Cavna on the death of Pastis' pet

A cartoonist drew a touching tribute to his dying dog. His readers gave him an outpouring of sympathy.

By Michael Cavna

February 8 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/02/08/cartoonist-drew-touching-tribute-his-dying-dog-his-readers-gave-him-an-outpouring-sympathy/

PR: The 2019 SPX Lottery is Here!

Hello Everyone! The SPX 2019 Lottery is now open! Head here to apply. Nothing new from last year, but a few things to remember: Applications are due February 25 at 5pm EST and will not be accepted afterwards We will not be picking the randomized lottery winners until after all applications have been received; this means there is no benefit to applying early or late (except maybe peace of mind). You can only apply for the lottery once, and multiple entries will result in being removed from the lottery pool (unless you email us and tell us you accidentally clicked twice or something, we do have a heart!). While we allow table sharing, there is a limit of two people per half table without approval, so be aware of that when requesting a full or half table. The hotel has a hard occupancy cap on the hall and if everyone tries to fit 8 people at a table, we'll exceed it. We will be checking to make sure you make or publish comics, so if you're exclusively an illustrator, novelist, cosplayer or anime figure retailer (we get them) we reserve the right to remove you from the pool Hit us up on Instagram, Twitter, or  Facebook for a quick reply. We're also happy to chat if you email us at exhibitor-inquiries@smallpressexpo.com. Best of luck to everyone! Jamie, Devon, Warren and the rest of the SPX Executive Committee Copyright © 2019 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved.  You are getting this email because we know you might want a table to SPX 2019!!  Our mailing address is:  Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824 ‌ ‌

US Mint's new chief engraver is a comics geek

Joseph Menna brings his unique portfolio of talents to the position of chief engraver

By Brandon Christopher Hall
Coin Update February 7, 2019

http://news.coinupdate.com/joseph-menna-brings-his-unique-portfolio-of-talents-to-the-position-of-chief-engraver/

Local media review The Lego Movie 2

Go see the new 'Lego Movie' if you don't mind that it's the third-best 'Lego Movie' [in print as A comical if at times disjointed sequel].

By Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post February 8 2019, p. Weekend 27

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/go-see-the-new-lego-movie-if-you-dont-mind-that-its-the-third-best-lego-movie/2019/02/06/1ed03b2a-24d8-11e9-81fd-b7b05d5bed90_story.html

Lucy (voice of Elizabeth Banks) and Emmet (Chris Pratt) face alien invaders in "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part." (Warner Bros. Pictures)

In 'The Lego Movie 2,' becoming an adult means acting like a kid again [in print as The good 'Part': A lesson in losing a piece of yourself].

By Kristen Page-Kirby

Express Senior Arts Writer

February 8 2019, p. 24

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/2019/02/08/lego-movie-becoming-an-adult-means-acting-like-kid-again/

'The Lego Movie 2': Once More Unto The Brick

Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon and Daisy Rosario

Pop Culture Happy Hour February 8, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/692367317/the-lego-movie-2-once-more-unto-the-brick  and

https://play.podtrac.com/npr-510282/npr.mc.tritondigital.com/PCHH_PODCAST/media/anon.npr-mp3/npr/pchh/2019/02/20190208_pchh_pchh_522_lego_movie_2__-_final.mp3

Everything Is Pretty Good In 'The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part'

Glen Weldon

Pop Culture Happy Hour February 7, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/691633676/everything-is-pretty-good-in-the-lego-movie-2-the-second-part

Library of Congress blog post by new Herblock exhibit curators

New Library of Congress Exhibition: "Art in Action: Herblock and Fellow Artists Respond to Their Times"

Katherine Blood, Curator of Fine Prints, and Martha H. Kennedy, Curator of Popular & Applied Graphic Art, Prints & Photographs Division.

Library of Congress' Picture This blog February 7, 2019

https://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2019/02/new-library-of-congress-exhibition-art-in-action-herblock-and-fellow-artists-respond-to-their-times/

PR: Meet Daredevil writer Chip Zdarsky this Saturday at Third Eye Annapolis

Meet the writer of Daredevil, Spectacular Spider-Man and more

Meet comic superstar Chip Zdarsky (MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE, Sex Criminals, INVADERS) at our DAREDEVIL #1 Signing at THIRD EYE ANNAPOLIS! The biggest DAREDEVIL launch in ages -- and you can get issue #1 signed by the one and only Chip Zdarsky this Saturday! ‌ Read all about Chip's Other Projects! From Marvel 2-IN-1 to Sex Criminals to Spider-Man -- get the scoop on Chip! DETAILS HERE Exclusive DAREDEVIL Variants (Pre-order Now for In-Store Pick-Up at Our Signing this Saturday!) DETAILS HERE Read All About Our Next Big Third Eye Signing Here! Here's a hint: it involves the new MISTER MIRACLE graphic novel dropping next week! DETAILS HERE Sign Up For Our Exclusive LATE NIGHT CHIP Q&A! Only a few seats remaining for our Friday night 2/8/19 Q&A with Chip Zdarsky! DETAILS HERE STAY CONNECTED   ‌ ‌ ‌

