Preview: The Second Annual Independent Comic Expo
03/29 @ The Shirt Factory, Glens Falls
“The thing that got me back into comics back in college was independent stuff…it was a friend handing me Daniel Clowes’ Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron. I didn't know comics could do that.”
The second annual Independent Comic Expo will take place at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls this Saturday, March 29th from 10AM to 4PM with free admission to the public.
A robust collection of independent creators—both local to the 518 as well as coming from as far as Boston and Philadelphia—will set up tables throughout The Shirt Factory to display and sell their art. There will also be a panel towards the end of the day where attendees can hear creators discuss how they make their comics, and I’m told that Captain America will even be making an appearance (to “punch out Nazis and Boredom with a superhero storytime reading”, per Beldame Books’ Instagram).
The event is organized and put on by Kyle Welch of Beldame Books who sat down with me to discuss the origins of the event and what attendees can expect. Last year he teamed up with fellow Shirt Factory tenants, Hillary Smith of Black Walnut Books and Ed Martuscello of Sweet Side Records, to partner on and co-host a trifecta of events to spotlight independent creators and vendors, leading to the creation of independent book and comic expos as well as the ADK Vinyl Slam.
“Last year we had planned the book one, and then Ed did his event for small vinyl sellers,” Welch explained. “Then I decided I wanted to do one for independent comic books.”
He said that while there are a couple of great comic cons in New York with Saratoga Comic Con and, of course, New York Comic Con in Manhattan, they are typically focused on more mainstream stuff. He wanted to provide a space for the lesser-known parts of the comic medium.
“I like stuff in the big two (Marvel and DC Comics), but the thing that got me back into comics in college was independent stuff,” he explained. “It was a friend handing me Daniel Clowes’ Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron. I didn't know comics could do that.”
He maintains that independent comics are often more adept at telling deeper and more provocative stories that push the envelope further and take more creative risks than mainstream publishers typically allow.
“We’re very excited for this year and just kind of getting independent comics out there. It's a group of comics that I think use the media more effectively than the big two, tell more personal stories, and use art in different ways.”
While events like this typically charge a fee for a table, there are no such fees at the Shirt Factory’s Independent Comic Expo. “To put yourself out there [as a creator] – I don't want to charge you money to do that. I want to encourage you to do it,” Welch explained. He emphasized that he wanted to remove barriers for this event, and demonstrating the accessibility of comic creation is the driving force for the expo in addition to exposure for the creators.
“Everyone that will be here, they’re all indie creators. I want any kid that comes in to know that they can make comics.”
The event will also include a make-your-own zine station to build off the idea that comics and comic book creation are for everyone. It will be complete with both pre-folded and non-folded paper and colored pens and pencils. The station is for kids and even adults who may not realize just how accessible creating your own art can be. “I was the same way. I didn't do my first zine until I was in my mid 20s. I was like, ‘I can't do that.’ And then I did; I gave myself a deadline, and I did it. So that's kind of our hope with the table.”
Given the lack of fees, there are special stickers for sale for anyone who is interested in supporting the event, featuring Garfield and Heathcliff (the famous comic strip cats) as well as a mustachioed Spider-Man. Everyone loves a good sticker, right?! For more information on the event and for the full lineup of creators attending, visit https://glensfallsindie.webflow.io/.
Poster by Armand Bodnar
