The Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland is coming in a few months, and fans and artists alike are gearing up for the fifteenth year of the event. The event will again take place at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center on September 11 and 12. But for those who have never heard of the event, or don’t know a thing about comics beyond that guy with the bat ears, what’s in it for you?
The comics and artists presented at SPX go against traditional ideas of what a comic can be. The best work is recognized with an Ignatz Award. The name comes from a character in George Herriman’s early 20th-century comic strip, Krazy Kat. The surreal art and storyline are a major influence for modern independent cartoonists.
Last year, cartoonist and punk rocker Nate Powell won the “Outstanding Artist” award for his book Swallow Me Whole, the story of two stepsiblings haunted by hallucinations and OCD. Powell will be at the show again this year, along with 2009 “Promising New Talent” Colleen Frakes. Her book Woman King is the story of a young girl raised by a family of bears, and Frakes currently has a great deal on her website for a $10 personalized copy of the book, complete with a dedication and watercolor sketch.
If you’re still in a money-saving mood, or just want to get involved, you can opt to be a volunteer at this years expo. Volunteers get a free badge and admission. If you’re already in the DC area, you can start even sooner by helping put up posters and flyers. This year is looking to be another great one in the history of the event, and a great introduction if you want to see just what all the fuss is about.