Tag Archives: small press expo

SPX Announces Funny Pages at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

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Funny Pages

The Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced two more comics-related films with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in their ongoing film series celebrating comics and their impact on storytelling. This special series features screenings of acclaimed films and documentaries, culminating in the highly anticipated SPX 2025 weekend, that will occur September 13-14.

The SPX-AFI Silver series continues on Sunday, April 13, at 3:45 PM at the AFI Silver Theatre with a showing of Funny Pages.

Director Owen Kline made an auspicious debut as a filmmaker with this quirky and blackly comic coming-of-age tale. Kline’s love for comic book art shines through, as does an awareness that genuine underground and outsider art does not come from corporate workplaces or well-adjusted people.

The film will be screening in 35mm with a special appearance by director Owen Kline.

For more info and tickets visit the AFI Silver web site.

The series continues with a showing of the documentary Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt that will be held on May 18 at 3:15 PM.

This in-depth documentary traces Drew Friedman‘s evolution from underground comics to the cover of the New Yorker through interviews with Friedman’s friends and colleagues. It also features a rare peek into his private “Jewseum,” perhaps the world’s largest collection of artifacts devoted exclusively to Jewish comedians.

For more info and tickets visit the AFI Silver web site.

SPX Announces Art Spiegelman Documentary at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

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Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse

The Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced an exciting collaboration with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center to present a film series celebrating comics and their impact on storytelling. This special series will feature screenings of acclaimed films and documentaries, culminating in the highly anticipated SPX 2025 weekend, that will occur September 13-14.

The series launches with the Washington, DC premiere of Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse! on Sunday, March 9, at 7:00 PM at the AFI Silver Theatre.

This intimate documentary explores the life and creative process of legendary Maus cartoonist Art Spiegelman.

Following the screening, co-director Philip Dolan will participate in a Q&A session to discuss the making of the film and Spiegelman’s profound influence on the comics world.

Throughout the year, the SPX-AFI Silver film series will continue with a diverse lineup of films celebrating comics, cartoonists, and their unique storytelling power.

In April, the series will feature Funny Pages, a teen coming-of-age story about becoming a cartoonist, screening in 35mm with a special appearance by director Owen Kline. Tickets go on sale next week at AFI.com/Silver.

Further screenings and guest appearances will be announced in the coming months.

The Small Press Expo 2024 Ignatz Award Winners are…

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Small Press Expo 2024

The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, has announced the 2024 winners for the annual presentation of the Ignatz Awards, a celebration of outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning.

Voting for the Ignatz Awards was opened to anybody on the SPX email lists and anyone who requested a ballot.

The Ignatz Awards ceremony was held on Saturday September 14 during the convention.

The 2024 Ignatz Winners are noted in bold with “- Winner” next to the listing.

OUTSTANDING ARTIST

  • Flippy, Nate Garcia (Domino Books)
  • Night Fever (from Gladiolus Magazine #1), Robyn Smith (Black Josei) Press – WINNER
  • Portrait of a Body, Julie Delporte (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Spiral and Other Stories, Aidan Koch (New York Review Comics)
  • The Great Beyond, Léa Murawiec (Drawn & Quarterly)

OUTSTANDING ANTHOLOGY

  • Let Her Be Evil, Cassandra Jones, ed. (Zoop)
  • Pulping, Jenn Woodall, Jon Iñaki, Jonathan Rotsztain, Mitch Lohmeier and Paterson Hodgson, ed. (Pulping Collective) – WINNER
  • We Belong, Viktor T. Kerney and William O. Tyler, ed. (Stacked Deck Press)
  • Wheels on the Bus, Lucio Luiz, ed. (Jupati Books)
  • Won’t Back Down: An Anthology of Pro-Choice Comics, Trina Robbins, ed. (Last Gasp)

