Curious Calgary

We created a new local comics series that is specifically designed for people to print at home—and pass around by hand. This was in response to Facebook and Instagram blocking Canadian news. We used to post comics on Instagram, but with that no longer an option, we had to come up with a new format. We viewed this as an opportunity to refresh our comics and also build The Sprawl’s brand in the community in a fun, lighthearted way.

The series is called Curious Calgary. Each zine tells a local story and can be printed on a regular sheet of paper, and folded into an eight-panel zine (there are instructions on our website). We have also held “printer’s hours” for Sprawl members—drop-in events where people can fold zines with us and make a print on a tabletop printing press. This has strengthened our connection with members and given them a direct hand in helping publish and share our work in the community by stocking them into Little Free Libraries, coffeeshops and other spots.

The Curious Calgary zines also get published in our newsletter and on our website. So they can be read online, in print—or both!