Leanne Franson's launching of her newest comic book "Don't Be a Crotte!!"

I spent the better part of this afternoon at Leanne Franson's launching of her newest comic book "Don't Be a Crotte!!", starring bi-dyke Liliane. "96 all-new pages of people acting badly!!"
Location: Café Toast Thé 2129 ave Mont-Royal e

I had thought about not going out, the recent weather has been somewhat discouraging. But really I'd be ashamed to show my face in Montreal if I allowed a measly -17 keep me in.

Leanne was her effervescent self. I only slightly hyperbolize, since as long as I can recall, from when I first encountered her at one of Ruppert's big Jams at the Stornaway gallery space in 94, Leanne has always been one of the most interesting and outgoing people to spend time chewing the fat with. The energy found in her comixs is very much a part of her outward personality. Unlike many folks you meet in this medium, whom often present one aspect of themselves on the page and quite another in the day to day world. All to say that Leanne is one of the most genuine peopled you 'll ever meet if you have the pleasure.

She was particularly active in the local Zine scene up until about the late-mid 90's, when she directed her efforts towards children's stories and focused for a time on building a career in illustration.

The publishers of Boy Trouble can be thanked for drawing her back into the comix world when they asked her to contribute to their anthology.

So, here is the spread. Also present were her many zine editions of Liliane, the previous two books 'Assume Nothing' & Teaching Trauma'*, & Boy Trouble #5 which includes her work.

*(Published by the now very dead Slab-o-Concrete which was "jacked in" by its founder - I'm not sure if you can still get them but Leanne certainly has copies, try mailing her about them)

And here is the other spread. Nothing like a little nosh on the house. You'll notice also the walls are adorned with some of the original art from Leanne's latest.

Above Paul Dansereau, Leanne's publisher, sort of, reads some of Leanne's old zines while she chats with the guests, bellow an explanation of the books title...

Paul again, and above is Francis from MensuHell and below, Jacques Boivin.

I spent the better part of the night blowing my work day yakking with these two good fellows about geeky comic shit. Industry professional ethics & personal philosophies,and publishing philosophies. Good chat all round. Francis and I have a standing friendly debate about the best way to build a publishing house. He's not terribly trusting of all this newfangled Tec shit, though he recently caved & bought a P3 to start laying out MensuHell on.

Apparently Jacques sent a couple of copies of MensuHell to Libération [France], they review comic a Zine like handwritten section of the paper. Got a write up both times!

Very cool, if you haven't checked out this anthology yet, stay tuned. I've added a publication review page to my list of things to do for the site this week so you'll be able to have a peek inside a few of the recent issues. If you live or are visiting Montreal, just drop by the list of shops at the bottom of this page to see it for your self.
Fichtre 436 rue de Bienville, H2J 1S9, (514) 844-9550 Marché du Livre 801 De Maisonneuve Est, (514)288-4350 Millenium 451 Marie-Anne, H2J 2A2 (514) 284-0358 Monet 2752 de Salaberry, (514) 337-4083

It wasn't a huge turn out but Leanne seemed to be pretty busy singing books for, & generally chatting up people whenever I looked.

Happily as well it seems that the trade has been promisingly brisk, having received a few direct mail orders before the edition had even been shipped from the printers. for orders, retail or wholesale, contact Leanne, or drop by your local shop and ask them to carry it!

Leanne posing with some of her friends^^ & talking animatedly V

Congratulations Leanne!
It's good to have new work from you again.

~ Close ~