Small Press Expo 2026

This year's Small Press Expo will be held September 12-13, 2026. Visit Curls Studio at Table W63 near the front entrance at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (5701 Marinelli Road Rockville, Maryland 20852). 

Saturday, September 12 -- 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 13 -- NOON - 6:00 PM

The latest issue of Magic Bullet (#25) will debut at SPX in full color -- look for a new Roxy and Dean story in it!

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #19

Since it's #NationalComicBookDay we thought it would be a good day to announce Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, published our latest Black Magic Tales story in issue #19, written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski.

Our story "Saturday Night" introduces us to "The Baseball Bats," a high school girl gang, and continues the adventures of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (plus their cat, Black Magic).

Be on the lookout for your free copy! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants.

Did you know? Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-19 so far).

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #18

Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, has published our latest Black Magic Tales story in issue #18, written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski.

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A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 16, 2019 at 1:50pm PDT

In Magic Bullet #18, which was just released, we follow the desires of "Big Shot" as he attempts to hunt down the treasured The Jade Dragon sculpture. We are also introduced to "The Twins" and other villains and thieves from our universe. The print run for this issue was 3,000.

Be on the lookout for your free copy! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants.

Did you know? Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-18 so far).

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #17

A few months ago Magic Bullet, a large format comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area, published our latest Black Magic Tales story in issue #17. Many people were able to pick up this edition at Small Press Expo earlier this year. 

Our story "Help Roxy Plan A Heist" captures the adventures world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (and their cat, Black Magic). We took a different approach to the comic this time around and made a maze puzzle with many traps such as “Drowning In Self Doubt” and “Lost Sight and Focus” as the readers travel through Roxy’s brain. Once the puzzle is solved, readers are encouraged to email a photo of the completed page to us to receive a small prize reward. 

Did you know? Curls Studio has been printed in every edition of Magic Bullet (#1-17 so far).

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #15 and #16

Catching up on a bit of old news -- hopefully it may be actual news to someone reading this blog! Magic Bullet, a comics anthology newspaper based out of the Washington, DC area has published our Black Magic Tales stories. Magic Bullet #15 came out in the fall of 2017. Our story "Vacation" captures the adventures world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova (and their cat, Black Magic).

The printed newspaper page of Curls Studio's latest Black Magic Tales story -- look for it in Magic Bullet #16. Our story #Award Season" was written by @astrayj, illustrated by @carolynbelefski, inspired by the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein allegations. #magicbullet #blackmagictales #comics #metoo #roxymonroe #deancasanova

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 10, 2018 at 12:33pm PDT

The latest issue of Magic Bullet #16 premiered in February 2018. Our story "Award Season" was inspired by the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein allegations. Both stories were written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski. Be on the lookout for your free copy! Common places to find this publication include comic book stores, tattoo parlors, record shops, and hip restaurants.

Did you know? Black Magic Tales has been published in every addition of Magic Bullet. The publication started with a print run of 500 in August of 2010. The print run for issue #16 was 4,000.

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #13 and #14

A bit of catching up to do in the blog as it seems I've neglected to mention that a Black Magic Tales story called "Suggestion Box" was published in Magic Bullet #13 back in August of last year. The issue was released in preparation for the Small Press Expo and distributed all around the Washington, DC region.

The latest issue of Magic Bullet #14 premiered in time for the Trump Inauguration and Women's March this past weekend. Our story "We Did It!" captures the adventures world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova. Both stories were written by Joe Carabeo and illustrated by Carolyn Belefski. Be on the lookout for your free copy!

Black Magic Tales returns! New story "We Did It!" (written by @astrayj with art by @carolynbelefski) is printed in Magic Bullet #14 comics anthology -- look for this free publication around the DC, VA, MD areas. #magicbullet #blackmagictales #comics #art #anthology #newspaper #publication #curlsstudio #dc

A photo posted by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Jan 25, 2017 at 6:27pm PST

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #12

The latest issue of Washington, DC's Magic Bullet comics newspaper hit the streets a few weeks ago. Look for your free copy at many bookstores, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the Washington, DC area.

In this issue, Joe Carabeo and I tell the tale of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova, along with reporter Sallie Ginger, in "Black Magic Tales: Breaking News." 

