “slushpile“) that sampled the first chapter or so of our graphic novel, and blew the dust off my shotgun. I was pleasantly surprised at the responsiveness of the comics publishers as compared to the prose publishers: many of them emailed positive rejections in a prompt manner. One of the companies the artist had worked with had expressed interest, but when I explained that I’d be publishing an edition for the book trade in Canada (as I had with my previous three books) they said they’d have to try to convince their distributor to allow this.
Labels: graphic novels, how-to, publishing
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The "Canadianness" of Cerebus
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/24/2008 01:26:00 AM An interesting essay about Dave Sim by David Fiore, quoting Sim's ex-wife Deni Loubert:
So Cerebus must be clever, not powerful, in order to come out even, let alone ahead. Which is also very Canadian. A Canadian is someone who is running, just to stay where he is and feels accomplishment when he does so. He is a survivor. If he comes out ahead, it’s never for very long. This issue is is a good example of the survivor who knows all the tricks, never misses a beat or loses an opportunity. This, of course, is all hypothesis on my part. I’m not saying Dave is saying all this in Cerebus. I’m not saying he isn’t either.
Labels: analysis, blogosphere, graphic novels
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Reminder: Jay Kennedy Comics Scholarship
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/24/2008 01:22:00 AM The deadline for the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship is fast approaching (January 31st, 2008).
Applicants must be college students in the United States, Canada or Mexico that will be in their Junior or Senior year of college during the 2008-2009 academic year. Applicants DO NOT have to be art majors to be eligible for this scholarship.
http://www.reuben.org/ncsf/scholarship/Labels: comics scholarship
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
transculturelle: Montreal Manga & Anime Conference
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/23/2008 12:54:00 AM Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26 at McGill University in Montreal, Thomas Lamarre will be hosting a workshop on shoujo anime and manga. Academic papers on gender, genre, and culture will be presented by the likes of Frenchy Lunning, Toshiya Ueno, and Ian Condry. There is no charge to attend.
More info here.Labels: events, manga
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Wednesday Newsiness: Oscars, PiQ, thoughtcrimes
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/23/2008 12:18:00 AM Montreal cartoonists Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski have been nominated for an Oscar for a short stop-motion film produced by the NFB.
Ezra Levant states his case agian, this time for the Globe.
Chris Butcher takes a look at the replacement magazine for anime bible Newtype USA and previews the Spring offerings from D+Q.
Hubbub on the Bookshelf: Bookninja reports on a libel scare at the Toronto Small Press Fair.Labels: censorship, events, graphic novels, manga, publishing
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tuesdays Newsday: Censored!
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/22/2008 12:01:00 PM Some quick links about comix-related stories in Canada:
- More on Ezra Levant's cartoon case is kangaroo court, this time from A.M Lamey (who shares a blog with freedom fighter Jeet Heer).
- Herve St-Louis has an excellent essay about the general suckiness of comic book publisher websites, especially when considered from the point of view of journalists and bloggers.
- Xtra West reports that Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium is for sale. Long plagued by Canada Customs, the store has been fighting to freely import books and comics, regardless of sexual content. Here's hoping the new owners continue the good fight:
News that Deva and Smyth are relinquishing ownership of Little Sister's is being met with shock and sadness, but also with a sense of profound gratitude for the leadership role they've assumed on issues that resonate with the queer community. Issues like spearheading the response to Aaron Webster's murder in 2001; community policing; housing issues in the West End; and a community resource and gathering space.
But the store and its owners and manager are probably best known for their decades-long battle with Canada Customs (now Canada Border Services Agency) which began seizing their shipments in 1984 on the grounds that their gay and lesbian imports were obscene.
With its shelves sitting half-empty and shipments arriving in a tattered state, Little Sister's took Customs to court for the first time in 1987 for unfairly targeting the community's material. Labels: censorship, interweb
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Vancouver Roundup: Inkstuds, et al
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/22/2008 12:02:00 AM Lots of Inkstuds-related posts around these days:
First, go listen to the latest Inkstuds podcast, featuring Jeet Heer, Dan Nadel, and Tom Spurgeon. The subject is "Comics as Art" (as opposed to what? "Comics as Dirt?" "Comics as Nature?") and aside from late appearances by two of the 3 guests and some laissez faire moderating, it is an fun hour of listening pleasure. Jeet has the summary.
