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CAKE Chicago

@cakechicago

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CAKE returns May 2 & 3, 2026 @ the IAHC
Chicago Alternative Comics Expo is a celebration of independent comics!!🍰

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⭐ Midwest cartoonists unite! ⭐ We’re excited to share an epic teamup spanning three states and their three comic shows: @slicexpo @cakechicago & @milkcomicfest 🤩

a SLICE of CAKE with MILK is a collaboration between organizing teams to share information about community building and our respective events. You’ll find representatives from each organization at all three shows this year – so mark your calendar and gear up!

5/2-3 in Chicago, IL: Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)

9/26 in Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Indie Local Comics (MILK)

10/31 in St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (SLICE)
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Graphic 🎨 by @studionohva
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#comics #alternativecomics #comicfests #midwestcomics #stlouisevents #milwaukeeevents #chicagoevents by @cakechicago

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6 months ago

THANK YOU to everyone who made CAKE amazing this year! We continue to be blown away by the community turning out to celebrate alternative comics. We can’t express our gratitude enough to everyone who exhibited, participated in programming, and attended. You made it another CAKE for the books! 🍰✨🎉

Additional thanks to the @iahcchicago for being CAKE’s home. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do!
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#chicago #chicagocomics #alternativecomics #comicfests #comics taken in Irish American Heritage Center by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

Our 2026 CAKE poster is revealed!!!
We’re excited to welcome this year’s artist, Chicago-born legend @biancaxunise

Bianca Xunise’s work has been regarded as ‘gripping narrative[s], relatable situations, and evocative artwork with an aesthetic that oozes with late-1970s zine flair.’ With two Ignatz and an NAACP Award under their belt, Bianca enjoys being a voice for those who march to the beat of their own drum and hopes that their comics are comforting to those who feel like they don’t fit in. Bianca continues to bring rock n roll to illustrative life, collaborating with legends from Blondie to Bauhaus. When Bianca isn’t doodling away, they are usually at an underground DIY punk show dancing with friends by the Chicago riverside.

Keep your eyes peeled for the CAKE rat punk popping up around the city and join us May 2nd and 3rd at the Irish American Heritage Center! taken in Irish American Heritage Center by @cakechicago

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6 months ago

We’re all set up at @milkcomicfest
Come check out our panel at 4pm on independent comics festival organizing with @slicexpo by @cakechicago

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4 days ago

We’re very excited to announce this year’s Cupcake Award Winners: Nasa Espinoza and Jesus Blanco! It was another stellar applicant pool this year, so the jury wants to shout out some additional honorable mentions. Swipe and tap for tags! Thank you to our jury, and congratulations Nasa and Jesus 🎉

Jesus Blanco (AKA @samerowisleader ) has decided to stay in Dekalb, IL for the time being. He likes to make neurotic comics about his fading, diasporic Mexican community nestled in the rural Midwest, but more importantly, he wants to make you laugh.

Nasa Espinoza (AKA @nostalgicnasa ) is a cartoonist and printmaker, with a Texan soul that made their way into Chicago. They spend their time making comics that explore the quiet aspects of life, and mixing the right shade of pink.
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#chicago #chicagocomics #alternativecomics #cartoonists #comics taken in Skunk Cabbage Books by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

One week ago today we held our first ever Cupcake Award Minicomic Release Party 🧁🎉 Thank you to everyone who made the night special! If you missed it, we’ll be announcing the 2026 award winners tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Our deepest gratitude to:
@milistjohn for sharing your debut minicomic
@tea.ddie and @anatwocomics for reading
@pidgecomics for the hybrid discussion
Betti Funfetti for MCing

And of course @skunkcabbagebooks for hosting us + @awesome.chicago for the mini grant making the night more awesome!
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#chicago #comics #alternativecomics #comicreading #minicomic taken in Skunk Cabbage Books by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

CAKE programming was 🔥! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and expertise to create amazing experiences for our community ❤️
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Follow these fine folks! (In order of appearance)
@nickmerlockjackson
@mild_pain
@this_might_hurt
@jamilarowser
@tea.ddie
@deardearjaime
@otp.chicago
@oheysteenz
@pup_jump
@arfranklinstein
@hug_box
@elcarrel
@newdmodel
@newberrylibrary
@cuban.misselle
@marniegalloway_comics
@aavrilart
@jeremytinder
@daveortegadraws
@vincentlalalau
@jimterryart
@averyhillpublishing
@fieldmousepress
@sarahbecan
@bethhetland
@projectonward
@snowglobeenthusiast
@jeffreybrownrq
@brainboogerindustries
@keilerroberts
@shortshortfest
@slicexpo
@milkcomicfest
@sydneyhalpernauthor
@hallagans
Not pictured, but creator of an amazing pace: @nicolejgeorges
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#chicago #comics #alternativecomics #chicagocomics taken in Irish American Heritage Center by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

Let’s give it up to the wonderful exhibitors at CAKE! We’ll be out here slinging comics until 5PM! by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

Come on down to the @iahcchicago to say hi to these great cartoonists and also a puppet!! by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

More #FacesofCAKE AKA #CAKEfaces AKA #CACES by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

Happy Sunday and Happy CAKE day 2! Come on out to the @iahcchicago for all sorts of comic fun! by @cakechicago

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5 months ago

It’s a beautiful day for COMICS! CAKE day two opens to the public at 11am! Head over to the Irish American Heritage Center 4626 N Knox Ave! We’ll be here til 5 today! by @cakechicago

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5 months ago