Last weekend TCAF was held at the Toronto Reference Library and I must say it was a good time. I spent a few hours at the show and caught up with a number of truly wonderful creators. The first person I ran into was Lezley Davidson. I should have known right then it would be a good day. Unfortunately, she wasn’t exhibiting, even though her work is exactly the type of material the show is geared towards. If she doesn’t get excepted next time around I might have to take a trip down to The Beguiling and have a word with them mafia style. Instead, she was happily working the front entrance as a volunteer. She soured when she saw me though, peeved with my previous con review regarding the disclosure of certain shocking behaviours. But I must report, again and now establishing a clear pattern of behaviour, Lezley copped a feel of Ramon Perez’s ass. But enough of that. It was great running into her throughout the day and chatting for brief moments. I’m looking forward to sharing a table with her again at Fan Expo. She’ll help to keep my strength up with a steady diet of cheese, crackers, cookies and pickles.

At last year’s show I’d passed by Tom Scioli’s booth and really only glanced at his work. Except for Warlock and the Infinity Watch and Star Trek: Next Generation I was never really into sci-fi. But my interest is growing these day’s, so I wanted to check out his book, Godland. Tom’s work is heavily influenced by Jack Kirby. Lately I’ve been reading Thor Essentials on the can so I’ve been looking at a lot of his stuff so I noticed the similarity in styles immediately and stopped to take a look at his work. I’ve been wearing a Philadelphia Eagles cap the last couple of years and I’m always surprised how many creators ask if I’m from Philly. Tom did, he’s originally from there. After giving a brief explanation of my love for the Eagles we got into talking about Godland. Naturally, we struck up a conversation about Kirby and we both thought the stories where Thor journeys into space were the best ones. Tom elaborated how Kirby was the first to merge mythology and sci-fi. I bought the first two volumes of Godland and so far I have not been disappointed. The book is fun, an homage to 50′s and 60′s comics, with the Kirby styled art and Joe Casey’s snappy dialogue and thought bubbles, the use of which is something not done today. I’ve finished volume one, it did end somewhat openly, lucky I’ve volume two. I look forward to seeing Tom again so I can pick up a couple more of the trades in the future. Tom was also cool enough to do a quick sketch in each book which is something rarely done, and as such, is something I always notice and appreciate.

Next I cruised into the TX room. That’s right, these guys are so big they get their own room. First off I got to chat with a con favorite, Andy B. who also signed my copy of Kill Shakespeare while I flipped through some finished pages for future issues. We talked about his Bottle of Awesome webcomic, the current changes at Zuda, and some of the things he hoped to hook up for the following year. Connor McCreary also signed the issue. Anthony’s was the only signature I missed. Based on what I saw this book doesn’t look like it’s going to skip a beat, very impressive for a 12 issue work of this undertaking. Next was Michael Cho, another con favorite. He’s got to be one of the nicest guys going. Lezley refers to him as her Yoda and I can see why. Michael style is also very much influenced by Kirby. I drooled over his Avengers prints, and he also pulled out an original Thor when we got onto the subject of Kirby’s run on the character. He always asks if I have another issue of The Book of Methuselah out so we can trade work. He’s going to be featured in the upcoming The Best Americian Comics 2010 anthology, both on the cover and with a short story inside. I’ll be getting that. Gaiman’s editor, what’s not to love? It was great hearing his thoughts behind the reason for the cover design, taking a common theme of many anthology covers and spinning it on its head. I ran into Ramon Perez after. He looked sharp I must say, a well dressed man in a shiny grey jacket and white dress shirt. We talked about the evolution of Transmission-X over the last three years and what he hoped the future would hold for the web collective and his own work within it. It sounded like good things were in store. Lastly, I stopped to talk with Brian McLachlan’s. I was shocked he remembered my name from last year when he did a caricature. Surprised, he explained I share the same name as his brother. I got another sketch, enjoying the thought of starting a tradition at the show, and getting a new caricature every year. Pausing as he coloured away, he handed me from beneath his table his new project, Smooth ‘n’ Natural, a blaxploitation style comic about “twin brothers from another mother”. It was under the table due to the nudity which hits right from page two. No messing about to be sure and very funny stuff. When the caricature was finished I was surprised to see myself breathing rainbow coloured flames. I asked him why he did that, he thought it would be cool. I mentioned how it was oddly strange because for the week leading up to the show I’d been teaching additive and subtractive colour theory. On my way out I picked up Karl Kerschl’s, The Abominable Charles Christopher. The print quality on this is gorgeous and I look forward to flipping through it.

After that I drifted around, checked out a couple of other tables, grabbed the Anchor from Boom’s table. I started to read it then put it down in favour of Tom’s, Godland. All in all, a good day, and a good show. A refreshing change after the last con. Next up is the Fan Appreciation show the first weekend of June. I’ll have an update on that soon. Until then, stay loose my brothers.