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This Week's Sermon - My SPX Spotlight!

By Britt Schramm

September 27, 2004

My ego must be getting out of hand. I’m starting to refer to myself in the third person in work conversations (Britt Schramm would never something do like that. Oops, see what I mean). If I’m addressed, I will only answer to “Your Lordship” or “Your Excellency”. I will only eat name-brand grocery products (That’s right; no store brands for Britt Schramm). And I’m writing another PREACHIN’ FROM THE LONGBOX column a week after my last one was posted.

What’s wrong, you ask? Actually, nothing. There just seemed like there was a void from not writing a column this week which was unusual. So I decided that I had to get write something and put it out there before the moment passed.

So, I looked at the calendar and noticed that the Small Press Expo is this upcoming weekend. For those who are unfamiliar with this late-season con, the SPX (as it’s commonly referred to by all of the cool kids) is just what it sounds like: a convention for all of the comic books that fall outside of the first 120 pages of Previews otherwise known as the comic book ghetto. There’s great stuff in that section but sometimes, trying to find it is like trying to go to a great restaurant and having to pass by hookers (Avatar, Eros), 3-card Monty con men (Awesome Entertainment) and a bunch of abandoned buildings that probably have seedy squatters in them (CrossGen, Acclaim). So, to have a con dedicated to these modest pieces of comic goodness in basically my backyard (Bethesda, MD) every year is a godsend.

For those who haven’t been to a SPX, it’s kinda like a working man’s comic convention since most of the creators that attend are either self-published or publish under a multitude of comic book publishers outside the Big Four (DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and Image). This con doesn’t have the community buzz that SDCC or WW-Chicago usually has or the wonderful side show/car crash appeal that Dragon-Con frequently caters to. Plus, the city that the con is located at is not a grand metropolis like Chicago or New York City. Not is it the warm oasis that San Diego or Atlanta is. Hell, it’s not even in the friendly confines of Charm City (Baltimore) or not-so friendly city limits of Murder City proper (Washington DC).

And that’s what makes SPX so great. It’s a small, friendly, almost personal comic con on a whole conference room floor in a suburban hotel. To use a familiar point of reference for you guys, SPX is very reminiscent of the comic con that Holden and Banky attend at the beginning of “Chasing Amy”. But without the noise of some fanboy yelling “Tracer” at a defenseless inker who is just sitting at a table signing stuff.

** Incendiary Comment warning **

The majority of the books for sale at this con are in Black and White. Now, I’ve heard out on the street that some people don’t like to read Black and White books for some various reasons like “Why do they have to talk about everything?” or “All of those books are too alternative for me.” or my favorite, “If there are no superheroes in this book, I’m not reading it.” That’s just crazy talk. If you can’t get past your unnatural desire for color (or superheroes) in all of your comic books, you’re not a true sequential art reader. To me, you’re just a mass media lemming without a single thought to call your own. Okay, maybe that last comment was somewhat harsh. But I’m not so good with subtlety. Sorry about that.

Here’s the prototypical form of small press comics that are available for the offering at SPX:

These books are usually xeroxed pieces of 8 ½ “by 11” standard stock paper folded in half and usually covered by a thicker stock cover. This piece, created by Steve Rolston as part of the 24 pages in the 24-hour comic event, is somewhat different than the standard submission as it contains a hand-stamp and has been numbered by the creator. Now, before you jump down my throat for getting a book that could be conceived as a collectible, I’ve been a big fan of Steve’s work since I saw the first issue of Queen & Country (see Oni Press for further info). And that’s the only way it comes. So, pipe down out there.

If you would like to see more of his work, I highly recommend the first collection of Queen & Country, One Bad Day OGN (Original Graphic Novel) and my seventeen month old’s favorite comic, Pounded (written by Brian Wood). More information can be had through his website.

