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.]

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[Above, Bryan Talbot takes us to "Grandville." Below, the Dispatch takes you to Funkytown.]

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[Above, Michael Kupperman "Thrizzles." Below, the Dispatch sizzles.]

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[Above, Scott Morse's "Gears" get heady. Below, the Dispatch.]

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[Above, Jason's "Moon" gets low, gets low. Below, to the window to the wall - the Dispatch.]

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[Above, Suzzane Kleid & Joan Reilly get girl power. Below, the Dispatch spices up your life.]

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[Above, Moomia's cute as button. Below, the equally adorable Dispatch. ]

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[Above, Kevin Pyle confesses. Below, the guilt-ridden Dispatch.]

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[Above, Matthew Loux's least Kosher panel, ever. Below, rock Dispatch.]

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[Above, Hope Larson on the power of the taqueria. Below, the Dispatch taco truck.]

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