A Walk Around the Denver Zine Fest 2018
/Written by Neil Greenaway
The Sunday of June 24th, 2018 saw the return of the Denver Zine Fest to the McNichols Building in downtown Denver. Put together by Kelly Shortandqueer and the Denver Zine Library, the Zine Fest is a one-day celebration of 'zines, self published comics, and the local art community. Hosting 90+ different artists and vendors, the Zine Fest's offerings covered an amazing array of topics and genres - superhero parodies, political manifestos, day-in-the-life diaries, and high fantasy. Kelly was set up with all 18 issues of his Shortandqueer 'zine. Adri Norris had her line of Women Behaving Badly books and art on exhibit. Jake Fairly had the vest and glove to match his This Is Heavy Metal books. And Zak Kinsella had his Doodle Fight championship belt proudly displayed.
The Denver Zine Fest 2018 entrance banner.
Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Kelly Shortandqueer at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Adri Norris at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Jake Fairly at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Doodle Fight champion Zak Kinsella at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Lonnie MF Allen (art director at Suspect Press) was there with his award winning mini-comic Delineate. Lonnie also did the poster art for Denver Zine Fest 2018!
Lonnie Allen at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Denver Zine Fest 2018 promo poster by Lonnie Allen.
J. James McFarland had a table full of his self-published books. I picked up the latest issue of Maize (his 1920's adventure comic), 2 issues of politik (his political 'zine), and a copy of his new Zines About Hoarding poster "Hoarding: How To Be the Best At It!". Of course, I already own every issue of the Zines About Hoarding series.
J. James McFarland at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
A poster about Zines About Hoarding by J. James McFarland.
Politik: Paradigm by J. James McFarland.
Politik: Detention by J. James McFarland.
Maize #3 DCC 2018 Preview Edition by J. James McFarland - featuring Lights Out (written by Deanna Destito).
Karl Christian Krumpholz had a small set-up where he was sketching and selling his 30 Miles of Crazy comics. I was also able to pick up a huge (14"x17") Hellboy commission that Karl had been working on for me. He created a beautiful piece of original art!
Karl Christian Krumpholz drawing silly faces at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
A Hellboy commission done by Karl Christian Krumpholz.
Karl Christian Krumpholz making silly faces at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Ted Intorcio was at the show with a selection of the independent comics and zines put out by Tinto Press. I bought a copy of RM, a new graphic novel from Josh Bayer. I had never seen Mr. Bayer's work before, but his art was beautiful and drew me right in to the book.
Ted Intorcio of Tinto Press at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
RM by Josh Bayer from Tinto Press. (front cover)
RM by Josh Bayer from Tinto Press. (back cover)
Daniel Crosier and Elisa Sargent were sharing a table at the Zine Fest. Daniel had his comics and art out for sale, while Elisa was there promoting her upcoming series with artist Laurissa Hughes - When Baked Things Attack! Daniel also has a KickStarter running right now for the second episode of his web series Camp Crash! I picked up one of the promo posters from Elisa and one of the CopSquatch mini-comics (illustrated by Daniel).
Elisa Sargent & Daniel Crosier at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
A When Baked Things Attack! promo poster from Elisa Sargent & Laurissa Hughes.
CopSquatch mini-comic by Allan Elijah Cutler & Daniel Crosier.
Thane Benson was there with his Burnt hardcover and a batch of his hyper-detailed posters and prints. I bought all three issues of his Quick: The Clockwork Knight mini-comics.
Thane Benson at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Quick the Clockwork Knight #1 by Thane Benson.
Quick the Clockwork Knight #1 by Thane Benson.
Quick the Clockwork Knight #1 by Thane Benson.
Wanderweird had a table where he was selling his psychedelic stickers, prints, and hand-painted video game medallions. I got a copy of his mind-expanding book, Remember.
Wanderweird at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Remember by Wanderweird.
Zac Finger was at the Denver Zine Fest promoting the Tucson Zine Fest and his spread included 'zines from a variety of Arizona creators. I bought several books made by Zac and several more from Tucson artist Adam Yeater.
Zac Finger at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Zac was in Denver promoting the Tucson Zine Fest.
One Last Day Mini-Comic by Adam Yeater.
The 9th Art, cover by Adam Yeater.
One Last Day Mini-Comic by Adam Yeater.
Cinderella II mini-comic by Zac Finger.
Paradisiac Beings by Adam Yeater.
Super Back To the Future 2 by Zac Finger.
GMO Corn Park mini-comic by Zac Finger.
Cori Redford had her full display out including her 'zines, her Dungeons After Dark coloring book, her conspiracy chart, and (of course) a selection of her dick art. I picked up both issues of her Denver Deviations zine, her 24 Hour Monster Party mini-comic, and Open At Your Own Risk (her book of dicks).
Cori Redford at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
An Incredible Hulk button from Cori Redford.
Denver Deviations #1 by Cori Redford.
Denver Deviations #1 by Cori Redford.
24 Hour Monster Party by Cori Redford.
Open At Your Own Risk by Cori Redford.
Charlie La Greca was the man behind the table for the Denver Independent Comic & Art Expo (or DINK!). DINK always has a cooler full of free comics for kids, but at this show Charlie also had the two issues of Environmental Justice Chronicles that he co-wrote and illustrated.
Charlie La Greca strikes a pose behind the DINK! table at Denver Zine Fest 2018.
Environmental Justice Chronicles Book 1: Mayah's Lot, written by Charlie La Greca & Rebecca Bratspies with art from Charlie La Greca.
Environmental Justice Chronicles Book 2: Bina's Plant, written by Charlie La Greca & Rebecca Bratspies with art from Charlie La Greca.
Neil Ewing had a table with a spread full of self-published comics and bootleg toys. I got 5 new books full of his comedic goodness: The Ballad of Peaceways, Peaceways Returns, The Tomb of the MeatBeast, Solar City 4: Redux, and his newest book Freaky Chili. I was only recently made aware of Neil's work, and I am loving what I have seen so far.
Neil Ewing at the Denver Zine Fest 2018.
The Ballad of Peaceways by Neil Ewing.
Freaky Chili by Neil Ewing.
The Tomb of the MeatBeast by Neil Ewing.
Peaceways Returns by Neil Ewing.
Solar City 4: Redux by Neil Ewing.
There were some free copies of The Philadelphia Secret Admirer floating around the Zine Fest, and I grabbed a few issues. I had never heard of the cover artist (Rachel Pfeffer) before, but these covers intrigued me. You can see more of her work at her store, Rainbow Feather.
The Philadelphia Secret Admirer #2, cover by Rachel Pfeffer.
Denver Zine Fest 2018 entrance.
The Philadelphia Secret Admirer #3, cover by Rachel Pfeffer.