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #11

The latest issue of Washington, DC's Magic Bullet comics newspaper hit the streets earlier this year. Look for your free copy at many bookstores, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the Washington, DC area.

In this issue, Joe Carabeo and I tell the tale of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova in "Black Magic Tales: Cashing Out." 

Black Magic Tales published in Magic Bullet #10

The latest issue of Washington, DC's Magic Bullet comics newspaper has hit the streets. Look for your free copy at many bookstores, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the Washington, DC area.

In this issue, Joe Carabeo and I tell the tale of two teenagers inspired by world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova to form a band. At the end of the story there is a QR code you can scan using a QR code reader app. By scanning the code, it will lead you to the song the characters in our comic perform at the end of the story. 

If you can't wait to listen to the song, here is Mickie & Mallory performing "I'm Done." I should also mention I designed the Mickie & Mallory logo earlier this year! Mickie & Mallory were formed in late 2014 and have performed around northern Virginia and New York City. I hope you can catch one of their live shows soon!

Black Magic Tales "A New Home"

Here is the full one page Black Magic Tales comic Curls Studio did for Magic Bullet #8. Magic Bullet is Washington, DC's comics newspaper anthology. I feel like it's safe to release the page once the newspaper has been out for at least three months (in the case of this, it's been available in print form since February). We've been in every issue so far. On top of that, I've been editor starting with issue #6, so there's a lot of behind-the-scenes action that goes on with preparing a publication. Maybe in the future I'll do a post about what it's like to produce and work with over 50 people and manage the editorial team to create each issue, but for now enjoy the story! 

If you are interested in submitting your one page story to the next Magic Bullet, here's all the information: http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com/p/submissions.html

The deadline for advertising and comic submissions is July 1. The theme for Magic Bullet #9 is Western. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Black Magic Tales in Magic Bullet #8

Can you believe an episode of Black Magic Tales has been in every issue of Magic Bullet so far? If you haven't heard of Magic Bullet, it's Washington, DC's comics anthology newspaper and you can grab a free copy while they last at many fine establishments.

In Magic Bullet #8 Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski continue the tale of world famous criminals Roxy Monroe and Dean Casanova, along with their cat Black Magic. This is a comic page not to be missed for all animal lovers, as you can see in the preview photograph above.

We printed 5,000. Be sure to pick up your copy today. Here are some locations I know for sure have bundles of Magic Bullet #8:

Bean Bar (Leesburg, VA), Market Street Coffee (Purcellville, VA), LoCo Joe's (Purcellville, VA), Hypnocoffee (Shepherdstown, WV), Blue Moon Cafe (Shepherdstown, WV), Books and Other Found Things (Leesburg, VA), King Street Coffee (Leesburg, VA), Velocity Comics (Richmond,VA), Richmond Books (Richmond,VA), Chop Suey Books (Richmond,VA), Plan 9 Records (Richmond,VA), Off-Rhode Studio Gallery/Art Enables (Washington, DC), Game On Comics (Vienna, VA), Big Planet Comics on U Street (Washington, DC), Big Planet Comics (Vienna, VA), Record Exchange (Fairfax, VA), Laughing Ogre Comics (Fairfax, VA), CD Cellar (Falls Church, VA), Action Music (Falls Church, VA), Politics & Prose Modern Times Coffeehouse (Washington, DC), Saxby's Coffee (Fairfax, VA), Blind Dog Cafe (Washington, DC), Capitol Hill Books (Washington, DC), Kafe Bohem (Washington, DC), Miss Pixie's (Washington, DC), Peregrine Espresso (Washington, DC), Port City Java (Washington, DC), Pound (Washington, DC), Som Records (Washington, DC), Hole in the Wall Books (Falls Church, VA), Fantom Comics (Washington, DC), Museum of Unnatural History (Washington, DC), Space Bar (Falls Church, VA)

Recap: Asbury Park Comic Con - May 12, 2012

On Saturday, May 12, 2012 Curls Studio journeyed to the land of Bam Bam Bigelow to exhibit at the first-ever Asbury Park Comic Con in New Jersey at Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley by day and rock club by night near the boardwalk. Since this was a new show, I wasn't sure what to expect: the venue seemed cool, but my main concern as an exhibitor was the audience and hopes that people would show up. My expectations were mid-level with an exploring mind to check this show out, but this show soared above my estimate! We had a great time, ate tater tots, met new people, enjoyed awesome music, took photos in a cool retro photo booth, and did very well in regards of making table and more.

