Our Speakers
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.
Jose Luis
Garcia-Lopez
Artist & Designer
Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez is one of DC Comics' most famous and prolific artists, having drawn Superman, Batman, Atari Force, and more. Perhaps most notably, he is DC's go-to artist for style guides and licensed products. His art is seen on millions of posters, coffee mugs, greeting cards and more worldwide.
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.
Jamal
Igle
Writer & Artist
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.