2009 Stumptown Comics Fest Page 1
A photo diary of April 18 & 19
At the Stumptown Comics Fest comic creators are the main attraction. With 134 exhibit spaces it was a wonderful opportunity to meet cartoonists, discover new work, and see the latest books and zines—many making their debut at the show. The sixth annual event was organized by Director Shannon Stewart who took over from the show's long-time Director Indigo Kelleigh.
Portland (aka Stumptown) is a hub for independent comic creators, but the festival drew creators from all over the US and Canada. The show's guest of honor was Jeff Smith. Other special guests included Farel Dalrymple, Hellen Jo, Keith Knight, Carla Speed McNeil, Gail Simone, Craig Thompson, C. Spike Trotman, and Jim Valentino. Nearly all of the guests were featured in one hour sessions talking about their work and answering questions from the audience. There were also sessions on The How and Why of Mini Comics, Art and Small Business, Legal Rights, Editing, Teaching, and Writing.
The fest also featured a full day of portfolio reviews by publishers and pros in one of the quieter corners of the exhibit hall.
From my perspective this was the biggest show yet. Nearly every exhibit space was filled, including the wall furthest from the entrance, which was a bit sparse last year. The hall was jam-packed with attendees on Saturday and comfortably full on Sunday. Although I attended both days and took more pictures than last year I still wasn't able to meet even half of the creators present.
Argel Brown from the SF Bay Area was selling his self-published comic Heart Attack Jack. The latest issue is #5, which you can preview on the Blood and Inc. Press' flickr site. Send email for order info. Top
The Gonzales brothers had posters and prints available at the show and are collaborating on a comic with Emonic (left) handling the art and Chemix (right) writing the script. The Emonic website is filled with illustration, design, and paintings. Check the blog for project and event updates. Top
Illustrators and cartoonists Kevin Cross (above) and Joshua Kemble are the creatives behind the Big Illustration Party Time podcast. The show examines the ins and outs of freelance artists. The show's Blog recaps each episode and includes a handy link list to sites mentioned on the show. The two artists shared a table at Stumptown. Kevin had copies of Down By the Water and Monkey Mod Unmasked comics for sale. You can read a preview of the MMU comic here, and Kevin plans to launch a webcomic that includes his original music as well as cartoons. Top
Joshua Kemble is the Xeric award-winning cartoonist of Numb, which he published in 2006. He's working on a graphic novel and had recently finished the first issue of a mini comic called Polynothing. Top
Ben Jelter came up from SF to with posters and prints, his graphic novel The Tumor, and a handmade pamphlet featuring two comics: Guture Trip and Siepax Beautricide. Ben is currently working on his second novel, Vulture Root. Top
Jason Viola collected his Herman the Manatee webcomics into a handmade mini comic for the show. I first saw Jason's work in Rabbit Shadows, which was been reviewed here on MF.com and by Shannon Smith at File Under Other. Top
Jason and his partner in Manatee Power Media, Neal Stoddard, each made their first appearance at Stumptown this year. Neal is the writer of The Bullet Points webcomic and the new mini comic, The Profiteer, with Jason providing artwork. All their mini comics are available from the Manatee Shop. Top
Matthew Metzler offered copies of his comic Exit Only that was co-created by Lonnie Workman. Matt also had copies of his new mini comic, Copyjerk. You can read Copyjerk online and get info about the first collected mini here. Top
Brian Cattapan is a prolific cartoonist juggling at least three series of comics. He's on the eighth issue of Zeek, the Martian Geek, the third Vampires Need Love Too, and the second edition of Exiled Here on Earth. The early adventures of Zeek are now available as a trade paperback as well. For sample comics and to purchase his books check out his website. Top
C.M. Butzer made his first Stumptown appearance as part of the Rabid Rabbit collective based in New York. Each edition of the group's quarterly Rabid Rabbit anthology is built around a theme. Recent issues include The Future (#6), Pornography (#7), The White Album (#8), and EC Horror (#9). Chris also had on hand the first chapter of his John Brown's Body self-published comic, which led to his first graphic novel Gettysburg from HarperCollins. Top
Wayfarer's Moon is the creation of Leigh Kellogg (above) and Jason Janicki. Leigh, the artist of the series, had plenty of his original artwork on hand showing samples of both penciled and inked pages. The team recently completed issue #5 of this beautifully produced fantasy series. Top
Jason Janicki is the writer on Wayfarer's Moon, which can be read online or in printed comic book form from IndyPlanet. Top
Friends of the Nib came down from the Emerald City to spread some inky goodness on Stumptown. As I passed by their table Scott Faulkner (above) was on hand displaying a nice collection of books. Mark Campos and David Lasky were out exploring, so unfortunately I wasn't able to meet them. Scott just completed Women in Uniform a pamphlet filled with pinups. You can see some of his work at Vinylsaurus and LiveJournal. Scott's also a contributor to the Finecomix anthology, Moxie, My Sweet.
Mark Campos had sealed copies of Exapno Mapcase a new comic not to be opened or read until January 2010. Who wouldn't pay $2 for a chance to look into the future? Top
Sculptor, math whiz, and comiker Tom Lechner was back with a table overflowing with his zines, photographs, and miniature paper mockups of amazing geometric sculptures. Check out his zines Consumption and Tales of Inertia at his website as well as those eye-opening visuals. Top
Periscope Studio member Jonathan Case was selling copies of three chapters of his work-in-progress, Sea Freak. When all seven chapters of the story are complete Jonanthan will collect them into a book. In the meantime, you can read Chapter One online or contact him through his site about individual chapters. Top
Team Atrox tabled with several collections of their webcomics in self-published, print format. Team member Jeff Stone manned the comics side of the table while sculptress Leslie Levings attended to her colorful beastlies. You can read Atrox comics online and shop for Beastlies through Leslie's Esty Shop. Top
Darkhorse sponsored Larry Marder at one of their tables where he signed autographs, spoke to fans, and sold Beanworld comics and swag. Top
Meredith Gran was back from the drama of Brooklyn this year with the latest collection of her webcomic Octopus Pie. The third book is subtitled An Interstate Oasis. All three volumes are available from the OP shop. Top
Waxed mustachio aficionado B.T. Livermore joined several of his colleagues at the Robopocalypse Comic Collective display. The group has several new books out which you can browse in their online shop. B.T. himself completed the third and fourth chapters of The Life and Times of Baby Otto Zeplin. He also had copies of an anthology he contributed to called Always Comix. The Evil Issue (#5) came out in March 2009 and features work by cartoonists from the Philadelphia area and other places. Top
Erika Moen's enthusiasm was amazing. She was nice enough to pose with me for a photo at her table. She was selling her mini comics and the first volume of the collected DAR comics. For sample comics check her website. Top
If I remember correctly, Lucy Knisley was selling copies for an anthology called Trubble Club, a poster she and Erika Moen created, and her book, French Milk, a travel journal of a mother/daughter's trip to Paris, published by Simon and Schuster. Lucy's website. Top
Greg Means was holding down the Tugboat Press table, where the issue #9 of his wonderful Papercutter anthology made its debut. Greg also had copies of Clutch and another premier anthology called Burd Hurdler which will be Tugboat Press & Sparkplug Comic Book's gift to Free Comic Book Day coming up on May 2. Top
Sharing space with Greg was the amazing Alec Longstreth. Alec had copies of the latest issue of Phase 7 (#14), a softbound collection of past issues, and a new French edition that he hand-lettered himself in French! Indie Spinner Rack featured Alec on the latest edition of their Mini Comic Book Club (ISR #153). Top
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