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Larry Hama is best known as writer of the Marvel Comics licensed series G.I. Joe, based on the Hasbro line of military action figures. Hama said in a 2006 interview that he was given the job by then editor-in-chief Jim Shooter after every other writer at Marvel had turned it down. Hama at the time had recently pitched a Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off series, Fury Force, about a daring special mission force. Hama used this concept as the back-story for G.I. Joe. He included military terms and strategies, Eastern philosophy, martial arts and historical references from his own background. The comic ran 155 issues (Feb. 1982-Oct. 1994).

From 1986-1993, Hama edited the acclaimed comic book The ’Nam, a gritty Marvel series about the Vietnam War. Additionally, he wrote the 16-issue Marvel series Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja (August 1989-September 1990), concerning the adventures of John Doe, an American ninja and Special Forces commando in an alternate reality in which World War III is sparked after the world’s nuclear weapons stockpiles are all destroyed. Hama also edited a relaunch of Marvel’s black-and-white comics magazine Savage Tales, overseeing its change from sword-and-sorcery to men’s adventure.

Other comics Hama has written include Wolverine, Before the Fantastic Four: Ben Grimm and Logan, and the X-Men brand extension Generation X for Marvel; and Batman stories for DC Comics. He wrote filecards for Hasbro’s line of sci-fi/police action figures, C.O.P.S. ’n’ Crooks and contributed to the relaunch of the G.I. Joe toy line and comic book in 2000.

While working at Neal Adams’ Continuity Associates, Hama developed a series he first created in 1978, Bucky O’Hare, the story of a green anthropomorphic rabbit and his mutant mammal sidekicks in an intergalactic war against space amphibians, which went on to become a comic, cartoon, video game and toy line.

In 2006, Osprey Publishing announced that Hama would write its “Osprey Graphic History” series of comic books about historical battles, including the titles The Bloodiest Day—Battle of Antietam and Surprise Attack—Battle of Shiloh (both with artist Scott Moore) and Island of Terror—Battle of Iwo Jima (with Anthony Williams). That same year, Hama returned to his signature characters with the Devils Due Publishing miniseries G.I. Joe Declassified, which chronicled the recruitment of the squad’s first members by General Hawk. In 2007, the company added the spin-off series Storm Shadow, written by Hama and penciled by Mark A. Robinson.

Darryl Banks is from Columbus, Ohio, and a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design with a bachelor's degree. He began his comics career in 1989, working for various independent comic companies such as Innovation and Millennium Publishing. Darryl worked on titles such as Doc Savage: Man of Bronze, The Wild Wild West and Justice Machine. In 1993 he started working with DC Comics on Legion of Superheroes and later on Green Lantern. Co-creating the Kyle Rayner Green Lantern, Parallax, and other characters was a great honor and challenge for Darryl's costume design skills. In addition to various other projects for DC, his work also includes Captain America and X-Men for Marvel, Tomb Raider: Epiphany from Top Cow, GI Joe Reloaded for Devil's Due Publishing, Johnnie Zombie for Midgard Comics and covers to Moonstone's Phantom series.

Darryl also does concept art and toy design. Clients include Hawthorne Village collectibles, Hasbro, Mattel, Filsinger Games, and many others.

Artist / writer Craig Boldman is best identified with his work for Archie Comics. He has written over 100 consecutive issues of the Jughead comic book, teamed with artist Rex Lindsey, and has been the writer of the Archie syndicated comic strip since 1992. He has also frequently contributed stories to the entire Archie Comics line.

Craig has worked on Superman, 'Mazing Man, Bugs Bunny, Disney's Doug, Disney's Recess, Ed Edd & Eddie, Bazooka Joe and his own webcomic (and upcoming comic book) - Tailipoe. Craig served as the chairperson of the Great Lakes chapter of the National Cartoonists Society from 2006-20011. He has been an actor in numerous theatrical and film productions, including the upcoming, "The Last Race."

He has most recently been producing a wide-ranging line of sketch cards of pop-culture figures.

Rob says: "my first published work that garnered any attention was for Gary Reed at Caliber Press. Calibur Presents Sepulcher Opus. I was co-creator on this book along with writer and long-time friend, Donnie Lee. Published in '93, Sepulcher Opus (or Burial Work) was a surreal comic book dealing mainly with human experiences just before death. The comic received a spotlight in the now defunct Hero's Magazine and truly got me excited about producing more comics.

