A note to readers: This is the first of what I hope will be many informative, fun spotlights on Canadian comic creators. Before I cut the ribbon, a perplexing question; What makes a creator Canadian?
Is it their passport? The content of their comics? The location of their publisher? Some incredible artists and writers from Canada currently reside in the USA. Do they count? Some Americans currently create comics while living in Canada. Can they be included? Drawn and Quarterly is a Canadian publisher that also puts out books by Americans, while Oni Press is an American publisher that releases some books by Canadians. Where should one draw the line?
For now, I propose that the Creator Spotlight column remain solely the domain of comic creators that (primarily) live and work in Canada, while the Canuck section itself will be the domain for all things related to Canada and comics.
Did that get your head spinning? Maybe this spotlight on Toronto’s Matthew Blackett will set it straight. Enjoy.
In a few months, Matthew Blackett’s alt/indie autobiographical comic creation will be celebrating its eighth anniversary. Its unique approach to story telling is just as unique as its name; m@b.
To describe Blackett’s m@b, one could use the word ‘observational’. The strips are usually three panels long, and appear in simple black and white. The author narrates his own life, and each installment describes an excerpted moment, thought, or experience. When asked if he thinks the world needs more observational comics, Blackett is quick to answer – “God no. We already have enough introspective white boys drawing comics about their anxiety and paranoia.”
So what makes m@b a more popular ‘anxiety and 
paranoia’ offering?
It is because of the sincerity. Blackett is not churning out the comic in order to make a buck. He earns his bread elsewhere. m@b is a labour of love, and one that is fuelled and informed by its creator’s love for Toronto.
“I've lived my whole life here” says Blackett. “I've done a fair bit of traveling but I'm not leaving this city any time soon. It is very much a part of who I am -- my life-altering experiences and most enjoyable days have been spent here. I wear it like an old blanket.”
His comic has appeared in such magazines as Rosco, Soma, Pi, Chart, Neksis, Verbicide, Eye, This, Kiss Machine, sceneandheard.ca and Broken Pencil. When Blackett is not working on immortalizing the daily travails of his life, he can be found in and around Toronto, working as a graphic designer and freelance digital artist. He is also the publisher of Spacing magazine.
It seems that all the multitasking has paid off. Says Blackett - “My experience of starting my own comic as well as publishing it on my own got me into running this award-winning and nationally distributed magazine”.
While most independent comic creators struggle in obscurity, always searching for that elusive audience, Blackett is read by thousands thanks to his regular slot in the free Toronto paper, Eye Weekly. Some are inclined to wonder why a comic strip that is usually lacking punch lines remains so popular with readers. It is sincere writing, and the many references to Toronto that make it so appealing to the local public. It carries a sense of authenticity which is difficult, if not impossible to duplicate.
“My comic is about wandering about the city, eavesdropping or accidentally overhearing conversations on the sidewalks, streetcars and patios of Toronto. Those snippets make up a portion of the city's psyche, which is part of the Canadian identity.”
But does the strip appeal to readers outside of Canada?
Thanks to the Perpetual Motion Roadshow, an indie press touring circuit, Matthew Blackett has been able to reach a wide audience. A 200 page m@b collection was touted on the tour as the book and its Canuck creator traveled through Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and L.A.
Although the strip is self titled (m@b is an abbreviation for Matt B), the comic is about more than just Blackett – it is about the wide variety of people he encounters. As the comic continues to see publication, the featured cast of characters continues to grow. In fact, if you meet Blackett in person, you run the risk of finding yourself in his comic – and not necessarily in a flattering light.
“Everyone is pretty cool with it”, says Blackett. “My friends get to see stuff before it goes to press almost all of the time. Most of my friends just say ‘do whatever you want.’ None of the weirdos I meet around the city ever read my comic.”
Just a little something to keep in mind the next time you’re in Toronto: If you run into Matthew Blackett, don’t be a ‘weirdo’. You just might wind up forfeiting your flesh and blood existence for one made of paper and ink. But you need not worry - it will be very sincere.
Visit m@b online at www.mattbcomic.com
Feed my ego by sending me your comments and criticisms. Mmm.
