Prairie Comics!Is that even a thing? Well, for as long as there have been talented folks from the Canadian prairies throwing their imagination and creativity behind comic books, graphic novels, zines, web comics, and anthologies, there have been prairie comics!But sometimes, art just needs a public forum for it to really come alive. The inaugural Prairie Comics Festival, held in July of 2016 at the Millennium Library in downtown Winnipeg, was just such an event. The one-day festival showcased yet another corner of our unique arts scene, boasting a marketplace packed with creators, publishers, and fans all excited to discover, share, and teach each other about new and upcoming locally-created graphic stories.If you weren’t able to attend, though, we’ve got you covered! The Prairie Comics Zine is a basically a mini-version of the festival, packed with original work from comics creators and publishers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. As tempting as it might be to peruse this zine while holed up at home, you could also take it for a walk and read it in a public, communal space if you really want to replicate that festival vibe while you’re being entertained.