Not long afterwards, I ran into then editor at Malibu Comics, Mr. Roland Mann. Roland gave me my first professional work and the result was Protectors #15. From there, I went to Marvel to work on Marvel Comics Presents, Iron Fist, The Inhumans, Conan, Spiderman, Excalibur, Beavis and Butthead, Over The Edge, etc. In late '99 I began working with Chaos Comics on Cryptic Writings of Megadeth. While there, I also worked on Evil Ernie, Undertaker, Dee Snider's Strangeland and the Insane Clown Posse comic book.

Dennis Calero is the award winning and internationally recognized artist of X-Men: Noir and Legion of Superheroes. He has also leant his talents to CCG properties such as Magic and Legend of the Five Rings as well as Dungeons & Dragons. His other work includes X-Men: Noir, X-Factor, 28 Days Later: The Aftermath, Cowboys and Aliens, Dark Tower, Fallen Angel, Hawkgirl, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, Magic The Gathering, Countdown to Final Crisis, Wolverine: First Class and JSA Classified and Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom for Dark Horse Comics. During his tenure on X-Factor the title was nominated for the Harvey Award for Best New Series (2006).

Calero has also provided illustrations sporadically for role-playing games, beginning in 1996 for White Wolf. He has done interior artwork for Dungeons & Dragons books for the Forgotten Realms setting, such as Silver Marches, Faiths and Pantheons, and Races of Faerûn.

Calero also co-founded Atomic Paintbrush, one of the first computer-coloring companies working in the comic-book field.

John Tyler Christopher is an illustrator from Lafayette, In. His work has appeared on the covers of Witchblade, Artifacts, and a variety of Marvel books. He has also appeared in the pages of Dungeon & Dragons, a variety of White Wolf publications and designed for films and Star Wars Miniatures. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter; painting, playing his ps3 and waxing intellectually about the shear awesomeness of the Gorn.

Sean Dove makes humorous, retro-inspired images with a strong sense of shape and color. His love of screen printing, comics and film have influenced his multidisciplinary approach to making things, be it posters or short films.

Sean lives and works in Chicago, IL, where he runs his one-man design studio And Thank You For Flying. Sean was born in Hawaii in 1979 and grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2003 he graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2009 he left his role as Art Director at Devil's Due Publishing, and began freelancing full-time, specializing in screenprinting, comics, packaging, and iOS design. Clients include Hasbro, McDonalds, Marvel Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, Shout! Factory, Lanard Toys, Wizards of the Cost, Capcom, Kunoichi, Alzheimer's Association and the American Heart Association. Some brands he's worked for include McDonalds Happy Meal, Play Doh, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, Tonka, Transformers, and Dungeons & Dragons.

He shares a work space with the other members of 4 Star Studios, where they produce the iPad app Double Feature Comics. He enjoys walking to work, the middle seat at the theater, and plaid shirts.

Beginning his career at Marvel in the late 1960's Gary has written everyone from Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos to the X-Men, Captain America to The Incredible Hulk. In 1972, he created Ghost Rider for Marvel.

Friedrich currently lives in Jefferson County, Missouri with his wife, Jean, and daughter, Leslie.

Bob started his professional art career, doing posters for the student union and the theatre department, while getting his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. When Bob moved to New York City in the early 1970's, he continued his commercial art work, and in 1974-75, was privileged to study comics illustration with comic book legend John Buscema at Buscema's School of Comic Art. Bob would continue to refine his work, studying drawing and painting with Don Stacy at the New School. Bob's first professional comics job was with Charleton Comics in 1974, pencilling and inking several of their horror comics.

Since that time, Bob has spent over 30 years in the industry, working for both major labels, Marvel and DC, as well as for Valiant/Acclaim, and independent publishers.

Writer/Artist Mark Kidwell is the co-creator/writer of the new ongoing Vietnam/zombie epic ’68 from Image comics, writer/illustrator/creator of the splatterpunk horror mini-series Bump as well as the writer of Frazetta Comics’ Dark Kingdom series and the Frazetta western, Freedom. His recent work with Jay Fotos and Jeff Zornow, Tyrannosaurus Rex from IMAGE COMICS, sold out in one day. Other projects include: Writing/illustrating the Lovecraftian one-shot Creature From the Depths, the story “39 Spikes” for IDW and Gene Simmons’ House of Horrors and penciling/inking the horror graphic novel Jack the Lantern: War of the Soul for Castle Rain Entertainment. He has illustrated gaming manuals for Reaper Games and Hackmaster and has designed creature and makeup effects for Robert Kurtzman’s PRECINCT 13 studio on such projects as Dee Snider’s STRANGELAND 2, Jack Ketchum and Lucky McKee’s THE WOMAN and the upcoming JOHN DIES AT THE END by Don Coscarelli. Mark is also the screenwriter for the upcoming film version of BUMP, directed by SFX superstar Robert Kurtzman and author of the newly published Bump novel.

