On Friday night, I went to the APE Exhibitor Mixer hosted by Last Gasp. I felt so legit, finally picking up exhibitor badges for French Toast Comix! Then I followed the party-sounds into the most eclectically-decorated room of my life: WWII-era posters and original comic art, pinball machines and yellowing circus-freak photos, a shelf full of Fezzes and ceiling full of model planes.

Surroundings aside, this party was a bit like the ones at Bergen Street Comics, in which it sometimes seems like everybody except you is 30-something with a huge group of friends, and is dressed cuter, too. Luckily for me, the room included an ancient piano and a white-haired, songbook-toting pianist!

The lovely comic-folk in panel 4 are Kate Saturday, Aidan Casserly, and Barry Deutsch.