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Alternative Press EXPO
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- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for Alternative Press EXPO
This was my third year of going to APE with my sister (who tables there. Read her webcomic at http://meekcomic.com). This is such a cool venue for people who don't like comics but should. It's not Batman and Superman re-hashed a bajillion times. These are comics produced by either the artists themselves or be independent presses which make the comics.
Honestly I don't buy a whole lot of comics but I do buy shirts, toys, prints that you really cannot get anywhere else. And you can meet some famous people from online (like KATE BEATON!) I really love it and next year I will definitely have something ready and made so I'm super excited! Go APE!
I went to APE to support a fellow artist who is fantastic and I was very much excited about the great art that was shown. If you are into Comicon or WonderCon this is just a subversion of it. You get the actual artists selling not only comics but great prints, books, tshirts, plush toys and much more.
I like the Concourse and was happy they held APE there. Unlike other venues the concourse is like a giant warehouse that is VENTILATED. Who cares if it's cold, with hundreds of people inside of one building we need ventilation! When I went to WonderCon this past summer it was quite the opposite and I could not enjoy myself. So thank you APE!
Support local illustrators and artist who entertain you daily!
I thought it was great! The drawings, inkings and bindings were all much better quality than mainstream comics. All the artists were very friendly and many had models of their characters. It was a treat!
Tired of Batman, Superman, and the whole X-Men bunch? Tired of wading through hordes of Hollywood movie goers instead of people who read? Want to find something so off the beaten path that it'll make you do a double take?
If so, APE is for you.
Now if you've ever gone to Wondercon you'll remember the small tables in the back. This area tended to be intimate and you'd generally be able to meet the creator face to face without any lines. This is APE. Every table is essentially this. The place is packed with just as many writers, illustrators, and and sellers as the attendees.
You will not find attention deprived people dressed up in costumes or comic booth models. Just people interested in visual language and great stories. But hey, there are as many girls as guys!
It's easy to get overstimulated by all the products, prints, books, and toys. I would recommend going both days to pace yourself. Since most of the stuff isn't mainstream, about 80% of it was brand new to me. And because the creators are there it takes a lot longer to get through.
By the way, most of the creators are just like the attendees: shy bookish people who wouldn't know how to start a conversation if their life depended on it. Some are really outgoing though. Just remember to look at the people sitting at the table instead of just peering at their goods.
Even a week after the expo I still think about it. I'm definitely going next year.
My only gripe is the programming room. It feels really underdeveloped. It's like someone's garage...
APE was a hot humid gathering of a bunch of really awesome artists. I bought a 2-day pass and spent about 2-3 hours there each day. Honestly if you can do it all in one day, that's the way to go, but I live nearby so going for both days was convenient for me. It was pouring outside all weekend so it was super humid inside the concourse center. I felt really sorry for the guy who had a leak over his table, and just sat there looking depressed.
If you didn't know, APE is full of indie carton artists. I guess they aren't all technically cartoonists, but but majority are. Along side of these obscure little talents were some local and some traveling comic book salesmen, we avoided them, since the whole point of coming to APE was to look at indie comics, not rare batman comics. But if that's your thing, admission is only 10 or 15 bucks.
Now I found out about this expo through a web comic I read called questionable content, and was going mainly to meet the artist and of course to check out and support indie artists. I ended up seeing and meeting a lot of cool people, and spending WAY too much on tons of books, zines, posters, shirts, ect. All in all it was a good experience that even the rain couldn't dampen.
Ready to go APE? For those of you who missed or loved WonderCon check this out! The Alternative Press Expo features lots of underground independent comics and some other bigger comic companies like Oni Press.
What's so fantastic about independent comics? Well there is a great deal of creativity, artistic integrity, drama and very few rules for these comicbook artists and writers trying to break into the industry that is transforming our culture.
At this show you can buy their work, meet independent comic book writers and artists, special guests, listen to panels or ask questions and purchase some great things to read.
They will have several guests this year but I'm particularly excited about Art Spiegelman writer of the Pulitzer prize winning graphic novel "Maus a Survivors Tale: My Father Bleeds History", an outstanding work where the horrors of the Holocaust are told with Cats representing the nazis and mice representing their victims. It's a powerful brilliant graphic novel.
APE will be on Saturday 4/21/07 11 AM to 7 PM and on Sunday 4/22/07 11 AM to 6 PM. Admission per person for 1-Day: $7.00 and for Both Days: $10.00! Located at the Concourse in San Fran, check the website for more details and directions.
I am slightly biased as my husband is planning to sell some of his own comicbooks there this year. Still if your looking for some alternative comics don't miss this event!
**** UPDATE 4/25/07 ****
I'm still recovering from APE. We had a great show and sold about 20 comics, not bad for our first show. I was amazed by the selection of comics and talented of the artists! They had some of my favorites there; I picked up the latest American Splendor Harvey Pekar graphic novel and some to much coffee man (AWESOME!!!). And did you know they sell beer? Where else can you have a cold bottle of brew and browse comics. The selection was amazing! And there were people running around in costumes, and the cutest little girl in Stilts! What a blast! I will be back next year!
Tiffany T was sooo right! This event was awesome if not overwhelming. So many awesome artists, comics, publishers and illustrators of all ages. I bought soo many prints and comic books.
I enjoyed seeing so many people out supporting independent comics! There were so many diverse styles--manga based, inspired by hip hop, disney-esque and even pirate themed! If you missed it, you should totally come out next year!
If you are jaded by how over the top and Hollywood that San Diego comic con has become, then this is the antidote. Most people here are friendly as hell, and united by a love of indie comics. The event is well run, and it's not impossible to find parking. Admission is very affordable. They don't have the most events in the world, but it's not really about that. It's about the creator's of a variety of unique and interesting projects... whether they are comics, shirts, or just experimental art pieces. Really fun, and worth the trip to Frisco if you don't live there.
I went to APE this year, mostly in support of the bf and his cartoonist club's table. He's been talking about it since last year so I wanted to get in on the action, too.
The last time I was at this space, it was for a bike expo, so for some reason I kept comparing APE to the bike expo (which makes no sense b/c the two are totally unrelated). In any case though, I will say this: I am, in no way, shape or form, a pro or a "regular" in neither the alternative press scene NOR the bike scene, and incidentally, both times I felt quite comfortable and welcomed in my efforts to explore new territories! Yay for friendly people!
Anyhow, you walk into APE, and you're just surrounded by so much talent, It's so impressive. And although, to be quite honest, it's not really my aesthetic, I can still definitely appreciate all the hard work that goes into making the event happen! I'm glad I checked it out.
I like to think of APE as the Grand Pooh-bah of Indie Comic/Print/Craft conventions on the West Coast. For the three years that I have gone, there has always been an impressive "Special Guest" list featuring some of the brightest talents out there. Even though I live in Seattle, the last two years I've flown down for the event because it is THAT good. Even my non-comic nerd friends come with me because there really is something for everyone there - from spooky goth paintings to cute plush toys to rad screen-printed tote bags. So if you missed it this year, make a note to self to embrace your cool indie nerd side and come rub elbows with some of the finest folks around.
First time I've been to APE and it was awesome! Plenty of parking when I arrived right when they opened at 11:00. So much great talent, it's a lot to take in. The expo hall is just the right size, big enough to be able to check out a lot of different artists and styles but small enough that you're not too overwhelmed. Bought a bunch of stuff and at great prices too. I'm already looking forward to going next year.
