#SPX haul ☺️

it's really an awesome feeling to give some of these very talented artists my weirdo but earnest zines as thanks.

6 great interviews today at @smallpressexpo.bsky.social for my podcast Comic News Insider! Thx to @natalienorris.bsky.social, Rumi Hara, @kaseyiris.bsky.social, @boxbrown.bsky.social, Jennifer Hayden & @mikedawson.bsky.social!
#ComicNewsInsider #SPX

@sxbond.bsky.social is at #SPX in Bethesda this weekend! if you're there stop and get some cool books!

“Everything about Tundra was catastrophic. Including the ending where they said Kitchen Sink bought Kitchen Sink.” Groth’s interview with Kevin Eastman covered every catastrophic move with tundra - like buying a recording studio. See the Comics Will Kill you podcast for more on this history! #spx

Groth felt Will Eisner’s Post-Spirit work was “dreadful” and he decided to write about it. it generated controversy. “The people from the Buyers Guide were in a frenzy about it.” People who agreed wouldn’t say so publicly. #spx

On another occasion, TCJ pointed out that Rich Buckler had swiped Jack Kirby which prompted Buckler to sue them for $235,000. On the first day of deposition, Groth’s lawyer reduced Buckler almost to tears and the lawsuit was dropped the next day. The Comics Journal refused to settle these suits #spx

Writer Michael Fleischer sued Groth and Ellison for $2 million over an interview that ran in the Journal with Ellison. They fought it for 7 years. “This lawsuit divided the comics
Industry for years,” said Shriner. Some people were rooting for Fleischer. #spx

Me: listening to Gary describe the Harlan Ellison lawsuit all these years later is like the Rosetta Stone to my youth! #iykyk #spx

When Groth started reading film and literary critics like Pauline Kael and John Simon he realized that there was a level of erudition. And comics of the time were portraying the mandate of their art. John Benson was a fanzine publisher who also greatly influenced TCJ’s shift to “elitism.” #Spx

In 1975 Groth and Mike Catron put on a Rock and Roll convention hoping that it would be a huge success like a comic con. Even with Hunter S. Thompson as a guest it was a huge failure they spent a year paying off. There was also a rock zone but that didn’t last - they took the comics path. #spx

As a kid Groth made a bad trade at the behest of Al Williamson: he traded a page of Frazetta’s Johnny Comet for a page of Frank Bellamy. He recalls Marvel having a lot of older artists at the time that Steranko came along and shook things up - he became a Groth’s hero. #spx

Like many publishers in comics Gary Groth started very young: his first fanzine was published when he was 13. He traced some covers then went into his father’s office to xerox them. “For me it was a refuge because I hated high school. i was a misfit not into sports or academics,” says Groth. #spx

Like many publishers in comics Gary Groth started very young: his first fanzine was published when he was 13. He traced some covers then went into his father’s office to xerox them. “For me it was a refuge because I hated high school. i was a misfit not into sports or academics,” says Groth. #spx

I'm at Small Press Expo, table W71. #smallpressexpo #spx #smallpressexpo2026

Julia Wertz says of making her book about having a child that she was doing it partly for her son. “Everyone wants to know what their parents were thinking when they had them.” #spx

Lisa Hanawalt explains she has always been hyper focused on horses. She attributes it to undiagnosed neuro-divergence. In her new book she talks more about her lifelong horse fascination. #spx

Lisa Hanawalt: Some of my favorite work is the stuff that makes me most uncomfortable. But that means there’s something there.

Julia Wertz: Humorous and relatable is safe - it’s nots bad but it’s safe. #spx

In 2011 everyone was wearing mustard yellow and Pizza Island was going strong and Girls was next door. Julia Wertz and Liza Hanawalt discuss their work and times. @smallpressexpo.bsky.social #spx

THIS WEEKEND! Catch us at #SPX slinging queer erotica 🖤 We’re tabling between buddies Lucky Pocket and Taxonomy Press 💫