Third Eye Comics | 2027A WEST ST, Suite 102, Annapolis, MD 21401

Magic Bullet #11 in MSU Comic Art Collection

I've been sending issues of DC Conspiracy's Magic Bullet newspaper to the Michigan State Comic Art Collection for years. Recently, librarian Randy Scott cataloged an issue, and you can see why he's behind on doing these:

"Toon Man" / by Mike Brace. p. 5 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- "Sung to the tune of 'Soul Man'." -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Sleep When the Baby Sleeps" (First Time Parents)  by

   Christopher Mararac. p. 6 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"My Brother Died" / by Iemi Hernandez-Kim. p. 7 in Magic

   Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Marvel Mania on Murray Avenue" (Master Jeffrey) / by Joe

   Sutliff. p. 8 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Return to Chicago" / by William L. Brown. p. 9 in Magic

   Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"One Wish" / story, Larry Franks and Jeff McClelland ; art, Joe Bacon ; letters, Jeff McClelland. p. 12 in Magic  Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Dremo's Danger Demons" / R.M. Rhodes & Evan Keeling. p. 13 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Parthenogenesis" / Jonathon Poliszuk. p. 14 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Mutsuru & the Osprey" / by Chris Artiga-Oliver. p. 15 in

   Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"M.O.S. Version 1.0" / David Ross. p. 16 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Lunatic Tales" / by Santiago Casares. p. 17 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Poe the Fat Vampire" / written & illustrated by Jason E.

   Axtell. p. 18 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- "He's not fat he just feeds on yours." -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Hay-elp!"* / T.R. Logan. p. 23 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Oswald Builds a Snowman" (Oswald Doing Things) / by Eric

   Epote. p. 24 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Get Dat Rat" (Nightmare the Rat) / by Rafer Roberts. p. 25 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Drombo" / story by Susan Wallis ; art by Dario Reyes. p. 26 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Why Smash Your Guitar?" / by Eric Gordon ; edited by Sara Gordon ; script assist, Jeremy Rosenstein. p. 27 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- "A brief sort-of history of instrument destruction in the age of rock n' roll." -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Marlboro Barbie" / Art Hondros. p. 28-29 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Threadbare" / author, concept design: Karly Perez ;

   illustrator: Hobbes Holluck. p. 30 in Magic Bullet, no. 11(July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Food Chain" / by Matt Dembicki.p. 31 in Magic Bullet, no. 11(July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Mystic Farts" / story by Jeremy Wetzel ; artwork by Kizzy. p. 32 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"The Painting" (Dr. W) / by Andrew Cohen. p. 33 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Capital Punishment" / Rob Ullman. p. 34 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Five Tiers to Separation"* / Steve Loya. p. 35 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:    PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Jesus 2016" / Dale Rawlings. p. 36 in Magic Bullet, no. 11(July 2015). -- "Introducing a new weekly webcomic."  -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"A Homage to Little Nemo in Slumberland" / by Bizhan

Khodabandeh. p. 39 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"The Creature" / Autumn Haynes. p. 40 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Skies of Chaos" / by Brendan McKernan. p. 41 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Holding Out for Sweetness" / Daniel Torraca. p. 42 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Frontiersmen" / by Troy-Jeffrey Allen & Matt Rawson. p. 43 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"After School with Trina Trubble" / Mike Cowgill. p. 44 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- "Live from the tree house!" -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Dad's Ted Talk" (Dabney and Dad) / by Paul Merklein. p. 45 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Pinhole Sky" / words & pictures by Atari Reyes. p. 46 in

   Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Washington DC" / Mark & Kurt Lindblom. p. 47 in Magic Bullet,o. 11 (July 2015). -- Begins: "DC graffiti art is well into its third decade." -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Jack's Stupendous Quest" / Steven G. Artley. p. 48 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- A full-page drawing. -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Crumb Snatchers" / by Stephanie Butto & Evan Keeling. p. 49 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"The Other Things Cats Do When We Aren't At Home" / Deborah Orgel Hudson. p. 50 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- "Besides the napping and chasing activities." -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Wonderland" (Axel and Alex) / by Terry Flippo. p. 51 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.:   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Cashing Out" (Black Magic Tales) / writer, Joe Carabeo ; artist, Carolyn Belefski. p. 52 in Magic Bullet, no. 11  (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Imagination" / by Greg Boyd. p. 53 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Sorry Comics" / by John Kinhart. p. 54 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). -- Call no.: PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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"Commander Duke Gallant, Space Pioneer" / art by Kendall Goode. p. 56 in Magic Bullet, no. 11 (July 2015). --   Advertising strip for Big Planet Comics. -- Call no.:

   PN6728.8.D32M3no.11

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WCP reviews Oscar short animation

Short Change: Reviews of 2019 Oscar Nominated Short Films [animation].

