“King” is subtitled “A Comics Biography”, but those expecting a children’s perspective of the great civil rights advocate will be greatly surprised.  Anderson’s work has been acclaimed for returning an air of humanity to a man often considered a legend.  The three 80-page volumes included in the new “Special Edition” were originally published between 1993 and 2002, and here they are joined by an author’s essay on making the book, sketches and scripts, deleted scenes, and a new story on race relations in modern times, titled “Black Dogs”.  Anderson’s emphasis on the tragedies of King’s life doesn’t overshadow the man’s triumphs, but it is a potent reminder of how far there is left to go.

“Sand & Fury: A Scream Queen Adventure” sounds like it could be the title of a ‘60s comic book or monster movie, but Anderson’s influences here actually include psychological horror auteurs like David Lynch, Dario Argento, and Roman Polanski.  The simple version of the plot involves a supernatural stranger and a series of killings, but as in “King”, Anderson makes his story a commentary on larger themes of isolation and ignorance.  You can download previews of both books at their respective Fantagraphics sites.  If you like what you read, you can also learn more about Anderson’s other work online, including an as-yet-uncollected “traditional superhero” story, “Wise Son: The White Wolf”.

• Fathom: Blue Descent snagged the #1 spot.  This is an introductory issue to a new series starring a female superhero named Aspen Matthews, who controls water.  The series was originally created by the late Michael Turner, but the new series will be written by Ale Garza.  Fathom has always had beautiful visuals, and this new series looks to continue the trend.
• Simpsons Comics #166 was at #5 for the month.  Not all fans of the show may know that there is in fact a comic, which provides new stories featuring these favorite characters.  In issue #166, Homer decides to enter a bicycle race, despite having no clue how to win.  Bart steps in to help, and chaos, of course, ensues.
• Wolfskin: Hundredth Dream #2 came in at #11.  This is the sequel to a series originally published in 2006-2007 and written by renowned creator Warren Ellis.  It should appeal to fans of both history and fantasy with its depiction of a violent but thoughtful savage warrior.
• Atomic Robo: Revenge of the Vampire Dimension #3 was in the 15^th spot.  One of the lightest reads on the list, the main character is a robot created by Nikola Tesla who fights enemies ranging from Nazi scientists to vampires, as the name implies.  The author, Brian Clevinger, also has a popular video-game webcomic, 8-Bit Theater.

And for something completely different:

• The Sarah Palin: Rogue Warrior comic at #24 presents the politician in a variety of action hero poses.   You won’t see Palin like this anywhere else.  All hail comics!

Despite its early troubles, the company has survived to this day as a beacon of insight in the comics world.  Its foremost publication is The Comics Journal, started in 1976.  The monthly magazine treats comics as a fine art form and has garnered its share of controversy over the years, whether by knocking popular superhero titles or creating a definitive list of the top 100 comics.

Since 1982, Fantagraphics has also been publishing its own comics.  Many of these have become critically acclaimed, and one (Daniel Clowes’s Ghost World) has been turned into a movie.  Others have showed their popularity by their long-running nature.  15 issues of Chris Ware’s Acme Novelty Library were published between 1993 and 2001, after which the series has been self-published.  Love and Rockets by the Hernandez Brothers ran for 50 issues between 1982 and 1996, and ushered in a new generation of comic book fans who saw them as a new form of literature.

In 2003, Fantagraphics was almost forced into bankruptcy when one of its distributors, Seven Hills Distribution, went out of business.  However, fans helped bring the company back from the brink by an increased number of orders, especially of the new line of hardcover collections of classic strips like Peanuts and Popeye.  In 2006, Fantagraphics opened an official store in Seattle, making it even easier for fans to find their distinctive products.  Despite whatever obstacles it faces in the future, you can be sure Fantagraphics will be able to weather the storm.

First, you will have to come up with a way of printing it.  You can use commercial stores like Fed Ex Office or, if you’re lucky enough to have access to a college or university, you can use their printing departments.  Before you get to this step, you’ll also have to figure out what to charge for the book.  This depends on a variety of things, like how long it is, how many you have available, and how much the printing cost.  One thing to keep in mind is that people usually like paying with single coins, so make it a round 25 cents rather than trying to go lower.

The next step is advertising and promotion.  This is how you’ll convince buyers to pay for your comic instead of a book from a larger company.  It’s important to make sure you’re reaching the right audience, so decide if you want to advertise in magazines with larger circulation, like Wizard and Previews, or a smaller, more independent newsletter.  Of course, you can also always just tell your friends, and tell them to tell their friends, and tell them to tell…

In today’s modern world, the internet can be your best friend as well.  If you use a print-on-demand company like Lightning Source, you can even get your books onto the Holy Grail of sites, Amazon.  Even larger independent presses like iUniverse and Xlibris make use of this model.  These are just a few of the things you’ll have to consider before you get your book in the hands of the fans.

Usually the easiest way is by mail or websites, or at festivals like Oxford’s “Caption” event and London’s “Mini Comix Thing.”  Writers who start small don’t always stay that way, though.  Many have gained at least a moderate audience, both in their home and in America.  A few are listed below.

Eddie Campbell started writing autobiographical comics in the 1970s, with series like In the Days of the Ace Rock and Roll Club and Alec.  He also created a comics character named Bacchus based off of the Roman god of wine.  In 1989 he illustrated the graphic novel From Hell, a Jack the Ripper tale which gained acclaim with the release of the 2001 American film.

Another artist who has seen his work transferred to film is Jamie Hewlett.  That work was Tank Girl, Hewlett’s story of a punk girl who drives a tank and is in love with a mutant kangaroo.  For some reason, the 1995 film didn’t catch on with a wide audience, but a later project did—Hewlett is also the co-creator of the animated band Gorillaz.

Paul Grist is a creator who has worked with now-mainstream writers Grant Morrison and Mark Millar.  However, Grist’s most popular work is still the stuff he wrote and drew himself—a crime series called Kane and the unique superhero series Jack Staff, which is now published by the American Image Comics.  The series follows a very old—or immortal—hero who has been fighting crime since the Victorian era.

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 20^th-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.