Small Press Imprint Spotlights:

Before I start, I would like to say that when attending the SPX, there are many different flavors of comic books and publishers to sample. However, due to time and space limitations (self-imposed mind you or I could make this column last a whole week), I can’t list all of the companies that make the viability of small press what it is today. So, with that being said, here is a list of some comic book publishers, in no particular order, that I consider rising up-and-comers in the Small Press scene along with a small smattering of their respective catalogs.

AdHouse Books – The first time I saw introduced to this company’s products was through one of their first books called “Project: Telstar”, a wonderful anthology of space and robot stories told by a ton of indy creators. Subsequent releases like the offbeat “Return of the Elephant”, Joel Priddy’s clever “Pulpatoon Pilgrimage” and Scott Morse’s excellent “Southpaw” cemented their status as a solid publisher that can offer diverse and interesting books. Plus, I can’t wait to see their upcoming superhero anthology, “Project: Superior”. If you have any doubts, just look below at their Baltimore Con exclusive print by James Jean. It is quite beautiful.

Alternative Comics – This publisher was under my radar for quite sometime as I never really saw too much from them aside from some of James Kochalka’s (forever known here as the Indy Comic Godfather) work. Then, I read “My Uncle Jeff” by Damon Hurd and Pedro Camello. After devoring that one in about 30 minutes, I was back at my local store looking for more. Luckily, there were others like “A Sort of Homecoming”, “Opposable Thumbs” by Dean Haspiel, and the whole “Magic Whistle” series, which is some of the funniest (and sometime raunchiest) stuff around. I tell ya; you can’t go wrong here.

Nite Owl Comix – This is the home of Max Hamm, Fairytale Detective. Frank Cammuso has crafted a creation that has an old world familiarity but with a modern pulp spin. The first 2-issue volume is a great introduction into this world of childhood fables mixed with an underlying mood of intrigue and corruption. It’s fun for all ages.

Atomeka Press – Here’s a new entry into the small press world and man, did they come in with a bang! First, they have “The Dave Johnson Sketch Book”, which is a beauty in both design and amount of sketchings. It is truly a must for any fan of his work on “Superman: Red Son” or his covers on “100 Bullets”. Then, there’s the hilarious “Bricktop” one-shot by Glenn Fabry. Long time pulp hero Mr. Monster makes a resurrection, so to speak, with the one-shot “Mr. Monster: Worlds War Two”. Also making a return is the series “A1”, a decent anthology series with the first issue containing stories by Alan Moore and Steve Parkhouse (Bojefferies), Dave Gibbons and Ted McKeever (Survivor), Steve Dillon (Kathleen’s Story), Ronald Schusett and Steve Pugh (Shark-Man), and Bob Burden and Gary Leach (Flaming Carrot). Truthfully, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this company moving up to the next level real soon.

Then there’s the upcoming Hero Squared X-tra Size Special book. If you’re a first timer to this column, you might not know how pumped I am for this book. I really can’t remember the last time I’ve overtly gushed about this one. Well, just to show me that they’re good sports, Ross over at Atomeka has given me some very choice character sketches by the man himself, Keith Giffen. Take a good look as you may not see them anywhere else. If I could only get a new Ambush Bug out of Mr. Giffen; now that would be something.

Mid-Majors (aka Not So Small Press) Publishers:

IDW Publishing – Aside from all of the kidding that I give my esteemed EIC, this publisher has grown considerably since its inception. First, they have a great core of solid licensed series like “CSI”, “CSI: Miami”, “The Shield” and “24”. Then, they have a couple of quality movie adaptations like “Dawn of the Dead” and “Underworld”. And there are the excellent video game related books like “Silent Hill” and “Metal Gear Solid”. But where IDW really shines is with their developed titles like the amusing “Grumpy Old Monsters”, a secret team of vampires in espionage called “CVO” and I would be remiss if I forgot to include the one that put IDW almost on the map overnight. Of course, I speak of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s creation of “30 Days of Night” and its follow-ups “Dark Days” and “30 Days of Night: Return to Barrow”. If you ever want to read a compelling and very believable vampire series, that one would be it. And it doesn’t stop there. Old-timers should take note that IDW is bringing back such storied characters like Grimjack, Jon Sable and Will Eisner’s John Law. Things are definitely looking up for this publisher.

