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A look back at seven years of comics for The Sprawl

This week, instead of digging through the pages of the old drawing book, I’m looking back at some comics I’ve written for The Sprawl.

The Sprawl began in 2017 as a Calgary pop-up journalism experiment and a “slow journalism” antidote to non-stop breaking news. In 2023, The Sprawl was not only still around - a rare feat for independent journalism startups - it was named Alberta Magazine of the Year by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association. (It’s not what you’d think of as a traditional “magazine,” though… it’s an online platform for local news that comes in the form of stories, podcasts, and creative additions like comics!)

I’ve been writing comics for The Sprawl since this all started… seven years ago!

But, after making it through all these years, The Sprawl is in a precarious spot - like so many journalism organizations these days. Yesterday, editor Jeremy Klaszus shared the news that, unless The Sprawl can raise $2000/month from supporters, it probably won’t make it through the year. I drew this picture to help get the word out.

So, this week, here’s a look back through some old Sprawl comics. It’s been quite a journey!

2017

Back in 2017, I drew some pictures a gathering on the evening of Calgary’s civic election. I think this turned out to be my first comics story for The Sprawl?

Initially, Jeremy and I had the idea of a regular comics column that could complement the news coverage. We called it “The Listener.” But the early comics were pretty varied. I didn’t yet have a clear idea of what I was doing! (Here’s a link to some of those early comics.)

2018

2020

It wasn’t until the early days of the covid-19 pandemic that we stumbled upon a format that felt like it was working. Everyone was stuck at home and we were deprived of our usual community networks, and I started writing comics about that experience. Here’s the first one in that series.

In the next three years I wrote about forty webcomics for The Sprawl, like this one about getting the hang of pandemic life…

My kids used to joke that they knew the comics were successful, if people wrote to tell me that the comics had made them cry. (Here’s one that made a few people cry.)

2023

Along with all those digital comics, there have been a few other comics experiments, too, like “Ride of the Day,” the series inspired by Calgary Transit vehicles that I wrote with my son Alec, who knows about transit. I loved this series! Thirty panels, one every day, in November 2023.

I like writing stories inspired by my own experiences, and I’d never have believed it if you’d told me that I’d need a break from autobiographical comics. But in 2023, it was time for something different. We started a series of zines inspired by obscure facts about Calgary history and infrastructure. In 2024, “Curious Calgary” won an Alberta Magazine Publishers’ Association “Innovation Award.” The zines are available on The Sprawl’s website, where you can not only read them, but print them and fold your own at home. And if you pass them around, you can help share local stories, too! I shared one of those comics here in The Drawing Book newsletter, back in September. Hey, I just realized I didn’t post the most recent one yet! I’ll have to do that sometime soon.

Which one is the best? I like the streetlights zine! But this is a hot debate. Maybe we need a poll?

2024

Making comics for The Sprawl has given me the opportunity to share a few Calgary stories, at a time when local storytelling feels important! That’s why I was concerned to hear that The Sprawl was sorely in need of more monthly supporters to keep itself in business - and delighted to hear that, after the call went out yesterday, a bunch of amazing folks have already stepped up to donate! Thanks to all of you! And to those who aren’t in a position to contribute financially, thanks for reading and sharing (and printing and folding all those zines)!! Knowing that you value this work, means a lot. Because of you, I’m looking forward to being able to make more comics in 2025!

Usually, I encourage readers to sign up for this Substack newsletter, The Drawing Book (about my old sketchbook journal comics). But this week, I want to plug The Sprawl! (Or, be adventurous - subscribe to both!!) You can find The Sprawl here, and sign up for free to get a Saturday newsletter with a story about Calgary, often in the form of a podcast… or a comic! Not only will you be supporting local journalism, you’ll be joining a community of folks who care about Calgary.

P.S. Even if you don’t live in (or care about!) Calgary, thanks for reading! I wonder who the local storytellers are, in your city, or wherever you live? Maybe you can find out. Or maybe you’re one of them! Keep going… we need you!