
18.Feb.2013 “I did Maus and I did this page.”
Notes on Art Spiegelman in Vancouver @ the VAG
Feb. 16, 2013
By David Lester
As he puffed on a cigarette, Art Spiegelman was charming and witty in conversation despite the meandering questions of Vancouver Art Gallery curator Bruce Grenville. In town for the opening of the art gallery’s retrospective of Spiegelman’s work called CO-MIX, the artist touched on his origins as a cartoonist at Topps Bubblegum; the stain glass window of art he created at the request of his former high school; the importance of Robert Crumb, Spain, S. Clay Wilson; his New Yorker covers; and making prints from stone.
In reference to a projected slide Spiegelman talked about how it was a page of art he is proud of and it “took six months to draw,” and he thought it weird to be able to say in retrospect “I did Maus and I did this page.”
He pointed out the unique qualities inherent in comics to be able to compress a story. For Maus, Spiegelman wanted the art to have a hand drawn feel but the look of a font. And how Maus “was built around language.”
While talking about the work he and his wife Francoise Mouly did as makers of books and RAW he said, “You can’t Kindle Chris Ware’s latest book.”
Spiegelman noted the ongoing debates over comics as high art or low art, and his annoyance at Roy Lichtenstein. “Lichtenstein did no more for comics than Warhol did for soup,” he said.
Art Spiegelman CO-MIX: A Retrospective of Comics, Graphics and Scraps runs until June 9, 2013 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
David Lester is author/artist of The Listener, and the guitarist in Mecca Normal.
07.Sep.2012 Friday Flashback: The Comic Shop, Vancouver, 1978
The Comic Shop
3638 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver
photo from c. 1978
click to enlarge
(you can clearly see some Marvel titles on the rack, including Howard the Duck and The Invaders, not to mention EC reprints and Pogo)
source: The First Vancouver Catalogue by Pam Harrison and Colin Dobson (Ensemble Publications, 1978)
Vancouver Comicon
Riley Rossmo (Debris, Wild Children, Green Wake, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Cowboy Ninja Viking, Proof)
Douglas Wheatley (Star Wars: Dark Times)
Ed Brisson (Murder Book, Acts of Violence)
Jason Copland (Murder Book, Kill All Monsters!)
Angela Bueckert
Gurukitty Studios
and more!
Kids under 14: Free
Hourly door prizes!
Dealer Tables: $65/centre; $75/wall
Comics for Classrooms: Donate a new or gently-used school-appropriate graphic novel for free admission to this show.
Books collected will be donated to Vancouver schools.
twitter.com/vancomicon
Facebook Event Page
Website
For more information, call 604-322-6412
04.Sep.2012 David Boswell/Reid Fleming Documentary Seeks Funding
Fun looking Indie doc by David Boswell’s nephew about his life and his comix Reid Fleming, World’s Toughest Milkman seeks funding.
The producers of an independent documentary about the life and art of Reid Fleming, World’s Toughest Milkman-creator David Boswell have launched a fund-raising campaign through the Indiegogo website to help raise $10,000 in production costs.
The film is called “A Lesson to You All” and follows the career of Boswell from childhood to now through family interviews, archival photos, and comics. Reid Fleming is one of the seminal indie comics and Boswell is a great talent. I met Boswell last year when he was inducted into the Giants of the North and his humour, dramatic flare and storytelling panache make me think he would be a perfect film subject.
The producers, director Charlie Tyrell and production company LaRue Entertainment, are asking for funds to cover “our travel from Toronto to Vancouver, camera rentals, and all other expenses that a movie shoot can accumulate,” adding, “It’s about time Boswell tells his story so let’s make it happen!”
The website for the project is here. There are tons of neat-sounding perks for contributors as well.
04.Jul.2012 The C-List: Of Policarts, Prizes and Prints
The Vancouver Province
censored its political cartoonist
over threats from advertiser.
