TCAF 2012

With TCAF right around the corner, I figured I'd collect everything I've been tweeting and tumbling (?) over here on the blog. The Toronto Comic Arts Festival is this weekend, and I'll be debuting a bunch of new stuff, the biggest being Heeby Jeeby Comix #4. It's another book of 32 full-color pages for all ages! I literally received my first shipment last Friday, so if you're up in Toronto, you'll be the first to get them.

I'll have all 4 books for sale at my table, and actually, this weekend will be Heeby Jeeby Comix #3's first festival debut as well. What's great is that each of us (myself, Dan, David, and Chris) have all done a cover now. They make for a fun set, I think.

What else? I just finished (literally, a day ago) a new mini. It's the first time I've worked in the quarter page format like this—a 40-page story that I drew over the course of night with a couple purple crayola markers (the book is in b&w). Each book will come with a custom ending drawn on the spot in marker.

I'll have my usual collection of prints, and I printed up this new one. In pink, and an alternate dark color.

TCAF is at the Toronto Reference Library. Where you can you find me?

Well, if you found me last year, it turns out I'll be in the exact same spot.


Table 154. Over by the water. Look for the brain!



This year I'm tabling with Andy Ristaino— sitting alongside the comics crew from Doublefine, including Scott C., Nathan Stapley, Joe White, and Gabe Miller. To my left, Jesse Moynihan and David Huyck. I'm looking forward to returning to this row. I had a blast last year.

Finally: Panels! I'm on two this year; both on Saturday.

1:00pm – 1:45pm: Kids Comics Quickfire
(2nd Floor: Appel Salon, Novella Room)
Part drawing jam, part fast-paced game show! Volunteers from the audience are paired off with (or against) professional cartoonists in a series of fun-filled drawing challenges! Featuring Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), Raina Telgemeier (SMILE), John Green (Teen Boat) and Bob Flynn (Heeby Jeeby Comix).


3:15pm – 5:00pm: The Adventure Time Mega-Panel!
(High Park Ballroom)
Who doesn’t love adventures? TCAF presents: Adventure Time creators doing what they do best: making crazy-delightful comics about the series they work on.  Don’t miss this fun-filled live drawing session, accompanied by Q&A and general discussion. With Pendleton Ward, Ryan North, Bob Flynn, Andy Ristiano, Michael DeForge, Steve Wolfhard, and Jesse Moynihan.

So, I'll be busy!

One more time:

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Saturday May 5th, 9am-5pm
Sunday May 6th, 11am-5pm
at the Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge St., Toronto, Canada

Admission is Free.

Everything you need to know can be found on the official website.

See you there!

Toronto Comic Arts Festival! (continued)

So, you already know about Koyama Press and 'Root Rot' (see previous post). Here's what else is on the agenda for TCAF 2010.



The Cloudy Collection is debuting a new print edition featuring Ed Emberley (info). There's a limited edition (250) 8" x 10" letterpress print by Ed, and 15 four-color 4" x 6" "Monster Parade" -themed screen prints (100) with art by Ed Emberley, his daughter Rebecca Emberley, S. Britt, Tad Carpenter, Maura Cluthe, Becky Dreistadt, (myself), Meg Hunt, David Huyck, John Martz, Caleb Neelon, Heather Ross, Souther Salazar, Bwana Spoons, and Nate Wragg.

You can find these prints at the Koyama Press table (142-144).
Be on the look-out for Cloudy Collection founder, David Huyck, who we can thank for this awesome collection of prints, with funding from Anne Koyama.




I'm also on an Adventure Time panel (info)

Comics & Animation:
A Conversation with the Artists of Adventure Time
Panelists: Michael DeForge, (myself), Andy Ristaino, Steve Wolfhard, and special guest Creator of Adventure Time Pendleton Ward! —Moderated by Phil Rynda
Location: The Pilot, 22 Cumberland Street
(across from Toronto Reference Library)
Time: Saturday, 2:15 – 3:15


You can find me at Table 154. Look for the brain!



I'll be sharing a table with Graham Annable—we're basically sitting at Doublefine row with artists including Scott C., Nathan Stapley, and Joe Lambert to name a few. Crazy times await.

Of course, the Heeby Jeebys will be out in full force!



You can pick up signed copies of issues #1 and #2.
And I'll have the usual assortment of prints & extras for sale.

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Saturday May 7th, 9am-5pm
Sunday May 8th, 11am-5pm
at the Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge St., Toronto, Canada

Admission is Free.

Everything you need to know can be found on the official website.

See you in Toronto!

Root Rot @TCAF

If you follow the comics world, you probably know that an amazing event is about to happen this weekend in Toronto: TCAF (otherwise known as the Toronto Comic Arts Festival). This will be my first year attending (bio!), and I have a bunch of news and info to unleash on you over the next few days.

So, let's start with 'Root Rot'.



...a forest themed anthology co-edited by Michael DeForge and Anne Koyama. I was invited to contribute a 2-page comic, the first page I'm sharing below.



Contributors include:
Jon Vermilyea, Derek M. Ballard, Dan Zettwoch, T. Edward Bak, Robin Nishio, Ines Estrada, Lizz Hickey, Mickey Zacchili, Jesse Jacobs, Jason Fischer, Hellen Jo, Angie Wang, Greg Pizzoli, Joe Lambert, Bob Flynn and Chris “Elio” Eliopoulos. Book design by Diana McNally.
Softcover, 72 pages, Color


Here's a fantastic interview/review combo over at Squidface & the Meddler with a ton more information and images from the book. Definitely have a look.

There's also an officicial 'Root Rot' release event at TCAF from 10:15 - 11:15 in Learning Center 1. Featuring: T. Edward Bak, Michael DeForge, Ines Estrada, Bob Flynn, Jesse Jacobs, Hellen Jo, Joseph Lambert, Diana McNally, Robin Nishio, Angie Wang and Mickey Zacchilli.

Inés Estrada, Mickey Zacchilli and I will be drawing. And there will be artist signings & giveaways!

If you're attending TCAF, you would be crazy NOT to visit the Koyama Press table (142-144). The publisher, Anne Koyama (the coolest, kindest, most genuine and supportive publisher you'll find in comics today) is debuting 7 new titles this weekend. More info here.

Lastly, here's a little something I drew up:



My interpretation of the Kick Ass Annie logo.

A number of artists and cartoonists have taken a stab at it, which you can view over at this Flickr set. I have to say, though, nothing beats the original design by Aaron Leighton.

That's all for this TCAF update. A couple more will follow.

Interview on Strange Kids Club

Rondal Scott from over at Strange Kids Club contacted me before the holidays to do an interview, and he posted it today! Rondal describes the blog as "an online hub for assorted strange, geeky and otherwise nostalgic content." There's a lot of fun content for sure, including articles on video games, comics, toys, and movie reviews. He asked some good questions (and posted some of my artwork, HUGE), so stop by if you're interested:

--> Strange Kids Club interview

Also, as 2011 gets underway, I'm slated for quite a few festivals this Spring. I found out a week ago that I got accepted as an exhibitor into this year's Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF)! So... look out, Canada! Heeby Jeeby is coming to get you! In addition to tabling there, Dan Moynihan and I will be at MoCCA in April and are looking to register for the Maine Comics Arts Festival (MeCAF) in May.

We're also pulling together artwork for Heeby Jeeby Comix #2, so look for an official announcement on that soon.