TingFest 2026!

Finally dug out from under deadlines long enough to let you know that until June 6th, you can see some of the original art from my books on display at London, Ontario's TAP Centre for Creativity as part of the 10th Ting Comic & Graphic Arts Festival.

Created by my friend Diana Tamblyn in 2014, the month-long festival celebrates longtime London Free Press editorial cartoonist Merle "Ting" Tingley (1921-2017), as well as the many, many cartoonists -- from amateurs to industry veterans, indie and alternative artists to the most corporate pros -- who have lived or worked in the area. Though Diana is no longer involved, this tenth iteration of TingFest features a sort-of "best of" of artists hand-picked from previous years (Jeff Lemire! Derek Laufman! Jesse Jacobs! David Collier! Dave Lapp! Scott Brian Woods!) so it still feels very much like it's got her fingerprints on it.

Merle "Ting" Tingley. I need to start wearing a bow tie at the desk.

I was happy to be invited to participate for those reasons, and because, like everybody who grew up in the region for a few generations, Ting was one of my very earliest exposures to the world of cartooning. One my grade school art teachers often had us trace his work. It was his go-to assignment. Maybe a bit lazy, but I can't deny that I learned a lot about Ting's particular visual shorthand.

Being involved in a festival that bears his name just feels right, somehow.

I was at the opening event on May 9th, along with some of the other artists. Very cool to see everybody's work up close. You should definitely check it out if you're in the area between now and June 6th.

Some discerning people checking out the Scott Chantlers

They got Jeff Lemire in this thing!

The handsome hunks of Canadian comics. With artists Scott Brian Woods (left) and Chris Runciman (right)

THE EXCHANGE

But that's not all!

I'll be back at TingFest on May 26th for an event that'll sounds tailor-made for me: Brahm Wiseman, owner of London's Heroes Comics (a shop I frequented growing up, albeit in a different location with a different owner) and I will be listing our favourite comic books and graphic novels, with local craft beer enthusiast (who isn't?) Ben Johnson figuring out beer pairings for our choices. It's gonna be fun. Miss it to your everlasting shame.