The comics centric event features a stellar guest list, programming, free shuttle bus service

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2011 -- The Alternative Press Expo (APE), the country's largest alternative and independent comics convention, arrives in San Francisco this weekend, October 1�2, for what promises to be one of the most exciting events to date. Every year APE boasts an impressive guest list, and this year's lineup is no exception. Special guests appearing include award-winning cartoonists Shannon Wheeler, Kate Beaton, Daniel Clowes, and Adrian Tomine. APE is held at the Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th Street in San Francisco.

Additional special guests include Matthew Thurber, whose book 1-800 MICE makes its West Coast premiere at the event. The new book is a collection of the critically acclaimed first five issues of Thurber's comic book series, with 64 pages of new material. And special guest Craig Thompson also makes a long-anticipated return to the graphic novel medium with his new book Habibi debuting this week. Habibi marks seven years since Thompson's Blankets, which won numerous industry honors in 2004, including two Eisner Awards.

"We are excited to have such inspiring and accomplished guests at APE this year," said David Glanzer, APE spokesperson and director of marketing and public relations for parent company Comic-Con International.

In addition to the impressive guest list, APE features two full days of comics programs geared around the show's special guests and various aspects of independent and alternative comics. These programs promise to be fun, informative, and enlightening conversations with some of the top creative talent working in comics today. And if that were not enough, APE also offers a fascinating, and informative group of hands-on workshops covering everything from comics writing to world building, self-publishing, and bookbinding.

This year APE introduces its first-ever free courtesy shuttle bus service. Attendees can travel from Caltrain, BART, and the San Francisco Centre shopping mall and food court to the Concourse Exhibition Center, with a shuttle leaving every half-hour. Click here for schedules and locations.

Advance tickets for APE are $10.00 single day, $15.00 both days and can be purchased by clicking here.

About Alternative Press Expo:

Alternative Press Expo (APE), the country's largest alternative and independent comics convention, is part of Comic-Con International (CCI), a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms. The organization achieves its mission primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. In addition to the San Francisco-based APE each fall, CCI organizes San Diego Comic-Con each summer (the world's largest comics convention of its kind) and WonderCon in Anaheim, California, this spring. On the web: Comic-Con.org, Facebook.com/APExpo, Twitter.com/APExpo.