OUTSTANDING COLLECTION

  • Buzzelli Collected Works Vol. 1: The Labyrinth, Guido Buzzelli, translated by Jamie Richards (Floating World Comics)
  • Complete and Utter Malarkey, November Garcia (Fieldmouse Press)
  • Gender Studies: The Confessions of an Accidental Outlaw, Ajuan Mance (Rosarium Press)
  • Offshore Lightning, Saito Nazuna, translated by Alexa Frank (Drawn & Quarterly) – WINNER
  • Resenter, Gigi Murakami (Self-Published)

OUTSTANDING COMIC

  • Fielder #2, Kevin Huizenga (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Follow the Doll Issue 2, Daryl Seitchik (Parsifal Press)
  • My Body Unspooling, Leo Fox (Silver Sprocket) – WINNER
  • Sunflowers, Keezy Young (Silver Sprocket)
  • The Audra Show #7: The Love Issue, Audra Stang (Self-Published)

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC NOVEL

  • Optometry, Xiang Yata (Driftwood Press)
  • Roaming, Jillian Tamaki & Mariko Tamaki (Drawn & Quarterly) – WINNER
  • The Talk, Darrin Bell (Macmillan Publishers)
  • Time Under Tension, M.S. Harkness (Fantagraphics)
  • Unended, Josh Bayer (Uncivilized Books)

OUTSTANDING MINICOMIC

  • Find a Seat, Faye Stacey (Quindrie Press)
  • Hyper Fawnus, Anna Two (Self-Published)
  • Lullaby, Jordan Jeffries (Cosmic Dog House Press)
  • Manga Cube, LEHUO (Self-Published) – WINNER
  • Pauline Newman, Greer de Maglie (Self-Published)

OUTSTANDING ONLINE COMIC

  • Buuza!!, Shazleen Khan – WINNER
  • In the Shadow of Giants, Aria Villafranca and Matthew Fisher
  • Marigold, Emily Zilber
  • Rigsby Wi, SE Case
  • The Legend of Mariposa, James Lawrence

OUTSTANDING SERIES

  • CosmoKnights, Hannah Templer (Top Shelf Productions) – WINNER
  • CRAM, Andrew Alexander, ed. (CRAM Books)
  • Jaywalk, Floyd Tangeman, ed. (Domino Books)
  • Kuš! Baltic Comics Magazine, Various (Kuš)
  • Tongues, Anders Nilsen (Self-Published)

OUTSTANDING STORY

  • “The Happy Art”, Sami Alwani (Pulping Collective) – WINNER
  • “And When I See You, I’ll Tell You Everything” (from You Are Not a Guest), Leela Corman (Fieldmouse Press)
  • Scorpio Venus Rising #1, Corinne Halbert (Self-Published)
  • The Gift, Jamila Rowser & Sam Wade (Black Josei Press)
  • The Super Hero’s Journey, Patrick McDonnell (Abrams Books)

PROMISING NEW TALENT:

  • 10-10 To The Wind, Cole Degenstein (Fieldmouse Press)
  • Gift Box, Pingnan Lu (Self-Published)
  • Optometry, Xiang Yata (Driftwood Press)
  • Tales of the Orishas, Hugo Canuto (Abrams)
  • The Great Beyond, Léa Murawiec (Drawn & Quarterly) – WINNER

SPX 2024 Debut Review: Mae the Master leaves us wanting more

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Mae The Master

Mae and her friends are determined to be the best martial artists on the planet. Too bad the Podunk village they live in can’t offer a bigger challenge than “Pervis, the Glass Weasel!.” But, when they come across the well known fighter Stone Caesar, have they met their match? Mae the Master is an entertaining read that’s a clear love letter to Shonen Manga.

Written and art by M. Jacob Alvarez, Mae the Master is a familiar story that doesn’t veer too much from its roots. A group of fighters are at a tournament and wind up fighting. It doesn’t get more complicated than that really. But, Alvarez delivers a fun innocence about this take that delivers a little bit of spin.

