Warren Bernard: Over the last decade, the public, school systems, libraries, critics, movie/TV studios and the media in general have all opened up to the great work being done in the comics field. Add in the web/Internet to enable better marketing and distribution, and viola! A great recipe for the comics world.
What appeal does small press comics have for the mainstream comic book reader? Why should a Marvel or DC fanboy/girl pick up a small press comic?
Well, one of our guests, Jaime Hernandez drew the cover for the upcoming Strange Tales #2 from Marvel and James Sturm, another of our guests, won an Eisner Award for his Fantastic Four mini-series, Unstable Molecules. Dean Haspiel's latest, Cuba, My Revolution is being released by DC comics Vertigo imprint. There is a vast crossover these days between the so called "indie" comic world and the so called "mainstream" comic book world. We have a number of creators, comics and panel discussions at SPX that should appeal to the comic fan in all of us.
So why does the world need SPX? What does it have that other larger mega conventions doesn’t? On your website you talk about how tables are only available to creators or publishers. Why is that? Your exhibitor list is huge! It’s up to over 400 exhibitors! What is the attraction for all these people to showcase their comics?
(Sorry, gonna answer all three of these at once, they really overlap quite a bit!!!!)
Well, we would not be here if the world did not need us!!! We saw an opportunity back in the very late 20th Century (jeez, was it that long ago?) that the public was not getting a chance to see the great work being done by the independent creator and the smaller publishers. They also did not have an opportunity to visit with the artists and writers who dwell in this part of the Comics Universe. So we thought the best way to put the two together is to just have those above mentioned people exhibit and use SPX as a showcase for their talents without trying to compete with the large, established publishers. We focus on the newly created, and its creator, if we had retailers show up, it would be than many less stars in this part of the Comics Universe that we could have at SPX.
The (closer to) 350 or so exhibitors show up for one main reason. The DC area loves them!! We have been increasing attendance every year this century, the DC area shows up to spend time with these very talented people and to buy their wares. The exhibitors get a chance to hobnob with The Big Guests, the fans and amongst themselves. A pleasant time is guaranteed for all....
For first time visitors to the convention, what can they expect to see and do?
Go through the exhibit hall and try to visit every table. It may seem like a lot, but rest assured there are tons of Faberge Easter Egg like gems to be had. These comic gems look great on the outside, but then the inside really blows you away. Be sure to attend a few panels on our program. We have some great interviews and discussions with such people as DC's own Richard Thompson, the great Jaime Hernandez and the award winning James Sturm, who co-founded the Center for Cartoon Studies.
What are some of the cool things on the slate for SPX this year?
Well, we are having our first Animation Showcase, that will feature juried selections of animated cartoons, along with a showing of Nina Paley's feature film "Sita Sungs The Blues". I, for one, will be sure to be in the audience when Gary Groth interviews Jaime Hernandez, as well as when Kate Beaton and Julia Wertz talk comics, just two of the great panels we have planned. The ever present and very enjoyable Ignatz Awards is open to anyone who attended SPX and will be held Saturday night at 9PM. And we feed you after the award ceremony. How much cooler can things get?
