We were pulling out of the parking lot, headed for home, when Akemi sunnily intoned: “Thank you for taking me to geek festival!”. I explained that, despite all evidence to the contrary, it wasn’t a geek festival per se. It was the Toronto Comic Arts Festival which, over the course of May 7th and 8th, will showcase a variety of comic book creators and their diverse works. Space Channel Producer Mark Askwith was our intrepid guide through the colorful, crowded, at times overwhelming terrain.

We did a lay-of-the-land tour, then retraced our steps and actually spent time at a few of the tables, talking to the creators, and picking up a few things. Akemi tired out quickly and so, I didn’t have the opportunity to speak to as many of exhibitors as I would have liked to, but some of the highlights included:


You can check out Ken’s work here: Ken Turner
Mark introduced us to Salgood Sam (who goes by Max) who seemed to recognize me from somewhere. Reruns of America’s Most Wanted perhaps? Turns out his wife is huge Stargate fan. I had to break the news that the series finale that airs on Tuesday will, sadly, be it for the show – and the franchise – for the foreseeable future. He wanted to know why. I gave him the impolitic version, usually reserved for drunken gatherings and comic book conventions.


You can check him out online here: Salgood Sam • Illustrator • Comic Artist • Generally Handy


Check out Adrian’s work here: Sweet Bizarre – Adrian Alphona


Check out Eric’s work here: Aardehn – by Eric Vedder and, possibly (I say possibly because the link wasn’t working the last time I clicked on it), here: Eric Vedder
Hey, it’s the Kill Shakespeare gang. I heard about the comic book about a year ago. Given my Masters studies in Renaissance Drama, I was intrigued. But given my generally lackadaisical nature, I never got around to actually picking the book up – until today. Below, creator and co-writer Anthony Del Col with colorist Ian Herring.

Further info on Kill Shakespeare available here: Kill Shakespeare – An epic adventure that pits Shakespeare’s …


Scott has been nominated for Eisner, Harvey, Russ Manning, Joe Shuster, and Doug Wright Awards. Check out his work here: Chantler, Scott


More on Tara’s sprawling comic space opera here: Galaxion – Life. Love. Hyperspace.


Jeff’s blog here: Jeff Lemire’s Blog
I also met Eisner-award winner Darwyn Cooke (not pictured). You’d no doubt recognize his work on The Spirit and Batman as well as DC: The New Frontier.
Darwyn’s blog here: Almost Darwyn Cooke’s Blog
So, yes, in retrospect, even though it’s officially known as the Toronto Comic Art Festival, it was a truly awesome geek festival. After all, who am I kidding? To quote a completely earnest Akemi: “But – you are geek!”








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