DINK 2018 Is Coming: Celebrate Independent Comix with O'Barr, Gerhard, Kindt & Cruse
/Written by Neil Greenaway
This weekend (April 14&15, 2018) the McNichols Civic Center Building in Downtown Denver will once again play host to the Denver Independent Comics & Art Expo (DINK!). Now entering its third year, the DINK convention has quickly become a favorite for both fans and creators of independent comics - even winning the Best Comic Con award from Westword Magazine. Show runner Charlie LaGreca has proven before that DINK can pull in big-name guests without compromising his staunch support of independent comics and art, and this year proves it again. With headliners that include James O'Barr (The Crow, Pink Dust), Matt Kindt (Dept. H, Mind MGMT), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Essex County), Howard Cruse (Gay Comix, Wendel), and Gerhard (Cerebus) this year's lineup has plenty of star power - and that is only the tip of the iceberg with nearly 200 different artists and exhibitors planning to attend.
This year sees the introduction of a few new features as well, and they start right at the front door. DINK has partnered with Meow Wolf to create an "immersive entry experience" that will have ticket holders make their way through a series of comic worlds created by local Denver artists Barry Brown, Lonnie Allen, and Brian Essig-Peppard.
The next big change this year is that the convention will host it's first celebrity guest - John Leguizamo be there supporting his graphic novel Ghetto Klown and his new comic series Freak. DINK is offering ticket upgrades that include the graphic novels, single issues, signatures & selfies from Mr. Leguizamo.
Guests at DINK 2018!
Ghetto Klown
A Promo poster for DINK 2018.
Of course the Cannabis & Comix tour returns for its third year as well. This year DINK has teamed up with Good Chemistry to provide a 2-hour weed tour bus excursion with an open bar. Entrance to the Cannabis & Comix Tour also includes VIP tickets to the convention and access to a Cannabis & Comix panel with Denis Kitchen & Howard Cruse.
DINK will also be hosting a viewing of the new movie I Kill Giants with Joe Kelly (author of the series) at the Alamo Drafthouse. The show begins at 7:45 on Friday the 13th and will also include the short animated film Your Black Friend by DiNKy Award Winner Ben Passmore, Alex Krokus & Krystal Downs. Attendees will receive a free I Kill Giants poster that they can have Joe sign at the convention!
In addition to all the big names and events, DINK 2018 will also be bringing together an amazing collection of the best and brightest creators that independent comics have to offer - including a huge selection of Colorado-based talent. Influential Denver locals like Kevin Gentilcore, Daniel Crosier, R. Alan Brooks, J James McFarland, Mister V, Karl Christian Krumpholz, and Red Team Go CO will all have tables - there are too many others to list and they are all worth stopping and talking to.
All of this, plus: a full schedule of panels, a dog cosplay contest, the DiNKy awards, Sunday morning cereal & cartoons, food trucks, & much more. Tickets are still available, but they are selling out fast. You can buy yours HERE.