| Stumptown Comics Fest | |
| Status: | Defunct |
| Genre: | Comic book convention |
| Venue: | Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel (2007–2010) Oregon Convention Center (2006; 2011–2013) |
| Location: | Portland, Oregon |
| Country: | United States |
| First: | 2004 |
| Last: | 2013 |
| Organized: | Stumptown Comics, Inc.; Shawna Gore |
| Filing: | Nonprofit |
| Website: | http://www.stumptowncomics.com |
Stumptown Comics Fest was a comic book convention, held annually in Portland, Oregon from 2004 to 2013. In the model of the Alternative Press Expo and the Small Press Expo, Stumptown was a forum for artists, writers and publishers of comic art in its various forms to expose the public to comics not typically accessible through normal commercial channels.
The Stumptown Comics Fest originated in early 2004 with a small group of Portland-area cartoonists (led by Indigo Kelleigh)[1] who yearned for a convention that focused on the art of comics instead of the business of comics. In a space of four months they were able to put on the first comics fest on June 6, 2004, at the Old Church, a non-profit organization whose goal was to preserve an old church. The first show featured 22 exhibitor tables, and attracted 150 attendees.
In 2005 the show moved to Portland State University's Smith Memorial Ballroom, and grew to 80 exhibitor tables and 450 attendees.
In 2006 the event moved to the Oregon Convention Center and expanded to two days.
In 2007, the event began hosting the Stumptown Comics Fest Trophy Awards and Comic Art Battle. The awards honored outstanding small creators and comics, while the Comic Art Battle was described as "a cross between Pictionary and wrestling."
In 2012 the show changed hands, with Kelleigh passing on the reins to Shawna Gore; in addition, the new organizers achieved nonprofit status.
After the 10th annual show in 2013, Stumptown went "on hiatus" and entered an operating agreement with Rose City Comic Con.[2]
| Dates | Venue | Guests/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June 6, 2004 | Old Church | |
| October 1, 2005 | Portland State University Smith Memorial Ballroom | |
| October 27–28, 2006 | Paul Chadwick, Michael Gagne[3] | |
| September 29–30, 2007 | attending professionals: Graham Annable,[4] Steve Lieber,[5] Joshua Kemble.[6] Brandon Bold[7] | |
| April 26–27, 2008 | Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel | Guest of honor: Craig Thompson; other guests: Nicholas Gurewitch[8] Larry Marder,[9] and Brian Michael Bendis; attending professionals: Steve Lieber[10] |
| April 18–19, 2009 | Doubletree Convention Hall | Featured guest: Jeff Smith[11] |
| April 24–25, 2010 | Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel | Special guests: Paul Pope, Graham Annable, Kate Beaton, Craig Thompson,[12] James Sturm |
| April 16–17, 2011 | Oregon Convention Center | Portland Mayor Sam Adams appeared at the show "in the guise of SamDroid to pose for photographs and raise money for local homeless youth organization p:ear."[13] |
| April 28–29, 2012 | Oregon Convention Center | Official guests: Stan Sakai, Mike Allred, Kurt Busiek, Chris Samnee, Peter Bagge, Matt Bors, Brian Michael Bendis[14] |
| April 27–29, 2013 | Oregon Convention Center | Featured guests: Dash Shaw, Bill Willingham, Hope Larson, Becky Cloonan, James Kochalka, Brian Hurtt, Boulet; attending professionals: Paul Guinan, Anina Bennett, Erika Moen, Greg Rucka, Matt Bors[15] |