Second, the Inkstuds gallery show opened last Friday. Reports are here, here, here, here, and hereLabels: events, exhibits, pod casts
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Quebecor Files for Bankruptcy
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/22/2008 12:00:00 AM  Quebecor World Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. and Canada, according to a variety of reports. Often characterized as the second-largest publicly-traded commercial printer in North America (see RR Donnelly and Quad/Graphics), Quebec-based Quebecor is the printer of choice for many comic book and graphic novel publishers. Despite having made arrangements for $400 million in funding last week, the debt-laden printer still faced approval from its creditors, the deadline for which came and went with no comment over the weekend. Then yesterday the company asked for and received creditor protection in Quebec, with a "Chapter 11" filing to follow in the U.S. Quebecor World's debts are being covered but it has a lot of them, according to this Reuters article.
The company's stock lost half its value on Monday, plunging 17 cents on the Toronto Stock Exchange. An autopsy is performed here.
From Quebecor's own press release:
the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized it to file for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada. A number of Quebecor World's U.S. subsidiaries are also covered by the CCAA filing in Canada as well as in the United States under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Application under the CCAA will be heard by the Quebec Superior Court on January 21, 2008 and the filing under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code will be made in the Southern Judicial District of New York.
Quebecor World's Board of Directors, in a unanimous decision, authorized the Company to take this action as the best alternative for the long-term interests of the Company, its employees, customers, creditors and other stakeholders. Operations outside of North America are not included in these filings.
The Company has also announced that it has entered into financing commitments with Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley for new financing in the amount of US$1 billion. This financing, which is subject to approval of Courts in both Canada and the United States, will allow the Company to meet all current operating needs, including wages, benefits and other operating expenses.
Jacques Mallette, Quebecor World's President and CEO said: "These steps allow the Company to continue operating as a going concern for the benefit of all those affected including our many loyal employees, customers and suppliers. The Company has a strong business and valuable assets located throughout the world. We believe that the steps we are taking today and the strong vote of confidence given to us by our new finance lenders will ensure that we will be able to protect the value of the business for our stakeholders."
Mr. Mallette added: "Today's filing is the result of industry pressures, particularly in Europe, combined with the inability of the Company to raise new capital in the current market environment and the inability to complete the sale of its European operations. The steps we initiate today will allow the Company to make changes which are necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the Company within a process that ensures fair and equitable treatment for all stakeholders."
Labels: printing, publishing
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Friday, January 18, 2008
This Weekend: Wintercon, Edmonton
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/18/2008 02:03:00 AM The Wintercon anime con takes place this weekend at the University of Alberta and is sponsored by BAKA, the U of A's anime and manga club. Art, film and other events at the links below.
Wintercon Jan 19-20, 2008 University Education building, University of Alberta, Edmonton http://www.bakaclub.com/news.php http://www.bakaclub.com/con1.php moreLabels: conventions, events, manga
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This Weekend: Vancouver Comic Jam
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/18/2008 01:55:00 AM The January Vancouver Comic Jam will be taking place at the JEM Gallery (255 East Broadway) as part of the Ink Studs art show on Saturday, January 19th.
The Jam will return to the Clubhouse Restaurant from February onward.
