STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo is an annual convention in Austin, Texas, United States, for alternative comics, minicomics, webcomics, zines, underground comics, and graphic arts. Chris Nicholas founded the conference as a gathering place for professional artists and amateur creators,[1] "a showcase for the folks who publish comics and zines and possible literary masterworks out of their own apartments."[2]
| STAPLE! | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Alternative comics |
| Venue | various venues in Austin |
| Location(s) | Austin, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 2005 |
| Founders | Chris Nicholas |
| Organized by | Chris Nicholas/Austin Books |
| Website | http://www.staple-austin.org/ |
The show is sponsored by Austin Books, an Eisner-nominated comic book store and the site of the largest gathering of artists for the worldwide 24-Hour Comics Day held in 2005.[3]
Additional sponsors include Rogues Gallery: Comics + Games, ECPrinting.com, Dragon's Lair: Comics & Fantasy, KOOP (FM), Motorblade Postering Services, CKP communication agency of record, and Bumperactive.com.
History edit
The 2020 show, scheduled for October, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Event dates and locations edit
- March 5, 2005: BPOE #201
- March 4, 2006: Red Oak Ballroom
- March 3, 2007: Red Oak Ballroom
- March 1, 2008: Monarch Event Center
- March 7, 2009: Monarch Event Center
- March 6, 2010: Monarch Event Center
- March 5–6, 2011: Marchesa Hall and Theatre
- March 3–4, 2012: Marchesa Hall and Theater
- March 2–3, 2013: Marchesa Hall and Theater
- March 1–2, 2014: Marchesa Hall and Theater
- March 7–8, 2015: Marchesa Hall and Theater
- March 5–6, 2016: Marchesa Hall and Theater
- September 9–10, 2017: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
- September 8–9, 2018: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
- October 12–13, 2019: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
October 2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2021: Venue not reopened as of Aug 2021, and organizer busy [5]- April 13-14, 2024: Mabee Ballroom, St. Edward's University[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Thomas, David. "Staple! Holds the Austin Indie Comic Book Scene Together," The Austinot (FEBRUARY 19, 2014).
- ^ Wayne Alan Brenner, "Collating the Underexposed", Austin Chronicle (March 4, 2005).
- ^ Nat Gertler, 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2005 (ISBN 0-9753958-6-6).
- ^ Uncle Staple. "Hey, everyone, sorry for the radio silence..." STAPLE! Twitter account (June 20, 2020).
- ^ "Staple! Independent Media Expo". Facebook.
- ^ Stewart, Lex (Mar 22, 2024). "Indie media expo draws together Austin comics, zines, games, and more". Culture Map Austin.