The Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo, or SPACE or S.P.A.C.E., is an annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, United States, for alternative comics, minicomics, and webcomics. Bob Corby founded the convention as a gathering place for "the comics and the creators with no distractions."Corby quoted in "What is S.P.A.C.E.," Official website. Accessed June 10, 2012. The show is sponsored by Corby's Back Porch Comics, a Columbus small press comics publisher.
Like most comic book conventions, in addition to exhibitor tables, each show features art exhibits, panel discussions, and workshops."Convention to Feature Independent Publications," Columbus Dispatch (April 14, 2005).
History Prior to SPACE, there had been a few small press-themed conventions in Columbus, including segments of the Mid-Ohio Con (dating from the 1980s) and a stop on Dave Sim's 1995 "Spirits of Independents" tour. In 2000, inspired by Spirits of Independence, and with Sim's blessing, Columbus small press comics publisher Bob Corby staged the first SPACE show at the Rhodes Center in the Ohio Expo Center. 49 small press exhibitors — including Matt Feazell, Carla Speed McNeil, Alex Robinson, and William Messner-LoebsZabel, Joe. "SPACE Show — Columbus does Indies," Amazing Montage Magazine (May 2000). — came from as far as Illinois, North Carolina, and Connecticut."SPACE 2000," Official website. Accessed June 10, 2012.
In 2001, Sim collaborated directly with Corby, and SPACE became the home of the inaugural Day Prize, administered in person by Sim. 65 exhibitors came from as far west as Portland, Oregon, and as far east as New York City. Columbus-based Jeff Smith made a surprise appearance."SPACE 2001," Official website. Accessed June 10, 2012.
From 2001 to 2008, Sim was a special guest at every SPACE show, often with his long-time collaborator Gerhard. In 2004, Sim was awarded the SPACE Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2007, with SPACE growing in popularity and exhibitors, the show expanded to two days and moved to the Aladdin Shrine Center. The 2008 show, Sim's last appearance, featured 30 of his original drawings, and over 150 creators and publishers."Event to include writers, artists," Columbus Dispatch (Feb. 28, 2008). The 2009 show featured an exhibit of original pages from Carol Tyler's new graphic novel, You’ll Never Know, Book One: A Good and Decent Man.
In 2010, the show expanded once again, moving to the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center. The 2012 show featured creators like Nate Powell, Carol Tyler, John Porcellino, Tom Scioli, and Eric Adams.
The 2020 show, scheduled for July 11–12, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic."Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo 2020: July 11-12, 2020 Cancelled," FanCos.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
Dates and locations Dates Location Special guests Notes April 15, 2000 Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center ... March 31, 2001 Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center Dave Sim first presentation of the Day Prize April 20, 2002 Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center Dave Sim and Gerhard April 5, 2003 Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center Dave Sim and Gerhard April 3, 2004 Holiday Inn, Columbus East Dave Sim and Gerhard Sim awarded the SPACE Lifetime Achievement Award April 16, 2005 Holiday Inn, Columbus East Dave Sim and Gerhard May 13, 2006 Aladdin Shrine Center Dave Sim and Gerhard April 21–22, 2007 Aladdin Shrine Center Dave Sim Event expands to two days March 1–2, 2008 Aladdin Shrine Center Dave Sim April 18–19, 2009 Aladdin Shrine Center April 24–25, 2010 Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center March 19–20, 2011 Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center April 21–22, 2012 Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center April 13–14, 2013 Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center Graphic novel category added to SPACE Price April 12–13, 2014 Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center July 18–19, 2015 Northland Performing Arts Center April 9–10, 2016 Northland Performing Arts Center March 25–26, 2017 Northland Performing Arts Center April 28–29, 2018 Northland Performing Arts Center April 27–28, 2019 Northland Performing Arts Center July 11-12, 2020 On-line On-line due to COVID-19 pandemicJuly 10, 2021On-lineMay 21 & 22, 2022Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes CenterJune 10-11, 2023Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center April 27–28, 2024 Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center April 26-27, 2025Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes CenterMarch 28-29, 2026The Macoy, Hilliard
The Day Prize / the SPACE Prize In 2001, Dave Sim and his collaborator Gerhard founded the Howard E. Day Prize for outstanding achievement in self-publishing, in tribute to Sim's mentor, Gene Day. Bestowed annually at SPACE from 2002 to 2008 the prize consisted of a $500 cash award and a commemorative plaque. The recipient was chosen by Sim and Gerhard from a pool of submitted works.
In 2008, Sim announced he was withdrawing from convention appearances (including SPACE) to concentrate on new work."Bill Knapp Wins SPACE Prize," Cosmo's Corner: The Official SPACE blog (January 11, 2009). In addition, Sim announced that, beginning in 2009, the Day Prize was going to be folded into the Joe Shuster Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards."Gene Day Award for Self-Publishing," Joe Shuster Awards official site. Accessed June 12, 2012. SPACE organizer Bob Corby announced the creation of the SPACE Prize beginning at the 2008 show. Entries for the SPACE Prize are submitted by that year's exhibitors, with a list of finalists selected by Corby. The winner is chosen by a group of judges and SPACE exhibitors.
