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Our Speakers

Marc

Bernardin

Writer & Producer

Marc Bernardin is a WGA Award-winning television writer/producer who has worked on Star Trek: PicardCastle RockMasters of the Universe: Revelations, and more. He’s an Inkpot-winning comic writer of Adora and the DistanceStatic Shock, and more. He co-hosts the Fatman Beyond podcast with Kevin Smith.

Howard

Chaykin

Writer & Artist

Howard Chaykin is a comic book writer and artist with credits such as American Flagg!Avengers 1959, and Divided States of Hysteria. He is an expert in comic books, comic book history, jazz music, and 1950s American Culture.

Gerry

Conway

Writer & Editor

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.

Denys

Cowan

Artist & Animator

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.

J.M.

DeMatteis

Writer

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.

Dave

Gibbons

Writer & Artist

Dave Gibbons is a comic book writer and artist with credits such as Watchmen, The Originals, and Green Lantern. He is an expert in comic books and comic book history, with a special concentration in British comic books.

Christian

Gossett

Writer, Artist, Concept Designer

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.

Andy

Lanning

Writer & Artist

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.

Rick

Leonardi

Artist

Rick Leonardi is a comic book artist with credits such as Cloak & Dagger, Uncanny X-Men, and Spider-Man 2099. He is an expert in comic books and art.

Ron

Marz

Writer

Ron Marz is a comic book writer with credits such as Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, and Witchblade. He is an expert in comic books and comic book history.

Mike

Mayhew

Artist & Illustrator

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.

Ann

Nocenti

Writer, Editor, Educator

Ann Nocenti is a storyteller who has worked in film, journalism and comics. She has written and edited Daredevil and X-Men at Marvel Comics, and Catwoman at DC Comics. She also teaches both fiction and documentary filmmaking.

Kevin

Nowlan

Writer & Artist

Kevin Nowlan is a comic book writer and artist with credits such as Batman: Sword of Azreal, Tomorrow Stories, and Superman vs. Aliens. He is an expert in comic books and art.

Christopher

Priest

Writer & Editor

Christopher Priest is the first African-American writer and editor to work in the superhero comics industry. His writing credits include Black Panther, Quantum and Woody, and more. He's an expert in comic books and editorial process.

Bart

Sears

Artist

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.

Tim

Seeley

Writer & Artist

Tim Seeley has drawn comics including G.I. Joe, Halloween, Wildcats, and more. His writing work includes Nightwing, Money Shot, Superman vs. Lobo, the critically acclaimed Revival, and the New York Times bestselling Hack/Slash.

Alex

Segura

Novelist, Comic Writer and Executive

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.

Andy

Smith

Artist

Andy Smith is a comic artist who has worked on Wolverine: Weapon X, XO Manowar, and many other titles. His Drawing Dynamic Comics published by Watson-Guptill has been through seven printings. Andy has taught college art classes, and lectured frequently at libraries.

Ty

Templeton

Editor, Colorist, Letterer

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.

Mark

Waid

Writer & Editor

Mark Waid is a comic book writer and editor with credits such as Captain America, Flash, and Kingdom Come. He is an expert in comic books and comic book history, with a specialization in Superman history.

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