When: Saturday, January 19th, 2007. 7pm until late. Where: Jem Gallery, 255 East Broadway, Vancouver (Broadway, between Main and Kingsway) Who: Anyone who is of legal drinking age is invited. How Much: Free. Bring your own pencils/pens. Paper is provided.Labels: comic jams, events
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This Weekend: Vancouver Comicon
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/18/2008 12:10:00 AM Vancouver Comicon Sunday, January 20th, 2008 11am to 5pm Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) Admission: $3.00 Kids under 14: Free! * Camilla d'Errico (Nightmares and Fairytales, Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes) * Philip Barrett (Matter) * Stephanie Blakey (Comics by Steph) * Ken Boesem (The Village) * Robin Bougie (Cinema Sewer) * Jonathan Dalton (Lords of Death and Life, Fablewood) * Laura Eveleigh (Little Illustrated Books) * Kelly Everaert (Trilogy of Terror) * Maxine Frank (Maximum Superexcitement) * Donald King * Carrie McKay * Mike Myhre (Space Jet Comics) * Robin Thompson (Champions of Hell, Hemp Island) * Beth Wagner (Isaac and Lee, Forest Through the Trees) * Critical Hit ComicsLabels: conventions, events
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Today: Nik Kowsar: The Price of Freedom
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/18/2008 12:01:00 AM Policart Nik Kowsar, ex of Iran, gives a talk today at York University:
"The Price of Freedom" McLaughlin Senior Common Room, 140 McLaughlin College, York University. (www.yorku.ca) Noon. Iranian cartoonist and journalist Nik Kowsar will give a talk on "The Price of Freedom of Expression," as part of the series McLaughlin College Winter Term Lunch Talks 2008. Labels: events, political cartooning, real world
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Tonite: Insktuds Opening
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/18/2008 12:01:00 AM 
Celebrating 2 years of the Inkstuds podcast, an exhibit of comic art at the Jem gallery in Vancouver. It starts tonight with an opening party.
Be sure to swing by for the art show opening on Friday, January 18th. The show features artwork from the following local comic folks: Phil Barrett, Marc Bell, Joseph Bergin III, Jordyn Bochon, David Boswell, Robin Bougie, Ed Brisson, Rebecca Dart, Ted Dave, Sean Esty, Gareth Gaudin, Pia Guerra, Don King, Robin Konstabaris, George Metzger, Mike Myhre , Julian Lawrence, Miriam Libicki, James Lloyd, Steve Rolston, Ron Turner, Jason Turner and Colin Upton.Labels: art show, events, exhibits, Vancouver
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
2008 Convention Schedule
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/17/2008 12:16:00 AM Below is a rough draft of the 2008 Convention Schedule for all comics and comics-related conventions in Canada. Sequential will hopefully be issuing several of these updated schedules throughout the year, as well as promoting the individual events as they occur. If you have any additions or corrections, please email us. Sequential is interested in all comics-related events that take place across the country and we will do our best to link to your event, even if it is only a relatively tiny, single-day collectibles show in a small town. Please let us know.
2008 Conventions
Wintercon (anime event) Jan 19-20, 2008 University Education building, University of Alberta, Edmonton http://www.bakaclub.com/news.php http://www.bakaclub.com/con1.php more
Vancouver Comicon Sunday, January 20th, 2008 11am to 5pm Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.html
Toronto Comicon Feb 3, 2008 Metro Toronto Convention Centre http://www.hobbystar.com/hobbystar/ConventionsPoster_20080203.html
Animaritime March 7-8, 2008 Delta Beausejour hotel, Moncton, New Brunswick http://www.animaritime.org/index.html
Toronto Anime Con March 15-16, 2008 Metro Toronto Convention Centre http://www.hobbystar.com/hobbystar/Conventions.html
March 16 -- Vancouver Comicon Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.html
Winnipeg Comic and Toy Expo March 30th, 2008 Canad Inns Fort Garry 10am - 5pm Admission $2.00 http://manitobacomiccon.com/index.php
Edmonton Pop Culture Fair Sunday, March 30, 2008 10 am to 4:30 pm Edmonton Aviation Heritage Centre 11410 Kingsway Avenue http://www.popculturefair.com/
Toronto ComiCON Annual Fan Appreciation Event Metro Toronto Convention Centre http://www.hobbystar.com/hobbystar/Conventions.html April 12-13, 2008
Montreal Toy Con Sunday, May 4th, 2008 10am to 5pm COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT MONTREAL AIRPORT 7000 Place Robert-Joncas St-Laurent, QC http://site.toysonfire.com/montreal_toy_con/montrealtoycon.html
