The Third Annual Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) Returns May 21 & June 1, 2014

CHICAGO - May 9, 2014 - PRLog -- The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE), a weekend-long celebration of independent comics, returns to Chicago Saturday, May 31 through Sunday, June 1, 2014 from 11am – 6pm with over 200 local, national and international exhibitors at Center on Halsted located at 3656 N. Halsted Ave.

Free and open to the public, CAKE is returning for a third year to celebrate the diverse community of underground and alternative comic artists, publishers and fans in Chicago. Comics, prints and artwork will be available for purchase, including debut works from 200+ local, national and international art exhibitors. This year, over 30% of the exhibitors are local Chicagoland-area artists.

"CAKE has become a destination festival for alternative comics in the Midwest. We're really excited that CAKE has begun to expand its draw beyond the region while still representing Chicago's rich comics community,” says Grace Tran, CAKE organizer. “This year, we have guests coming from the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada and over 23 states."

The expo offers a live forum, fostering around the underground comics community and will include original artwork for purchase, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and special guests (http://www.cakechicago.com/2014-guests-exhibitors/), including Tony Millionaire (http://www.maakies.com/) (Los Angeles, CA), Anya Davidson (http://www.pictureboxinc.com/products/1189-school-spirits) (Chicago, IL), Inés Estrada (http://www.inechi.com/) (Mexico City), Edie Fake (http://secretacres.com/?page_id=1000) (Chicago, IL), Lizz Hickey (http://lizzhickey.com/) (Los Angeles, CA), Hellen Jo (http://whatthingsdo.com/authors/hellen-jo/) (Los Angeles, CA), and Nobrow Books (http://www.nobrow.net/) (London, UK).

Independent publishers such as 2D Cloud (Minneapolis, MN) Colour Code (Toronto), Fantagraphics Books (Seattle, WA), Koyama Press (Toronto), Press Gang (Portland, OR), Secret Acres (Brooklyn, NY), Sparkplug Comic Books (Portland, OR), Top Shelf Books (New York) Uncivilized Books (Minneapolis, MN), Lumpen Magazine (Chicago, IL) and Yeti Press (Chicago, IL). For a full list of this year’s comics exhibitors, visit http://www.cakechicago.com/2014-guests-exhibitors/

The weekend expo kicks off with off-site programming in association with the weekend festivities. On Friday, May 30th, nationally-recognized cartoonist, Tony Millionaire will be signing at Graham Crackers Comics (http://www.grahamcrackers.com/stores.htm) and Quimby’s Bookstore (http://www.quimbys.com/store/) will host a Friday evening comics reading featuring MariNaomi, Elisha Lim and Mike Dawson. For more details, visit http://www.cakechicago.com/2014-expo/schedule-of-events/

CAKE is an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization and would not be possible without the help of generous donations from supporters and sponsors including Aw Yeah Comics, Barrel Maker Printing, Blick Art Materials, The Book Cellar, Busy Beaver Button Company, Center on Halstead, Challengers Comics, Chicago Comics, Comix Revolution, DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media, First Aid Comics, Graham Crackers, Halfwit Coffee, Print Ninja, PS Print, Quimby’s and Spudnik Press Cooperative.

About Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)

CAKE is inspired by Chicago’s rich legacy as home to many of underground and alternative comics’ most talented artists– past, present and future. Featuring comics for sale, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions and more, CAKE is dedicated to fostering community and dialogue amongst independent artists, small presses, publishers and readers. For more information about the expo, please visit: www.cakechicago.com.

For more information, images or to schedule an interview please contact Grace Tran or Candace Corner at cakexpo@gmail.com