Maurice Vellekoop is a Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, and fashion designer based in Toronto. In a more than thirty-five-year career, Vellekoop has worked for top international editorial and advertising clients, published numerous zines, comics and books, created art for animation, and participated in art shows around the world.

Vellekoop’s book include Vellevision: A Cocktail of Comics and Pictures (Drawn & Quarterly, 1997), Maurice Vellekoop’s ABC Book: A Homoerotic Primer (Gates of Heck, 1997), A Nut at the Opera (Drawn & Quarterly, 2006), Maurice Vellekoop’s Pin Ups (Green Candy Press, 2009), and The World of Gloria Badcock (Koyama Press, 2011). His work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, Drawn & Quarterly, GQ, The New Yorker, Mother Jones, Rolling Stone, among others.

Vellekoop’s graphic memoir I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together was published in 2024 by Pantheon Books, describing his experience growing up gay within a conservative religious family and about his difficulty to connect intimately with other men during his adult life. Publishers Weekly, which gave the book a starred review, praised both the writing and art, noting its "nostalgic look and rich colors."

This year, Vellekoop was also inducted into the Giants of the North: Canadian Cartoonist Hall of Fame, which honors significant lifelong contributions to the art of comics in Canada. 

Vellekoop will read from his work and be interviewed by Chair of MFA Comics and fellow cartoonist Justin Hall, followed by a short reception. This event is free and open to the public.

7-8:30pm – a reading and a conversation with Justin Hall in Timken Hall

8:30-10pm – a reception and signing in the Nave Presentation space

Timken Hall, 1111 8th Street 

The Nave Presentation Space is adjacent to Timken Hall 

[View Campus & Main Building Map]

[Content warning: This presentation could contain images that are NSFW.]