SPACE 2022 Wrap!

 Thanks to everybody who attended SPACE over the weekend. It was great to see everybody again. I haven't seen some of you for over 3 years. Also met a lot of new faces. Hope everybody had a safe trip home and that you stay healthy. I especially would like to thank Ken Eppstein, James Moore, my brother, Ron, and my son, Bob, for helping with the show. I will be starting a search for a venue for next year. If anybody has a lead on a possible location please send it along. I will let everybody know when there is something worked out. Thanks again for making SPACE so much fun.

SPACE Exhibitor Part 8

Tim Fuller:
Tim Fuller is an illustrator living in Northern Kentucky and active in the Cincinnati, Ohio comic scene. He writes and draws comic books, mostly about talking animals. He shares his studio space with several cats and dogs who give him plenty of feedback on his work. His Sham Comics series for Source Point Press takes public domain material from the 40s and 50s and rewrites them as social satires. Tim’s current projects also include "Cap'n Catnip & Womble the Wonder Gerbil" and art directing the "Cincinnati Cabinet of Curiosities" for Corpse Flower Press. His work can be seen at www.hoohacomics.com

Ben Towle:
Ben Towle is a four-time Eisner-nominated cartoonist. His most recent book is Four-Fisted Tales: Animals in Combat (Dead Reckoning, 2021) a collection of real-life stories about the animals that have fought alongside their human counterparts in wars throughout history. His previous work, the rollicking nautical fantasy comic, Oyster War, was published by Oni Press in 2015. His other comics work includes Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean (with Sarah Stewart Taylor), a graphic novel for young adults (Disney/Hyperion Books 2010) which received accolades from such publications as The New York Times and Publishers Weekly and was a Junior Library Guild selection, as well as the historical fiction graphic novel Midnight Sun. He lives in Columbus, OH and is a professor of illustration at The Columbus College of Art and Design.
Links:
https://linktr.ee/BenTowle
www.benzilla.com
https://twitter.com/ben_towle
https://www.instagram.com/ben_f_towle 

Matthew Varallo:
Matthew - also known as Matti - is a professional Reflexologist and an avid writer of multiple comics and novels. His best known works are the comic book Stoned Baked Defenders, and the choose-your-own-adventure illustrated novels Dark School and Path of the Neophyte.

Christopher Williams:
Christopher Williams is an artist living in Durham, North Carolina. Since the early 2000s he has created and screen printed over 1000 gigposters from his home. Beginning in 2019, he began creating zines and graphic novels, most recently completing a series of autobiographical comics under the title The Letter Journal.

Christina Wald:
Embrace the Crone is a weekly web comic in one panel episodes by Wisteria the Wise about life as a Crone and Crone Academy.

Jack Wallace:
Disposable Fiction Comics is a small press publisher consisting of one writer, Jack Wallace, and one colorist and letterer, Chris Allen. Their collection of short fiction is perfect for reading on the subway or the bus. Jack Wallace is a writer from Columbus, OH. He's happily married and finds himself inexplicably working in finance. With the help of two more Columbus creators, Jack helped launch a free newspaper highlighting the work of local creators called the Columbus Scribbler. The Scribbler was nominated for an Eisner award in 2019 for best Comics-Related Periodical. His work also branches into animation as he currently works as a scriptwriter for Essence Cartoon and Ownage Animation.
You can reach Jack at disposablefictioncomics@gmail.com.

Ben Wright-Heuman:
Ben Wright-Heuman hails from Richmond, VA. A lifelong writer and doodler, he originally pursued screenwriting before realizing that comics were his true passion and calling. ​After receiving a BA in English Literature and Drama from Kenyon College and an MFA in Sequential Art from the Center for Cartoon Studies, he moved to Columbus, OH, where he works as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator. His comics span the genres of mystery, science fiction, horror, humor, and nonfiction.

Matt Wydick:
Matt is a freelance animator who also works as a comic artist and video game developer. They have a fun sense of humor which is usually seen in their work.

Joe Zabel:
Joe Zabel is a cartoonist and painter best known for his work on American Splendor. His most recent work is Emperor Tom and Other Stories.

