SPX 2005

This past weekend I was in Bethesda, Maryland, along with a ton of other Small Independent publishers, hawking their wares at the 2005 edition of SPX; The Small Press Expo.

When it comes to comic/book shows and cons SPX stands above as a con devoted only to books and comics.
No huge overblown companies.
No "silicon valley" models
No movie companies
No toy booths
No obscure supporting actor from some long ago forgotten sci-fi TV show or movie.
Nope, Just Comics, Mini Comics and Graphic Novels.
(and the creative folks who make them)

So, on Friday, September 23, myself and fellow Philly Cartoonist Andrew Hoffmann, hopped in my rental car, and drove the 2.5 hours to the Holiday Inn, Bethesda (where the show is held and where I stayed.)
That's another nice aspect of SPX, you can stay in the same place where the show is, no scrambling with cabs, hauling all of your stuff. Just dealing with slow elevators.

The show started at 2:00 PM Friday and ran through 8 that first day. Unlike other shows that I've appeared in the past, we had a great set-up this year. Our tables were lined up so we could sit beside friends that made the weekend more fun.

Our group (The Philadelphia Cartoonist Society & Baboon Books) had 1.5 tables.
Besides myself and Andrew, sitting at our tables were fellow PCSer's Jeff Kilpatrick, Chris Patchell, Melissa Lomax, Ed McKeogh and his wife Rebecca. (while she isn't a cartoonist, she was pregnant).

Here are (from L to R) Chris, Andrew and myself drawing sketches (with Rebecca overseeing):


Here's Jeff after coming back from another PBR run (from L to R) Jeff, Rebecca & Ed):


Besides selling copies of the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society Anthology, Melissa & Chris did very well selling personalized illustrated/painted t-shirts and mail bags. (from L to R) Melissa & Chris:


To my left sat cartoonist Robert Bienvenu, a member of the Baton Rouge Cartoonist Society. Besides being a talented artist, message poster on the Captain Comics Message Board and a great guy, he (along with his son) were at the show selling copies of The BRCS Hurricane Relief Anthology. A great book, collecting submissions of artists all over the world, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Next to Robert sat another PCSer, cartoonist Jamar Nicholas. (from L to R) Jamar paging through the Anthology as Melissa looks on.


And finally, last (but not least), to the left of Jamar, is another Philly guy and a hell-of-an-artist in his own right, Mike Manley




Well, that was our lineup for SPX. I'll be back later tonight with more pictures and stories of the goings on at the show.