Jay Leisten started his career in Comics as an intern at Top Cow. After 2 years in L.A. working on titles like, Tombraider, Witchblade, Darkness & Inferno, he re-located to Florida to work at Crossgen with long time friend Greg Land on Sojourn. When Crossgen closed its doors he began working for Marvel & DC on covers for several titles. Within a few months he was working on titles like Thor, Legion, and Black Panther. In the past few years he has been working on a 2-year run with Greg Land on Uncanny X-Men, Moon Knight with Jerome Opena, Nightwing with Don Kramer, Outsiders with Fernando Pasarin, Captain Britain & Dark X-Men with Leonard Kirk, as well as several other Marvel projects. Currently Jay is working on X-Men Legacy, Uncanny X-Men, Captain America, Avenging Spider-Man & a creator owned project.

Tony Moore is a cosmic cowboy and comic creator from a small Kentucky town, where he was raised on a steady diet of fried game, cathode rays, and funnybooks. Moore's notable illustration work launching "The Walking Dead" was nominated for two Eisner Awards (2004: Best New Series, and 2005: Best Cover Artist), and The Walking Dead has since become cable's highest-rated drama, airing on AMC.

Moore went on to co-create the booze-fueled space western Fear Agent with Rick Remender at Dark Horse, and the creepy gonzo thriller The Exterminators with Simon Oliver at DC/Vertigo. His recent work includes wild runs on Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider and Punisher.

He spends his days shooting at things in the woods, and helping his wife chase their squealing baby daughter.

Mike Norton has been working in comics for 10 years now, gaining recognition for projects such as The Waiting Place and Jason and the Argobots. In 2001, he became Art Director for Devil's Due Publishing where he drew the first Voltron mini-series. In 2005, he went freelance and has since made a name for himself working on books like Queen and Country, Gravity, Runaways, All-New Atom and Green Arrow/Black Canary.

He also draws the Webcomic Battlepug.

He is also very, very tall.

Tommy is the artist on George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones from Dynamite. Previouse credits include Farscape, Tales from Wonderland and Warriors.

Rodney Ramos has been a professional penciler/inker in the comics industry for over 20 years. He has worked for many companies such as Dc Comics ,Marvel, Marvel Comics U.K , Valiant, Acclaim Comics, Malibu and Continuity with Neal Adams. His work can be seen in such titles at Green Lantern, Batman, Deadpool, X-Force, Spider-man, Gambit, Captain America, Booster Gold and many others!

Bill says: "I'm a 1982 graduate of the American Academy of Art in downtown Chicago. I have been a professional Comic Book Artist since 1981. Working for comic book companies such as, Noble Comics, First Comics, Marvel Comics, DC comics, and Dark Horse. Drawing characters The Justice Machine, The Badger, The Punisher, Silver Surfer, Batman, Magnus Robot Fighter and more.

The bulk of my comic work doing pencils was with the great writer Mike Baron. In 1993 we co-created a series called SPYKE that was originally published by Epic/Marvel. I've also done several pieces of art for the Upper Deck trading card game Marvel Vs. and a lot of sketch cards.

As a comic book inker, I've worked with other artists on Marvel Comics books such as the Earth X trilogy, The Punisher, The Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Wolverine and The Hulk. At DC Comics I've inked books with characters Batman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Fate, etc."

Stuart Sayger is a professional illustrator who works primarily in the comic book industry. Known for his moody and expressive style, Stuart often uses many mediums when creating his art. Along with inks, gouache, chalk and oil pastels are standard when creating comic book pages. He is the creator of SHIVER IN THE DARK, producing the comic independently from start to finish.

Comic artist Steve Scott's work can currently be seen on Batman Confidential, X-Men Forever series with writer Chris Claremont and a recent Green Lantern special project at DC Comics. Not to mention that Steve is also the ONLY artist tapped by DC Comics to do any work relating to Batman Forever, depicting the now legendary turn of Heath Ledger as The Joker. Steve's work is featured on the Blue-Ray disc release of the movie!