Item! The big news this past week is that The Vancouver Province censored its political cartoonist over threats from an advertiser. Cartoonist Dan Murphy created a video parody of an ad by Northern Gateway oil-pipeline company Enbridge and Enbridge threatened to pull a million dollars worth of advertising if the paper didn’t remove the cartoon from its website. The paper removed the cartoon, citing copyright infringement:
Murphy’s video used an Enbridge (TSX:ENB) ad extolling the virtues and safety of the Northern Gateway proposal, a highly controversial pipeline that would bring oilsands bitumen from Alberta to West Coast ports. The cartoonist took Enbridge’s original animated ad and undercut the pastel images of trees and happy families with occasional dollops of oil and interjected voice-overs.
Item! The controversy was on everybody’s lips this past weekend in Montreal, where the Association of Canadian Editorial Cartoonists had its annual meeting. The meeting was also the occasion for the launch of a new exhibit on Quebec’s policart tradition, titled Cartooning Calamities at the McCord Museum, accompanied by a book Caricature – Cartoon Canada, edited by Terry (Aislin) Mosher. According to the exhibits curator in Montreal Gazette,
Long snubbed by the art world, editorial cartoonists deserve recognition as artists who cut through political bafflegab and corporate spin to help us make sense of an ever-changing world, says Hardy.
“They’re people we feel are always on the lookout for us, to try to make sense of the complexities of the governments we live under,” he says.
Item! As part of the event in
Montreal this past weekend, Drawn and Quarterly’s Chris Oliveros was on hand to flog some books and he and writer Brad Mackay happened to bump into former Prime Minister Paul Martin who waxed enthusiastic for Doug Wright! You can read all about it on the D+Q blog. Great photos!
Item! Bryan Lee O’Malley gives us a sneak peak of the cast of his upcoming 2013 graphic novel Seconds. A limited edition print of the drawing (200 copies) will be offered on a first-come basis at the San Diego Comicon.
Item! The nominations for this year’s Harvey Awards have been announced. There were some Canadians on the list, including Canadian publisher Drawn and Quarterly, who ironically received 3 nominations for Best American Edition of Foreign Material. (Does a Canadian publisher not count as “foreign” for a U.S. award? Granted, we are all “Americans” here but then shouldn’t Mexican, Argentine, etc, publishers be included?) In addition, D+Q books received nods in the Special Award for Humor (Kate Beaton), Best Graphic Album Previously Published (Big Questions and The Death Ray), Best Cartoonist (Kate Beaton), and Best Single Issue (Optic Nerve #12). Individual Canadian nominees include the aforementioned Beaton (who was also nominated in the Best Online Comics Work category), editor Michael Choquette (Best Anthology and Special Award for Presentation: Someday Funnies), and cartoonists Darwyn Cooke (Special Award for Presentation: Parker Martini Edition), Ray Fawkes (Best Graphic Album Original: One Soul), Kagan McLeod (Best Graphic Album Original: Infinite Kung Fu)), Ramon Perez (Best Single Issue or Story and Best Graphic Album Original: Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand), and Jeff Lemire (Best Writer: Animal Man). Congrats to all seven Canadian nominees and best of luck in the final voting!
Item! In the other U.S. comics awards news, two Canadian comic shops have made the long list of nominees for the Eisner Awards Spirit of Retailing Award. The shops are Happy Harbor of Edmonton, and my own local comic shop, The Dragon of Guelph. Congrats to both shops!
Item!Today is a patriotic holiday in the U.S. Did you know that the U.S. national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, was inspired by an event from the War of 1812? Also inspired by the War of 1812? A new graphic novel called The Loxleys and the War of 1812. As reviewed by Don MacPherson, the book features art by Claude St. Aubin, of Captain Canuck fame:
“…this was a time the Americans were trounced. Of course, the facts don’t necessarily bear that out; the script makes it clear both sides had their victories. But the Americans are also depicted as being uncivilized, unscrupulous and even barbaric at times. It’s hard to know how much of it is fact and how much is a matter of perspective. The Canadians and natives are portrayed as being ethical and honorable to the point of incredulousness, and the Americans as being greedy and hungry for territory they don’t need. It’s certainly an interesting change of pace, as Americans have been predominantly cast as the white knights of history throughout pop culture. It might make this something of a tough sell to an audience beyond Canadian borders.”
