So we had the pleasure of attending SPX 2017 as members of the press this past weekend. It had the quirks, charms, and -isms of a large, bustling con, but with much smaller lines and a more intimate setting so you could pick up merch, comics, and zines without hassle. And best of all, it gave both long time fans and fresh faces an opportunity to meet the creators of the work they were buying. Can you imagine going to see a movie at the theater and being greeted at the door by the director? Imagine that but for indie and small press publications–that’s SPX.
For those of you not in the know–SPX stands for Small Press Expo and is a two day convention held in Bethesda, Maryland for indie and small press publications. They have comic books, graphic novels, zines, art books, merch galore, and much more! They host panels and workshops held by exhibitors for informational lectures and hands-on activities. The atmosphere is extremely lively, vibrant, and promotes an environment of inclusiveness which I very much appreciated.
We met artists, cartoonists, illustrators, and writers from all over the country and had the pleasure of interviewing several of them, so this list is dedicated to select notable debuts and highlights we encountered at the show.
You can find the podcast version of this rundown here. We’re on iTunes, Google Play Music, SoundCloud, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, and BluBrry. Just search “The Apogeeks” in your favorite listening service. We post new episodes every Friday!
In alphabetical order:
1. Alex Zandra Van Chestein – Squid Maids
You can find Squid Maids at zandravandra.itch.io/squidmaids.
2. Alyssa Alecci – Lapse
Alyssa’s Interview is on Episode 3 of The Apogeeks Podcast.
You can find more of Alyssa’s work at lapsecomic.com.
3. Ashanti Fortson – Vestigia
You can find Ashanti at twitter.com/ashantifortson.
4. Avi Roberts – The Interstellar Hotel
Avi’s interview is on Episode 3 of The Apogeeks Podcast.
5. Christine Fouron – Melting Pot
You can find more of Christine’s work at fouronillustration.com
6. E Jackson – Liminality
You can find more of E’s work at twitter.com/ehetja.
7. Erin Bushnell – Peafowl
You can find more of Erin’s work at erinbushnell.com
8. Felix Yin – The Promise
You can find more of Felix’s work at righty-o.com.
9. Izzi Ross – Seamus & Abbie
Izzi’s interview is on Episode 3 of The Apogeeks Podcast.
You can find more of Izzi’s work at seamusandabbie.com
10. Jason Porath – Rejected Princesses
You can find more of Jason’s work at rejectedprincesses.com.
11. Jerel Dye – Mechanized
You can find more of Jerel’s work at drawjereldraw.tumblr.com
12. Jon Mastantuono – The Guest House
You can find more of Jon’s work at drawdoer.com
13. Josh Welling – Skeleton Sword Fights!
You can find more of Josh’s work at slimejello.tumblr.com.
14. Juston McKee – Restless Minds – Nightmares
You can find more of Juston’s work at uppermindink.com
15. Kalani Carballo – Manifesto / Pistol Grip
Kalani & Chrissy’s interview is on Episode 3 of The Apogeeks Podcast.
You can find more of Kalani’s work at facebook.com/dummiecomicsinc.
16. Kamikaze Comic – Kamikaze
Kamikaze Comics’ interview is on Episode 3 of The Apogeeks Podcast.
You can find more of their work at kamikazecomic.com.
17. Megan James – Rank, Profession, or Occupation – Excerpts from
Britain’s 1881 Census.
You can find more of Megan’s work at sinkswimpress.com.
18. Moaz Elemam – My Own Temple
You can find more of Moaz’s work at moazelemam.com.
19. Nicole Maria Willis – You Would Like Her
You can find more of Nicole’s work at willisnicolem.tumblr.com.
20. Sarah Burns – Shrekless
You can find more of Sarah’s work at amoeba-butter.tumblr.com.
21. Sasha Kimiatek – Escapism
You can find more of Sasha’s work at sashakimiatek.com.
22. Shan Murphy – The Longest Monday
You can find more of Shan’s work at twitter.com/acornfriend.
23. Stephan Dartevelle – A to Zuul
You can find more of Stephan’s work at eckspeeemb.tumblr.com.
24. Swamphouse Press – Swamphouse Homebrew
You can find more of Swamphouse Press’ work at twitter.com/swamphousepress.
