TCAF

In honour of @conundrumpress ’ 30th anniversary, we’re thrilled to welcome as our second poster artist Toronto’s own @chriswkim ! Pick up Chris’ latest graphic novel “Closing Act” online and at #TCAF2026 (where we’ll also have this beautiful poster for sale)

Introducing your #TCAF2026 poster! It’s courtesy of manga artist Battan (Soshite hiroin wa inaku natta / And Then There Were No Heroines) who’ll attend TCAF as a featured guest. Purchase Battan’s beautiful work as a poster or t-shirt at this year’s fest: June 6+7 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre! About the Artist Battan debuted in 2016 with her title Nijiiro konpurekkusu (Rainbow Color Complex, KODANSHA). Her other works include Ane no yujin (My Older Sister’s Friend, LEED), Kakeochi garu (Run Away with Me, Girl, KODANSHA USA), Kemutai ane to zurui imoto (Secondhand Sisters, KODANSHA USA), and Fatale Game (KODANSHA/KODANSHA USA). Soshite hiroin wa inaku natta (And Then There Were No Heroines) vols. 1–4 were serialized on the online comic platform Web Action. Battan loves dogs. Follow Battan @battan8 We’re also thrilled to welcome to TCAF 2026 a number of Japanese manga artists and editors in the Manga International Network Team (MINT) Project, a Japan Creator Support Fund initiative. @jcsf_official MINT supports specially selected, early-career manga artists and their editors in Japan to increase the recognition and value of manga’s diversity overseas. Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture (JPIC) acts as the secretariat and administrative organizing body for MINT. Established in 1991 and based in Tokyo, JPIC works to support the development of Japan’s publishing industry both domestically and internationally. TCAF 2026 will feature the following MINT Artists: Keita Katsushika (Higashi Tokyo machimachi / Diverse East Tokyo) @ktsksketch Marco Kohinata (Akari) *Eng. edition from Glacier Bay Books @kmarco1994 Tokushige Kawakatsu (Yasegaman no setsu / Grin and Bear It) @kawakatsutokushige Moka Onmae (Ohayou, oyasumi, mata ashita. / Good Morning, Good Night, and See You Tomorrow.) *Eng. edition forthcoming Nov. 2026 from Seven Seas @moka_onmae

Look who’s coming to #TCAF2026! @_leelai is an Australian cartoonist living in Tio’tia:ke (colonially known as Montreal). She was named one of the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 for her debut graphic novel “Stone Fruit,” while “Cannon” won the Stella Prize. ** @magdapatologica is an award-winning visual artist and cartoonist based in Lisbon, Portugal.Her graphic novel “Physical Education” is a portrait of creative stagnation, digital saturation, and the strange, sideways momentum of post-modern life. ** @leetropolis is a Canadian-Korean former tattoo artist who loves to write and draws stories mostly at night. She often finds herself pondering about the cosmos and wishing for the ability to teleport. “Ami Moon and the Galactic Peacekeepers,” the first book in a trilogy, is her debut. ** @jarrettdapier is an author, librarian, and lifelong drummer. His debut YA graphic novel, “Wake Now in the Fire,” is about teens fighting censorship in Chicago and is based on true events. He lives in Evanston, Illinois, with his family and their many pets. ** @elisabethbelliveau is a Canadian interdisciplinary artist and author of five graphic novels. She’s based in Treaty Six Territory, Amiskwaciwâskahikan, Edmonton, Alberta. “Birth Story” is a graphic memoir about pregnancy, birth, postpartum depression, and new motherhood as an artist. ** @spookymeggie is a cartoonist with a background in animation. She works as a writer, illustrator, and educator, and is a frequent guest at conventions across North America. She began her career in webcomics, and for many years managed Comic Book Embassy, a beloved co-working studio in Toronto.

