So here's the 1st of my 3 Things for Canada: I pitched a panel about independent Canadian comics to the Calgary Comics Expo, and it's happening!
| You've heard of the Calgary Expo, right? (If not, please drop everything and take a look!) This gigantic homegrown celebration of comics and pop culture in general, takes place on the Stampede Grounds at the end of April every year. This year, it's happening from April 27 - 30. And I'll be there! |  |
I'm really interested in comics that are being created and published right here in Canada, and even more if they're about Canadian stories. Right here in Calgary, there's a growing independent scene, ranging from old-timers like Damian Willcox (sorry, Damian! Guess I should probably say "creators of long-standing status" or something more dignified...) to new movements like Panel One, an independent creators' collective established in 2016.
I've been thinking a lot about contemporary comics in Canada (and in Calgary in particular), since I read back in 2016 that the Canadian Society for the Study of Comics had put out a call for papers on "The Young Canadians." They were asking, "What's happened in Canadian comics in recent years?"
I'm definitely not an expert on this subject, but I'm interested in how my own local scene has been evolving. And I thought the Calgary Expo seemed like the perfect place to have a discussion about this. So, that's part of the reason why I thought this panel might be a good idea. I am looking forward to listening and learning!
If you're coming to the Expo this year, I really hope you'll come out to hear this conversation. Right now, the Expo website still hasn't posted its programming info, but when it does, this is where you'll be able to find it. In the meantime, here's some information about our panel!
I've been thinking a lot about contemporary comics in Canada (and in Calgary in particular), since I read back in 2016 that the Canadian Society for the Study of Comics had put out a call for papers on "The Young Canadians." They were asking, "What's happened in Canadian comics in recent years?"
I'm definitely not an expert on this subject, but I'm interested in how my own local scene has been evolving. And I thought the Calgary Expo seemed like the perfect place to have a discussion about this. So, that's part of the reason why I thought this panel might be a good idea. I am looking forward to listening and learning!
If you're coming to the Expo this year, I really hope you'll come out to hear this conversation. Right now, the Expo website still hasn't posted its programming info, but when it does, this is where you'll be able to find it. In the meantime, here's some information about our panel!
When: Saturday, April 29th, 1:15 PM - 2 PM
Where: Calgary Comics Expo, Palomino AB
What: Independent Canadian Comics, featuring the Graphic History Collective
Comics scholars Sean Carleton & Julia Smith, Winnipeg-based Bedside Press publisher and Prairie Comics Festival organizer Hope Nicholson, and indie comics creators Sam Hester & Eric Dyck, will discuss comics about real life historical & contemporary Canadian stories.
Who: Read on...!
 Drawing by Kara Sievewright  Drawing by Kara Sievewright | Julia Smith & Sean Carleton
Founded in 2008, the Graphic History Collective (GHC) is a group of activists, artists, writers, and researchers passionate about comics, history and social change. We produce alternative histories - people's histories - in an accessible format to help people understand the historical roots of contemporary social issues. Our comics show that you don't need a cape and a pair of tights to change the world. |
 Drawing by Jenn St. Onge | Hope Nicholson Adding a splash of colour to our panel (and I'm not only referring to this lovely Twitter avatar picture by Jenn St. Onge that I lifted from Hope's Twitter account), Hope Nicholson will be joining us at the Calgary Expo! Hope publishes Bedside Press out of Winnipeg and she's also putting together a pretty amazing independent comics event in Winnipeg this year, the Prairie Comics Festival on May 6 - 7, which I've been wishing I could attend! Maybe next year! |
 Drawing by Eric Dyck | Eric Dyck I am so pleased that Eric Dyck from Lethbridge is coming up to join in this conversation. His comics about history and real life in Lethbridge (and elsewhere in Canada) are beautiful, funny, and informative. I think that I'd call what Eric is doing, "comics journalism." Does he think that's what he's doing??? This is one of the things I want to talk about in the panel. Come and find out! |
 Drawing by Stephanie Chan | Stephanie Chan Geek Girl Gathering organizer, techie, artist, and wearer of many hats, Stephanie Chan will be moderating our panel! |
 Drawing by Sam Hester | Sam Hester Well, you've met me. |
Why should you come and listen to this panel? Well, obviously, if you’re one of those few people who’s interested in the Canadian independent comics scene, you’ll know there are only a handful of opportunities every year to find people from the field congregating to talk about this cool subject. so you won’t want to miss this.
And if you’re in the category of folks who had no idea that this was even a thing, well, then clearly this is the place you need to be, to find out more! Either way, we hope you’ll come!
And if you’re in the category of folks who had no idea that this was even a thing, well, then clearly this is the place you need to be, to find out more! Either way, we hope you’ll come!
And now remember: putting this panel together has been the first of my 3 Things for Canada. Stay tuned for the next two, coming soon!
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