STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo is an annual convention in Austin, Texas, United States, for alternative comics, minicomics, webcomics, zines, underground comics, and graphic arts. Chris Nicholas founded the conference as a gathering place for professional artists and amateur creators,[1] "a showcase for the folks who publish comics and zines and possible literary masterworks out of their own apartments."[2]
STAPLE! | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Genre | Alternative comics |
Venue | various venues in Austin |
Location(s) | Austin, Texas |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 2005 |
Founders | Chris Nicholas |
Organized by | Chris Nicholas/Austin Books |
Website | http://www.staple-austin.org/ |
The show is sponsored by Austin Books, an Eisner-nominated comic book store and the site of the largest gathering of artists for the worldwide 24-Hour Comics Day held in 2005.[3]
Additional sponsors include Rogues Gallery: Comics + Games, ECPrinting.com, Dragon's Lair: Comics & Fantasy, KOOP (FM), Motorblade Postering Services, CKP communication agency of record, and Bumperactive.com.
The 2020 show, scheduled for October, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]