MeCAF 2013 Announces Schedule

The Maine Comics Arts Festival (MeCAF) has announced the schedule for their 2013 show! Guests include Jeff Smith, Raina Telgemeier, Sean Murphy, Brian Wood, Ming Doyle, Dave Roman, Rick Parker, Colleen AF Venable, John Green, Zack Giallongo, Jeff Pert, Joe Quinones, Maris Wicks, and many more!

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Press Release:

MeCAF will have panels and workshops on Saturday May 18th at the Portland Public Library and Sunday at the festival site at Ocean Gateway.

Saturday, May 18th
Portland Public Library – Rines Auditorium

1:00- A conversation with Jeff Smith, creator of Bone and RASL- We will be discussing Jeff’s past work and upcoming projects. (Please note that there will not be any book signings at the library. Jeff will be signing books on Sunday at the festival).

2:00- Rick Parker cartooning workshop: Join Cartoonist Rick Parker (artist of Beavis and Butthead, Harry Potty, Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid and many others) as he shares tips and techniques for drawing comics. This will be a demonstration where members of the audience will be encouraged to draw.

3:00- Raina Telgemeier! Raina Telgemeier, creator of Smile and Drama, and artist of the Babysitter’s Club series, discusses her current projects and gives a peek at her work process.

Sunday, May 19th
Ocean Gateway Terminal Maine Comics Arts Festival programming (please check back for updates as we finalize the schedule)

10:30- Jeff Pert Kid’s Cartooning Class

11:30- Colleen Venable, John Green, and Zack Giallongo

1:00- Lake Region High School Comic Class Project

2:00-TBA

3:00- TBA

 

Toronto Comic Arts Festival Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

Press Release:

Fans of comics, manga, and graphic literature will be clearing their calendars this May to attend the 10th Anniversary of The Toronto Comic Arts Festival! Taking place May 11^th and 12^th 2013 at Toronto Reference Library & The Appel Salon, TCAF is expected to draw a record crowd of 20,000 across all festival events, and will reach new heights as one of the most celebrated literary comics events in the world!

Founded in 2003 in conjunction with The Beguiling Books & Art in Toronto, The Toronto Comic Arts Festival seeks “to promote the breadth and diversity of comics, and what is considered comics, as legitimate medium of literary and artistic worth.” By partnering with Presenting Sponsor Toronto Public Library, TCAF has achieved its goal of changing the Canadian comics landscape… and the first ten years were just the beginning! TCAF 2013 will feature the largest and most international array of comics authors and artists in the history of the Festival, a virtual who’s who of literary cartoonists including featured guests:

• Art Spiegelman: Author of Maus, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Co-Founder RAW Magazine. Debuting:Co-Mix
• Francoise Mouly: Art Editor of The New Yorker, Founder of Toon Books, Co-Founder RAW Magazine
• Taiyo Matsumoto Author of Tekkon Kinkreet (adapted into film by Sony Pictures). First North American event. Debuting: Sunny Volume 1. (Japan)
• Raina Telgemeier: New York Times Bestselling Author of the childrens’ and middle-grade graphic novels Smile and Drama
• Blutch: Angouleme Grand Prix Winner. First North American event. Debuting: So Long, Silver Screen. (France)
• Gengoroh Tagame: Acclaimed Japanese gay comics creator. First North American event. Debuting: The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame. (Japan)
• Dash Shaw: Author of BodyWorld. Debuting: New School.
• Maurice Vellekoop: Acclaimed illustrator and comics author. Artist of TCAF 10^th Anniversary Poster.

(More detailed biographies follow at the end of this release).

These seven featured guests join a fantastic and diverse array of more than 300 Canadian and international cartoonists who will make up the 2013 Festival.

PROGRAMS:

The World’s Stage (in Toronto): The Toronto Comic Arts Festival is the most internationally-focused comics Festival in North America, and TCAF 2013 will see the largest number of international cartoonists yet! Representative cartoonists will be on hand from more than 17 countries, including Austria, Australia, Brazil, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, The U.S.A., Canada, with more to be announced. TCAF 2013 will prominently feature gallery showings and installations of work by Australian, Finnish, French, and Japanese cartoonists, details TBA.

TCAF TURNS TEN: The 10^th Anniversary of The Toronto Comic Arts Festival will not go unobserved, as a massive participatory gallery-show will mark the official kick-off of the festival, held at and in conjunction with Steamwhistle Gallery. The thousand-plus cartoonists who have participated in TCAF events since 2003 will be invited to contribute their special vision ofToronto and Comics in a wonderful celebration of the Festival and the city we call home.

The World Of Taiyo Matsumoto: This talented and prolific cartoonist’s career will be explored through a full program of Festival events, headlined by an exhibition of original artwork and goods, to be held at and in conjunction with The Japan Foundation, Toronto. Further events will include a special screening of the filmTekkon Kinkreet (based on his graphic novel), with Director Michael Arias and Screenwriter Anthony Weintraub in attendance.