Zelpha Comics Ltd.:
My name is Luanga Nuwame and I am the founder of Zelpha Comics Ltd. and Carol Zelpha Novelties. Through my companies, I write and publish comic books, in addition to creating handmade cardboard action figurines, board games and trading cards. My best known works are the comic books Paper Rock Scissors N' Stuff Wars, The Adventures of Little Petalianne, and Dalf-Lo: A Cereal Worth Killing For!

Bob Corby:
Bob Corby is 67 years old and runs SPACE (Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo) in Columbus. He is a retired structural engineer who has been a part-time cartoonist publishing his own work and the work of others since 1986. He also publishes Oh,Comics! an annual anthology comic which has been published since 1988. His other publications include Leaves, Amazing Tales of Entropy, Test!, numerous minicomics including his latest,  Minicomics Vol.2.  All are available at www.backporchcomics.com

Eric Clift-Thompson: Eric Clift-Thompson is an Ohio transgender artist and storyteller whose zines combine poetry and short stories with printmaking and illustration to tell macabre fables that connect a horror niche of the LGBTQ community. His work has been featured in places such as Sean-Christopher Gallery, ROY G BIV Gallery, the cover of Botticelli Magazine, and the private collection of politician Morgan Harper. Eric’s dedication to accessibility and representation was recognized by Shawnee State University where he received the 2019 Lavender Graduation Campus Advocate Award the year he graduated magna cum laude with his BFA. He recently earned his MFA in Visual Arts at Columbus College of Art & Design where he also graduated magna cum laude.

SPACE Exhibitors Part 7

Jack Scully:
Jack Scully is a comic artist from New Jersey. He is the author of a long-running webcomic at nowicantlose.com

“Wingéd Elf Girl” Lauren Sparks:
Lauren Sparks is a visual storyteller - a maker of original illustrations, zines and comics, who also works as a graphic designer and Sunday school teacher near Covington, Kentucky. She works primarily in ink, watercolor, Photoshop and Illustrator, and has used her illustration skills in publications such as the “Votes For Women” anthology from Little Red Bird Press, “Linus and the Fluke of Love” by Chris Charlton for Assailant Comics, and the silly webcomic/minicomic series Cats Talking Words. She can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok as @WingedElfGirl.

Audra Stang:
Audra Stang is a cartoonist living in Thorndale, PA. Her one-person anthology, The Audra Show, collects autobiographical comics and stories about the inhabitants of the fictional town of Star Valley.

Nick Stellanova:
Nick Stellanova is a comic artist residing in Columbus, Ohio. A CCAD 2020 graduate, he is debuting his capstone comic, Here and Now, in print at SPACE. He also has done work for anthologies, and has self published online works. His works focus on transgender identity, nature, and mixed media experimentation in the comics medium.

Arthur Stoermer:
Semi-retired educator with a cute cat comic, word cartoons, and a feminist one shot comic.

Caleb Thusat:
Over the past 6 years, Caleb has run 16 successful crowdfunding campaigns to create numerous comics, graphic novels, and children’s books that are not only entertaining but thought-provoking and timely.

His children's comic series, Supercats is part of Scout Comics all-ages imprint, Scoot. The Supercats characters also appear in a quality the quarterly magazine, Frontiers which features original all-ages comic strips and activities. His WWII ghost story Nook has recently been acquired by Source Point Press and will be hitting comic store shelves as a monthly limited series this summer! His new series, The Neverland is a modern Stand-Alone sequel to the original Peter Pan novel by J.M. Barrie set during the pandemic. Issue #1 was funded on Kickstarter in March with issue 2 planned to hit the platform later this year. Caleb started his writing career as a filmmaker in Chicago. He now lives in Hudson Ohio with his wife, son, and two cats with a daughter on the way in July!

SPACE Exhibitors Part 6

Finem Mundi:
Finem Mundi delivers dark characters and stories that exist in a world just a tragedy away from our own.we strive to bring lines of mature comics and high end statues to those hungry for the beauty of the macabre.

The Nice Place:
A group of CCAD Grads coming together to publish work, to share with Columbus and beyond!

Kristin Ousley:
Comic artist, illustrator, and print maker from the Midwest. Creates stories that explore the softer side of fantasy, magic, and day to day life

Bud Perry:
Writer/illustrator of self published comics and novels from Cleveland.