Many of the people we met had NEVER been to a comic convention before and were open about different types of books in the comic medium. Customers were looking for all-ages books and Kid Roxy and Black Magic Tales did very well! I got a few comments from guys about how they enjoy my art style and that even if the content isn't 'up their alley' they respected the art. I take this as a compliment because my work is adorable and I understand if manly-men might not want to read it, but it's great that they told me they enjoy the art. I would also instruct them to check out The Legettes!

There was also a little girl who came by the table four times for different purchases. She is our top repeat customer. It was so nice to see her with a little purse picking out a Curls patch, a button, and the first issue of Kid Roxy. I also drew her a sketch of Roxy Monroe from Black Magic Tales in her notebook. I think it's awesome that kids read comics and can tell this segment of the comics industry will burst open soon. Many parents we talked to were enthusiastic to seek books and read with their children.

I think the show's success also had to do with the location being close in proximity to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. This helped get a diverse amount of talent to appear at the show, including Evan Dorkin, who I got to sign my copy of the Beasts of Burden hardcover. Everyone at the show was happy to be there and we enjoyed meeting a new crowd.

A treasure we got to discover after the show as we walked the boardwalk was Joe pointing out where the dance scene in the film "The Wrestler" between Mickey Rourke and Evan Rachel Wood took place. At first I didn't believe him because it was such a random find, but the closer we got to the scene I realized Joe was correct. Another jewel to his film knowledge was presented! It is so great to stumble upon amazing landmarks like that. It reminded me of the time in 2009 at Pittsburgh Comicon where we saw the "Bean N Gone" in Monroeville, PA from Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."

Thanks to Cliff for organizing Asbury Park Comic Con! We hope to be back again. If you missed the show and want to pick up Curls Studio products online, check out the Curls Studio Etsy Shop.

Be sure to check out more photos on the Curls Studio Facebook Page. "Like" us while you're at it.

Magic Bullet #1 Digital Download

The long out-of-print and impossible to find first issue of Magic Bullet #1 is now available for all your tablet devices via Graphicly: http://graphicly.com/plastic-farm-press/magic-bullet/1

I believe this issue only had a newspaper print run of 500, so it is great to see it alive and still exist in the digital world. The story Joe Carabeo and I have in this premier issue is Black Magic Tales: Reunion. It involves our pals Black Magic, Roxy Monroe, Dean Casanova, and Debbie Dodds as they attend their high school reunion.

The digital download is only $0.99. Please check it out!

The inaugural issue of MAGIC BULLET, featuring comics from Matt Dembicki (XOC, TRICKSTER), Carolyn Belefski (CURLS), Rafer Roberts (PLASTIC FARM, FUBAR 2), and many more. Cover by the amazing Scott White.

RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASED: August 15, 2010

Curls Studio Holiday Giveaway Contest

Ho! Ho! Ho! In honor of the holiday season and to celebrate our story, Black Magic Tales: How Roxy and Dean Stole Christmas, Curls Studio is giving away one copy of Indie Comics Magazine #4 to two lucky winners. Two people will win!

HOW TO ENTER (Do All Three Steps to Enter, Please)
1.) Like Curls Studio on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Curls-Studio/50763422380)
2.) Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/carolynbelefski)
3.) Tweet the following message: "Win a Indie Comics Magazine Christmas comic book featuring Black Magic Tales from Curls Studio http://www.curls-studio.com/curls #christmascrime"

Contest starts now (Monday, December 12, 2011 at 10PM EST) and ends Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10 AM EST. Winners will be announced on Saturday, December 17, 2011.


Ask your local comic shop to order Indie Comics Magazine #4. Good Luck and Happy Holidays from Curls Studio!

Black Magic Tales in Indie Comics Magazine #4

Curls Studio is in a jolly mood to announce we will be in Indie Comics Magazine #4 with our story, Black Magic Tales: How Roxy and Dean Stole Christmas. The image above is a tease of the first page of our new Black Magic Tales story. For our previous BMT stories, please check the write-ups and previews here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cartooncarolyn?section_id=5309960


Be sure to ask your comic store to order this special Christmas Issue! Here is some more info on Indie Comics Magazine #4:

Knights, college freshmen, comic book geeks, an undying engine of destruction, the world's most famous criminals, jazz singers, killer clowns and more will shock, uplift and entertain in Indie Comics Magazine #4, a special holiday issue, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' October 2011 Previews catalog and available ONLY through Previews, announced Publisher Gary Scott Beatty.