Everything You Love… And More!: TCAF 2013 will reprise our most popular programming from the history of the Festival, including our popular Webcomics Pavilion, OWLkids Kids Area, Wowee Zonk Small Press Area, Panel Discussions and Interviews, Workshops, Readings, and much more. These events will take place in and around Toronto Reference Library, official TCAF hotel The Marriott Bloor-Yorkville, and the Yonge-Bloor neighbourhood.

Over the next several months, TCAF will announce additional Featured Guests from Canada and around the world, details of programming and related events, and a full run-down of all that’s in store at the 2013 Festival. We will be sending PR for all events, but be sure to check the TCAF Website and social media for up-to-the-minute updates!

TCAF Website: http://torontocomics.com
Twittter: @TorontoComics
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/2204475413/

SPONSORS
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival would not be possible without the assistance of our sponsors and partners, including presenting sponsor Toronto Public Library and retail sponsor The Beguiling Books & Art.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $157 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil  a investi 157 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.

TCAF is produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.

TCAF would like to recognize the efforts of the following organization in planning TCAF on an ongoing basis: The French Consulate in Toronto, The Japan Foundation, The Italian Cultural Institute, NORLA (Norwegian Literature Abroad), The Flemish Literature Fund, and the Australia Council for the Arts

In addition, TCAF would like to thank publishers Drawn & Quarterly, VIZ Media LLC., OWLkids, Fantagraphics, Picturebox Inc., Random House Canada, Scholastic Canada, and First Second for their assistance.

Sponsorship opportunities for TCAF 2013 are still available, please contact us at:contact@torontocomics.com for more info.

PRESS
All general press inquiries, interview and press accreditation requests should be submitted to: media@torontocomics.com.

FEATURED GUEST BIOGRAPHIES:

Art Spiegelman is the acclaimed author of the hugely-influential autobiographical graphic novel Maus, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. The co-founder of the influential comix magazine RAW, Spiegelman comes to TCAF following his successful presidency of The Angouleme Comics Festival in France, and to debut his new career retrospective Co-Mix from Drawn & Quarterly.

Francoise Mouly is the art director of publishing institution The New Yorker, choosing their provocative covers and illustrations amongst many other tasks. A majorly influential force in the history of comics, Mouly co-founded RAW magazine, and continues the task of defining visual literacy through her new children’s graphic novel imprint Toon Books.

Taiyo Matsumoto is a Japanese comics creator whose kinetic style and thoughtful, considered narratives have won him fans across the world. Best known for his work Tekkon Kinkreet (adapted into an animated film of the same name) Matsumoto has had a stunning career and has a strong list of works available in English, French, and, of course, Japanese. Matsumoto will debut his new series Sunny at TCAF, published by Viz Media. In addition, Taiyo Matsumoto will appear alongside Tekkon Kinkreet director Michael Arias, and screenwriter Anthony Weintraub at several events including a special screening of the film.

Raina Telgemeier is the New York Times Bestselling-author of the graphic novels Smile and Drama from Scholastic Publishing—the former of which has spent nearly two years at the top of (or very near-to) The New York Times Bestseller List and won multiple industry awards, and the latter of which has debuted this fall to rave reviews and bestseller status too!

Blutch is one of the most respected cartoonists in France, winner of the highly-prestigious Angouleme Grand Prix (perhaps the highest honour in cartooning), and a phenomenal talent whose work will finally be making its North American debut at TCAF 2013. So Long, Silver Screen will be published by PictureBox Inc., a series of interlocking short stories that will delight fans of the medium.

Gengoroh Tagame is perhaps the most famous gay cartoonist in the world, despite the translations of his work into languages other than his native Japanese not beginning in ernest until the last few years. Tagame’s work will finally make its English-language debut in the new collection The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame, assembled by veteran manga editor Anne Ishii, designed by Chip Kidd, and published by PictureBox Inc.

Maurice Vellekoop is the Toronto-born artist and illustrator who has spent his distinguished career seamlessly mixing alternative comics and illustration for clients as diverse as The New York Times, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Drawn & Quarterly, Fantagraphics, and Toronto’s own Pink Triangle Press. Vellekoop is the illustrator of the Tenth Anniversary Toronto Comic Arts Festival poster.

Dash Shaw is a comics wunderkind, creating a series of ambitious, intelligent graphic novels that are constantly pushing against the boundaries of the medium. His graphic novels The Bottomless Bellybuttonand BodyWorld have racked up numerous award nominations and critical acclaim, and he will debut his new graphic novel New School at TCAF 2013, to be published by Fantagraphics Books.

For a full, up-to date exhibitor list including full biographies and artwork, please visit http://torontocomics.com/exhibitors/.

MeCAF 2013 Adds More Guests

    

Brian Wood, Sean Murphy, and Raina Telgemeier have been added to the roster for Maine Comics Arts Festival 2013.

