Comic Book Resources

SPX '09 | The Critics Roundtable, transcribed

Here's what we talk about when we talk about comics.

In front of a packed house at September's Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland, a group of critics from around the comics Internet and beyond talked shop at the annual Critics Roundtable panel. Moderated by Bill Kartalopolous, the panel featured Comics Journal founder Gary Groth, New York Times critic Douglas Wolk, bloggers Joe "Jog" McCulloch, Tucker Stone, and Rob Clough, and a pair of Robot 6ers, Chris Mautner and myself. I'm happy to present a transcript of the panel below.

Sure, I'm a little biased, but I think it's a fascinating discussion. The topics include the differences between print and online criticism, the notion of "the critical discourse," negative critiques and much more. For some panelists, things have already changed since the panel took place: Groth, who gets quizzed on why he isn't a bigger contributor to the comics Internet, is getting ready to jump in with both feet with the relaunched Comics Journal, of which Clough is going to be a part; while my membership in Robot 6 wasn't even a glimmer in JK Parkin's eye yet. And with a good deal of familiarity between the critics -- I believe seven out of eight have written for the Journal and half write for The Savage Critic(s) -- the back-and-forth was fluid.

If you'd like to listen along, you can download this mp3 recording of the panel. It's worth it just to hear the chaos surrounding Tucker's bathroom break.

Click the jump to read the transcript. Now, without further ado...

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What I bought at SPX

Driven By Lemons

A good deal of the money I had for this year's SPX was spent catching up on series I had fallen behind on like Mome or getting books that had come out earlier in the year but had been previously unavailable to me, like The Complete Jack Survives.

Still, in my wanderings along the various aisles I did manage to find some new and notable graphic novels, comics, minicomics and what have you. Here are 10 quick titles that you might be worth tracking down on your lonesome:

Driven By Lemons by Josh Cotter
I've already mentioned this one several times, but goddamn is it worth mentioning again cause this thing is really stunning. I keep picking it up, reading a random page, and then putting it down again. This is powerful stuff, this is.

Ganges #3 by Kevin Huizenga.
It always amazes me how Huizenga can take everyday moments, like, in this case, trying to get to sleep, and turn them into extravagant, elaborate displays of cartooning genius.

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Six by 6 | Six things I noticed at this year's SPX

SPX 2009

My official report on this year's Small Press Expo is up on the main CBR site, but I thought I'd take a few extra minutes and share some additional, hopefully more in-depth impressions of this year's show.

1. Man it was crowded. Maybe it was because it was in a different ballroom this year (although only just one room over). Maybe there were more artists and tables than in previous years. Whatever the reason, SPX 2009 was packed, easily the most crowded I've seen it in a while, at least on Saturday, when I attended. I found myself frequently having to apologize as I attempted to make my way through the aisles, my increasingly heavy burlap bags slugging innocent folk left and right.

Many of the attendees and exhibitors I talked to agreed that it seemed like a busier Saturday as usual and most said that they were doing well sales-wise. I take that as a good sign, not only for the show, but for the indie comics scene in general. Obviously the show still provides a good opportunity for fans of inide comics to get out and revel in them.

2. People really love Kate Beaton. If you needed any further signs that the comics world is moving from print to digital (and perhaps back again) then you should have tried to make your way past the Webcomics side of the room, where Kate Beaton took on her appointed role as Queen of All She Surveyed, with a long line of the faithful anxiously waiting to purchase a sketch or book from her. She wasn't the only Webcomics artist that seemed to be pulling in customers -- Girls With Slingshots creator Danielle Corsetto seemed to have a steady throng of admirers -- but Beaton was by far the most popular person in the room. I have no idea what larger significance that holds other than Beaton makes cool, funny comics that people like.

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If you're going to SPX: A quick Robot 6 guide

SPX 2009

The Small Press Expo arrives in Bethesda, Maryland, this weekend. I'll be there Saturday (assuming this current stomach ache clears up), covering the event for CBR, yakking it up on one of the panels and just generally enjoying myself. I'll be wearing one of my traditional black video game shirts (Capcom no doubt) so be sure and say hi if you see me.

In the meantime, I thought I'd take the time to offer a quick list of suggestions regarding what to buy and what to see. I also heartily recommend checking out Comicsgirl's SPX dining guide and her general survival guide to the show. Reding them will save you a lot of time and worry.

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