Comics and graphic novels inspire reading at RPL

The Regina Public Library is using comics and graphic novels to promote reading. Wayne Mantyka has more.

Comics are often read for fun but the Regina Public Library (RPL) takes them seriously.

The Regina Comic Arts Festival 3 returned to the RPL on Saturday for its third year. A celebration of all things comic books, the event included exhibitors, workshops, a film screening and a keynote talk by visiting artist Patrick Kyle.

The RPL is using comics and graphic novels as a way to encourage reading.

“Comic books are fundamental to reading this days so there is a huge interest in comic books across the board, absolutely,” said Sam Heinrichs, RPL branch manager.

The RPL has a growing collection of comic books and graphic novels which serves as the base of the festival.

“For sure, we have an excellent collection of comic books, graphic novels, manga, both paper and digitally. We have a huge collection,” said Heinrichs.

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Kyle’s keynote talk, titled “Working Without A Predetermined End,” discussed how that philosophy, coined by Chicago imagist Barbara Rossi, has helped him sustain a career in commercial art, illustration and the world of comics over the past 15 years.

Kyle described the philosophy for him as “putting the pen to page and creating something and kind of like taking a leap of faith and putting my work out there.”

Many of the exhibitors who were on hand were from Saskatchewan and they often use local settings for their stories.

“The prairies are a big part of my work and it’s almost like an added character, the prairie landscape and even the cold weather,” said Don Sparrow, a graphic novel creator from Saskatoon. “I mean you’ve got the billboard behind me where it’s a pretty teenaged girl in a prom dress and a parka which is something I think very unique to here but also very familiar to here so that’s the kind of storytelling I want to do.”

Workshop topics for the event were Designing Comic Book Characters along with Developing A Meaningful Sketchbook Practice.

The festival had a screening of Endless Cookie, which included a live Zoom introduction and Q&A with directors Seth and Peter Scriver.