But then, Steve is no stranger to media tie-in's. His work has also often been seen on the television show Smallville and in other special projects for DC Comics. As well as doing some darn good likenessess for the recent "Indiana Jones - Tomb of the Gods, comic book series for Dark Horse to tie-in with the recent Harrison Ford movie! In fact, George Lucas liked Steve's work so much that he purchased most of the originals to keep for himself!

Beginning his comics career at Malibu Comics and his wildly popular stint on Razor for London Night, as well as New Warriors, Hourman, and JLA for Marvel and DC Comics--With a resume like that, one wouldn't think that up until recently, Steve led a dual life as firefighter by day and artist by night - for more than sixteen years, in fact! Even then, it took one horrible event to bring those two identities together. On September 11, 2001, he watched, with the rest of the nation as the Twin Towers fell. Soon afterwards, DC Comics published "The Worlds Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember." Steve was selected among the few to contribute to this historical collection, which was later exhibited, and is now archived, at the Library of Congress.

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina and his work as a firefighter in Biloxi during that catastrophe, Steve decided to pursue comic work full time, relocating to the renowned community of artists in Atlanta, Georgia. Immediately, Steve's work began to appear in the pages of Shadowpact, The Creeper with writer Steve Niles, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, and Checkmate. He got a particularly special kick out of bringing to life some of DC Comics strangest characters like Detective Chimp, Rex the Wonder Dog, Rag Man, The Phantom Stranger and many others.

Recent and current projects at Marvel Comics, and DC Comics include working with industry legends Louise Simonson and Chris Claremont on the titles Magik and Exiles, the Marvel Adventures line featuring Fantastic Four, Avengers, and the Hulk, work on She-Hulk, And a Kyle XY one shot for Disney/ABC with writer Jeff Parker. In other words, he's busy making comics, which is a good thing for his ever growing number of fans.

Recently returned from a signing tour in Belgium, France and the Netherlands, look for more of Steve's work in several secret projects to be announced soon, including the upcoming Ajax series.

Tim began his career working for a children's book company but also penciled scripts for Avatar Press on the side. He also worked for the independent publisher Dead Dog, on books such as Hellion and From Heaven to Hell.

In 2001, Seeley was hired as a staff artist for the publisher Devil's Due. He worked on several titles at DDP, including popular properties like G.I. Joe, Halloween and Forgotten Realms. As well as original works like Kore and most notably HACK/SLASH, which he later took to Image Comics.

Tim's work can also be seen in Exiles for Marvel and Wildcats for DC.

Uko Smith, a Washington, D.C. native now living in Columbus, Oh graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design with a degree in Illustration/ design and a minor in fashion. Uko is becoming known for his unique style for the erotic pinup and his sensual style of work. Collectors and admirers of his work have come to notice his distinctive use of line work and stylized realization. Always looking to make his work distinguished from others in the field, he blends his style of design and illustration into a very unique package that definitely separates it from others.

With the growing reputation of sketch cards, Uko has been a sought after artist of collectors and dealers of his sketch card work with current and previous sets of The Complete Avengers, DC Legacy, The Women of Marvel, Batman Archives, Indiana Jones Heritage and Indiana Jones 4. Uko has had the distinction of helping with the sold out efforts of DC Legacy (750) and The Women of Marvel (616) by illustrating the most of many sketch artists. Buyers are amazed that he can do so many cards and still put the kind of quality needed to garner after value markets, which is amazing in itself. He has also worked on sets involving Lucasfilm properties such as Indiana Jones and Star Wars.

After finishing both the pencils and inks on the graphic novel titled FX-The Lost Land, written by Wayne Osborne that was published by IDW in 2011. Uko is also doing creator owned properties of sequential and concept art while still doing freelancing works for other companies. Also, his commission works at conventions are being well sought after. He also teaches The Comic Book Illustration class and Continuing Education courses at The Columbus College of Art & Design in which he is very excited about in teaching the future generation.

Eric is best known as the creator of LACKLUSTER WORLD, a dark satire comic series about an albino man using vandalism and his job as a newspaper journalist to change the world at large before it changes him.

In 2006, he illustrated STUART, a short story penned by Chris Arrant which  ran in NEGATIVE BURN.  Eric is also a contributor to Newsarama.com, writing SEQUENTIAL SMARTS, a thorough series of articles about marketing comics from the perspective of a small press/self-publisher (currently on hiatus).