Plague Doctor Press:
Plague Doctor Press publishes S.P.I.R.I.T. and Zed.

Eddie Raymond:
Strangers Fanzine is a celebration of the forgotten and overlooked. Having started in February of 2019, Strangers quickly grew from a quarterly fanzine to a small press publishing house and an online distro.

Carlos Rivera:
Cute 50 year old who likes to make comic books. the end

Jessica Robinson:
Jessica Robinson is an independent comics writer and artist from right here in Columbus, Ohio. She has had artwork featured in The Columbus Scribbler and Riffs Journal, and online at "On An Underwood No. 5" and "The Spiral Tower." She is best known for creating the webcomic series “Roxy.”

SPACE Exhibitors Part 5

Juan Lara:
I'm just a punk rock kid that got old and makes comics. Sometimes the comics are about werewolves in space, cats with bad attitudes, and cyborg cholos...and sometimes they are not.

Jeffrey Lilly:
Jeff is from Detroit and has been involved with indy comics for 30 years now. He currently works with Pam Bliss and Katie Hodges on the webcomic The Extras, and has worked on projects with Matt Feazell, Sean Bieri, Layla Lawlor, Paul Sizer, Mike Majestic, Tim Phillips, and others through the years.

Aaron Lindeman:
Aaron Lindeman is an artist living in Ohio. He works on comics, illustrations, and the occasional painting. He cannot cross running water, and is particularly susceptible to weapons made of silver. He loves sloths, and he will protect them until the very end.

LYCHGATE:
LYCHGATE creates comics and illustrations based around themes of fantasy, sci fi, comedy, and everything and anything to do with food!

Justin Madson:
Justin Madson is a self-taught cartoonist who has been telling stories through comic books and graphic novels for nearly two decades. Over the years he has created a number of graphic novels, including the post-apocalyptic tale Breathers, and Carbon, a supernatural mystery. Madson’s latest graphic novel with Abrams/Amulet Books is Tin Man, a young adult graphic novel about unlikely friends—a tin man seeking a heart and a high schooler trying to come to terms with the death of her grandmother. He resides in a small town in Wisconsin with his wife, two kids, two dogs, and a slew of backyard chickens.

majaNATION:
majaNATION is the brain child of Jonathan Rosenbaum. It is a gathering of the ideas and illustrations under one odd umbrella. Jonathan was born at an early age, and took to drawing soon after. At the age of four, when asked by his mother what he wanted to be he said, “either an artist or an elephant.” The elephant thing didn’t pan out so an artist it was. After years of drawing and growing up, he went to art school then got a job doing graphic stuffs. After years of working for the man, doing web/interactive/graphic design he had the need to illustrate. He spent years learning about the Children’s Book industry through SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). During the process of developing the Radar graphic novel he migrated to his childhood roots of comic books. This lead to hanging out with other artists and eventually doing comic cons. His style evolved and eventually went back to doing some children’s books.

Sean McArdle:
Sean McArdle is an Eisner nominated writer, artist and a college professor at Kent State University. Over the past ten years he’s worked for a diverse array of publishers including Image Comics, IDW, and Arcana Studio He juggles his time between being a comic creator, commercial and music video director, full-time in house multi-media director at a manufacturing company and adjunct professor at Kent State University. You can see evidence for all of that multi-tasking here. His current comic projects include The Führer and the Tramp, Wolves of Babylon and Sonic Euthanasia.

Nate McDonough:
Nate lives in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania with his wife, dog, two cats, girlfriend, three iguanas, mistress, boyfriend, three husbands and 73 children.

MeSseD Comics by Creative Mussel:
MeSseD comics are self-published out of Cincinnati, Ohio. MeSseD, the nickname for the Metropolitan Sewer District, brings sewer management to science fiction. Tough sewer worker Lilliput is our guide to the wet, weird and wild world under our feet. We're a very flush-and-forget-it society, MeSseD mashes sci-fi and science to create a world that we're not sure what's true and what's not. Launched in November 2016, MeSseD has become one of the most popular comic books in the Greater Cincinnati area. Cincinnati Citybeat named us 2017 Best of Cincinnati Staff Pick: “Best Reason to Get Your Mind in the Gutter.” The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote,"Lilliput... is tough and enterprising. She is fearless and unflappable... a hero for all of us."

