I think graphic novels are cool.
I’m not a diehard fan by any means, but I do in fact have quite a few.
The titles themselves aren’t really important, but the fact is, I’ve been collecting comic books and their bigger cousins for a long time.
Since 1987 specifically.
One of my earlier memories is going antique shopping with my mother back in Ontario and this one shop in particular, I can’t remember the name of it any longer, but the proprietor sold baseball cards and rare comic books there too.
To this day I regret not purchasing an original black and white copy of the very first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the store because a friend of mine did instead, and I get to hear about it constantly.
The reason I mention this is because the Barrhead Public Library is hosting Happy Harbour Comics, a comic book store in Edmonton, on Feb. 22 for the library’s first ever comic-book fair.
In addition to the over 100 different comic book and graphic novel titles that the company will be bringing with them, I have been told staff will be on hand to answer questions and discuss any book you’re interested in.
By the by, there will also be a comic-book artist present to critique your own works.
I’m excited by this because as a collector, this gives me an opportunity to make inquiries without having to leave town … but as an added bonus, because I am a hobbyist artist interested in publishing and selling some of my own graphic novel ideas, this event will also give me a chance to ask important questions.
I don’t know about you, but personally, I wouldn’t know where to begin.
If you are, like me, interested in knowing more about the comic book and graphic novel industry or you have something you want a critique on, I invite you to attend the fair.
It’s not every day that something like this comes to Barrhead so I believe it would be wise to take advantage of the opportunity.
If you are a budding artist or an aspiring cartoonist, maybe the folks at Happy Harbour Comics will have some good advice.
So do yourself a a favour, bring them your best (or worst) cartoon or comic book-related work and hear what they have to say.
Step outside the box.
Life is too short to be scared.
And besides, in case you were wondering, every purchase of a comic book at the fair puts a new one in the Barrhead Public Library’s own collection.
More comics means more laughs and life, in my opinion, is better with laughter.