In 2009, the SPACE Prize expanded to include three categories, General, Minicomic/Short story, and Webcomic. In 2013 the SPACE Prize added the Graphic Novel category. In 2016 the SPACE Prize dropped the Webcomic category but added the Junior Category prize.
Day Prize/SPACE Prize Winners 2001: Faith: A Fable, by Bill Knapp 2002: Misa, by Tom Williams 2003: Askari Hodari #3, by Glen Brewer 2004: Owly: The Way Home, by Andy Runton 2005: The Lone and Level Sands, by A. David Lewis and mpMann (a.k.a. Marvin Perry Mann) 2006: Chemistry-Comic & CD Soundtrack, by Steve Peters 2007: Mr. Big, by Matt & Carol Dembicki 2008: A Thorn in the Side, by Bill Knapp
Award categories General 2009: The Dreamer #1–5, by Lora Innes 2010: (tie) Cragmore Book One, by Pat N. Lewis Mirror Mind, by Tory Woollcott 2011: The Collected Diabetes Funnies, by Colin Upton 2012: (tie) Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resumé, Ages 0 to 22, by Mari Naomi No One is Safe, by Katherine Wirick 2013: Ragged Rider: Tales of a Cowboy Mummy, by Andrew Meyerhoefer 2014: Black of Heart, written by Chris Charlton, illustrated by David Hollenbach 2015: If the Shoe Fits, written by Emily Willis, illustrated by Ann Uland 2016: Woodstalk #6 (According to Plan), by Bruce Worden 2017: Refugee Road (Prince Delight), written by Stu Rase & Tara Rase-Writers, illustrated by Will Jones 2018: Himawari Share Vol. 1 & 2, by Harmony Becker
Graphic novel 2013: Xoc: The Journey of a Great White, by Matt Dembicki 2014: Persia Blues, written by Dara Naraghi, illustrated by Brent Bowman 2015: Apama: The Undiscovered Animal (Hero Tomorrow Comics), written by Ted Sikora & Millo Miller, illustrated by Benito Gallego 2016: Persia Blues Vol. 2: Love & War (NBM), written by Dara Naraghi, illustrated by Brent Bowman 2017: Black of Heart (Narrier), written by Chris Charlton, illustrated by David Hollenbach 2018: Far Tune – Autumn, written by Terry Eisele, illustrated by Brent Bowman
Minicomic/Short story 2009: Aliens Poop on Your Children, by Chris Garrett 2010: Board of Superheroes #2, by Matt Feazell 2011: Sing, Sing, by Paul Zdepski 2012: And Then One Day #9, by Ryan Claytor 2013: Better Together, by Ryan Claytor 2014: (tie) Birds in a Sluddle, by Pam Bliss Blindspot #3, by Joseph Remnant Limp Wrist, written by Scout Wolfcave, illustrated by Penina Gal 2015: Bad Sex, by Lauren McCallister 2016: (tie) Dive, by Sean Dempsey Far Tune, written by Terry Eisele, illustrated by Brent Bowman-Writer 2017: Brain Weather (Anxious Ink LLC), by Alexis Cooke 2018: Anemone & Catharus, by Harmony Becker
Webcomic 2009: Introspective Comics, by Ryan Dow 2010: Champ 2010, by Jed Collins 2011: Spoilers, by Kevin Czapiewski 2012: Next Year’s Girl, by Katie Valeska 2013: Little Guardians, by Lee Cherolis and Ed Cho 2014: Black Rose, by Aaron Minier, Christopher Atudt, and Brandon Peat 2015: (tie) Clattertron.com, by Daniel J. Hogan Wonder Care: After School (Vantage: Inhouse Productions), written by Justin Castaneda & Victor Dandridge, illustrated by Justin Castaneda
Junior Category 2016: Ant and the Zombie Spiders Parts 1 & 2, by Harrison Worden Starcatcher’s Quest, by Althea Seilhan 2017: Daughter of Brothers & Daughters (Silber), written by Brian John Mitchell & J. M. Hunter, illustrated by Aubrey Hunter The Electric Team Food Adventure, by Abigail Connor The Mule Man Collection, by Max Wolf & Amelia Sealy 2018: Be Your Self, by Aubrey Hunter Duncleosteous, by Nevan Bowman Kitchen Chemistry for Kids of All Ages, written by Matt Williams, illustrated by Althea Seilhan Pirate’s Life, by Aubrey Hunter Puppy Dog Tales, by Althea Seilhan Sylvester (Dimestore), by Lucian Snars Super Tooth (Zimberack Comics), by Jackson Connor Swann Castle, by Abigail Connor There Was an Accident... (Silber), written by Violet Mitchell, illustrated by Nate McDonough, Jason Young, Eric Shonborn, Kurt Dinse, Chelsea Fields, Jared Catherine, and Shane DeLeon We Only Live Once, by Aubrey Hunter
See also Alternative Press Expo MoCCA Festival Small Press Expo STAPLE!
References
External links