Gabby Metzler:

Gabby Metzler is a CCAD grad, winner of the 2020 SPACE Prize and CXC Emerging Artist award, a colorist for DC’s “Whistle” which is really cool and you should read. She’s also a 212 resident and hosts the reading series Peztilence to honor and enjoy comics artists. Her hobbies include, reading self help books for other people, watching Bob’s Burgers, yelling the phrase “I thought I could change them!” at distant thunderstorms

SPACE Exhibitors Part 4

Bonnie Gumser:
Bonnie's work is best described as whimsical and colorful. Specializing in comics, illustration, and ceramics, they hope to bring the joy and carefree nature of childhood into their adult life - as well as share it with others. They hope that their stories are gentle for readers and their ceramics are sturdy for succulents. They're currently earning their BFA in Comics & Narrative Practice at CCAD, and will be graduating in May of 2022.

Han Hampy:
Han Hampy is a cartoonist from Columbus, Ohio. Fond of lighthearted horror and dark comedies, her work leans into the macabre, spooky, or anything with a weird twist. She makes comics and strange plushies with her demon-dog, Tuna. Han is tabling a comedic non-fiction comic about Grimace, a comic about a zombie apocalypse from a Mouse’s perspective, as well as the debut of a young-adult horror comic all about teenagers in a cult that physically fuse with their “soulmates”. 

M.S. Harkness:
Autobiographical Cartoonist published by Fantagraphics, Uncivilized Books, Anthologies, etc 

Luke Herr (he/they)
Luke is a writer, editor, podcast producer, event organizer, and occasional illustrator. Most of his work can be found at lukeherr.com or through his twitter @koltreg . Image by Tara O'Connor. 

Stephen Hines:
Stephen Hines, was spawned, and currently lives, in Ohio. When he’s not infiltrating the system by teaching high school English, he’s holed up in his home writing. To date, he’s published two graphic novels (Valedictorian USA: Vol. 1 and Zombie Fabulous), a young adult novel (Hocus Focus), a one-shot surrealist horror comic (Icon-O-Plastic), and two complete comic book trilogies: Zombie Fabulous and The Soccer Mom Killer. His prose memoir, Rebirth Defect: My Journey From Catholic Altar Boy to Teen Atheist to Adult Christian Metal Evangelist and Back to Atheism, was released in 2016. He also released a mini-album of original music called The Punk-Metal E.P.

Travis Horseman:

Travis Horseman has been reading comics since he was six years old, and views them as a medium of storytelling entirely unique from any other. His love of comics inspired him to create Amiculus Books in 2012, and he has been writing graphic novels and comics this label ever since. Notable titles include the graphic novel series and omnibus "Amiculus: A Secret History" and standalone horror stories "Sugar Creek" and "In Noctem."

Pat Kain:
Comics artist and character designer based in Mansfield, Ohio.

Bryan Kelly:
I am an illustrator and cartoonist working from North Texas. I have self published 7 books full of my humour comics. My most recent effort is a collection of comics based on my own experiences as a dive bar bartender.

Jordan Kirian:

Jordan Kirian is a writer/cartoonist from Central Ohio. His work includes the anthology comic Short Stacks as well as the Webcomic Gordy. He is also the publisher of Hot Cakes Comics.

SPACE Exhibitors Part 3

 

CNDillon:
CNDillon creates graphic narratives, comics, illustrations, prints, paintings, drawings, graphic designs, cartoons, and other art-type things. Many of the images are based in science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, pyschedelia, surrealism, animals and nature.

Millard Draudt:
Dog-Eared Cartoons is a single panel cartoon I have drawn for over 20 years and has appeared in multiple newspapers and publications over that time. Smart, funny and dumb all at the same time.

 Empire Comics Lab:
Comics created by SCIENCE!

