Our Speakers
Writer & Producer
Marc
Bernardin
Marc Bernardin is a WGA Award-winning television writer/producer who has worked on Star Trek: Picard, Castle Rock, Masters of the Universe: Revelations, and more. He’s an Inkpot-winning comic writer of Adora and the Distance, Static Shock, and more. He co-hosts the Fatman Beyond podcast with Kevin Smith.
Writer & Editor
Gerry
Conway
Gerry Conway has been a professional comic book writer and editor singe age 16. He is the co-creator of the Punisher, Ms. Marvel, Killer Croc, Vibe, Steel, Vixen, Firestorm, and many more. And yes, he will forever be "the man who killed Gwen Stacy." He is an expert in comic books and comic book history.
Artist & Animator
Denys
Cowan
Denys Cowan is an accomplished and celebrated comics and animation creator, and one of the founders of Milestone Media. Cowan is also the former senior VP of animation at BET, and has illustrated album covers for GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan. He is an expert in comic books and animation.
Writer
J.M.
DeMatteis
Eisner Award winner J.M. DeMatteis has written a variety of memorable projects, from the epic drama of “Kraven’s Last Hunt” to the comedy-adventure of DC’s Justice League. His greatest acclaim has come for sophisticated original graphic novels—like the autobiographical Brooklyn Dreams and the groundbreaking Moonshadow. DeMatteis has also written extensively for television and film, including the 80’s Twilight Zone, Justice League Unlimited, ThunderCats, Spider-Man, and Superman: Red Son.
Writer, Artist, Concept Designer
Christian
Gossett
Christian Gossett is a longtime concept designer, writer, artist, and educator. He created the double-bladed lightsaber for the "Star Wars" universe, and was an art director on Tim Burton's 2010 "Alice in Wonderland." In comics, Gossett created the epic The Red Star graphic novel. He is an expert in art, animation, computer graphics, and comic books, with a special concentration in art education.
Writer & Artist
Jamal
Igle
Jamal Igle is a comic writer and artist with more than 20 years experience who has worked on titles such as Molly Danger, The Wrong Earth, Nightwing, Supergirl, and more. He is currently working on his new project, Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine, with collaborator Scott Snyder.
Writer & Artist
Andy
Lanning
Andy Lanning has three decades' experience as a comic writer and artist, and is promarily known for writing Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Andy has also written video games, and spent eight years as Executive Creative Director for Magic Leap, an augmented reality company.
Artist & Illustrator
Mike
Mayhew
Mike Mayhew is a comic book artist and commercial illustrator with credits including Star Wars, X-Men, and Avengers. He has created award winning ad campaigns for Cisco Systems, and book covers for Harper Collins and Scholastic. Mike is an expert in digital art techniques, as well as traditional watercolor and acrylic painting.
Writer, Editor, Educator
Ann
Nocenti
Ann Nocenti is a writer/editor of comics (Daredevil, X-Men). Her journalism appears in Anthony Bourdain's "Best Travel Writing." She is a producer and consultant on Semme Exhibitions (Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes, Disney 100). Her latest graphic novels are The Seeds (Dark Horse) and Storm (Marvel). She teaches film and comics.
Artist
Bart
Sears
Bart Sears is a three-decade veteran of the comics business having worked on top titles for Marvel, DC, and more including Captain America and the Falcon and Justice League Europe. Bart has also worked extensively in the toy business for Hasbro and Toy Biz, and in the video game industry.
Novelist, Comic Writer and Executive
Alex
Segura
Alex Segura is the bestselling and award-winning author of the mystery novel Secret Identity. His comic book work has been published by Image Comics, Marvel Comics, DC, Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, and more. Alex has also served in an executive capacity at Oni Press, Archie Comics, and DC Comics.
Editor, Colorist, Letterer
Ty
Templeton
Ty Templeton has worked in the comics industry for 35 years as a publisher, editor, colorist, and letterer. Ty also teaches others how to make their own comics, through his Comic Book Bootcamp. He's worked on The Batman Adventures, Superman, Spider-Man, Mad Magazine, The Simpsons, The National Lampoon, The Avengers, and so many others.