Mae the Master is an indie comic, one that’s done out of love for the genre with a bit of its own take on the “tournament concept.” In this case, Alvarez focuses on a rather innocent fighter, one that’s surrounded by many well above her abilities. Her innocence mixed with the rather realistic viewpoint of her friends, mixed with the gruff rest of the contestants creates a mix that’s not necessarily new overall, but makes it a bit more than just a comic focused on fighting. You kind of want to see the sweet innocent fighter kick some ass.

Alvarez’s art is entertaining too. The characters all have personality in their look and the fighting itself is decent. This is an entertaining indie comic, rough in the art and concept but overall it comes together and is boosted by the clear love the creator has for the concept.

The negative is the comic feels like it just ends. I wanted to read more immediately which is absolutely a good thing. I want to see the full tournament play out and where it all goes. If you’re at Small Press Expo 2024 this coming weekend, the comic is listed as free so there’s no reason to not grab a copy and check out Alvarez’s talent.

Story: M. Jacob Alvarez Art: M. Jacob Alvarez
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: “Buy“

Hypno Spiral Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Get yours at SPX 2024

SPX 2024 Debut Review: The Atheist’s Guide to the Old Testament is a compact action packed take on the Bible

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The Atheist’s Guide to the Old Testament

Described as an easy-to-read exegesis for doubters, scoffers and blasphemers, The Atheist’s Guide to the Old Testament makes its debut at this weekend’s Small Press Expo (SPX).

Written and art by M. Jacob Alvarez The Atheist’s Guide to the Old Testament keeps the focus on the action from the Torah/Bible skipping the books packed with rules and instead getting to the meat of it. Action, battles, mass murder, lots of sexual assault, it’s covered in a somewhat humorous take by Alvarez who cuts through the crap and gets to the entertaining parts.

I’ve read the Bible through and most of it is a slog. Alvarez has a knack for making it entertaining by presenting the more salacious moments. And, as presented, it comes off as a multi-part summer blockbuster.

But, what’s interesting is Alvarez brings it all together by the end reflecting on some key details that connects the stories and some of the themes and questions they raise. There’s also the dance between fact and fiction and what seems to be forgotten over time or just not really focused on.

The Atheist’s Guide to the Old Testament is an entertaining read that cuts through the slog that so much of the Bible is and instead presents things in an entertaining way that focuses on stories that could be blockbuster films. There’s an entertaining spin that Alvarez puts to it all, making the Bible a fun read that brings blasphemy, blockbuster, and pop culture fun together.

Story: M. Jacob Alvarez Art: M. Jacob Alvarez
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Hypno Spiral Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Get yours at SPX 2024 – Hypno Spiral Comics store

Small Press Expo’s 30th Birthday Celebration by the Numbers

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Small Press Expo 2024

This weekend, September 14 -15, celebrate Small Press Expo‘s 30th birthday at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, across from the North Bethesda Metro station on the Red Line.

That’s right, the first SPX was held in 1994! Here are some other numbers to remember:

  • We will have 18 Workshops you can attend to learn more about creating your own comics!
  • Peruse the wares of over 50 Publishers printing the best in indie comics!
  • And of course, explore the tables of over 450 Exhibitors with a wide range of comics, mini-comix, graphic novels, anthologies, prints, and posters for sale!

Tickets are $20 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday, and $30 for both days. Get your advance tickets here or buy them at the door.

SPX 2024 reveals its City Wide Events

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Small Press Expo 2024

Small Press Expo has announced numerous events that take place throughout the surrounding area during SPX 2024. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 14-15, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, across the street from the North Bethesda Metro stop on the Red Line). SPX will have over 500 creators, 280 exhibitor tables, 22 programming panels and 14 hands-on workshops to introduce attendees to the amazing world of independent and small press comics.

Lists of Special Guests, Debuts, Exhibitors, Program Panels and Workshops can all be found on the SPX web site.

30th Anniversary of SPX Exhibits

Exhibits showing works from the SPX Collection at the Library of Congress will be on display on the second floor of the Jefferson Building, as well as a smaller exhibit in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room LM-133 of the Madison Building 101 Independence Ave.