Item! Lastly, I saw this on The Comics Reporter today and had to share. The Australian Comics Journal is a blog/magazine devoted to “Australian Sequential Art” and chock-a-block full of great reviews and previews of great-looking comics you have never heard of. Always nice to see another English-language comics site devoted to a single country comics culture. Hail the Commonwealth of Comics!
02.Jun.2012 VanCAF clips parade
Last weekend was the first VanCAF, Vancouver Comics Arts Festival. From what I hear it went well, the restored Roundhouse I hear was a wonderful space for it. Looks good in the footage i’ve seen. Had a few cued in the SEQUENTIAL TV feed for the last few days but thought it would be good to post them here.
Montreal Man, the youtube handle of the proprietor of RX COMICS I believe, made a good pair of clips briefly interviewing many of the creators presenting their wares.
In the first one you meet Katie from Silly Kingdom. Here Shaggy does his post show rap.
Twitter hash tag #Vancaf produced some pics…
Chris Eng posted his prize loot
Alina Pete tweeted while pub-crawling…
Sam Logan gives us a peek at the crowds.
AlbertArt shares a sketch he got from Caanan, of occasionalcomics.com.
Dante @digitalrailgun tweeted “my #VanCAF weekend post”Tuesday, 29 May 2012 Vancouver Comic Arts Festival 2012
ChinChatComics wrote a ”Daily Snooze” on her blog…
25.May.2012 The Jason Turner TCAF 2012 Comic
I missed this last week, posted May 17th. A Journal comic by snappy dressing cartoonist Jason Turner, about his TCAF 2012 experience - Jason is a man with hap, hap, happy feet! I tried as well to work up the steam to dance that night at Lee’s, also was my 90′s haunt, and the Dance Cave upstairs. Sadly the body would not abide, 4 days of walking all over the city had done me in. But Jason does not give himself enough credit! That man dove in with great gusto! I saw him hit the boards more than once! He he. Nice comic, go read and then check out his other stuff!
17.Apr.2012 Comic Jams!

The alternate Montreal jam, the ATOMIC COMIC JAM had it’s last jam Friday, April 6! Missed it! They tend to hold them early in the month.
Saturday April 21st is reputedly the date of the Vancouver Comic Jam!
Tuesday, April 24th is the ol’ Montreal Comic Jam
Venez gribouiller, discuter, lever le coude et libérer vos énergies créatrices en notre compagnie. Aiguisez-bien vos crayons et vos esprits, on compte sur vous!
An evening of good-humoured drawing, conversation and, incidentally, a wee bit of drinking.
Bring your artistic weapons of choice, be it wits or brushes. Both, preferably, at least early on…
Yo! Toronto Comic Jam, what’s the date?! Still every last Tuesday of the month at the Cameron House on Queen St? Good That’s Tuesday the 24th then this month then too.
Wednesday, April 25th is the Ottawa Comic Jam
Come to the April Comic Jam for an Open Theme evening. Work on your own stuff or jam traditionally with other artists! Bring projects you’re working on to share. Bring some of your zines, comics, books, buttons, t-shirts, etc. This is an evg where you can feel free to promote and let others see your work!l
April Comic Jam
Wednesday April 25th, 2012
7pm – 10pm
Shanghai Restaurant
651 Somerset St. W.
Ottawa ONEvent repeats the last Wednesday of the month (except December)
Event cost: free, paper provided
Artwork is collected at the end of the evening and posted on a semi-regular basis to the official site.
Sponsor:
DragonHead Studio
Contact: Suzanne
suebrainpower(at)gmail(dot)com
613.836.7821
And what is THIS!? A new comix jam? The Comic Hunter’s Comix Jam! In Moncton on Sunday, April 29, 2012. Looks like a gaming room of some kind, hope they let people put on good music and bring refreshments.
What is a Comix Jam? A collaborative gathering of cartoonists, doodlers and writers passing around comix pages. Everyone contributes a panel of words, drawings or both until the page is full! All skill levels are welcome. Jams are kid-friendly (12 or under accompanied by parents or legal guardians).
