AUTOPTIC

Think of it as the DIY version of Comic Con. This sprawling two-day festival celebrates indie culture in all its beautiful permutations — comic books, zines, poster art, music. (But very little superheroes.) Autoptic, which means "based on one's own observation," returns to Aria with some big names. Among the 120 juried exhibitors will be Charles Burns, the acclaimed cartoonist behind the dark graphic novel, "Black Hole." Other heavyweights in attendance: Gabrielle Bell, Jillian Tamaki, Josh Bayer, Anders Nilsen and Edie Fake. The weekend is filled with related music and readings at other locations such as Cedar Cultural Center and Byrant-Lake Bowl Theater. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., Aria, 105 N. 1st St., Mpls. Free. autoptic.org)

Tom Horgen