Via Toucan:
APE Returns to the Concourse Exhibition Center for its 20th Annual Show
The Alternative Press Expo (APE) returns to the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco on October 12 and 13 to celebrate its 20th annual event. One of the leading alternative and self-published comics events in the country, APE was started in 1994 by Dan Vado, the head of SLG Publishing. Comic-Con International took over the show with its second year. From 1994 through 1999, the show was held in San Jose, CA, the home of SLG. In 2000, Comic-Con moved APE into the city of San Francisco, at Fort Mason Center. In 2004, the event moved into the Concourse Exhibition Center at 8th and Brannan, where it has been held ever since. Sadly, we have been notified that this will be the last year for APE at that location. The Concourse is scheduled to be razed at some point in the future to make room for new condominiums.
Nevetheless, APE 2013 promises to be another great show, offering the very best in alternative and self-published comics, books, art, do-it-yourself items and presenting an amazing lineup of special programs, including spotlights on special guests, the popular hands-on workshop series, and the Comic Creator Connection, which pairs up writers and artists searching for collaborators.
The special guest list for APE 2013 includes:
Colleen Coover
Colleen Coover is an illustrator and comic book artist and writer living in Portland, Oregon. She is the creator of the adult comic Small Favors, and artist of the all-ages Banana Sunday and the graphic novel Gingerbread Girl, both written by her husband, Paul Tobin. The couple’s current project, Bandette, was nominated for four Eisner Awards in 2013. Colleen spends most of her time thinking up ways for comics to be more awesome.
Bill Griffith
Zippy the Pinhead’s creator began his comics career in New York City in 1969. He ventured to San Francisco in 1970 to join the burgeoning underground
comix movement and made his home there until 1998. Zippy also appeared in the pages of the National Lampoon and High Times from 1977 to 1984. In 1986 King Features Syndicate took the daily strip to a national audience. Today Zippy appears in over 200 newspapers worldwide. There have been many paperback collections of Griffith’s work and numerous comic book and magazine appearances, both here and abroad.
Anders Nilsen
Anders Nilsen is the author and artist of the graphic novels Big Questions, The End, and Dogs and Water among others. He is the recipient of the 2012 Lynd Ward Graphic Novel prize and three Ignatz awards. His work has been translated into numerous languages, and his drawing and painting has been shown internationally. He lives in Minneapolis.
Diane Noomin
Diane Noomin is the creator of DiDi Glitz and editor of the Twisted Sisters anthologies of women cartoonists. One of the early contributors to Wimmen’s Comics, Noomin created the first issue of Twisted Sisters Comics with Aline Kominsky Crumb in 1976. Noomin’s work has also been published in a number of books, magazines and comic books. She has curated and shown work in shows in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Noomin is currently working on a graphic memoir detailing her parents involvement with the Communist Party in the 1950′s. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, cartoonist Bill Griffith, and 3 cats.
Raina Telgemaier
Raina Telgemeier is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile and Drama, both #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Babysitters Club series and has contributed short stories to many anthologies. Raina’s accolades include an Eisner Award, a Boston Globe Horn Book Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and many Best Of and Notable lists. A San Francisco native, Raina now lives and works in Queens, NY, with her cartoonist husband, Dave Roman.
APE continues to be one of the country’s most vibrant and enjoyable events. Come visit San Francisco and APE the weekend of October 12-13 and see why this show is so popular with attendees!
If you’re interested in exhibiting at APE, click here to download the APE 2013 Exhibitor Application. Please note that this show sells out quickly and exhibitor space is limited.