C’est quoi un “Comix Jam”? C’est une rencontre collaborative d’artistes et d’écrivains qui contribuent des mots, des dessins ou les deux jusqu’à ce qu’une page soit complète! Talents de tout niveau sont invités. Les jeunes sont les bienvenus (12 ans ou moins accompagnés d’un parent ou tuteur légal).
Quand: 12h30-16h30, Dimanche le 29 Avril.
Ou: 465 Rue Main, Moncton, NBWhen: 12:30pm-4:30pm, Sunday April 29th.
Where: 465 Main street, Moncton, NB
15.Apr.2012 C-list – a sunday in comics
Item: - Dustin Harbin this week reposted his journal comics this past week documenting his two trips to attend the Doug Wright Awards all in one place along with an essay about what he thinks would make for the kind of awards program comics in general, from a US perspective, needs.
Item: - Tom Spurgeon’s CR sunday interview is with Brandon Graham!
Item: - The Vancouver Fan Expo is coming up, April 21-22. [facebook page]
Item: - 20 days left till TCAF.
22.Mar.2012 The launch of Murder Book Vol. 3
Join writer Ed Brisson and artists Jason Copland & Johnnie Christmas at Pulp Fiction Books for the launch of Murder Book Vol. 3!
Incidentally another crowd funding success story. Indiegogo is a pretty interesting alternative to Kickstarter – a big distinguishing difference is you can keep what you do raise even if you don’t blow your goal out of the water like Ed did.
Ed and co will be signing copies of Murder Book Vol. 3, rubbing shoulders and drinking beers! Go get the books and buy the boys a drink!
Me I look forward to getting my copies of the book in the mail along with the other two, perk of pitching in to get this puppy printed.
12.Jul.2011 Is the Reid Fleming Tour Van D.O.A.?
One of the highlights of watching Bloody but Unbowed, the recent documentary about the early Vancouver punk scene, on tv the other night, besides a brief glimpse of a comic book about the Direct Action gang and Subhumans bassist Gerry Hannah, was seeing hardcore pioneers D.O.A. driving around in their old tour van, Reid Fleming. Named by punk troubadour Art Bergman after David Boswell’s pugnacious comic book character who drove a very similar Milk Delivery truck, the vehicle has served D.O.A. for 23 years and is now for sale, according to frontman Joey Shithead, aka Joe Keithley, who still keeps the decrepit GM Kurbmaster step van parked outside his house..
07.Apr.2011 Savage Chickens Book Signing
On Saturday, April 9, at 2 PM, Doug Savage, the artist behind Savage Chickens, will be signing books for a couple of hours at the Chapters bookstore at 788 Robson St. in downtown Vancouver, BC.
Here’s a map: Chapters on Robson
If you’re in the neighbourhood on Saturday, stop by and say Hi. I’d love to meet you!
20.Mar.2011 Today: Vancouver Comicon
Special Guests:
Steve Rolston (Ghost Projekt, Emiko Superstar)
Ken Boesem (The Village)
Derek DeLand (Swell, Copyright Infringers)
Kim Glennie (Emily and Zola, Girls’ Room)
Matthew Ocasio (The Matter)
Andrew Salmon (Sherlock Holmes, Secret Agent X)
Craig Wilson (Jimmy Ricochet)
Jenna Sokalski
Gurukitty Studios
Sketchrospective
Monster Attack Team Canada
and others!
Sunday, March 20th, 2011
11am to 5pm
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
Dealer Tables: $45/centre; $55/wall
Hourly door prizes!
Admission: $4.00
21.Feb.2011 February Comic Jams!
The Vancouver Comic Jam
19 February at 20:00
The Wallflower Modern Diner : 2420 Main Street
Event cost: free.
Who Can Come?: Anyone who is of legal drinking age is invited. How Much: No admission fee. Bring your own pencils/pens. Paper is provided. The restaurant provides their regular menu to order from and alcohol galore: beer, wine, highballs and shots. Don’t forget to tip your waiter or waitress well!
If you’re drawing with markers that bleed through paper, be sure to either bring a drawing surface or place extra sheets of paper under the paper you’re drawing on. See you there!
To be added to the VCJ mailing list, email edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com.
The Montreal Comic Jam
22 February at 19:30 to midnight.
L’escalier : 552, Ste-Catherine E
Event cost: free.
