SPX 2003 (Independent Comics)

Cafe Society
1

For any comics fans who have never heard of the SPX (Small Press Expo), it’s an annual convention held in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C., that only admits independent publishers and artists. The big four (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image) are not invited. It is by far one of the best comics conventions around, with big name indy creators waiting around to sign your books and possibly chat a bit. I went in 2000 and got to shake hands with Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Steve Lieber (Whiteout), and Scott McCloud (Zot, Understanding Comics) among others. I was also lucky to catch a lecture given by Jeff Smith and (horns blowing) Will Eisner on the state of the comics industry.

This year promises to be just as great with some of the featured guests including Frank Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), James Kolchaka (Sketchbook Diaries), and (really fuckin’ loud horns blowing) Pulitzer prize winner Art Spiegelman (I’m not gonna list his most famous book, just trust me when I say that you should already own it). Here’s a complete list of this year’s attendees.

It runs over the weekend of September 5-7, and aside from creator signings there will also be plenty of other events going on, including Q and A’s with Art Spiegelman and Eddie Campbell (From Hell), an awards ceremony, and an auction.

I have no idea how many comics fans on the SD are actually interested in a convention like this one, but let me tell you that it is a blast and is reaffirming in a lot of ways. Seeing some creator who’s bought a table to sell the photocopied and stapled comic he’s created, for no other reason than the fact that s/he loves comics, swelled up an incredible feeling the first time I hit the SPXpo. I’m starting this thread several months in advance because I want to make sure that anyone (even if it’s only one person) who might have an interest in this convention will have plenty of time to make travel arrangements and get time off of work. Any dopers who are interested in attending, just say so; I’m already planning on taking that weekend off and I’d love to hook up with you.

2

I’ll be there – in fact, I’ll probably be working the door on Saturday morning. I echo **Asylum[/b’s comments – it’s a great con and a lot of fun. It’s also considerably cheaper than many other cons. Finally, this is the last year that SPX will exist on its own – as of next year it is almost certainly going to become part of the larger Baltimore Con.

–Cliffy

3

whew! I thought this was a thread about how it went this year.

4

Hey, Cliffy, what are the criteria to work the SPX? They hiring? I’d love to spend my whole weekend at the con, and it’d be even cooler if I got paid to do it. Heck, I’d do it for free.