Mike Eshelman:
Mike’s love of indie comics started in the 80s, when he was an assistant manager at Wizard of Comics in Columbus OH, and spent most of his day reading everything on the shelves. Today, he pens tales of weirdness. His first standalone horror title, “Camping”, a story about the boundaries of friendship pushed by the ultimate test, won the inaugural “Frightee Award” for best written fiction, followed by “Euphorium”, the first a comic experiment in non-collaboration. His horror title “ProLife” was nominated for “Best One Shot” and “Best Writer” for the 2015 Ghastly Award. His most recent title in Collaboration with Truck Stop Comix, “God Complex”, experiments with the fourth wall and integrating the reader as an antagonist. He also writes and draws mini comics; including the “6th St. Saloon” series, a collection of all his dumb moves from his barfly days.

Tom Fellrath:

Small press publisher in the 1980s and 2020s...from minicomics to full-size magazines...proud member of the United Fanzine Organization...bringing my characters into the modern day!

Matt Frey & Josh Simpson:
2 person team creating comics spanning Dark Humor, Psychological thrillers and space exploration!

Lane Graff:
My comics are mostly in digital illustration and painting with subjects of charming, familiar, and the grotesque. With Space 2021, i'm excited to be a part of this convention as well as continuing my serialized Heart Of Gold series.

Bonnie Gumser:
Bonnie's work is best described as whimsical and colorful. Specializing in comics, illustration, and ceramics, they hope to bring the joy and carefree nature of childhood into their adult life - as well as share it with others. They hope that their stories are gentle for readers and their ceramics are sturdy for succulents. They're currently earning their BFA in Comics & Narrative Practice at CCAD, and will be graduating in May of 2022.

SPACE Exhibitors Part 2

 

Rick Brooks:
Rick Brooks is a teacher and freelance cartoonists with credits in numerous indie publications. He currently creates and self-syndicates the comic strip Mr. Morris, which runs in eight weekly newspapers.

Marcus V. Calver:
Marcus V. Calvert is a native of Detroit who grew up with an addiction to sci-fi that just wouldn't go away. His goal’s to tell unique, twisted stories that people will be reading long after he’s gone. For him, the name and the fame aren’t important. Only the stories matter. You can find his books on Amazon or on his website: talesunlimited.net

Bruce Chrislip:
Bruce Chrislip, B.F.A., Youngstown State University. Professional artist, writer , cartoonist with extensive credits that include comics for Eclipse, Fantagraphics, Kitchen Sink Press, Starhead Comix  and my own imprint CLG Publishing. Former writer for The Comics Journal. Author of The Minicomix Revolution: 1969 - 1989, the critically acclaimed history of minicomix. Copies will be available at SPACE 2022. Steve Bissette, Bill Griffith, Paul Levitz, Seth and Art Spiegelman all have copies. Now's your chance to see what they've been raving about.

James & John Coats:
Twin brothers making adventure comics about dinosaur-barbarians, ninjas, monsters, and other cool things

Emily Clouse:
Emily Clouse is a writer and cartoonist from Coldwater, Ohio, currently based in Los Angeles. Her work has been featured by The Onion, The New Yorker, Reductress, and more. After earning her degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University, she served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Masindi, Uganda. She then headed to Chicago, working in the nonprofit sector while studying improv and sketch comedy at The Second City and iO Theater. She’s thrilled to be debuting her first graphic novel, The First Late-Night Show After A Rapture, at her first SPACE!

Abigail Connor:
Abigail Connor is the co-creator, with her father Leighton, of the comic book series The Electric Team (www.electricteamcomic.com). She has also drawn comics such as Swann Castle, The Electric Team: The Food Adventure, and Rose & Blobby. Her interests include DuckTales, Paper Mario, and Tetris.

Leighton Connor:
Leighton Connor is a writer, artist, cartoonist, and public school teacher. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife, two children, and a dog. Leighton is the co-writer, with his daughter Abi, of the comic book series The Electric Team (www.electricteamcomic.com) and the creator of comics such as Laser Brigade and Fuzzball & Scuzzball.

Charles Crabtree:
Charles is the creator and illustrator of the space adventure comicThe Space Fiend.

