#PantsWorthy: TCAF 2024
Fantastic TCAF Graphic Novel Recommendations Worth Pants...
Yo…
Whew; wrapped up a frenzied Hot Docs. Eno was sublime.
I have a whole bunch of emotions about Gary Hustwit’s Eno but most of them are messy so I’ll set it aside until I can articulate what’s in my head and heart.
I proceed at my own pace, the speed limits of the internet be damned. No surprise consider I consistently brew tea before I sit down to work and that’s something that can never be rushed.
From one #PantsWorthy event to another…
In Toronto, this weekend is TCAF aka Toronto Comic Arts Festival.
You know how at comic book conventions people will dress up like their favourite characters from comic books and movies and even video games?
(I’ve ridden the subway with a Darth Vader, super fun…I’ve also seen a zombie at an ATM machine withdrawing money. If ever there was a metaphor for capitalism.)
Well TCAF is not that; still comics though.
It’s a classy…ish comic book convention where the dress code is still nerdy but more like a sarcastic t-shirt or a witty tote bag rather than becoming your favorite superhero or video game character. Expect no steampunk.
There’s a ton of independent comic books/graphic novels and there’s a ton of independent comic book creators. And it’s all free:
TCAF: May 11 -12, 2024
9am—5pm Saturday, 10am—5pm Sunday
Toronto Reference Library
I dig Spider-Man and Batman (always actively reading Marvel and DC) yet it’s non-fiction that makes my reading diet taste sweet.
Gimme an aw yeah! for non-fiction comics. Lately, that genre is flourishing; there’s been some astonishing contributions.
Here’s some graphic novel recommendations to look out for this weekend at TCAF. If your unsuccessful at TCAF you can order em online or check em out at the Toronto Public library.
First Second is a graphic novel publisher located in New York City. I dig a lot of their graphic novels. I recently interviewed Brian “Box” Brown about his graphic novel The He-Man Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood (a First Second graphic novel.).
However, I urge you to check out their World Citizen Comics: “a bold line of nonfiction graphic novels designed to educate, entertain, and empower the citizens of tomorrow.”
I’ve read (and recommend!) Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy; written by Daniel G. Newman and illustrated by George O’Connor. Their latest graphic novel in this political comic collection is A Firehose of Falsehood: The Story of Disinformation by Teri Kanefield and illustrated by Pat Dorian.
This graphic novel just came out this past February. I haven’t put my nose into this book, yet. Soon, though. (Beyond First Second there’s lots of outstanding political comics such as On Tyranny: Graphic Edition by Timothy Snyder and 1984: The Graphic Novel by Fido Nesti.)
If politics or He-Man are not your jam, sample Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang (a basketball graphic novel) which should be at First Second’s TCAF booth. Gene will also be at TCAF.
Drop by their booth and see what is pleasing to your bright eyes. Speaking of pleasing to your eyes…check out Chip Kidd.
You know that classic Jurassic Park logo? A black and boney profile of a T-Rex. That’s Chip Kidd.
A dynamic designer he’s unleashed a number of prominent book covers: Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography by David Michaels, Intensity by Dean Koontz and The Mind’s Eye by Oliver Sacks.
You know Chip Kidd if you don’t know Chip Kidd.
“I don’t really have a style so much as a sensibility.” So says Chip Kidd.
Kidd is a literal human designer blending comic books and pop culture to fashion his book covers. His work is incredible and if the lineup isn’t too long, drop by and talk to him about Batman and Charlie Brown. That’s a good time right there.
More solo creators to check out: Jason Loo (Saturday, only!), Nick Marinkovich (Dead Romans!), J. Torres (Stealing Home illustrated by David Namisato!) and Adrian Toomie.
About Adrian Tomine; I suggest The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist.
It deftly documents the warped status of success: the more time Adrian Tomine spends alone working the more popular he becomes adored by many people.
While a bit insular it echoes Jerry Maguire’s memo: “I hated myself. No...here’s what it was: I hated my place in the world.”
If this is your first meeting with Tomine then be sure to also pick up his previous book Killing and Dying. #Fresh
There’s also a Shortcomings screening at the Revue Cinema if you want to skip reading and just watch the movie. Good way to party like it’s high school in 1999.
Fresh from Tribeca 2023…take a break from comic book movies and watch…a comic book movie!
Directed by Randall Park (MCU) and starring Justin H. Min (Umbrella Academy) Shortcomings is based on Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel of the same name. This is a classic indie movie that is sorta kinda a rom-com though most certainly is a slacker comedy. After all don’t Shortcomings often leave you Dazed and Confused? #RimShot
The Shortcomings screening will be moderated by Ho Che Anderson (a cool dude who wrote and drew a series of astonishing MLK biographies called King. Yes, they are King.)
Since I suggested Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist and Killing and Dying both are published by Drawn & Quarterly let’s conclude with one more Drawn & Quarterly recommendation.
Blankets: 20th Anniversary Edition was issued this past August.
Here’s the Bookshop description:
“Blankets: 20th Anniversary Edition is the story of a young man coming of age and finding the confidence to express his creative voice. Craig Thompson’s poignant graphic memoir plays out against the backdrop of a Midwestern winterscape: finely-hewn linework draws together a portrait of small town life, a rigorously fundamentalist Christian childhood, and a lonely, emotionally mixed-up adolescence.
Under an engulfing blanket of snow, Craig and Raina fall in love at winter church camp, revealing to one another their struggles with faith and their dreams of escape. Over time though, their personal demons resurface and their relationship falls apart. It’s a universal story, and Thompson’s vibrant brushstrokes and unique page designs make the familiar heartbreaking all over again.”
Incredibly moving. I might pick up the 20th Anniversary Edition. (Craig Thompson’s Habibi (was his effort to better understand and humanize Islam following 9/11 as well as appreciating the beauty of Middle Eastern cultures. I dig dude’s work.)
And a timely recommendation…because why not?
Joe Sacco’s Palestine (with an introduction by Edward W. Said, oh yo!): “Based on several months of research and an extended visit to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the early 1990s (where he conducted over 100 interviews with Palestinians and Jews), Palestine was the first major comics work of political and historical nonfiction by Sacco, whose name has since become synonymous with this graphic form of New Journalism.”
I understand most people are bored with the Israel situation. Still any opportunity to read up and be informed while avoiding any half-baked TikTok spin is valuable.
There’s a lot of comics here. I opened with whew. And I close with whew.
I’ve covered mostly non-fiction here but just go to TCAF…wander the booths, talk to creators and hear stories.
See stories.
It’s always a good day when you can put on pants, leave your comfortable home and come back with stories to share.
And that’s the TCAF invitation for this weekend.
TCAF also stands for Toronto Comics AF…
Sammy Younan
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.