If this past weekend’s 2009 Maine Comics Arts Festival was any indication of the future of independent comics, we’ve got some great stuff coming our way. The room at Portland’s Ocean Gateway teemed with enthusiastic art and comics fans–some more mainstream than others (the sole cosplay girl dressed up like a dominatrix Catwoman maybe misunderstood the premise).

Happy kids fluttered about the tables with their parents, who were shelling out for the many all-ages books available; artists gabbed with each other, swapping info and booklets; and local comic mainstreamers, to their surprise, discovered some real independent talent. With an impressive lineup of guests and artists engaged with their fans (and delicious free Capt’n Eli’s Soda samples), the MECAF was a true success on several levels–as an event itself, and as a medium to gain excited new fans.

–Adri Cowan

[Check out more pics of the event, after the jump.]

Nate Doyle and his "Crooked Teeth."

Maris Wicks sketchin' up some funny.

Colleen Frakes and Jon Chad

Trees & Hills Comics Group's Colin Tedford

"French Milk" creator Lucy Knisley & co.

Becky Cloonan caught in the act.

Kean Soo signs for his fans.