Scott McCloud speaking tonight; signing tomorrow

A whole lot of years ago, a fellow named Scott McCloud got it into his head to do some work deconstructing the comics medium and how it works, an area of scholarly study virtually untouched by anyone who isn't Will Eisner. The result, Understanding Comics, rapidly became to comics fans what Film Theory & Criticism is to film students: the must-read, nay Bible, of comic theory.

McCloud has just released his third volume on comics as art, called Making Comics, and his tour to promote the book reaches Toronto today. McCloud will be speaking at the OISE Theatre tonight, on subjects like comics storytelling, online comics, and Japanese comics. Tickets are $15 at the door. Co-presented by The Beguiling, more info can be found at their web site.

But that's not all! McCloud will be doing a quick signing at The Beguiling itself on Monday night, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. So if you're looking to get that comics Bible signed by the guy who wrote it, here's your opportunity. Besides, how many of us can claim to know what the guy actually looks like, rather than the comic-ized alter-ego who stars in all of his works?

The Beguiling is located at 601 Markham Street.