Bethesda, Maryland - February 21, 2012 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, welcomes acclaimed independent cartoonists Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez as guests for SPX 2012. 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the first issue of Love and Rockets, and SPX is proud to be the only East Coast comic festival to have Jaime and Gilbert as guests for this years celebration.

In addition to celebrating the anniversary of their works, this will mark the first time in the 21st century that previously announced guests Chris Ware and Dan Clowes will be at an event with Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez.

There are four new books tentatively scheduled to be released by Fantagraphics Books by Jaime and Gilbert in 2012 prior to SPX, including Love and Rockets New Stories #5. Other books include two collections and a companion volume:
The Adventures of Venus by Gilbert Hernandez
God and Science by Jaime Hernandez
The Love and Rockets Companion by Marc Sobel & Kristy
Valenti

Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez ushered in the 1980s as bold and vibrant new voices in the comics medium at a time when the comics publishing industry had all but given up on independent artists. After sending their self-published Love and Rockets #1 – an intoxicating blend of punk rock, sci-fi, B-movies, and seemingly the entire history of cartooning – to The Comics Journal, the series opened the gateway for a new generation of cartooning talent.

Although Love and Rockets has been relaunched and reformatted several times throughout its history, Los Bros have continued with the series non-stop since that first self-published issue, through the evolution of their individual artistic styles and concerns. Gilbert in particular has published prolifically with a variety of publishers, but the long-form stories of Gilbert's town of Palomar and Jaime's Locas remain among the most respected and loved independent comics. Their compelling characters have grown older with their devoted long-term readers, even as they have continued to attract new readers.

Details of events featuring Los Bros Hernandez will be released as planning is finalized. Pre-Expo interview opportunities may be available. Please contact the SPX press office at the number above.

About SPX

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators, as well as a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year’s guests.

As in previous years, profits from the Small Press Expo will go to support the the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which gifts graphic novels to public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org.

SPX also preserves the works of the creators in the indie comics community through the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress, a first of its kind relationship between a festival and a major collecting institution in the United States.

SPX 2012 will be held Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.