COMICS, from Page 16

concern.”

It is the enthusiasm and

constant innovation of independent-comics fans and creators that kept Fantagraphics alive and the scene growing.

“The last three years have found us on more solid footing than I ever would have anticipated, given the state of the economy,” Reynolds said.

Events like Short Run are one of the few ways the independent-comic scene can continue to thrive. Froh said she organizes the event to give hardworking artists the attention they deserve.

“[Seattle] has some famous cartoonists…and then we have the rest of us who participate in a lot of art shows, anthologies, and are making a lot of work but have just not broken through to any real popularity,” Froh explained. “It’s hard for people who self-publish to get the national and international exposure that a large publisher and distributor can offer.”

Despite its hardships, the business of making comics is achievable.

“There’s no investment, [so] you really have to push it,” Palm said. “But if you have the drive and you are passionate about it, you’ll just make it.”

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