  Tricia Olszewski  l

Washington City Paper Feb 8, 2019 p. 16-17

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/article/21046463/short-change-reviews-of-2019-oscar-nominated-short-films

RVA's comic column appears this week with new author

RVA COMICS X-CHANGE: ISSUE 12

MARILYN DREW NECCI | FEBRUARY 5, 2019

https://rvamag.com/art/rva-comics-x-change-issue-12.html

Today: Cartoonist Jerry Craft at Politics and Prose original store

Jerry Craft will be signing his new book, New Kid, from HarperCollins at Politics & Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) on February 7th at 10:30am.

Jerry Craft is an author and illustrator who has worked on numerous picture books, graphic novels, and middle grade novels. His middle grade graphic novel, New Kid, will be released by HarperCollins on February 5, 2019. Jerry has earned recognition from the Junior Library Guild, and has won five African American Literary Awards. He is the creator of Mama's Boyz, an award-winning comic strip that was distributed by King Features Syndicate from 1995 - 2013. He is a co-founder and co-producer of the Schomburg's Annual Black Comic Book Festival which has drawn close to 40,000 fans since its inception in 2013. Jerry was born in Harlem and grew up in nearby Washington Heights. He is a graduate of The Fieldston School and received his B.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts.

Interview with Jerry Craft who's at Politics and Prose tomorrow morning

Jerry Craft on Being "The New Kid"

by Mahnaz Dar
Feb 05, 2019 

https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=jerry-craft-on-being-the-new-kid

He'll be at the main P&P store at 10:30 am.

Former local Spike Trotman profiled

Trotman's Iron Circus Celebrates 'Strange and Amazing' Comics

By Brigid Alverson

Feb 05, 2019

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/79187-trotman-s-iron-circus-celebrates-strange-and-amazing-comics.html

That darn Rhymes with Orange

Peace, love and luxury vehicles

Letters to the Editor Opinion

David Berenbaum, Annandale

Washington Post February 2 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/readers-critique-the-post-nancy-pelosi-deserves-better-and-pete-buttigieg-is-far-from-revolutionary/2019/02/01/70769ac4-264e-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html

Library of Congress blog on Romance comics

Let's Talk Comics: Romance

Library of Congress Headlines & Heroes: Newspapers, Comics & More Fine Print Blog February 5, 2019 by Megan Halsband

https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2019/02/lets-talk-comics-romance/

