Size Matters: A Mini Comic Blog

For those of you who made it to the John Porcellino signing last Wednesday, you know that Star Clipper has a reputation for having an expansive collection of mini comics, zines and indie press. We pride ourselves as being the only comic shop in the region that doesn't focus exclusively on super-heroes, offering diverse products that comic shops in larger cities than St. Louis don't even carry! So, to all our regulars that missed it (understandably, the weather was kind of nasty that night), let me turn you on to the world of mini comics, where size does matter!

First off, what exactly is a mini comic? Most mini comics tend to be handmade creator-published comic books that our inexpensive and can range from a number of genres. A common thread that tie minis together is that they normally lose money for their creators to publish and distribute them. Thus, like web comics, it's the labor of love that keeps the scene thriving, not an incentive to make it big common to mainstream comics.

St. Louis has a growing reputation for it's burgeoning mini comic scene. Talents such as Kevin Huizenga,Ted May,Mardou, and Dan Zettwoch all reside in the Gateway to the West. Interestingly, since mini comics are even less mainstream than alternative press comics, St. Louis has a large number the most popular creators in the field. Of the mini comic creators not from St. Louis, John Porcellino is perhaps the biggest name. Porcellino's semi-autobiographical self-published King-Cat Comics series has reached 68 issues, and the best of the first 50 issues is collected into the wonderful 300-page book King-Cat Classix. The simple line drawings and slacker sensibility of Pocellino's King-Cat influenced the mid-90's generation to create their own mini comics, especially many of St. Louis' creators.

If you missed the Porcellino signing, don't fret, we just restocked our mini comic supply of Porcellino, May, and Zettwoch, and they are on a special display in the front of the store. Next time your at Star Clipper I encourage you to check them out. If you like what you find a Size Matters is a great blog to keep you updated on what is happening in the world of mini comics.

-Jon