Eric is also a foolish man that tries to make a living by running a web/graphic design agency.

Kevin Adkins joined the Twilight Star Studios just as the studio was celebrating it's first anniversary and has become one of the most productive members. Kevin is a writer and artist and has had work in Tales From The 'Field (including the feature story in issue #4), Pandemonium Spotlight, Ron Fortier's Tales Of The Macabre, and Twilight Star Annual. He is also slated to be working on an upcoming issue of Twilight Star Team Up. Kevin is the creator of "The Crook" and "The Crook" is known to show up at shows that Kevin appears.

John Barker is the author of the critically acclaimed Arcana Studios graphic novel, The Dead Cell. Renowned for his deeply layered storytelling, John is also the author of an award winning series of essays on the philosophy of theology, and is a Doctor of Divinity. John has recently completed several other projects soon to be hitting stores nationwide, including The Dark and Avery Vernum and the Monsters on the Sun.

Patrick began his career as an Independent comic creator and writer in 2009 with his first title The Rev. He followed that with four books in the series and the one-shot Walk of Revelation. In 2011 he released his new title WRATH and his one-shot Return to Bluff Creek. Patrick has appeared and spoken at several conventions and comic shops including GEM CITY COMIC CON, CHAMPION CITY COMIC CON, BUCKEYE CON, Super Fly Comicc and many more. This year Patrick has teamed with veteran inker Marcus Rollie for there first project Liberty(Hells)Bell, which they proudly debut this year at GEM CITY.

First drawn to art by comic books, Todd dreamed of being a comic book artist. While still in high school, Todd self-published Eye of the Probe, a comic anthology. This dream led Todd from Canton, Ohio to The Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio. While in college, Todd wrote and illustrated Lost Souls, a graphic short story. Lost Souls was eventually published by Hunter Productions in Lyceum, a comic book anthology, and distributed nationally. As years passed, Todd’s interests evolved into fine art and graphic design. As a dedicated artist, he has been featured in venues throughout Ohio. On several occasions, he has contributed illustrations to accompany columnists such as Dave Barry and Click and Clack. In addition, Todd fulfills freelance design commissions as well as illustrate the weekly webcomic Yuri: The Awakening.

Rene Blansette is not a Louisville native, but has been living here since 1988. He attended the University of Louisville, where he joined the staff of the Louisville Cardinal, the school’s newspaper, where he did a total of three comic strips (but not at one time). He’s been active in the small press world, writing, drawing, and publishing Thief: The Adventures of John Argent since 1996. A new book is on the horizon. He’s also done strips and illustrations for a variety of other publications and with the release of Madame Machine’s 7” single, his first record cover. Lately he’s been expanding his horizons in the art world by getting into painting.

Tressina is a local self taught artist. You can see the majority of her work on her blog where she does everything from pencil portraits to adorable versions of your favorite comic book characters. You can also swing by to check out her new web comic called HATEINK where she explores life's everyday tantrums. And check out the podcast, Beaucoup Pop, where she's one fourth of the crew that brings you everything you need to know going on in the pop-culture world.

Ron Braun is an accomplished cartoonist and humorous illustrator whose creative repertoire includes the comic strips Rock Talk, Life As We Know It, Hello Cruel World and Toon It Up, among others. His comics and cartoons have appeared in local, national and even international publications. He has released several books as well. The most recent, My Best Friend is an Idiot!, has ranked as high as third on Lulu’s Top 100 Bestselling Comics & Graphic Novels list. Ron is also the co-founder of the Indy Webcomics Group, an active community of comic artists and writers in the Indianapolis area.

Currently on the drawing board is Ron’s first graphic novel, Once Upon A Platypus, an all-ages tale about a young girl whose discovery of a talking platypus plunges her into a wild and dangerous adventure. As a companion project, he is creating a series of illustrations featuring the story’s co-star, a pudgy platypus named Dakk Waggitt, assuming the identities of various superheroes and movie icons.

Ron resides In Brownsburg, Indiana, with his wife and two children

Dustin Carson is best known for his six-issue, limited-series entitled NO GODS which tells the story of Shepherd: a fourteen-year-old boy who thinks he is a clone of Jesus Christ sent to destroy the Earth’s superheroes. Dustin has also had short stories appear in Trailer Park of Terror and Fetter’s Run Literary Review.

