If I were to recap CAKE in a just a few words, I’d say: good times, good comics, good people, poor sales. I didn’t make enough money to cover the plane ticket, but that’s my only complaint. The show was very well curated, and I went on a shopping spree!

A friend of mine (I think it was Aaron Renier?) described comic conventions as family reunions that happen every six months. I was definitely feeling that. It was good to see some familiar face, including a few I hadn’t seen in a while (Jason Shiga, Nate Beaty, Alec Longstreth, Ben Catmull, etc.) It felt good, comfortable. It felt like home. More so than the Brooklyn shows (in my actual home) where I’m drowning in young beautiful comic hipsters. Nothing against young beautiful comic hipster, but I’m old and I know the old people.

CCS pals: Beth Hetland, Penina Gal, Dakota McFadzean, Gabby Schultz (aka Ken Dahl)

Cara Bean

Aaron Renier, Jason Shiga, and Jacq Cohen

More CCS pals: Laurel Leak, John Jacob Lee (I think?), April Malig, and Melanie Gillman

Dave Nuss

The Koyama sisters

Glenn Ganges

Chris Ware (!) and Laura Park

Noah Van Sciver

Yes, that’s Zak Sally in a dress.

Also, Josh Bayer and Pat Aulisio

Otto Splotch

I had Key Lime pie with Josh Bayer, Box Brown, and Cody Pickrodt. It was nice to get to know those guys better.

At the Paper Rocket table, it was me and Jesse. On our left was the super talented Luke Howard. No kidding, check out his stuff. You’ll say, “woah, where’d this guy come form all of a sudden?” On our right was Kinoko, who was great company (and I really like her comics!)

Check out this crazy page Jesse is working on. Insider tip: to get that special air brush technique, use spit!

And, finally, I visited Quimby’s. What a store! Easily on the short list of best comic shops in America. You can now buy Lovf and Deep Girl there.