An evening of good-natured and slack-jawed drawing, conversation and, incidentally, a wee bit of drinking and snacking.
Bring your artistic weapons of choice, be they wits or brushes. Both, preferably.
Venez dessiner, discuter, prendre un verre et libérer vos énergies créatrices en notre complice compagnie. Aiguisez-bien vos crayons et votre esprit, on vous attend!
The Toronto Comic Jam
22 February at 9:00pm – midnight
Cameron House, backroom: 408 Queen St. W.
Event cost: free.
Paper provided. B.Y.O.pens. Official email here. To be added to the mailing list click here.
The Ottawa Comic Jam
23 February at 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Shanghai Restaurant : 651 Somerset St. W.
Event cost: free.
The shortest month of the year can sometimes be the longest one emotionally. Burst out of your wintery cocoon and share your talent and enthusiasm for drawing with others. Collaborate with fellow comic artists in a fun, cool environment! Bring your favorite drawing tools; paper provided!
Theme: Romance! (Although considering how things usually go it’ll end up being Romantic Comedy or Romantic Horror
We’ll be using one of Gerard’s great suggestions for format to spice things up as well! I just have to figure out which one…
PS Share Your Work! If you successfully completed John Campbell’s “Hourly Comic” challenge, bring it along so people can enjoy it ^_^
Contact info: Suzanne 613-863-8264
suzanne@brainpowerstudio.com
http://comixjam.tripod.com
The Monthly Prince Edward County Comix Jam
23 February · 7:00pm - 11:00pm
172 Main Street West, Prince Edward.
Event cost: free.
Year Six Comix Extrava-Jam-za! Believe it or not, it’s been six years! Everyone who attends has a chance at a 5.6 million dollar grand prize (courtesy of true and faithful Nigerian consulate). And cake!
The Comix Jam is a monthly event in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where anyone can come out and collaborate on drawings and comics pages, just for fun.
13.Jan.2011 Vancouver Comic Jam: January 15th, 2011

When: Saturday, January 15, 2011. Starting at 8:00pm and going until midnight-ish.
Where: The Wallflower Modern Diner, 2420 Main St, Vancouver, BC
Who Can Come?: Anyone who is of legal drinking age is invited.
How Much: No admission fee. Bring your own pencils/pens. Paper is provided.
The restaurant provides their regular menu to order from and alcohol galore: beer, wine, highballs and shots.
Don’t forget to tip your waiter or waitress well!
If you’re drawing with markers that bleed through paper, be sure to either bring a drawing surface or place extra sheets of paper under the paper you’re drawing on.
Crosspost as you see fit.
See you there!
Follow the Vancouver Comic Jam on Twitter for updates and local evensts.
To be added to the VCJ mailing list, email edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com.
Vancouver Comicon: Sunday, January 16th

Special Guests:
Ken Steacy (Star Wars)
Ken Boesem (The Village)
Ed Brisson (Acts of Violence, Murder Book)
Kelly Everaert (Trilogy of Terror)
Robin Thompson (Champions of Hell, Hemp Island)
Wai Khan Au
Carrie McKay
Molly Nemecek
Gurukitty Studios
Sketchrospective
and others!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
11am to 5pm
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
Dealer Tables: $45/centre; $55/wall
Hourly door prizes!
Admission: $4.00
Kids under 14: Free
Comics for Classrooms: Donate a new or gently-used school-appropriate graphic novel for free admission to this show. Books collected will be donated to Vancouver schools.
Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/vancomicon
For more information, please call 604.322.6412
16.Dec.2010 Vancouver Comic Jam: Celebrating 6 Years this Month!

Where: The Wallflower Modern Diner, 2420 Main St, Vancouver, BC
When: Saturday, December 18, 2010. Starting at 8:00pm and going until midnight-ish.
Who Can Come?: Anyone who is of legal drinking age is invited.
How Much: No admission fee. Bring your own pencils/pens. Paper is provided.
The restaurant provides their regular menu to order from and alcohol galore: beer, wine, highballs and shots.
Don’t forget to tip your waiter or waitress well!