Dustin’s short stories Burn Victim and Mouthful of Spiders will appear in Wicked Tales (Wild Wolf Entertainment) and Safe House: The First Adventures of Henry Hardin will appear in Cliffhangers (Studio Akumakaze).

Lee Cherolis is the artist for the all-ages online graphic novel Little Guardians and has been publishing comic strips online since 2005. Lee organizes Indianapolis’ local comic artist meetup, the Indy Webcomics Group and maintains the group’s comic art blog. In 2010, the Indy Webcomics Group self-published a comic anthology edited and produced by Lee, as well as featuring two of his own original short stories. Lee is currently living in a bio-sphere habitat in Indianapolis with his wife, artist Samantha Kyle and their 2.5 cats.

Ed Cho writes the all-ages online graphic novel Little Guardians. From 2007 to 2011, Ed created a webcomic inspired by his cats at www.alandscout.com. Ed is currently updating his new comic called Scented Deoderant, is an active member in IWG (Indy Webcomics Group), and was featured in their 2010 anthology entitled: Welcome to Indiana with his story, Skeletons in the Elevator. He currently resides in Fishers, Indiana where he lives with his wife and newly born daughter.

Edward says, "I am a Louisville based artist who specializes in pen and ink. I am currently working on starting a company and publishing a graphic novel for 2012. My work focuses on mythology, philosophy, and the martial arts. I’ve studied a lot of film and film storyboarding in perfecting my storytelling abilities for comics. I have loved comics since I was a teenager and I once considered pursuing a career in illustration after college. However, I realized how difficult a living it could be. Thus, I spent the last ten years doing work in various fields while working on my hobby in my spare time. After years of revisions, I am finally ready to do this. To me there is not a more fun reading genre than comics."

Gary Church helped form Twilight Star Studios in the fall of 2009. An artist and writer who has had work in several Twilight Star books including Tales From The 'Field #1-4 (the only studio member to appear in all four issues of the series). Gary is considered the main artist of the studio as he has been tied to the feature story of Tales From The 'Field several times in the past and will have more than one story in issue #5 of the series including the feature story once again. He is creator, writer and artist of "G-Code" which appears regularly in that series. He has also worked on The Un-Naturals Source Book, which he did interior and cover art, Twilight Star Annual, and is the artist for the upcoming "WTF" series written by Frank Raynor.

A Cleveland, Ohio native, Sterling Clark has been a professional comic creator, writer and artist since 1991. That’s when his unique creation, The Renegade, was published by Rip-Off Press.

This prolific creator’s work includes two graphic novels featuring his supernatural adventurer Omar Lennyx, and the award-winning Tales From The Motherland, a graphic novel based on African folktales and mythology.

Expanding on a story from Tales From the Motherland, Sterling developed a comic strip centered around the female warrior Ntombinde (pronounced “in-tum-BEN-dee”). In 2009, the strip debuted in a major national test market, Fort Wayne, Ind., in INK, a bi-weekly community newspaper.

With imaginative stories, exciting art and vivid coloring, Ntombinde is popular with readers of all ages across all demographic groups.

Chase Collins is the everything artist. A highly skilled (self taught) illustrator, Chase has the unique ability to take an idea from concept to finished professional grade peice before deadline. When he's not designing mens sportswear for Vincent Jones clothing, or eyepopping logos for the Kentucky Derby Festival he's splashing amazing color across comic book pages. Does this guy ever sleep?

Victor Dandridge is a creator from Columbus, OH, where he self-publishes thru his imprint, Vantage:Inhouse Productions. A longtime fan of creative expression, he seeks to use his talents to encourage new generations of creative emoters, whether they favor the visual arts or the literary.

Victor is also the creator of The U Cre-8 Comics line, an innovative approach to combining comics and the classroom. With a mix of both literary and visual arts instruction, the U Cre-8 line builds an appreciation for creative expression as well as an interest in reading. The Character Crafter Workbook has students use an application process to make their own comic creations from the ground up, much in the same characters are created in the comic book industry.

Published illustrator Christopher Dunn will be making his first appearance at Derby City Comic Con. Chris always had a passion for drawing and art while growing up. Chris attended Herron School of Fine Art, and graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. He has worked on projects for Riley’s Children Hospital, Indiana University and the independent role playing game The Legacy of Heroes. Chris currently resides in Indianapolis and is working as a freelance artist/illustrator.

