Alternative Press Expo

The Alternative Press Expo or APE, as it is more commonly known, is a comics convention. It was founded in 1994 by Dan Vado as an event for self-publishers, independent publishers and alternative cartoonists to showcase their books. It was originally held in San Jose, California. Comic-Con International took over responsibility for the event in 1995. APE is currently held in San Francisco. Two days after APE 2014, Dan Vado announced the responsibility for APE was being handed back to him and he was moving APE back to San Jose.

The event moved to San Francisco in 2000, originally at Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason, before moving to its current location, the Concourse Exhibition Center in 2003. APE began life as a one-day event, but was expanded to cover two days in 1998. However, the first event held in San Francisco was a one-day event, with all subsequent events two-day affairs. The programming available at the event has also grown, with APE 2005 offering panels, seminars, exhibitions and special guests. APE was moved to the fall beginning in 2008.

Event dates and locations



 * 1994: June 4 — Parkside Hall San Jose
 * 1995: May 19 — San Jose
 * 1996: March 23 — San Jose
 * 1997: February 2 — San Jose
 * 1998: February 21–22 — San Jose
 * 1999: February 27–28 — San Jose
 * 2000: February 5 — Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco
 * 2001: February 17–18 — Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco
 * 2002: February 9–10 — Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco
 * 2003: February 1–2 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2004: February 21–22 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2005: April 9–10 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2006: April 8–9 - Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2007: April 21–22 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2008: November 1–2 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2009: October 17–18 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2010: October 16–17 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2011: October 1–2 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2012: October 13–14 — Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2013: October 12-13 - Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco
 * 2014: October 4-5 - Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco

Quote
Dan Vado: "I started the APE because I felt that there was a need for a convention where the artists doing interesting work can display and promote themselves without having to drown out a 50 million watt display by some huge publisher."