Top Shelf Comics – To me, these guys are the Godfather of Small Press. Where else can you go to get a sweet tale of friendship and adventure for all ages like “Owly”, a twisted and hilarious series like “Hey, Mister”, an emotional roller-coaster of teenage relationship and religious soul searching tour de force like “Blankets” and a quasi-documentary of the behind-the-scenes history of cartoon characters like “Three Fingers”? Well, possibly a couple of places but you can only get those books at Top Shelf Comics. But there’s more. You can get a uproarious look into the off-hours of characters like Frankenstein, Dracula and his arch-nemesis in “van helsing’s night off”. Then get one of the many various works by James Kochalka. If you’re in the mood for some old school crime noir, definitely look up the Pistolwhip series. Of if you are feeling adventurous and enjoy personal reflections played against a history of a legendary foreign filmmaker, pick up “The Barefoot Serpent”. And I’m just scratching the surface of their catalogue.

Oni Press – This is the first and probably only company that I buy almost their entire catalog when it is solicited. From their first “Oni Double Feature” offering (featuring the Doobage Duo, Jay & Silent Bob) to more recent series like the aforementioned “Queen & Country” and “Whiteout” both written by Greg Rucka and the just completed “Love Fights” mini by Andi Watson have made me plop my money down ay my store’s counter more than once. Other great titles are “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life Vol. 1”, any of the Paul Dini’s outrageous “Jingle Belle” books, Scott Morse’s heroic “Magic Pickle”, and the raunchy hilarity that is “Barry Ween, Boy Genius.” Oni Press also has some good upcoming books like the blaxploitation-inspired OGN Chocolate Thunder created by the Gettosake studio, the Gail Simone and Lea Hernandez collaboration “Killer Princesses” and the Wild West crime adventure “The Long Haul”. Watch out; because if you get too close to this publisher’s catalogue, you’ll probably be the poorer financially for it. But, it will be worth it. I promise you.

AiT/Planet Lar – This is the place to find all of your action/adventure needs; whether you like superheroes (“Hench”, “Codeflesh”), gritty criminal exploits (“Last of the Independents”) or a sophisticated gorilla who travels the world working as a super-spy (“The Annotated Mantooth!”). They also have reprinted, into three glorious trades, one of the most underrated series of all-time, The Foot Soldiers. Written by Jim Krueger and drawn by the likes of Michael Avon Oeming (Vol. 1), Phil Hester and Bill Sienkiewicz (Vol. 2) and Steve Yowell (Vol.3), this series is combination of an apocalyptic tale of kids surviving in the streets of XXX, a teen superhero tale and a futuristic action/adventure story and more. If you haven’t read this series, I urge you to go to your store and demand to see it. You will not be disappointed. AiT/PlanetLAR also caters to the romantic side in all of us with Tom Beland’s series “True Story, Swear To God”, a couple of trade collections documenting his truthful whirlwind romance with Lily, a lovely Puerto Rican journalist and radio show host. And since I’ve met both of them during last SPX, I can verify how nice Tom is and how striking Lily is.

**Footnote – Below is an example of how cool the SPX can be. Most of the time, if you buy a book at a big Comic Con, you can barely get an autograph much less a personalized greeting due to the throng of people hovering over the table. At the SPX, you can get a chance to really shoot the breeze with the creators and get something like this - free of charge. Yes, SPX is that good.

For those few fans of Uncensored Reactions to this week’s Upcoming Books, there will no further editions until I find the strength to continue them. If you are really upset about this change, send me an email and based on the response, I might start doing them again.

Until next week (a three-week binge of PftL – I know that it’s shock, just please don’t faint on me), keep your bags and boards together and your continuity straight.

Send column-specific e-mail using the link below. You can also find me reviewing Trades and Graphic Novels at 4-Color Review.

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