Von Allan to appear at the 11th annual Small Press Expo.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – Comics and graphic novels have truly come of age over the past ten years and the diversity and magic of the medium have gone a long way towards capturing the imaginations of those who read them. The Small Press Expo (SPX) has played a huge role in that development and 2006 marks its eleventh anniversary. Von Allan, a Canadian graphic novelist, will be an exhibitor at this year’s SPX and will be displaying early pages from his forthcoming graphic novel “the road to god knows…”

“Comics and graphic novels have so much to offer and the Small Press Expo has become the place to see the best and brightest,” says Allan. “SPX showcases this very diversity all under one roof and I’m pleased as punch to be a participant. It’s kinda scary, too; the Expo has served as the launching pad for some of the strongest voices comics has to offer. The second SPX, for instance, saw Daniel Clowes’ “Ghost World” and Chris Ware’s “Acme Novelty Library” each win the inaugural Ignatz Awards in their respective categories and both books have gone on to wonderful things since then. Amazing stuff and it’s a little intimidating to rub shoulders with that. It’s very clear that without the Expo comics would be a very different place; a little colder and that much darker. It’s truly special to be a part of it and I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to showcase early pages from my graphic novel.”

“The road to god knows…” is the story of Marie, a teenage girl, coming to grips with her Mom’s schizophrenia. As a result, she’s struggling to grow up fast; wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and her Mom’s illness every step of the way. Betty, Marie’s Mom, can’t help; she’s living with an illness that’s slowly getting worse and increasingly frightening. With her Mom absorbed in her own problems, Marie is essentially alone while she learns to deal with the chaos in her young life.

“The road to god knows…” is expected to be printed in 2007.

About Von Allan: Von Allan was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for Star Wars: A New Hope. The single child of two loving but troubled parents, Von split most of his childhood between their two homes and, consequently, spent a lot of time in the worlds of comics and wrestling. He managed Perfect Books, an independent bookstore in Ottawa, for many years while working on story ideas in his spare time; eventually, he decided to make the leap to a creative life, and “the road to god knows…” was the result. Additional information about the graphic novel can be found at www.vonallan.com.

About the Small Press Expo (SPX): In its tenth year SPX now serves as the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent. SPX will bring together over 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, distributors, and each other. SPX 2006 marks the tenth annual presentation of The Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. The Ignatz, named after George Herriman's brick-wielding mouse, recognizes outstanding work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as an artform and as a means of personal expression. The Ignatz is a festival prize, the first such of the United States comic book industry. Winners will be determined by ballot during SPX and presented at the gala Ignatz Awards ceremony. As with every year all profits from SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information, please visit www.spxpo.com.

Contact:

Von Allan
P.O. Box 20520, 390 Rideau Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. K1N 1A3
Email: von@vonallan.com
Phone: 613-236-9957

Small Press Expo 2006
Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road,
North Bethesda, Maryland, United States. 20852
Hotel Phone: 301-822-9200
SPX Exhibitor Co-ordinator: Karon Flage
Email: spxcomics@gmail.com

Best run between Monday, September 11th and Friday, October 13th 2006.

###