Awkward and Definition

The cover of Awkward and Definition

The comics medium is unusually suited to the memoir form, as anyone familiar with alternative comics could easily attest. Part of what sets Awkward and Definition by Ariel Schrag apart from other memoir comics is the immediacy of the storytelling. Even reading these volumes years later, it feels as if one is peering into Ms. Schrag’s life as it unfolds in real time. She wrote Awkward and Definition while still attending Berkeley High School in California and they chronicle her freshman and sophomore years, respectively. She self-published them, and originally sold them to friends and family before the first volume was picked up by Slave Labor Graphics. Her burgeoning sexuality is only one of many subplots of both volumes, now available in one book from Simon & Schuster, as she realizes what's important to her in life and art.

A Taste of CAKE: My Brief Time at the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo

CAKE poster designed by Chicago’s own Ivan Brunetti

The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo is different from most comic book conventions. From the very beginning, CAKE distinguished itself as a more intimate and low-key affair. There was no need for a shuttle bus to a convention center; I took a CTA train to the Addison Red Line stop and walked to the Center on Halsted in Boystown. Instead of a thick booklet full of ads and schedules, there was a six-page foldout map with a handy guide to all the exhibitors, panels, and workshops. Friendly and helpful volunteers abounded and there were no towering monoliths dedicated to giant publishers that dominate blockbuster movie season or security personnel asking to see badges or search bags. I didn’t see any cosplay, either. A person dressed as a favorite character at this convention might be indistinguishable from an average person anyway; some of the most celebrated works were autobiographical. Fantagraphics Books was one of if not the largest publisher present, taking up most of the room in front of the elevators. Ballroom dancing lessons are held in that space Monday nights.

CAKE is the Independent Spirit Awards to C2E2’s Oscars (Wizard World can be the People’s Choice Awards, I guess). The atmosphere was more like that of a farmer’s market, and I mean that in the most positive way possible. Foldout tables were arranged in giant rectangles and lined the walls of the gymnasium, covered with goods for sale or free materials to whet the appetite. The bleachers were packed with people reading recent purchases. In front of them was a large table set with free comics, pamphlets, stickers, buttons, newspapers, newsletters, fliers, schedules for upcoming shows, ads for institutions offering classes on everything from how to make comics to learning new software, bookmarks, business cards, mini comics, and zines.