Check out our 2nd round of Featured Guests appearing at #TCAF2026 June 6+7! ** Hazel and Bell are behind the super-popular BL romance webcomic @always_raining_ now adapted as a graphic novel! ** @arizonaoneill Opioids and Organs” is a heart wrenching memoir of a daughter losing her father, and a scathing indictment of the medical industry. Now out with @drawnandquarterly ** In “Borderline,” Mi’kmaq artist @zetapaulart tells her story as an Indigenous urban youth and her perspective on a world straying from nature and into a capitalist society that constantly reinforces the ideology that life could be better. Available for pre-order with @conundrumpress ** @monsieurpascalgirard ‘s new comic book “Pastimes” serves as something of a diary, documenting a fictionalized version of his days as a social worker, cartoonist and father in Montreal. Out with @editionspowpow ** @shreydavies is an editor who has worked on comics, literary fiction, and non-fiction publications. Her graphic novel “To the Last Gram,” illustrated by Vanessa Wong, is an intimate, introspective coming-of-age story of a young woman’s experience growing up with an eating disorder. ** @leecheedoodles is a Filipina-Canadian illustrator and cartoonist who loves creating stories with relatable characters and finds joy in making readers laugh. She’s the creator of the New York Times bestselling Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptation. ** @benclantoon is the New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of the “Narwhal and Jelly” series whose picture books include the “Ploof” series (with Andy Chou Musser) and the “Tater Tales” series. He lives with his wife and kids in Seattle, Washington. ** @sumitdrew / @bakarmax is a cartoonist and comedian in Bangalore, India. His graphic novels — The Itch You Can’t Scratch, Amar Bari Tomar Bari Naxalbari, and Kashmir Ki Kahani—range from cult to mainstream. He’s currently co-directing Aapki Poojita (Yours, Poojita), a Kickstarter-backed adult animated series, was part of the founding team of Comic Con India, appeared on Shark Tank India, and has written for Savita Bhabhi.

Work in schools or libraries? Or just love them? TCAF’s Libraries & Education Day is a FREE day of programming for library workers, comics scholars, students, educators, creators, and anyone interested in how comics intersect with education. RSVP at our link in bio! #tcaf #torontocomics #library

Make comics? Want to make a career out of it? Register now for TCAF’s Word Balloon Academy, a day of professional development programming just for comics creators! Link in bio. #torontocomics #tcaf

We’re excited to introduce you to our 1st round of Featured Guests, appearing at #TCAF2026 June 6+7! @TillieWalden will present her new work “Charity and Sylvia” about an openly lesbian couple who survives and thrives in 19th century Vermont. ** Our beautiful festival poster was created by @battan8 (Soshite hiroin wa inaku natta / And Then There Were No Heroines)! Battan will be at TCAF alongside an incredible cohort of manga artists from Japan, coordinated by the Manga International Network Team (MINT). ** @JarettSitter is a mixed-heritage artist from Calgary inspired by skateboard graphics, album covers, comics and cartoons. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of 90s hip-hop, and has created music videos, magazine covers, murals, countless band posters, and the graphic novel series Cassette City. ** @hugocanuto_art is a Brazilian architect turned illustrator and graphic novelist. Working with both digital and traditional media, Canuto examines the relationships between art, cultures, myths, and religion in Brazil and Latin America. ** @georgerexcomics is a cartoonist, dog lover, and plant enthusiast from Australia. Their debut graphic novel “Oh Brother” is a memoir about growing up with a brother who’s autistic and has an intellectual disability. It’s a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and an ABA Indie Introduces pick. ** @chriswkim is an illustrator/cartoonist from Toronto whose clients include The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Walrus, The Atlantic, and more. His graphic novel “Closing Act” depicts a strange, shifting city whose inhabitants face a looming existential threat. ** @jodjick is an artist, writer and activist from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community in Quebec. He’s created comics and produced the animated TV series Kagagi: The Raven and illustrated Robert Munsch’s picture books Blackflies and Bear for Breakfast/Makwa kidji kijebà wìsiniyàn.

2026 Exhibitor List is Live! We’re excited to announce the 315+ artists, comics creators, publishers and community and industry partners who’ll be tabling at #TCAF2026. ✨Link in bio✨ Head to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on June 6-7, 2026 to meet the most exciting voices in independent comics. #torontocomics

I’m excited to share that I’ll be participating in Toronto Comic Arts Festival, taking place on June 6 and 7, 2026! I also had the honor of creating the poster. Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. I’m really looking forward to being part of such a wonderful event and to meeting all of you!💘

Help shape one of Toronto’s most beloved cultural institutions! TCAF is seeking new Board members with experience in finance, fundraising, and nonprofit governance. Familiarity with publishing, art festivals, and of course, a love of comics are all appreciated. ✨ Visit our link in bio to learn more, and apply by April 25 ✨ #volunteertoronto #board #opportunity

TCAF runs on people who love it! Volunteer signup for #TCAF2026 closes April 10 ✨ Link in bio ✨

Be seen at TCAF! ✨ Sponsor the Toronto Comic Arts Festival and you’ll show your support for independent arts and culture, while alligning your brand with one of the city’s most beloved events. Our audience is young (18-40 on average), diverse, and eager to suport creators, companies, and causes that align with their interests and values. They include: Families and young readers Comics fans and collectors Artists, writers, and publishing professionals Students, educators, and academics We offer a range of sponsorship options, and would love to customize a package that aligns with your organization’s needs and goals. Visit our link in bio for more info, or reach out at [email protected]