Max Douglas - Comic Jams

Comic Jams

A Comic jam or Comix Jams are social gatherings loosely based around a constraint-based exercise reminiscent of Raymond Queneau's Oulipo (Workshop for Potential Literature) and its subsequent comics arm, Oubapo (Workshop for Potential Comics). In the 60's in San Francisco, Robert Crumb & the Zap Comix 'all Stars' produced short often non narrative comix that make the earliest well documented use of the name 'Comix Jam'.

In 1995 Max became involved in organizing collaborative Comix Jams after attending a few in Montreal hosted by Rupert Bottenberg. He helped organize one of the first of such events held in Toronto, arranging to have Rupert and a group of Montreal Jam regulars to attend, and promoting the event locally to the Toronto Comics scene. The event was a success, including coverage from the local media. And inspired one attendee, Zine publisher Dave Howard, to take up hosting similar events on a monthly basis.

After Moving to Montreal Max began hosting monthly Jams there, publishing the pages online and in regular Zines. He hosted the events from 2001 to 2004 approximately.