This is the ultimate celebration of all things comic, toy, gaming, and pop culture alike! With over 250 exhibitors, you'll experience a fantastic display of amazing artists and creators, engaging activities, a thrilling main stage, high-profile celebrities, an extensive gaming area, and much more!
Comic Creators
JIM SHOOTER
Jim Shooter has been behind some of the most beloved comic stories ever told. Shooter achieved his first professional comics work at the age of thirteen, selling a Legion of Super-Heroes story to DC Comics and going on to write Superboy, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Superman and other titles. In 1978, he accepted the position of Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics under the condition that he would be allowed to improve things for Marvel's creators. Jim introduced royalties and a spectrum of other incentives, rights and benefits, attracting a Who's Who of talent. Later, he founded VALIANT, DEFIANT and Broadway Comics and was the principal creator of their characters and universes. Today, he's the Editor in Chief of Illustrated Media, a custom comics company.
Rick Leonardi
A massive talent who began his career in 1980. Notable works include The Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, X-Men, Cloak and Dagger, the first 25 issues of Spider-Man 2099, Daredevil, Vision and the Scarlet Witch, New Mutants, Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl, Superman, Justice League, Green Lantern vs Aliens, Predator, Star Wars, Aliens, Hellboy, Darth Vader vs Darth Maul, General Grievous, Darth Vader:Lost Command and many more! He is credited, along with fellow illustrator Mike Zeck, of designing the black-and-white costume to which Spider-Man switched during the 1984 Secret Wars miniseries, and later wore for a time and is a known fan-favorite since it's inception.
Mark Morales
A longtime comics pro, Mark Morales has worked for many companies, including Image, Dark Horse, Chaos, DC Comics, and Marvel Comics, mostly as an inker. Past projects from Mark include Thor, Daredevil, Batman, X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men, Spider-Man/Deadpool, and Astonishing X-Men. Currently, he is working on Heroes Reborn and The High Republic from Marvel Comics.
Darryl Banks
Darryl Banks is a comic artist and creator known for legendary runs on multiple DC titles since the early 1990's including a defining run on Green Lantern beginning with vol. 3, starting with the "Emerald Twilight" storyline. Banks drew most of the issues from #50 through #142. Along with co-creating Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, he was responsible for designing costumes for Parallax, Grayven, Fatality, Dr. Polaris, and Dr. Light. Banks is also an artist and concept designer with Marvel, Hasbro, Hawthorne Village, Filsinger Games and more!
Josh Blaylock
Founder of the legacy indy comic book publisher and studio Devil's Due, Josh Blaylock is not only a prolific comic book writer and artist, but an expert in licensing and pop culture trends. He began publishing comics while still a teenager, rising to fame six years later with the license acquisition and resurrection of G.I. Joe, Voltron, and other classic properties in the comic space, to huge success. The first of their kind, his comics launched a nostalgia wave that is still felt to this day, and pioneered a trend of independent publishers seizing the spotlight by revitalizing major licensed brands. Currently he is most known for his supernatural action comic Mercy Sparx, and the world of characters surrounding it (currently in development as a major motion picture), with several other creations translated into toys, film, and television. Having published and written over 1000 comic books with over $70 Million in sales, Josh also regularly collaborates on projects in entertainment, fashion and tech, including for North Coast Music Fest, Adidas, Pixel Vault, Hannibal Buress, Diplo, 0n1 Force, A System of a Down, Louis the Child, and more. His non-fiction book, How to Self-Publish Comics: Not Just Create Them, was made required reading at Savannah College of Art Design.
Matt Slay
Matt is not only a prolific comic book writer, he's also a highly regarded comic book artist and illustrator based in Lynchburg, Virginia. Known for his dynamic storytelling and distinctive artistic style, Slay has built a career that spans a diverse array of projects, from iconic comic book franchises to independent graphic novels.
Bryan Tillman
Artist and creator Bryan Tillman is the owner and CEO of Kaiser Studio Productions LLC, a production studio for comics, toys, animation, and games. He works as a sculptor, comic editor, and illustrator for various projects, with clients including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Lucas Films, and Cartoon Network. Bryan has authored three instructional books, including *Creative Character Design* and *The 30 Day Pitch Bible*, and created the *Dark Legacy* RPG trading card game, which was acquired by UpperDeck. He is currently focused on developing *Ninja Empire*, a multi-platform IP spanning comics, action figures, board games, and animations. He has also conducted panels and lectures at conventions like AwesomeCon, MegaCon, and San Diego Comic Con, where he has presented his popular "Proper Pitching and Promoting Yourself" panel for over 11 years. Bleeding Cool featured an article on his pitching advice in 2017.
Michael Watkins
Michael Watkins is the CEO and Editor In Chief of Highburn Studios. Michael has worked professionally in comics and illustration for over 20 years. He's the creator of the series GUARDIANS, published by Highburn Studios, the publishing company he founded in 2000. From there, he broke into mainline comics with work on FEMME-NOIR, and proceeded to work on projects for Marvel, DC, Image, Dynamite, Dark Horse, and Upper Deck. You've seen his work on titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, Iron Man, Avengers Assemble, Pantha, Villains Supreme, and other promotional work for Star Wars, Ironman 2, Suicide Squad, Transformers, and more. In addition to comics, Michael is a Voice Actor having voiced roles for Marvel and Disney through the characters of Venom, Scorpion, Mole Man, and Magneto.
Matthew Clark
Matthew Clark is a veteran comic book artist and creator known for his dynamic storytelling and bold, expressive linework. Over the years, he's worked with major publishers like DC Comics, Marvel, and Dark Horse, contributing to iconic titles including Superman, Doom Patrol, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, and Ghost Rider. With a passion for character-driven visuals and kinetic action, Clark has become a go-to talent for both superhero staples and experimental series. He continues to evolve his craft, bringing energy and precision to every panel.
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