Kurt has always had a passion for art. Combining that with his interest of science fiction and fantasy, his work involves expressing related themes in a fine art format, contributing a new angle on the subject beloved by many. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, his influences include both classic and contemporary, ranging from the works of NC Wyeth, Jeffrey Jones, Howard Pyle, Phil Hale, Ashley Wood, Egon Schiele, and more. Kurt's work is in many private collections throughout the United States.

Annie Erskine is the owner and founder of Happy Doodle Studio LLC and Ionic Comics. She is a comic artist, illustrator, graphic designer, cartoonist, and general Jill of all trades. She’s been drawing since she could hold a pencil and has an utter passion for cartoons and comics! From 2007 to 2010 she was the cartoonist for Western Kentucky University’s newspaper, the College Heights Herald. In 2011, she moved to Atlanta, GA after having been chosen for Cartoon Network’s internship program. She stayed there working for Cartoon Network until August of 2011. After it ended, Cartoon Network continued to work with her, hiring her as a professional freelance graphic designer and illustrator.

Erskine is currently working on her first comic book project, Magia High, with her partner in crime, Tabatha Hoffer (an amazing writer!). This story follows 15 year old Megan Michaels as she wakes up one day to discover that she has wings and a halo! Turns out her father failed to mention that he’s an angel. To ensure her safety as she begins to learn more about her powers, her father enrolls her into the magical school, Magia High. Unlike most schools of the magical realm in today’s popular media, Magia High does not discriminate toward non-humans. Megan quickly learns she could be taking Pre-Calculus with a centaur and a garden gnome while a minotaur gets sent to the principal’s office for texting in class. This is no ordinary high school! Thankfully, she befriends a brash and tough troll named Tori, and a scrawny yet powerful wizard named Bernard. The three form a bond as Megan discovers that her powers are being sought after by dark forces…

Mike grew up in Columbus, Ohio during the '80s, and never quite escaped either one. Growing up surrounded by video games and comic books, his view of the world consisted of tiny squares coming together to form images, and his work reflects this love of the pixelated view. His current obsession is remaking images from pop culture in pixel form. "Working very closely to a piece with tweezers and a bright light, it only looks like a random collection of colors, but stepping away and giving it a different perspective, the image comes to life."

Borrowing images from such varied sources as Van Gogh, Lichtenstein, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, he can be found most evenings hunched over a few thousand beads with '80s New Wave playing in the background, slowly recreating real life in pixelated form, one teeny bead at a time.

Nationally published author and commercial artist Anthony Farrar makes his first appearance at the Derby City Comic Con. Anthony, more so "Tony" feels blessed that he has been able to do commissioned artwork for Walmart Stores Inc. Also, Tony was able to contribute to the ongoing success of local theatre group I2T with his penchant for writing. More recently he has stepped out mixing his eye for commerical endeavor with his love of comic and fantasy art genres. His interests include gaming, drawing, dancing, and singing. He is a Scorpio. He is also the King of France. (Legal note: That last statement is currently being contested.)

Chris Faulkner is a freelance writer who's looking to share his stories with the world primarily through his favored medium...comics. Chris is currently living in Summerfield, Flordia but was born and rasied in Winchester, KY. His first comic book, Souled, is a five issue mini-series from small press publisher Cosmic Times. There are many stories in the works so look forward to seeing some more of his projects soon.

Jaimie C. Filer wanted to grow up, and be a Himalayan Yeti. To his dismay, that dream never came true. So in his pain, he picked up a pen, and began to draw.His art has been in national magazines, books, and private collections as far as Germany. He has drawn promotional work for a multitude of bands, and created murals for night clubs. He's painted toy ponies for ex-girlfriends, and drawn sharks for little kids. Art is his life, and he's fine with that. But still, on soft quiet nights. he can hear the deep bellow, of the sweet Yetis call.

Sam Flegal has been fascinated by the strange and the macabre from a very young age. Fortunately for his budding morbid creativity, he was raised in a household that encouraged his interest in all things weird—Sam’s father was a magician and his mother a ventriloquist and clown.

In December 2003 Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, released out into the world to pursue his own strange art. Since that time Sam has vigorously summoned the dark creatures of his mind to make the unreal, tangible and the imagined, concrete.

As an illustrator for both book covers and games, Sam specializes in painting strange scenes of epic fantasy and graphic horror. He describes his art as “stylized realism,” portraying fantastical things in a comic book- like graphic manner, but with an eye towards real life. Sam’s preferred medium is oil paint.

