Ivan Kocmarek prepares for Cartoon Foundry 2026

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — dedicated to celebrate Canadian comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Ivan Kocmarek about Cartoon Foundry 2026.

Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Ivan Kocmarek is a retired teacher while being a comic book collector for over 50 years. He edited Heroes of the Home Front with more 300 pages of the history of Canadian comics in the World War II era from Bell Features artists and over 150 pages of original art. Ivan has been instrumental in many exhibits promoting Canadian wartime comic books including ‘World War II Comics In Canada’ exhibit held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario. One of his recent projects was curating a book entitled Trailblazers – A Tribute To Canada’s WWII Comic Creators. Now Ivan is organizing the comic arts event Cartoon Foundry taking place Sunday, June 28 at Mohawk College, Fennell Campus, Hamilton, Ontario.

Cartoon Foundry is a not-for-profit, art-focused event that promotes and celebrates the art of cartooning in Hamilton, Ontario. The aim is to create a vibrant and inclusive community for cartoonists of all levels and backgrounds, while fostering appreciation and understanding of the medium and its rich history in Hamilton. There’s something for everyone at Cartoon Foundry. From informative and engaging panel presentations featuring area artists and more; screening of movies with panel discussion afterwards; an Artists Alley featuring local and regional artists displaying and selling their work as well as signing and ready to do commissions or simply engage with attendees.

Cartoon Foundry 2026 poster was created by Hamilton-based animator Wesley Matthee 

You can discover more about Cartoon Foundry 2026 at https://cartoonfoundry.ca/

Listen to a previous podcast interview with Ivan.

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