Small Press Expo
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The Small Press Expo (SPX) is an alternative comics convention that takes place every September or October in Bethesda, Maryland. It rivals the Alternative Press Expo as the premiere convention for alternative comics creators and fans. SPX's main claim to fame are the Ignatz Awards. As one of the few festival awards rewarded in comics, they are voted on by attendees and are given annually at SPX.
SPX publishes an annual anthology as a companion to the convention. The first edition (1997) was in standard comic format, while all subsequent editions have been in digest format. Contributors have included Alex Robinson, Frank Cho, Marc Hempel, Brian Ralph and many others.
SPX is closely associated with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF). All profits from SPX including the proceeds from the anthology and other fund raising activities that take place during the convention weekend, go to the CBLDF.
The SPX was founded in 1994 by a group of Washington-Baltimore area retailers to promote diversity in the comics marketplace. Attendees of the early years often speak of the close-knit community that was attained during the convention, citing offbeat occurrences such as James Kochalka's nude musical performance in 1998 and the annual pig roast/picnic.
SPX has been held in conjunction with the International Comics and Animation Festival (ICAF) many times beginning in 1997. Both ICAF and the Expo were cancelled in 2001 due to creators' travel difficulties related to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
