I had a really good time at SPX this year, my first one since 2008. MariNaomi and her hubby Gary are excellent tabling pals, and I have to say I took notes from Mari on certain concepts with which I need to do better in the future, concepts such as putting out price tags and bringing enough stock. We won’t even go into my serious lack of self-promotional ability here - it’s kind of a sore spot, honestly. She also helped me get the hang of using Square for those credit card customers, another area that caused some minor stress. Anyway, thanks, again, Mari - you are so beautiful (cracked voice here) to me-eee-eee!!!

Despite my lack of acute business acumen I did really quite well, considering that I had nothing brand new on hand. Sales and traffic were particularly strong on Saturday. All my pals like Kris Dresen, Tony Breed, Cara Bean, and Bill Roundy did bang-up business all weekend, as did apparently every single other vendor at SPX. I met a few longtime fans of mine, including one wonderful man named David, who pulled out my first paperback book, the long out of print Xeric grant-funded 1998 Curbside collection for me to sign. This touched my little cartoonist’s heart, as did the SPX volunteer who told me he’s been reading me since the Strange-Looking Exile days (you know, sometime in the pre-Jurassic age). I spoke to a number of Boy Trouble fans also, while selling off for good the last 14 copies of THREE #1, this time once and for all, no kidding. I remarked to Kris Dresen about these longtime fans and she agreed that we often forget that the physical trail of our individual comics histories are still out there, still being read, still being archived.

As everyone knows, a big part of the fun of attending an expo is the socializing. I caught up for a bit with Greg McElhatton, talked to John Porcellino for a few minutes (and got the brand new King Cat - Woo!), and met all kinds of folks I’ve long admired, including the Secret Acres guys, Barry and Leon; Julia Wertz; and the awesome Rob Clough, who has been so supportive and helpful to me and so many other cartoonists through his writing, reviews, and yes, advocacy. I met Tom Spurgeon, who took my picture. And talked with Ted Intorcio of Tinto Press. And through the display of my Ginger the Wonder Dog zine I met many dog people, including some talented cartoonists who traded their own dog-oriented alt-comics with me (I shipped all my comics home already, otherwise would list them here). Finally, I met a long-admired cartoonist near the end who told me he’s a big fan of mine - always nice to hear, right? These and many other folks helped make the event a blast.

I only bought a few books, but such books they are: Julia Wertz’s newest The Infinite Wait, Sean Ford’s Only Skin, and a copy of Eat More Bikes - the other two I’d already set my sights on, but Bikes was a must-have the second I saw the title and the cover drawing. Can’t wait to dive into everything back home.

I also dodged a major bullet. I’ll tell you all about it in the comic strip I’ve got brewing about the whole affair. Okay, I’m being all dramatical, but I still think it’ll make a good lil’ strip.

In conclusion let me just say that I am so down for SPX next year. You with me? Yeah, I thought so. This report was written to you straight outta North Carolina, where I am recuperating from all the fun. It’s beer o’clock here in these parts. Won’t you join me?

Photo up top of MariNaomi, Gary and me stolen from Julia Wertz - but BUY HER AMAZING BOOK and maybe she’ll forgive me. Photo of Rob with beer flight at Tupelo Honey restaurant in Asheville, NC by John Capecci © 2012

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