Starring in this issue are some indie comic heavyweights. Ignatz Award winner Rich Koslowski produced a holiday story with his fan-famous characters, The 3 Geeks. Nationally syndicated Adventures of Aaron cartoonist Aaron Warner introduces A College Girl Named Joe in her freshman year. Mad magazine's Douglas Paszkiewicz makes merry with a quirky Arsenic Lullaby.

64 pages of done-in-one stories is wrapped in a beautiful, painted cover by award winning artist Douglas Klauba. "This indie yuletide issue will make great gifts for the mature readers on your list," said Beatty, "naughty or nice."


The Curls Studio team of writer Joe Carabeo and illustrator Carolyn Belefski present How Roxy and Dean Stole Christmas. Kevin LaPorte and Amanda Rachels' macabre Clown Town characters shuffle in to share the holidays. Anthony Cacioppo explores a tense meeting between Indestructible Man and Saint Nick. Gary Scott Beatty's jazz pianist tells is nephew a Christmas story. Students of the Unusual's Terry Cronin returns with a story of knights and magic.

"We continue to be lucky landing creators with a diverse range of storytelling styles," said Beatty. "This is a real cross section of indy comic book genius! With our done-in-one stories, we help readers cut through the reviews and hype to experience these creators' raw talent."

Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work, said Beatty.

Beatty explained he always loved the holiday editions of books from the early days of comics, from horror to superhero to funny animal stories. "This time of year is so busy for everyone it's a good idea to kick back and immerse yourself in some holiday magic."

Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators. No huge overprint, no digital version, no back issue sales, October's Previews under Aazurn Publishing is the ONLY way comic readers can get Indie Comics Magazine #4, the Christmas issue! Visit Indie Comics Magazine online at Indie Comics Magazine.com.

garmentDISTRICT presents Light It Up

Curls Studio is participating in LIGHT IT UP hosted by garmentDISTRICT opening today, February 18 from 6-10 PM at 1005 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC.


I created two original inked illustrations in 5" x 7" frames specifically for this event. The art shows Dean Casanova and Roxy Monroe with their cat, Black Magic. They are Curls Studio's creator-owned "Black Magic Tales" comic characters. The art is also marked in red with a "Roxy and Dean" one-of-a-kind stamp.

View the gallery and boutique featuring local designers with entertainment at the neighboring LUX Lounge tonight.

Hours of Operation - Boutique, Lounge, Sewing Room
Wednesday-Friday: 5-9 PM
Saturday: 12-9 PM
Sunday: 12-6 PM
Presidents Day, Monday 2/21: 12-9 PM

garmentDISTRICT: a temporary retail and art installation will be open February 18 thru March 20, 2011.

Carolyn Belefski - Artist Statement
My comic art is exciting and fun because it revolves around the creator-owned characters Curls Studio owns. I think and focus on their personalities, movements and what makes them who they are. The art represents the story and each illustration shows the viewer the character's attitude and reactions to the world around them.

One of my top goals is an artist is to entertain and make people happy. I set out to produce a reaction from the viewer and evoke the emotive qualities of the character. Many people these days are loosing touch with the qualities of being human, so I believe it is important for a viewer to feel something and experience a story thru my art.

Carolyn Belefski - Influences
Everything I have ever seen or experienced in life goes into what I create, however cartoon animation is a major influence on my comics style. I enjoy the work and creations of Chuck Jones, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall, Walt Disney, Jeff Smith, Paul Reubens, Tim Burton, Bruce Timm, Jean Shepherd and many other storytellers.

Black Magic Tales, Volume 1

I'm very excited to announce, that Black Magic Tales, Volume 1: The Adventures of Roxy & Dean, World Famous Criminals will premiere this weekend at Baltimore Comic-Con.

Let me introduce you to Roxy & Dean...

Roxy & Dean love being the most wanted criminals on the face of the planet – and that’s why the public loves them. Add up Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger or any other outlaw on the run in human history and that still wouldn’t equal the amount of fun and out-of-control mayhem that ensues whenever Roxy & Dean show up to pull a heist.

