2013 Stumptown Comics Fest Guest Profile - Jon McNaught

Every Wednesday, join us as we highlight and celebrate a guest for the 2013 Stumptown Comics Festival. This week we turn our attention to Jon McNaught.

A printmaking instructor at the University of the West of England, McNaught's elegant illustrations (seen in the London Review of Books and New York Times) and simplistic style of storytelling have captivated audiences here in America and abroad. His recent books, Dockwood, Pebble Island, and Birchfield Close, are published through Nobrow Press. Delightful in design and content, McNaught's work has been praised by critics and creators a like, including Chris Ware who said of McNaught, "There are few younger comics artists with whom I feel a genuine aesthetic kinship . . . ." We're proud to partner with Reading Frenzy in presenting McNaught as a guest in 2013. To learn more about Jon McNaught, please visit: www.jonmcnaught.co.uk/

2013 Stumptown Comics Fest Guest Profile - Matt Bors

Every Wednesday, join us as we highlight and celebrate a guest for the 2013 Stumptown Comics Festival. This week we turn our attention to Matt Bors.

As the artist behind War Is Boring, Matt Bors received critical acclaim earlier on in his career. Since then, he's continued to garner praise for his political cartoons syndicated around the country in newspapers and online for outlets like Daily Kos, The Sacramento Bee, AlterNet, Pittsburg City Paper, and here in town at the Portland Mercury. Also the former journalism editor at the Cartoon Movement, Bors recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign for a collection of his work titled Life Begins at Incorporation, a full-color, 225-page book edited by Portland Mercury reporter Sarah Mirk. We're proud to announce that Life Begins at Incorporation will debut at the 2013 Stumptown Comics Festival. For more on Matt Bors, please visit www.mattbors.com

Open Registration Extended to November 24, 2012

It's come to our attention that our November 17th deadline for open registration was not as well-known as we hoped. In light of this, we're extending our deadline another week. If you would like to apply to exhibit at the 2013 Stumptown Comics Fest, please send an email to by or before Saturday, November 24, 2012.

Please remember that the Fest is a curated show, and applying doesn't guarantee exhibition space. Selected exhibitors will be notified during December 15-17, 2012.

Kaebel Hashitani
2013 Fest Director

2013 Stumptown Comics Fest Guest Profile - Bill Willingham

Every Wednesday, join us as we highlight and celebrate a guest for the 2013 Stumptown Comics Festival. This week we turn our attention to Bill Willingham.

With roots deep in popular culture, Eisner award-winning writer and artist Bill Willingham first made a name for himself with the series Elementals from Comico. While he received peer acclaim with his work Pantheon from Lone Star Press, it was in the early 2000s that Willingham shot into comics stardom with Fables, from DC Comic's Vertigo imprint. A true crossover hit, Fables combined beloved fairy-tales characters living in the modern era with current social and political commentary. Having recently surpassed a decade in publication, Fables continues to be Vertigo's best-selling and critically praised series. Showing his commitment to creator-focused work, Willingham's Fables spin-off series Fairest showcases comic book talent from all over the globe as they explore characters like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and other beloved fairy-tale characters. Bill Willingham can be found online at http://www.billwillingham.com/

Stumptown Comics, Inc. Names New Communications Chair and Treasurer

As the Stumptown Comics Fest gears up for its 10th anniversary show in April 2013, the Portland-based nonprofit group that manages it, Stumptown Comics, Inc., is growing to meet the festival's evolving goals. To help expand its reach and engage with the comics community, Stumptown recently named Aaron Duran to serve in the new position of Communications Chair, and Paula Small as the new Treasurer.

"The people behind Stumptown Comics, Inc. are working harder than ever to realize our goal of fostering a wider appreciation of comic books and their benefits," says board Chair Shawna Gore. "We're fortunate to have people like Aaron and Paula joining the board. Aaron has been an integral part of Portland's comics community for years. His love and enthusiasm for comics, and for the people who create and enjoy them, are as strong as his ability to communicate that enthusiasm. Paula brings extensive skills in financial management from her tenure at KBOO Community Radio, and we couldn't be more excited to work with her."

In addition to her work with KBOO, Paula has volunteered at the Stumptown Comics Fest and understands the challenges and excitement that comes with such an important comic book festival. Aaron Duran has worn many hats within the comics world, including those of retailer, critic, and creator. Together, their well-rounded experience will help Stumptown Comics, Inc. achieve its ambitious goals.

The 10th annual Stumptown Comics Fest will be held at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland on April 27 and 28, 2013. Comics legend Bill Willingham, creator of Vertigo's popular Fables series, is but the first of many fantastic guests attendees can expect at the 2013 Stumptown Comics Fest. Look for more exciting announcements in the coming weeks.