I attended the Canadian National Comic Book Expo in Toronto this August for a few hours on the 8th while in town visiting family.
Had a look around, watched Jedi squabble over bags and bards, an overanxious artists try to steal a table from the CBLDF and got a signed HULK poster from Lou Ferrigno, who refuses to arm wrestle his fans.
It was a small but hopping fan fest, more so than what I would think of as an EXPO really. Publisher booths noticeably missing [SARS chikens] it still had the same feel as the wizard con in Chicago this August. Wished I had more time to hang out with folks in artist ally, LOT OF ANIMAY, amongst the small press even.
Hmm, not sure how I feel about that. Nothing against animay so much as the half assed jumping on the bandwagon feel to some of it. Missed the variety of genre in the Toronto zine scene - but then this may have simply been a question of not being an alt con. A more accurate picture of that side of the Toronto comix community would likely be found at TCAF or one of Toronto’s many zine fairs.
There were meetings and screenings, panels and monologs in small rooms on the first floor, and the main floor was on the second. You entered there via an escalator and emerged on the fringes of an incredibly crowded scene. A third or so of the floor was in costume, many of the remainder in themed close [T, bags & hats with characters and logos]. The geek patrol was out as always showing their strength in numbers. In general, though I overheard a fair amount of crabbing I think it looked to be a fun event, on Saturday afternoon anyway - Though a bit cramped.
Had interesting chats with a few people and Dave Ross relayed to me his suspicions that all was not well at CrossGen; a hunch based on less then logical reasons for the cancelling of a project he had just singed on to. Shortly after the news caught up with the grape vine.
Picked up zines & comix from a number of folks that I hope to find time to talk about. Much thanks go to James Armstrong for setting up a table for me at the con that I failed to show up to use, next year I’ll plan a proper visit. The family thanks you & your wife for the passes.
Saw a few local doodlers at the Expo. Sirkowski of Miss Dynomite was there with his latest zine, Miss.Dynamite Special Edition #1. Weighing in at 44 pages of “all new material” by 20 artists (including Sirkowski).
Also finally met Azad in person had a brief chat and made a promise to hook up some time in MT.
And finally on my way out the door I ran into my cousin Josh with his 3d slr camera, crazy thing! Good to see him after so many years.
Max – aka Salgood Sam
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