Ongoing 8:30AM-5PM | Jefferson Building 10 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Ongoing 8:30AM-5PM | Madison Building 101 Independence Ave, Washington, DC 20003

Friday September 13

SPX Lecture at the Library of Congress: Tillie Walden, Ideas for Tomorrow: The Future of Queer Comics

Join us as award-winning artist and author Tillie Walden discusses her career and process while also considering the future of the medium in light of all of the challenges facing creators and books alike. A small display of materials from the Library of Congress’ Small Press Expo (SPX) Collection will accompany the talk. 

09/13/2024 | Noon – 1:00pm | Dining Hall A – 6th Floor Madison Building – 101 Independence Ave. Washington, D.C.

Drawing on History: Creating the Graphic Adaptation of 1177 BC

How does a cartoonist adapt a scholarly work of history, specifically Eric H. Cline’s 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed? In this talk, award-winning illustrator Glynnis Fawkes will describe the process of interpreting Eric’s text in comics. Join Glynnis Fawkes and Dr. Eric Cline as they discuss the creation of 1177 B.C.: A Graphic History of the Year Civilization Collapsed (Princeton University Press).

09/13/2024 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | George Washington University Campus Store – 2125 I Street Northwest Washington, DC 20052

Monday September 16

Solas Nua, in partnership with Drawn & Quarterly and Georgetown Global Irish Studies, presents:

Luke Healy In Conversation

Solas Nua and Georgetown Global Irish Studies are proud to present Luke Healy in a public conversation panel event to discuss his latest work from Drawn & Quarterly, Self-Esteem and the End of the World.

09/16/2024 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm | NYU DC – 1307 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005

SPX 2024 Announces Publisher Profiles and Other Information

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Small Press Expo 2024

Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 500 artists and 50 publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year.

Publishers exhibiting at SPX 2024 are putting together their profiles for the SPX web site. These profiles will let you know their:

  • Book signings
  • Debuts
  • Creators contributions to panels and workshops

Publisher profiles are now live, with more of them coming in the run-up to the show.

In the next two weeks, SPX will tell you about the exciting city wide events that are part of SPX 2024, along with a listing of all the book signings occurring at in the exhibitor room.

The convention takes place September 14 and 15 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

SPX 2024 Announces Programming Slate and Advance Tickets

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Small Press Expo 2024

Small Press Expo (SPX) announces its a full slate of in-person programming for the 2024 show and advance ticket sales.

To avoid registration lines to SPX 2024, pick up your advanced tickets at Eventbrite.

The programming slate at SPX 2024 has a variety of panels, highlighted by Dash Shaw in Conversation with Eleanor Davis and a performance of Cartoon Carousel led by Robert Sikoryak.

There are twenty-two panels in all that will be held on Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th. The full programming schedule with descriptions can be seen on the SPX website.

This programming is in addition to the previously announced 14 hands-on workshops, which you can sign up for here. 

Here are a few highlights from this year’s programming slate:

  • Big Concepts in Non-fiction – Moderated by Jonathan Gray with Glynnis Fawkes, Dan Nott, Nate Powell, Bill Campbell, Caitlin Cass.
  • Queer Sports – Moderated by Tanya Dorph-Mankey with Tillie Walden, Ngozi Ukazu, Jonah Newman, Coco Fox.
  • Reproductive Rights – Moderated by Karen Green, with Sage Coffey, Marnie Galloway, Isabella Rotman, Anna Sellheim.
  • The Pitfalls of Time Travel – Moderated by Warren Bernard, with Carol Lay, Jess Fink, Benjamin Wilgus.

Small Press Expo 2024 has revealed its exhibitor list

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Small Press Expo 2024

Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 500 artists and 50 publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year.

The convention has revealed its exhibitor list and map where you can find them at the show.

The convention takes place September 14 and 15 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

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