I haven’t been to many comics events. The ones that sound interesting (or at least morbidly fascinating from a “you should experience it at least once” perspective) would also demand a fair amount of travel and expense to attend. Generally, I like to reserve my travel budget to go to a destination with plenty to do rather than one specific event. Timing usually keeps me from going to things that are closer at hand. (And my partner’s eyes flint with fight-or-flight instinct at the very mention of a comics convention.)
But, man, is the Toronto Comic Arts Festival a temptation. First of all, Toronto has always been on my list of potential urban destinations. Second, it would let me go to The Beguiling and spend too much money. Third, they have an absolutely crazy roster of guests. Jeff Smith, Darwyn Cooke, James Jean, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Cameron Stewart, J. Torres, Jim Rugg, Andy Runton… it seems almost unsafe to have that much talent in one place.
Insidious Canadians, luring me north and tempting me to be fiscally irresponsible.