TCAF 2026 Kick-Off Panel: 20 Years of TCAF
Serving as both a celebration of the festival’s past and a preview of what lies ahead, the TCAF 2026 Kick-Off Panel: 20 Years of TCAF brought together several artists whose work has helped define the visual identity of the festival over the years. Moderated by Amie Wright, the panel featured Battan, creator of the 2026 main festival poster (with translation assistance from Jocelyne Allen), Chris W. Kim, artist of the 2026 Toronto variant poster, Maurice Vellekoop, creator of the 2013 poster, and Jenn Woodall, who designed the 2022 poster.
The discussion centered on the creation of TCAF’s annual promotional artwork and offered attendees a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process that transforms an initial concept into a finished festival poster.
Each artist shared the story behind their respective poster designs, explaining the ideas, themes, and inspirations that guided their work. Through the presentation of early sketches and developmental artwork, attendees were able to see how concepts evolved over time and how various elements were refined before reaching the final published versions.
One of the most interesting aspects of the conversation was hearing the artists discuss the challenges they faced during the design process. Some spoke about balancing personal artistic style with the need to create an image that represented the festival as a whole, while others discussed the technical challenges of composition, readability, and ensuring that the poster remained visually striking while communicating essential event information.
The panelists also highlighted the aspects of the projects they found most exciting. For many, the opportunity to contribute to TCAF’s history was both an honor and a creative challenge. Designing a poster for one of the world’s most respected comics festivals carries a unique responsibility, as the artwork often becomes part of the event’s lasting visual legacy.
Typography became a major topic of discussion as well. The artists explained how they incorporated text into their designs, describing the balancing act between creating visually appealing artwork and ensuring that festival information remained clear and readable. Attendees gained insight into how typography can either complement or compete with an illustration and the decisions artists make to create harmony between the two.
The conversation naturally turned toward favorite TCAF posters from previous years. Each panelist reflected on designs that had inspired them or stood out in their memory, offering a brief visual history of how the festival’s promotional artwork has evolved over the past two decades. Their choices highlighted the diversity of artistic styles that have represented TCAF throughout its history.
Another interesting topic involved translation and international audiences. Several artists discussed what it feels like to have their work translated into other languages and presented to readers from different cultural backgrounds. Battan, whose comments were translated by Jocelyne Allen during the panel, provided particular insight into how artwork can communicate across language barriers while still requiring thoughtful localization when text is involved.
The panel also gave the artists an opportunity to discuss their current and upcoming projects, allowing attendees to learn more about the work they are creating beyond their contributions to TCAF. These previews offered a glimpse into future graphic novels, illustration projects, and other creative endeavors from some of the festival’s featured guests.
As a celebration of TCAF’s twentieth anniversary, the session successfully combined history, art, and personal reflection. By examining posters from different eras of the festival, attendees gained a greater appreciation for the role visual design plays in shaping the identity of an event and preserving its legacy.
Overall, the TCAF 2026 Kick-Off Panel: 20 Years of TCAF was an engaging look at the creative minds behind some of the festival’s most memorable artwork. Through stories, sketches, and reflections on the artistic process, the panel honored two decades of TCAF history while looking forward to the future of both the festival and the creators who help define it.
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