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Alternative Press creators to attend APE V
Alternative Press, Inc., creators Ed Brubaker, Sam Henderson, and Steve Weissman will join hundreds of other alternative cartoonists at this month's Alternative Press Expo in San Jose, California. The successful Alternative Press Expo (A.P.E.) will celebrate its fifth annual convention by adding a second day to the show, traditionally a one day event. A.P.E. is now a two day event to be held in San Jose, California on Saturday and Sunday, February 21-22, 1998.

The focus of A.P.E. is alternative, small press, and self-published work, ranging from minicomics to zines to non-superhero titles produced by larger companies. In addition to the many companies and individuals of the alternative press who attend, programs and seminars are held on various aspects of independent and self publishing. "We see this as a way to get more direct contact with our readers and other members of the comic book industry." said Alternative Press, Inc., publisher Jeff Mason, "Sure we interact with folks via mail and e-mail about what is going on, but there is nothing like this kind of genuine personal contact."

A.P.E. is the brainchild of Dan Vado of Slave Labor Graphics in San Jose who founded the event to provide a forum where creators and publishers of independent comics and zines could be the main focus of attention. Though still intimately involved, A.P.E. is now run under the auspices of Comic-Con International: San Diego. A.P.E., which is open to the public, will be held at Parkside Hall in downtown San Jose, the same site as in previous years. As in past years, qualified retailers will be admitted free, as will persons who have a 1997 Comic-Con International badge. Memberships are $6.00 per day or $10.00 for both days.

The current guest list includes such cartoonists as: Steve Weissman, Sam Henderson, Ed Brubaker, Michael Allred, Jhonen Vasquez, Scott Saavedra, Terry Moore, Batton Lash, Shannon Wheeler, Jimmie Robinson, Alex Robinson, Donna Barr, Mark Badger, Dan Chapman, Landry Walker & Eric Jones, Andy Hartzell, Dylan Williams, Panel Vaughn, James Livingston, Jesse Recklaw, Roberta Gregory, Colin Upton, Daniel Braun, Steve Lafler, Jenny Makofsky, Dean Westerfield, Madison Clell, Robert Luedeke, Tara Jenkins, Jeff Wasson, Brent Anderson, Steve Hess & Amy Sacks, Pete Sickman-Garner, Josh Neufeld, Paul Pope, Scott Morse, Gary Amaro, Tony Consiglio, Jim Ottaviani, Dean Haspiel, and Greg Beda.

Graphics, samples, galleys, and interviews with creators are available on request. For more information or requests, please contact publisher Jeff Mason, c/o Alternative Comics, 503 NW 37th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609-2204; Phone: 352.373.6336; E-mail: jmason@gator.net.