The Canadian blog Sequential's editors Bryan Munn and Salgood Sam will moderate a discussion on the Canadian comic book industry with other industry players such as the Doug Wright Awards' Brad Mackay and Jeet Heer, The Shuster Award's Kevin Boyd and a few unnamed mystery artists. The Comic Book Bin, which is not located in Central Canada, like all the other guests, but which is nonetheless the largest and most visited Canadian comic book media source was not invited to the event.
It is important to mention that Bryan Munn, Brad Mackay, Jeet Heer and Salgood Sam are all of the same "camp" when it comes to the Canadian comic book industry and that the lone stand out, Kevin Boyd will have a tough time dealing with these guys.
Moreover, at this time, no Francophone guests, such as this writer have been invited to the debate. Francophones represent one quarter of all Canadians and account for more than half of all comic book outputs from Canada.
This writer would really like to crash this party but will have to decide if it's really worth the money and time to attend a debate that will probably be one sided in the sidelines with the audience. Having written extensively on the Canadian comic book industry and being completely bilingual and versed in both comic book output from Canada's national languages, I would have brought a different perspective than all the guests involved.
If this writer can't make it to Toronto for that weekend, it won't matter much as I can already guess where this debate will head. Whatever is said is sure to be a tainted portrait of Canada's reality just because none of the guests are fluent in French or familiar with the inner workings of both cultures and their creative output.
Best of luck to the debaters and let's hope that something good comes out of this discussion other than a consensus. The debate will take place at the Word on the Street Toronto, September 27, 2009.
You know it always pays to check your facts, like for example, I've known Kevin for WAY longer than any of the others on the panel! And i'm in no one's camp unless you define personal friends and acquaintances with most of them, in which case i'm in all.
Kevin going way back to when i first started out in comics in the early 90's, working for marvel and promoting myself at his conventions, think he also ran the store when i did a signing? worked there anyway, paradise comics, way back in the day. Not sure when i first met him, getting old i guess.
He's going to have a real hard time, oh yeah.
By the way, i do know a thing or two about the QC scene and thanks for reminding me i plan to call the local publishers here to see how things are going for them in preparation for the panel.
If you make it, bring the vid camera, the new media angel is a good idea. I've been thinking i'd film it myself.
I do think i recall him from the shops and 90's con's ... but according the only history online i could find to check my memory he didn't run anytihng till 2002! I'll have to ask him, see if he was volunteering before or something.
I've known Max for many years (I used to set up at those Paradise shows and shopped at their store from 1990-2007. Never did work at the store as an employee though.) I've also known Brad and Bryan for over five years (back to before the launch of the DWAs and the JSAs). Don't really know Jeet very well though.
I'm really looking forward to the panel. I joked on the Shuster site about having a target on my head (being the lone JSA member on the panel) but I think it will be a great discussion. I'm basically an overweight, middle-aged cheerleader for Canadian comics anyway, and I'm not UNFAMILIAR with the Quebecois comics scene having had to study a lot of French publications for the awards (while I can read French I cannot write it and mangle it in conversation).
It looks like I will be in Montreal the week before Word on the Street for the Montreal Comic-Con, so maybe I'll get to practice my French and spend more time exploring the local scene in person in preparation for the panel.
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