Anime North May 23-25, 2008 Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Congress Center Renaissance Toronto Airport Hotel http://www.animenorth.com/index.php
May 25 -- Vancouver Comicon Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.html
July 6 -- Vancouver Comicon Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.html
Paradise Toronto Comicon July 12-13, 2008 Holiday Inn on King Street http://torontocomicon.com/
Montreal Comicon June 15, 2008 http://www.majorcomics.safeshopper.com/ - site may be down? [google cash and myspace] mtlcomiconATyahoo.ca
Fan Expo Canada August 22-24, 2008 Metro Toronto Convention Centre http://www.hobbystar.com/hobbystar/Conventions.html
August 24 -- Comix & Stories, Vancouver Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.html
September 7 -- Vancouver Comicon Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.html
Montreal Comicon Sept 13-14, 2008 http://www.majorcomics.safeshopper.com/
VCON Vancouver’s Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Gaming Convention October 19-21 Radison President Hotel, 8181 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC http://www.vcon.ca/
November 16 -- Vancouver Comicon Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (corner of Main and 15th Ave) http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~lswong/Comicon.htmlLabels: conventions, events, manga
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Jeff Lemire Wins Alex Award
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/17/2008 12:15:00 AM  The American Library Association has warded on of ten 2008 Alex Awards to Jeff Lemire's Essex County Volume 1: Tales From the Farm.
The awards recognize adult books that also appeal to children. They are handed out by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the ALA). Toronto-based Lemire's graphic novel tells the story of an imaginative 10-year-old boy who lives on a farm near Windsor, Ontario.
Congratulations to Jeff Lemire!
See all winners.
As well, YALSA has released a list of the 43 best graphic novels for teens and the list includes several Canadians. (via Dirk Deppey)Labels: awards, graphic novels, international
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Quebecor Updates
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/17/2008 12:14:00 AM As noted earlier in the week, mega printer Quebecor World has received tentative financing intended to bail out the company after record losses. Since the deal still needs to be approved, Quebecor missed its financing deadline Tuesday and the stock tumbled. Quebecor is the major printer for Marvel and DC, as well as several other comics outfits.Labels: printing, publishing
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Thursday Links: Important Comics News
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/17/2008 12:10:00 AM 
The latest issue of Menushell is out.
The latest issue of Comicopia is out.
The BDAng imprint of Conundrum Press is profiled in this article from THIS magazine.
Jay Stephen's long-awaited "Lost" Teen Titans Annual is now out.
600 thousand people have visited the Tintin exhibit at the Museum of Civilization.(via Michel Viau)
Vampira, R.I.P.Labels: bd, exhibits, fanzines, floppies, graphic novels, U.S. superhero franchises
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Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Ciné-Salon/Movie Night + Art Jam @ Centre St-Ambroise, Sunday, Jan. 27,
:: Posted by max @ 1/15/2008 05:53:00 PM  Co: Rupert Bottenberg
On Sunday, Jan. 27, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., the new Centre St-Ambroise space in St-Henri (directions below) hosts a dual-purpose soirée.
Downstairs, in the Griffon Room, we'll be screening DVDs of a wide assortment of odd and entertaining material-short films, TV shows, cartoons, possibly a feature film or two, video oddities and local content. If you're a local filmmaker or video artist with material you'd like to screen, please email Rupert at rupert.bottenberg@gmail.com to discuss.
Upstairs in the Maxwell Haus gallery/studio, there will be an art jam (paper and clipboards provided), an opportunity for comic artists, illustrators, animators and other visual artists to collaborate on improve drawings and get to know one another. Everyone, pros and amateurs alike, are welcome to participate!
Cheap, good beer available of course (quality McAusland product!).
The Centre St-Ambroise is at 5080 St-Ambroise, between St-Remi and Chemin de la Côte St-Paul. You can get there by taking a short ride on the 78 bus from Lionel-Groulx metro, the 37 bus from either Vendôme or De l'Église metro, or the 36 bus.
