A SLICE OF CAKE*

So, the beautiful city of Chicago recently held its first alternative comics festival in a long time, CAKE.  I had high hopes for CAKE and it didn't disappoint.

For some reason Chicago has never had a sustainable alt-comics fest.  I think, and hope, that has changed now.  The CAKE organizers really worked hard at making this a great show.  They took their time and did things right, and it showed.  For a first year show, CAKE was a great success.

I was proud not only to have a show like this in my hometown, but I was amazed at the number of brilliant cartoonists and publishers who made the trek from all over the country, and from Canada, to attend.  CAKE was a winner, and no doubt will only improve as it moves forward.  If you didn't make it out this time...  next year?

Neighbors Laura Szumowski, Leslie Stein, and Zak Sally.

The Spit and a Half table.

Leslie and Zak.

St. Louis dis.

Just kidding!  Here's Mardou and Ted May, comics power couple.

Gotta love this job.

Whoa!  I was super excited to see old friend Carrie McNinch for the first time in like 12 years.  Check out Carrie's full-length, full-color comic in the new Three #3, edited by cartoonist and publisher extraordinaire Robert Kirby (to her right)!

Marc Bell and Anders Nilsen get down and dirty.

Anders' micro-edition accordion book.

"Dirt Do-og!"

Zettwoch!!

Saturday evening there was a gallery opening down the street featuring loads of great comic art.  You can't tell from this picture, but it was 1000° in there.

Photo by Jessica Campbell.

Wabash Street.

And look, my BFF Patrick Porter showed up on an Amtrak layover.

Crowd out in front of gallery/sauna.

Ol' Grandpa John enjoys a gourmet beverage and a nice rocking chair.

Photo by Julia Wertz.

That night we played Spin the Walter at Laura Park's house.

(L-R: Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz, Tom Kaczynski, Zak Sally, Walter Wallet, Lisa Hanawalt, Laura Park.)

Don't give me that look.

These psychos from Minneapolis insisted on doing push-ups all the time.  We were all very, very impressed.

Next morning a delightful breakfast with Zak, Tom K., and CAKE organizer Grace Tran.

Yam Books' Rina Ayuyang and John P. get all surly on yo ass.

View from behind the Secret Acres table.  Like I said, the most beautiful city in the world.

*Sorry