My Time at SPACE 2007
By Bruce Chrislip


The low-key, laid-back atmosphere of SPACE is deceptive. It’s one of the major small press/alternative comix shows in the country but it always feels like nothing more than an annual relaxed gathering of comix people in Columbus, Ohio.

But don’t be fooled. While not as hectic an event as, say, APE or SPX – SPACE shares a lot in common with those other comix festivals. Big name comix stars do show up at SPACE, they just don’t make a large deal out of it. While I know that fame or stardom is a relative thing, people like Matt Feazell have been a major force in the minicomix field since the early 1980s – and he shows up at SPACE every year!! Matt has a wonderful body of work behind him and is still producing great minicomix. Plus, he is a personable guy, easily approachable.

Past years have seen the likes of Sean Bieri, Kevin Huizenga, John Porcellino, Jeff Smith (Bone), Carol Tyler (Weirdo, Late Bloomer, Drawn and Quarterly, etc.) and Joe Zabel (American Splendor) at SPACE – all important figures in alternative comix. This year Carol Tyler was back, along with William Messner-Loebs, Paul Hornschemeier, Ed Piskor, Dave Sim (also a yearly attendee) and, of course, many future comix stars.

For my own part, I got there Sunday afternoon and had a fine time chatting with the likes of Larry Blake, Tim Corrigan, Matt Feazell, Allen Freeman, the aforementioned William Messner-Loebs and a guy who I had last seen when we were together on a newave minicomix panel at a Cincinnati Creation Comicon back in 1981 – Dan Taylor (Book of Art, Weird Muse).

In addition to socializing, I bought a few comix and heard Carol Tyler’s presentation of her upcoming Fantagraphics graphic novel You’ll Never Know. It’s a riveting account of her father’s World War II experiences. Carol’s last book (Late Bloomer) received critical raves from the likes of Robert Crumb, Chris Ware and Jim Woodring. You’ll Never Know is likely to be equally well-received and the lucky attendees of SPACE had the chance to get a first look.

If you ever have a chance to go, SPACE is the place! 

SPACE website