Comix Relief

Denver’s alternative comic artists — including such longtime scenesters as John Porcellino, who’s been turning out his King-Cat Comics for twenty years, and Stan Yan and Lonnie Allen of the local co-op Squidworks — are largely unsung, regardless of the quality of their work. They know all about each other, but there’s no real push to move them into the national arena. And although Denver hosted a national comics convention in April with StarFest, its focus was too mainstream to light up the town’s comics underground.

“Denver has a growing alternative comics scene, and we want the rest of the country to know about it,” says artist (and weekly Westword contributor) Noah Van Sciver. “We’re not really on the map, but we’re trying to fix that.”

A first big step in that direction is the Cowtown Alternative Comix Festival 2009, organized by Porcellino and taking place from 1 to 5 p.m. today at the Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street. A who’s-who of local comic artists specializing in literary, autobiographical and graphic novel forms will be on hand to hawk their wares; a few of them, including Porcellino, Patty Leidy, Felix Tannenbaum and Yan, will offer presentations throughout the afternoon. This is your chance to brush up on the nuances of 24 Hour Comics People and Gypsygirl while supporting a growing cottage industry. For details, visit www.myspace.com/cowtowncomixfest or go to www.tatteredcover.com.
Sat., June 27, 1-5 p.m., 2009