Press Release:

We are pleased to announce three more guests for MeCAF 2013. Look for even more announcements in the coming weeks.

Brian Wood released his first series, Channel Zero, in 1997 to considerable critical acclaim and has continued to produce comics and graphic novels at a brisk pace ever since. Focusing almost entirely on creator-owned works, he’s become one of the most notable creators of the last decade. He’s earned multiple Eisner Award nominations and editions of his work have been published in close to a dozen foreign languages. He is most known for original series such as DMZ, Northlanders, Demo, and Local.

Starting in 2012, Wood kicked off the second major phase of his career with the original series’ The Massive, Anthem, and Mara, as well as Star Wars and Conan the Barbarian for Dark Horse Comics and X-Men for Marvel.

Sean Murphy’s first creator owned book “Off Road” was released by Oni in 2005 and won an American Library Association award. Soon after, Sean signed an exclusive contract with DC Comics and moved to New York. His DC published work is what he’s most known for currently–Hellblazer: City of Demons, Joe the Barbarian, and American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest helped boost his career greatly. His latest book for DC/Vertigo, and creator owned mini series called “Punk Rock Jesus”, in stores now.

Raina Telgemeier grew up in San Francisco, but made her way to New York City when she was 22 to attend the School of Visual Arts as an Illustration and Cartooning student. She received her BFA in 2002, and has worked as a freelance artist ever since. She is the adapter and illustrator of four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, the co-author of X-Men: Misfits, and the author-illustrator of the bestselling dental memoir graphic novel Smile, which won the Eisner Award for Best Publication for a Teen Audience. Smile was also an ALA Notable Book, a Kirkus Best Book of 2010, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Honor title. Smile won the Maine Student Book Award in 2011. Her most recent book, Drama, was released in the fall of 2012.

NYC – Drama Signing

Raina Telgemeier signs at Bergen Street Comics on Saturday, November 3, December 1, 2012 at 7:00pm!

Bergen Street Comics
470 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

OR – Drama Release Party

Raina Telgemeier signs at Bridge City Comics on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 from 6pm – 8pm!

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Press Release:

Bridge City Comics is proud to announce our Drama Release Party on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 from 6pm – 8pm! This event is free to the public. In attendance to sign autographs will be Drama writer/artist Raina Telgemeier. Copies of the book will be available for sale ($10.99) during the event, as well as copies of her other works.

Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi, she’s a terrible singer. Instead she’s the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she’s determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn’t know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier! Following the success of SMILE, Raina Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama!

About the Authors:
Telgemeier was born May 26, 1977 in San Francisco. In her pre-teen years, Telgemeier suffered a serious mouth injury that required several years of dental and orthodontic surgery, (which is described in her 2010 graphic novel Smile). She was viciously teased by her friends because of this medical treatment, prompting her to partially withdraw into her love of drawing until she lost her patience with the abuse when they publicly humiliated her. She eventually found new friends of better character in high school who appreciated her artistic talent, increasing her confidence. With that encouragement, she studied illustration at New York’s School of Visual Arts, and currently lives in Queens, New York. Telgemeier’s works include a series of self-published mini-comics called Take-Out, a short story in Bizarro World for DC Comics, a short story in Volume 4 of the Flight anthology,and four graphic novel adaptations of Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-sitters Club series for Scholastic/Graphix: Kristy’s Great Idea, The Truth About Stacey, Mary Anne Saves the Da,y and Claudia and Mean Janine.

Bridge City Comics
3725 N Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR 97227

OR – Drama Signing

Raina Telgemeier signs at A Children’s Place Bookstore on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 2:00pm!

A Children’s Place Bookstore
4807 NE Fremont Street, Portland, OR

ME – Drama Signing

New York Times bestselling creator Raina Telgemeier, author and artist of Smile and Drama, appears at Casablanca Comics on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 11:00am until 2:00pm. Raina will meet fans and sign copies of her books. Last year her book Smile was the winner of the Maine Student Book Award.

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Casablanca Comics
151 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101

MN – Drama Signing

Cartoonist Raina Telgemeier appears at The Bookcase on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 7:00pm to talk about her new graphic novel, Drama. A wonderful event for kids ages 9 and up!

The Bookcase
824 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391

MO – Drama Signing

Raina Telgemeier signs at Left Bank Books on Monday October 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Press Release:

Raina Telgemeier, the New York Times best-selling author of the Eisner Award winner Smile, presents her next full-color graphic novel set in the world of a middle school theater production of “Moon Over Mississippi.” Drama features a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama. The author will discuss her stories and artwork in this multi-media presentation.

Left Bank Books
399 N. Euclid Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63108

PA – Drama Signing

Raina Telgemeier signs at Children’s Book World on Monday September 24, 2012 at 4:30pm.

Children’s Book World
17 Haverford Station Road, Haverford, PA 19041

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