Black Magic Tales, Volume 1 is the first collection to ever capture Roxy & Dean in their true, on-the-loose nature, in one bound book. Now you can follow “The World’s Most Famous Criminals” as they steal their way through cities, run from aliens in the desert and even travel through time for a shootout. This is Black Magic Tales, where crime couldn’t be more fun.

Black Magic is also the name of their cat.

Included in Black Magic Tales, Volume 1: The first Black Magic Tales comic – unpublished until now, Black Magic Tales issues 1-4, five short stories from anthology collections, never-before-seen process sketches and more!


It's basically everything we have ever done for Black Magic Tales. 112 pages of goodness wrapped in a cover of crime. I just got the books today and they look really gorgeous, like a complete package!

So, when you get to Baltimore this weekend, make your way to the Curls Studio table at Artist Alley A209 (click here for a handy map to guide you) and pick up the Black Magic Tales trade paperback for $10. We will also have Sketch Before Sleep prints available. In addition, I will also be giving the few copies of Magic Bullet I personally own to people who purchase $15 or more from Curls Studio (while supplies last). We will also have the usual goodies and I'll be doing sketch commissions for donations.

See you this weekend in Baltimore!

Black Magic Tales, Volume 1: The Adventures of Roxy & Dean, World Famous Criminals
Writer: Joe Carabeo
Artist: Carolyn Belefski
112 black and white pages, plus full color cover
$10

All contents © 2010 Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo.

UPDATE
August 30, 2010 - You can now purchase Black Magic Tales, Volume 1: The Adventures of Roxy & Dean, World Famous Criminals here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/55139158/black-magic-tales-volume-1-the

Sketch Cards to benefit American Cancer Society

Here are my four sketch cards for Blue Line Art's second annual Sketch Card Auction and Gallery Show. There will be a public exhibition at Comics 2 Games, 166 Mount Zion Road in Florence, Kentucky on April 4, 2009. The auction of all the original art cards will go online starting the week before the Sketch Card Exhibition and will end that evening. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to the American Cancer Society.

I did one card for each of Curls Studio's properties: Curls, Kid Roxy, Black Magic Tales, and The Legettes. I like little Roxy with her magic drink. I always imagined it to be something like Hi-C Ecto Cooler! That's something I'd like to see (and taste) again. Awww... and look it's Curls supporting her boobs. Yes, let's cure cancer and save the boobies!

Click here for more information or to donate to Comics for Cures. In 2008, they raised more than $7,400!

Kid Roxy #2: The Mystery of the Bouncing Ball

Curls Studio will be unveiling the second Kid Roxy book at New York Comic Con on April 18-20, 2008.

Here is a teaser of the story:

Kid Roxy’s first mystery begins here! “The Mystery of the Bouncing Ball” Episode 1 of 5 starts with our superhero… Wait… What? Our superhero? Isn’t Kid Roxy about a girl who grows up to become a world famous career criminal? Yes, but everyone has to start somewhere.

In Twilight Valley, the Sadie Hawkins dance is coming up, and everyone is losing their minds! Debbie, Roxy Monroe’s new loose cannon friend believes it will lead to the death of us all. And who’s to blame her? In Twilight Valley, dances do something to people. It messes with their brains, causes them to act irrationally. But what is it about this dance that causes mysterious accidents to happen at Shirley Walker Secondary School?

Roxy Monroe, on the other hand, has branded her twin sister, Trixie, a sell out and she continues to battle the forces of evil that are Trixie’s friends, Ashley and Stephanie. Along the way, Roxy realizes that Twilight Valley, and its people, are more than what you see on the surface. This town has its own mysteries to be dug up.

Kid Roxy: The Mystery of the Bouncing Ball
Writer: Joe Carabeo
Artist: Carolyn Belefski
28 black and white pages, plus full cover cover
$3.00

Curls Studio on Larry King Live

The creators and cast of Curls Studio (Carolyn, Joe, Toast, Curls, Pitter Patter, Conehead, Kid Roxy, Dean Casanova, Debbie, Stephanie, Ashley, Black Magic, Applause, Santa Turtle, Roxy Monroe, Trixie, and Turtle Neck) were all on Larry King Live to promote their upcoming tour date — New York Comic Con's Artist Alley. Make plans to see all the Curls Studio characters at NYCC, which will take place April 18-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.