Should be a good one, hope to see you all there! - RUPLabels: art show, bd, comic jams, Montreal
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Quebecor May Get $400 Million Bailout
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/15/2008 02:16:00 AM Canadian printer Quebecor has been offered $400 million to help stabilize its losses. The money comes through Quebecor's parent company, Quebecor World and private equity firm Tricap Partners Ltd. Tricap previously had great success bailing out Stelco. The money is unsecured and the plan still has to be approved by the creditor banks. The Toronto Star has the full story.
(previous entries about Quebecor)Labels: printing, publishing
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James Turner Interview: Comics Reporter
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/15/2008 12:08:00 AM Tom Spurgeon interviews Rex Libris creator and Doug Wright nominee James Turner:
I think Rex has become legendary for being text heavy. If one cannot achieve fame, go for infamy and take kickbacks from ophthalmologists.
There are two reasons for its text heavy nature: first, it's about a librarian. Second, it's a reaction against text-light -- screenplay light, in many cases -- comics.
I liked '70s comics with their copious amounts of redundant explanatory text. That's a part of the genre for me.
I also wanted something that people could go back to and look at a second or third time and always discover something new. I have no objection to people skimming the text.
Comics with little text have little re-read value. That's one reason why I was so fond of Mad Magazine: they threw in all sorts of neat extras, from bogus product info to Sergio Aragones in the margins. You could reread a Mad Magazine a dozen times and always come away with value. I liked that. Great accompaniment for a bowl of late night cereal when you're a kid. You don't get that with the mainstream titles, some of which read like storyboards for movies. I could read one all the way through in five minutes while standing in the comic book store. Not that I'd do that, of course. We all know that would be wrong. You'd need several of these comics to last through a single cup of coffee.
Like most revolutionaries I swung the pendulum too far. Labels: comics in libraries, floppies, graphic novels
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Western Standard Mohammed Cartoon Controversy, part 20
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/15/2008 12:06:00 AM Ezra Levant, the publisher of the now-defunct Western Standard magazine, appeared before a closed hearing of the Alberta Human Rights Commission last Friday. The hearing was ostensibly to determine if the complaint against the Standard and Levant (publishing hate literature) warrants a further hearing. Levant published the controversial Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed in 2006.
Dirk Deppey does a very nice job of rounding up what actually transpired at Friday's hearings, mostly because Levant has posted video of the day. (The videos are also available on youtube.) The actual hearing involved Levant and his lawyer sitting across a table from Shirlene McGovern, who is identified by Levant as an agent and human rights officer with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, an agency of the provincial government of Alberta.
Despite Levant's hyperbole (he describes his interrogator and the entire process as an example of "the banality of evil") and grandstanding (if you can call calmly reading a statement in a tiny meeting room grandstanding), this is an important case. Levant essentially manufactured this debacle by tinging his reporting/reprinting of the cartoons with his usual schtick in order to challenge the hate crime/speech laws. Does a Canadian citizen have the right to complain to the government if someone publishes a cartoon that seems to violate a religious article of their faith? And does the government then have the right to punish the publisher (or even to subject them to any legal or judicial process)? It's hard to see past Levant's U.S.-style conservatism, but the issue of freedom of speech, a freedom not exactly enshrined in Canadian law, is important and an ongoing source of controversy in this country. For the record, the hate laws in Canada carry a punishment of up to 2 years in prison. A conviction may result if it can be proved that the cartoons were abusive enough to incite violence against a person or group or if the cartoons only "promoted hatred.". This is our law.
Anyway, center-right columnist weighs in with his pro-censorship rant here. The left-wing rabble.ca site has some more-or-less coherent discussion at their boards.Labels: censorship, legal news, political cartooning, publishing
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Johnston to Ditch Hybrid Strip?
:: Posted by Bryan @ 1/15/2008 12:05:00 AM This article from the U.S. Ventura County Star seems to indicate that Lynn Johnston will cease to use the framing sequences around the reprints of her popular For Better or For Worse comic strip:
Speaking via phone f | | |