SPX 2019 registration opens this week

Hello Everyone! SPX 2019 is our 25th Anniversary Celebration!! So we are on the hunt for extra-amazing Special Guests and putting together other cool events around this amazing milestone!! We've learned a TON over the past few years regarding exhibitor registration by hearing from all of you, and we want to make sure you have all the right information you need. If you are interested in exhibiting at SPX this year — and we sincerely hope that you are — here's what you need to know for 2019, to be held September 14 & 15. An SPX Exhibitor Registration Primer As you may know by now, SPX has a two phase registration system that combines invited exhibitors with a lottery that in past years has led to a roughly 50/50 split. The two phases are staggered, which allows us to maximize the number of tables available for the lottery. Every year that the SPX team evaluates our list of invited exhibitors on an annual basis. This helps us ensure that we can continue to bring in diverse, talented creators that we feel will enrich the SPX experience for everyone. Every year we'll do our best to ensure that invitees to SPX will include a diverse, vibrant cast of characters — a mix of our long time exhibitors, large and small independent publishers, self-publishing cartoonists, international creators as well as newcomers to comics. KEY DATES FOR TABLES AND BADGES For Invitations: January 14 - Invited exhibitors will begin receiving notices. February 1 - Last day for invited exhibitors to confirm their table space. For the Lottery: February 8th - The SPX table lottery opens. February 25th - The SPX table lottery closes. March 8th - Notify Lottery Winners For Payment March 11 - Payment information sent to all exhibitors offered tables March 18 - Reminder payments due April 5 March 25 - Reminder payments due April 5 April 5 - Payments due for tables and extra badges For Exhibitor Table Assignments and Exhibitor Web Page May 3 - First posting of Exhibitors List web page for SPX 2019 June 1 - Update to Exhibitor List web page July 1 -Table assignments will be posted July 15 - Updates to Exhibitor List web page July 29 - Updates to Exhibitor List web page August 2 - Deadline for submitting badge creator names to be placed in the Program Guide August 12 - Updates to Exhibitor List web page August 26 - Final updates to Exhibitor List web page For Badges In a few months, we will unveil a new process to request changes to the names of your tablemates Badge name changes/updates will be reflected in the semi-monthly updates to the web site. SPX REGISTRATION: Invited Exhibitors How does SPX decide who gets a reserved table? The SPX executive committee will collectively review the invitation list each year to make this determination. If I was invited last year does that mean I am guaranteed an invitation this year? No, not necessarily. It is possible you will receive an invitation again, but four years into the process, we recognize the need to begin shaking up this list. Doing so will allow us to ensure that we can invite people that we think will be a great fit for the show. If I wasn't invited this year does that mean I'll never be invited again? Not at all. The invitation list will change annually. There will not be a formal rotation or cooling off process but our goal is ensure that the process is equitable. Not being invited one year does not mean you won't be invited the next. If I am not on this year's invitee list, can I enter the table lottery? Absolutely. SPX REGISTRATION: Lottery Entrants When will the lottery take place? The 2019 table lottery registration period will open up starting February 8. You'll have two weeks, until February 25, to enter your information. SPX will post lottery information widely on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr as well as our website. You won't be able to miss it. How do I apply for the lottery? When lottery registration opens we'll post an online form that collects some basic information. This year we are doing away with the randomized number generation to cut down on confusion; you will receive one confirmation email, and then an email at the end of the lottery. This registration website link will be shared widely on social media later this week. Please note that we will not be picking the randomized lottery winners until after all applications have been received; this means there is no benefit to applying early or late (except maybe peace of mind). You can only apply for the lottery once, and multiple entries will result in being removed from the lottery pool (unless you email us and tell us you accidentally clicked twice or something, we do have a heart!). You will not be responsible for any payments until after the lottery is complete. How will I find out if I won a lottery table (or half table)? We will notify the winners via email in early March. Winners will then have until April 5th to confirm and pay for their table. Any unused tables will be carried over to the waitlist. If you are selected, half tables will cost $185 while full tables will cost $375. Do I really have a shot at a table from the lottery? Heck yes. We earmark a minimum of 110 tables (out of our total of 270) for the lottery. When you look at this in terms of exhibitors behind those tables over the last three years we've been filling about half of SPX via the lottery. Will there be a wait list? Absolutely. We store the next 75 names after filling our lottery tables and folks get pulled in every year from this wait list. SPX REGISTRATION: Other Questions I HATE this system. SPX, why are you so dumb? In order for us to pull this show off each year, we need to balance limited table space against a bunch of ravenous groups that eagerly take all the tables! Big publishers, small publishers, self-publishers, local favorites, international guests, old faces, new hotness — all worthy and all welcome! Our registration process helps us manage overwhelming interest in the show in a manner consistent with our core values. Most comic arts festivals are by invitation only. We knew that wasn't for us. But a pure lottery wouldn't work either. Community is what makes SPX. We had to find a balance that honored both — and helps us manage massive demand to exhibit at the show. Why not just more add more space?  There is quite simply no larger facility anywhere in the Washington, DC area with the crucial combination of hotel and convention space — but the more important issue is that the indie comics industry is growing even faster than SPX, drawing more and more passionate, talented creators to the medium. It would be impossible for us to expand enough to meet demand without raising prices significantly for both exhibitors and attendees alike. Even if we could locate a venue with a similar set-up and more space — and one that wouldn't totally blow our budget — consider that over two days SPX runs only about 14 hours. With 650 or so creators exhibiting, assuming an attendee stays on the show floor every single minute and wasted only seconds moving from table to table, that leaves a barely one minute per creator. We want folks who exhibit at SPX to have the best chance possible to make money at our show. For the time being — and we're at the Marriott through 2022 — it simply does not make sense to seek a larger exhibition hall space.  Still have questions?  Hit us up on Instagram, Twitter, or  Facebook for a quick reply. We're also happy to chat if you email us at exhibitor-inquiries@smallpressexpo.com. We look forward to hearing from you! Jamie, Devon, Warren and the rest of the SPX Executive Committee Copyright © 2019 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved.  You are getting this email because we know you might want a table to SPX 2018!!  Our mailing address is:  Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824 ‌ ‌