04/26/10 (Portland OR) Andy Grossberg
TRIPWIRE was at both days of Portland’s famous Stumptown Comics Fest possibly the indy comics show of the year. It compares favorably to others such as APE: It brings out some of the bigger guns like Dark Horse and Oni (if for no other reason than that they’re based there) but also dozens of DYI mini comics creators and others were in the room taking part in the photocopier revolution and getting their work seen. There were panels and signings from the likes of Paul Pope and Mike Allred and on Saturday night they gave away the 4th annual Trophy awards.
The crowd seemed bigger this year than last as the show continues to grow every year. A lot of the programming focused on creating comics yourself with panels like An Artist’s Intro to Contracts or Rights and Local Printing & Publishing but there were also spotlight panels with creators like Craig Thompson. There were also terrific offsite events like Dr. Sketchy’s art classes. In all it was a low-key but terrific and exhausting show.
Things really got started the night before though at Guapo Comics, a neat comic shop and cafe that stocks a ton of Portland’s independent comics in the back. The beer was free and I’m told there was free food but we got there too late for that. Judging from the crowd the party was a success. 
There was so much to see that it took going on both days just to absorb the plethora of diverse books for sale in all shapes and sizes. I’m always hungry for new comics and the inspiration that comes with them so the exhibitor’s room was like food for the starving.
It was great to see that many of small publishers like Sparkplug Comics have survived the stuttering US economy.
Batton Lash was signing copies of Wolff & Byrd as well as his Archie work.
And of course Richard Starkings was there to promote Elephantmen (see our review from last August of last year).
Fantagraphics made the short drive down from Seattle.
Dark Horse Comics even had portfolio reviews going on both days!
Overall it was another great show and a triumph for the guys who put it on. I came back with so many new books to read that my head is spinning. Hopefully I’ll have some reviews of stuff I picked up to follow throughout the coming weeks.