If you’re drawing with markers that bleed through paper, be sure to either bring a drawing surface or place extra sheets of paper under the paper you’re drawing on.
Crosspost as you see fit.
See you there!
To be added to the VCJ mailing list, email edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com.
04.Dec.2010 A half hour with Colin Upton
BC small press cartoonist Susan Ferguson has started a series of interviews starting with an extensive three parter with Colin Upton.
It has a nice ambiance about it, with the rain in the background through much of it. Interesting talk with Colin and solid start to the series! Very nice to hear things are going better for him these days!
22.Oct.2010 Jammin’ on a hollow’s ween!
In Toronto
26 October
@ 21:00 – 9 pm
in the backroom of
the Cameron House.
408 Queen St. West,
one block west of Spadina.
Join them for some Halloween games
and drawing fun! More Halloween
graphic novels and comic book
give-aways! Facebook Event Page 
In Montreal
28 October
@ 19:30 – 7:30pm
upstairs at L’Escalier.
552, Ste-Catherine E!
across from the south Station Berri-UQAM exit.
In Ottowa
27 October
@ 19:00 – 8pm
Around the tables of the Shanghai Restaurant.
The days are growing short, the nights long and .. what’s that sound you heard? Was it a were-Corgi? An apocalyptic Zombie out hunting, in a world where water is more precious than life?
Come and find out! Warm up at the Shanghai with some other creative types and get your Horror-Friction on!
Eat the hottest thing on the menu and draw some smokin’ scary critters with nice, almost-non bitey people.
In Vancouver?
sorry, missed it!
But in Moncton?
Well, they do it the last Monday of the month so it’s due on the 25th.
Maybe ask them here if it’s happening.
Ok, have a happy Halloween all!
26.Aug.2010 Vancouver Comic Jam and Comix & Stories
It’s going to be a comic filled weekend here in the rainy city. The comic jam on Saturday, followed by Comix & Stories on Sunday. No rest for the nerdy!

What: Vancouver Comic Jam
When: Saturday, August 28, 2010. Starting at about 8:00pm and going until midnight-ish.
Where: The Wallflower Modern Diner, 2420 Main St, Vancouver, BC
Who Can Come?: Anyone who is of legal drinking age is invited.
How Much: No admission fee. Bring your own pencils/pens. Paper is provided.
The restaurant provides their regular menu to order from and alcohol galore: beer, wine, highballs and shots.
Don’t forget to tip your waiter or waitress well!
If you’re drawing with markers that bleed through paper, be sure to either bring a drawing surface or place extra sheets of paper under the paper you’re drawing on.
Crosspost as you see fit.
See you there!
To be added to the VCJ mailing list, email edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com.
Comix & Stories: A day of alternative & small press comics, zines, artwork & culture
Special Guests:
Joey Comeau & Emily Horne (A Softer World)
Featured Artists & Publishers:
Brandon Graham ( King City, Multiple Warheads)
James Stokoe (Orc Stain, Sullivan’s Sluggers)
Steve Rolston (Ghost Projekt, Emiko Superstar)
Marley Zarcone (Forgetless, Madame Xanadu)
Verne Andru (420)
Ken Boesem (The Village)
Robin Bougie (*NSFW* Cinema Sewer *NSFW*)
Ed Brisson (Acts of Violence, Murder Book)
Jesse Davidge (Mathemagick & Mystiphysics)
Kelly Everaert (Trilogy of Terror)
Trevor Frick (Centuri Way of the Ninja)
Miriam Libicki (Jobnik!)
Josue Menjivar (Everyday Things, Way Off Main)
Matthew Ocasio (The Matter)
Simon Roy (Jan’s Atomic Heart)
Jeremy Sawatski (Purple Soul)
Sketchrospective (Cowboys, Robots & Dinosaurs)
Jason Turner (True Loves)
Andrea Hooge
Mary Karaplis
Jackie Klobucar
Jim McPherson
Jenna Sokalski
Jeri Weaver
and many more!
Sunday, August 29
11AM to 5PM
Heritage Hall
3102 Main Street
Vancouver, BC
Admission: $4.00





