SPACE Exhibitors Part 1

 

Richard Alexander:
Richard Alexander was born and raised in Austin Texas, and lives and works there now.  He received a BFA in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin in 1988.  He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1991 with a Master's degree in Fine Arts.  Richy Vegas Comics, which currently runs twenty five issues, chronicles Richard Alexander’s struggles with mental illness.  Last Fall, Richard finished a fourteen issue run, “The Legend of Richy Vegas,” which consists of two prequel issues and twelve “Legend…” issues.  “The Legend of Richy Vegas” chronicles Richard’s descent and initial treatment for a major mental illness in 1992.  Richard draws Richy Vegas Comics with a ball point pen of paper plates.  “The Legend…” represents Richard’s attempt to form the narratives of the people and events that led to his initial treatment and diagnosis for shizophrenia into a cohesive story that spans fourteen issues, at eighty pages per issue. 

 

Steven Arnold & Michael Kamison:
Steven Arnold and Michael Kamison began their comic collaboration while co-managing an arthouse theater outside Philadelphia. Since 2016, the dopey duo have published five comics under the moniker Heel on the Press Comics. Combining their useless knowledge of film, music, and art, Heel on the Press publishes comix with nods to body horror, American literature, and punk rock. Steven and Michael live in the swamps of South Philadelphia and endlessly fawn over their dogs Penny, Zooey, and Sacco. Write them, please! They're begging you: hotpresscomics@gmail.com @hotpresscomics

 

Frank James Bailey:
Frank James Bailey is an accomplished voice actor and published author. He started using his voice on the radio in 1989 in Cleveland, OH, and became a full-time voice actor in 2009. You may have heard his voice on some radio or TV commercials, radio ID's or internet videos like Channel Frederators - Disney's Dark Secrets, 107 Facts about Pinky & The Brain, and Then vs Now: My Little Pony.He also created the Tercona comic book series. It's an all-ages comic about a female superhero named Tercona. Currently, there are 6 comics in the series with more on the way. To find out more about Tercona and the characters go to www.Tercona.com
Finally, follow Frank on TikTok. He does cartoon reviews, movie reviews, voice-over tips, a few TikTok trends, plus he also talks about his up and coming projects too.

 

Suzanne Baumann:
Suzanne Baumann makes comics in her attic. She draws and is drawn to all sorts of little everyday things that are typically overlooked and taken for granted, or outright rejected and discarded. Such items continually turn up as both subject matter for her creative work. Titles include the minicomic series As Eavesdropped (based on overheard conversations), Ball Point (doodles, tiny and free) and the webcomic Sucker Street (suckerstreet.com). She’s currently working on A is for Ambroseburg, an online alphabet book. Follow it at fridge-mag.com/ambroseburg.

 

Todd Beistel:
Todd Beistel is known as the artist of the critically acclaimed independent miniseries THE HORROR SHOW (Broken Icon Comics) and the miniseries, FRANK (Broken Icon Comics). Prior to that, Todd was co-creator and artist of the ongoing webcomic YURI: GYPSY HUNTER (One-Lap Studios) as well as LOST SOULS (Hunter Productions) and EYE OF THE PROBE (Probe Studios). When Todd isn’t drawing comics, he can be found in his studio creating motivational posters depicting pop culture icons in stained-glass inspired paintings and fulfilling commission requests.

 

Heidi Black:
Heidi Black is a comic artist and illustrator whose work includes the graphic novel series "Sons of Fire," as well as work in the Eisner-winning anthology "Puerto Rico Strong" and the highly successful "1001 Knights."

 

Sydney Blackwell:
Sydney is a comic artist and printmaker. She is interested in fantasy & sci-fi, history, and fashion. She self published two comics, Lamotrigine(2018) and Witness(2019). Sydney primarily works digitally but also utilizes pen and ink.

 Tony Brandl:

Tony created the Rabbit Hero at the age of 7, and has been producing works with him ever since. In 2012 he began creating storyblocks to tell the Rabbit Hero's story in a massive, interconnected framework of modular comic book storytelling. It has grown to nearly 2000 individual pieces, and includes elements from folklore, mythology, history, and other story traditions, as well as all new characters. He is also the author and creator of the Rabbit Hero book series and the Marauder superhero comic. He lives with his family in Illinois.

Glenn Brewer:
Greetings! My name is Glenn Brewer and I'm a blue-collar worker, illustrator, and comic creator. I graduated with a  BFA in Fine Arts from the Columbus College of Art and Design.

 

 

New Poster by Tom Williams

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