TCAF RECAP: Feeling the Love by Georgia Webber

In the wake of the 10th anniversary of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, I declare that there is a new stereotype in  town. Wait! I know, stereotypes are bad… But hear me out with this one, if only to curse me with accurate citations when you’re done reading.The recent rise in alternative comics (and by that I mean anything not following the most mainstream of traditions) has heralded—no, been born of—open and kind-hearted people interested in elevating the medium, not just their own careers. There is nothing more infectious than passion and kindness rolled into one, and when the focus is a fledgling industry of heart-driven artists, it’s invigorating, inspiring, and just plain beautiful to watch.From behind my table at TCAF this past weekend, I did watch. I watched thousands—literally, thousands—of people pass before my table and through the crowded events, and all of them were a delight to behold. Perhaps it was a good year for haircuts, or people went that extra mile with their wardrobe, but my guess is that it has more to do with them coming together, the glee that comes from being a part of this amazing event.From its inception in 2003, TCAF has been about accessibility. The festival is always free to attend, and the curated exhibitors showcase a wide variety of styles and formats, ranging from the DIY to the professional.Obvious highlights of the 10th anniversary festival included the Hernandez brothers, Gilbert and Jaime (responsible for the 30-year run of Love and Rockets) coming together in Toronto for the first time in 20 years; gay erotica giants Maurice Vellekoop (Canada) and Gengoroh Tagame (Japan) showing original art side by side; genre-bending Japanese artist Taiyo Matsumoto in a whirlwind of panels, signings, gallery shows and more; appearances by the Finnish Comics Society and Australia’s Caravan of Comics; and Rutu Modan’s presentation on her highly anticipated new book, The Property.Less obvious highlights, but no less integral to the experience of TCAF, were the many glowing faces of creators and fans in one place, interacting without monetary obstruction or line-ups or bodyguards. There are no celebrities from the TV show adaptations of popular superhero series, no $80 signatures on mint-condition rarities, and thus: no condescending collectors, no exclusionary attitudes. If your acquaintance with comic book nerds is limited to sometimes-too-accurate parodies (think: Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons), you’ll need to adjust your expectations to include the other end of the spectrum, the welcoming and enthusiastic community that is growing exponentially every year.I’ve long been in love with comics, but I never identify as strongly with my community as when I’m at TCAF. There is no snobbery, no pretence for how you should look or act. Instead, you can be who you are, and approach any person or entity in comics with one assumption, one generalization of who they are: a kind, lovely person who just wants to celebrate the medium, and help you to do the same. That is the New Comic Book Nerd. I’m proud to count myself amongst them.