Small Press Expo 2012 has come and gone and while I didn’t spend long there, about 4 hours, I made it around the floor multiple times and picked up a thick stack of books to review (and some original art). The show was packed with all types of people across the age spectrum. Folks are reporting this was a great show, and you could see it. Indie comics are booming if this is any indication.
The books on the show floor were varied and there was something for everyone, but here’s what I picked up, in no particular order.
Comic: Burning Building Comix
Creator: Jeff Zwrek
This graphic novel is read a bit differently, telling the story one floor at a time in a burning building. The concept is cool and execution fun. The design is what sold me and this is a book I haven’t seen another example of in it’s execution. Hopefully the interior is as creative as the exterior concept.
Comic: Johnny Hiro
Creator: Fred Chao
I was sold with the words “honor-bound business ronin.” I’m still not 100% sure what the comic is about, but the art is solid and beautiful to look at. I flipped through some pages and it looks really entertaining.
Comic: The Accidental Candidate: The Rise and Fall of Alvin Greene
Creator: Corey Hutchins and David Axe – writer, Blue Delliquanti – art
The story of South Carolina Senate candidate Alvin Greene that came out of no where. This was the political story for a solid month and it’s a book I’ve wanted to get my hands on since I heard it was released.
Comic: Nathan Sorry
Creator: Rich Barrett
I picked up both volumes which follows a man who’s on the run after he steals $20 million post 9/11. The art was cool and story intriguing. It seemed like an easy buy for me.
Comic: Infinity Roads Vol. 1
Creator: Tim Sparvero
A science fiction story about a man who has created a life in his dreams where he’s fallen in love. The story description is a bit weird and that sold me. Should be an interesting read.
Comic: The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal
Creator: E.K. Weaver
Two guys head cross country from Berkeley to Providence. The story seems to be a coming of age sort of thing and the interior art hooked me. I seriously have no idea what to expect with this.
Comic: Between Gears
Creator: Natalie Nourigat
This is the type of book that hooks me, an autobiographical comic detailing Nourigat’s last year at the University of Oregon. Don’t know why, but I find these types of books fascinating and the art looked solid. An easy sale to me.
Comic: Afrodisiac
Creator: Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca
The art has this throwback 70s look and it’s a blaxploitation comic, sold.
Comic: The Deadbeat
Creator: Jeremy Massie
A story about a down on his luck superhero and his estranged daughter. It’s a story I thought about writing (well something close) so very interested in reading this.
Comic: Lower East Side Story #1-3
Creator: Peter Friedrich
Friedrich decided to take a look at the gentrification of the Lower East Side of New York City. He had photos to show what it looked like and his comic is pretty well researched in how it happened.
Comic: Old-Timey Hockey Tales
Creator: Robert Ullman and Jeffrey Brown
I’m a fan of hockey, nuff said.
Small Press Expo has announced Lisa Hanawalt, Jeffrey Brown, Charles Burns, and Sarah Glidden as special guests for SPX 2016. These guests are in addition those previously announced for the 40th Anniversary of Fantagraphics celebration; Daniel Clowes, Carol Tyler, Jim Woodring, Drew Friedman, Jaime & Gilbert Hernandez, Ed Piskor, SPX first timer Trina Robbins, and a rare festival appearance by Joe Sacco.
