STAPLE! Media Expo Coming To Austin

14th annual event features 200-plus exhibitors showcasing independently made comics, zines, art and games. Free for kids 12 and under!

Tony Cantu, Patch Staff

Posted Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 12:36 am CT|Updated Thu, Aug 16, 2018 at 1:13 pm CT

EAST AUSTIN, TX — Organizers of the Independent Media Expo dubbed STAPLE! have announced the two-day lineup of events, workshops and family-friendly activities coming up next month.

The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex in East Austin. Programming highlights include a live art show benefit, seven educational panels and an on-site Kid’s Zone presented by the Pflugerville Public Library.

Now in its 14th year, the annual event features more than 200 exhibitors showcasing independently made comics, zines, art and games. Visitors can interact with artists and attend panels on topics including “Paying Your Bills with Comics,” featuring Ngozi Ukazu, Madeline Rupert and Gaby Epstein; “You Can Draw in 30 Minutes,” a family-friendly workshop led by Mark Kistler; and “The Secret History of Marvel’s Underground Comix” with comic book historian Kevin Garcia. Entrance to all panel discussions is included with general admission tickets.

Find out what's happening in East Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Ngozi Ukazu and Chris Nicholas (“Uncle Staple”) at STAPLE! 2017/Courtesy photo by Tyler Malone

This year, 15 students from the Mexican American Cultural Center’s (MACC) Caminos program–an immersive paid fellowship empowering Austin-area teens to carve their own path in the creative arts – will be exhibitors with an artist table at the expo. These young participants have been creating a 24-page zine which focuses on issues surrounding inclusion, identity, family, tradition and belonging, and Latino youth experiences in a design workshop mentored by NAVA, the editor of Latino Toons, officials noted.

Find out what's happening in East Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The guest artist list includes: Colleen Coover, Eisner Award-winning comic book artist known for Small Favors, Banana Sunday and Bandette; Jen Wang, Los Angeles-based cartoonist and illustrator, co-author of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel In Real Life and co-founder of the annual festival Comic Arts Los Angeles; Vanesa R. Del Ray, Cuban-born, Miami-based animation artist who has illustrated for Marvel Comics and co-created Redlands; Ngozi Ukazu, creator of the graphic novel Check, Please!, which remains the most funded webcomics Kickstarter in history; Lilah Sturges, Eisner and Ignatz-nominated comic author based in Austin; Paul Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author and writer/producer of comics and video games; and Mark Kistler, an Emmy Award-winning PBS artist.

Staple! 2017 photo by Tyler Malone, used with permission

STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo will take place Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex located at 1156 Hargrave St. Hours for the two-day expo are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9. Tickets are available at the door; one-day passes are $10 and two-day passes are $15. Students and military personnel are eligible for a discounted $10 two-day pass with a valid ID. The event is free for kids 12 and younger.

Every year, a new guest artist is selected to interpret the show’s mascot, “Staplegator.” This year’s Staplegator (see below) was designed by Colleen Coover, highlights the family appeal and additional kid’s activities planned for 2018.

2018 Staplegator designed by Colleen Coover, courtesy image

For more information, visit the official website and Facebook event page for a complete list of exhibitors and updates on events. For programming updates, visit staple-austin.org. A pair of kick-off events are planned to get the vibe going. Below are highlights:

Kick-Off Party at Austin Books & Comics, 5002 N. Lamar Blvd.

Friday, September 7, 8 p.m.

Kick off the weekend with a casual meet and greet with artists at Austin Books & Comics. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.

Kid’s Zone presented by Pflugerville Public Library

Saturday, September 8, noon–4 p.m.

Sunday, September 9, noon–4 p.m.

The whole family is welcome at the Pflugerville Public Library’s Kid’s Zone for crafts, a photo booth, robot-racing, 3D printing and button-making.

Paying Your Bills with Comics Panel

Saturday, September 8, noon–1 p.m.

The first panel discussion will explore how young indie creators are making a career out of their craft. Ngozi Ukazu, Madeline Rupert (Sakana) and Gaby Epstein will talk about how they pay their bills with comics, crowdfunding and freelance work.

Podcasting: Basic and Advanced Panel

Saturday, September 8, 1:30–2:30 p.m.

Learn from Korey Coleman & Martin Thomas of Double Toasted and Mike Moody & Grant Davis of Permanent RCRD Studios as they discuss techniques from DIY to building a studio and podcast empire, and share tips on how to make money doing it. Les Weiler will moderate.

Storytelling in Video Games Panel

Saturday, September 8, 3–4 p.m.

Listen in on a discussion among seasoned pros Paul Benjamin, Lilah Sturges, Karen Segars and SJ Mueller about how to tell stories in video games. Learn everything from the creative process to the business needs in interactive storytelling, as well as how to break into the business and potential career paths. David S. Cohen will moderate.

LGBTQIA Comics Panel

Saturday, September 8, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Prominent and emerging comics creators Lilah Sturges, Jeremy Holt, Alex Grandstaff and Dylan Edwards discuss their work and experiences in the comics industry in a panel moderated by the Austin Chronicle’s Sarah Marloff.

Live Art Show Benefitting KOOP at Rio Rita, 1203 Chicon St.

Saturday, September 8, 9 p.m.–midnight

Head over to Rio Rita where artists from STAPLE! will create live art and auction it off to the audience. This event is free and open to the public, and all auction proceeds benefit KOOP Community Radio.

You CAN Draw in 30 Minutes Workshop

Sunday, September 9, 1–2 p.m.

Emmy Award winner Mark Kistler will lead an interactive and family-friendly drawing workshop. Visit Kistler's artist table before the workshop if you’re interested in having your child sit on stage with him. Space is limited to the first eight children.

Zines: So What’s the Deal?

Sunday, September 9, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Cartoonist and Zine Fest Houston organizer Maria-Elisa Heg presents on the cultural significance of zines throughout history. She will offer practical advice about making zines and getting involved with the DIY community.

The Secret History of Marvel’s Underground Comix

Sunday, September 9, 4–5 p.m.

Comic book historian and educator Kevin Garcia spills on all the things you didn’t know you didn’t know about the history of the biggest comic book company in the business, like the fact that one of its Silver Age heroes only appeared in stag magazines, or that Marvel made its own underground comics.

Trailer Park Samurai at STAPLE! 2017 photo by Tyler Malone, used with permission

About STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo

STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo is the premiere event in the Southwest for independently created comics, zines, art, crafts, games and more. Founded in 2005 by Chris Nicholas “Uncle Staple”, the annual two-day event features more than 200 exhibiting artists, panels, family-friendly programming, and off-site events. For more information, visit staple-austin.org. Follow STAPLE! on Facebook @StapleAustin, Twitter @Staple and Instagram @StapleExpoAustin.

STAPLE! Exhibitors

Aaron de Gruyter

Abby Howard

Abigail Quintanilla

Alex Grandstaff – A Grand Mark

Alex Loxano

Alicia Vogel and Michael Vogel – Alicia Vogel, LLC

Alyssa Steele – Comic San Seraph

Amanda Kluck – Amanda Michael Design

Andrew Carl – Locust Moon Press

Andy Hirsch

Ann Uland