Sam also uses his strange imagination to help others realize their dreams of undeath through the power of Zombie Portraits. Like a caricature from a dark carnival, Sam takes the living and brings out their inner dead.

If you are interested in having a Zombie Portrait done of you or a loved one, or if you are interested in hiring Sam Flegal as an illustrator, contact him atsam@samflegal.com

Sean Forney is a professional illustrator/comic book artist currently working on coloring for Grimm Fairy Tales (Zenescope) and penciling The Surface (Arcana). He recently completed color work on My Adventures with Spider-Man by Marvel and Identity Direct. His pinup work can be seen in Moonstone’s Voltron: United and Drawn, Image’s Hack Slash: My First Maniac, Approbation’s Chaos Campus and DC’s Transmetropolitan Art Book. Sean has published work in the Panels on Pages 2012 and 2011 Fangirl of the Month Calendar and the Big Dog Ink Pinpoint 2011 Calendar. He created Star Wars promotional material including the official t-shirt and patch design for LucasFilm/Disney/Blue Planet Gear for the 2009 and 2010 Star Wars Weekends at Disney Hollywood Studios. His past work includes The Artifact Group coloring Bakugan illustrations for the national toy line and is currently working on the upcoming cover for the Kaiju Kaos RPG. Sean co-created and illustrated Scarlet Huntress #1, Scarlet Huntress #2, Scarlet’s Guide to Cryptids, and a children’s book tie-in called Little Red Riding Hood: Origins of a Huntress. Sean’s early work was for Twisted Gate Entertainment including two short Scarlet Huntress stories for the anthology books The Portal #1 and #2, and covers for various titles. He has worked for various comic book companies including Sundragon Comics, Funky Ninja Comics, Stormchaser Comics, Camp Comics, Paper Dragon Ink, Fusion Studios, and more.

Daniel began his love for comics at an early age when his parents set him on the road to ruin with a subscription to Spidey Super Stories. Daniel began drawing comics in fourth grade with his best friends and continued to do so up until he discovered a love for film making during his senior year. Daniel attended Northern Kentucky University to study communications and after graduating directed a feature-length film entitled Avenging Disco Vampires and started his own video production company.

But even with all his interest in the film world, Daniel couldn't stay away from comics for long. In 2003, Daniel began drawing sketches of his niece and nephew as superheroes. This would be the start of his all-ages comic book series The Adventures of Nightclaw & Prowler. Daniel published the first issue in the winter of 2007 and has continued the pre-teen superheroes' adventures ever since. Joining forces with his old friend Todd Goodman, Daniel moved The Adventures of Nightclaw & Prowler under Todd's company banner of Old World Comics, continuing his childhood tradition of working with close friends.

Daniel has extended his love of the graphic art form by becoming a member of the Louisville Cartoonist Society and writing a column entitled "Thought Balloons" for ComicHeroNews.com. Daniel is happily married and a father of two.

For more than twenty years Rodney has dabbled in the comics industry. From being a co-creator and writer in the 90’s of the independent superhero team Superior Seven to being art director and talent coordinator for various, now defunct companies. Rodney brings his vast array of experience to his newest venture, Hazzum Productions, which he co-founded with Tina McElhinney in 2010.

Hazzum Productions first venture finds us experiencing the world through the eyes of a trio of rambunctious, knucklehead kids known as Peanut, Puddin’ n’ Jelly. Rodney is writing, inking and coloring this book in its entirety. This jaunt in childhood tomfoolery is rooted in the real life experiences of him and his siblings growing up in the 70’s. Laughter, teamwork and perseverance are the underlying theme in these tales presented for all to enjoy, young and old alike. Check them out online @ www.peanutpuddinnjelly.com

Rodney is also working on Hazzum’s first webcomic Hard & Soft Taco which is set to launch in Spring 2011. Previews of these two crazy professional wrestlers are seen in PPnJ Issue 1 and 2.

Kevlen Goodner serves as Art director, and founding member of EUREKA! Comic Labs. A skilled illustrator with more than a decade in the comic book industry Kevlen continues to perfect his craft on titles like MR. NOBODY, and FURY BROS. LEGENDS.

Daniel P. Gorman is a trained Medical Illustrator from Kent, Oh. In 2006 Dan decided to pursue his true passion which is Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror/Comic Book Illustration. Dan’s 2011 Original Sketch Card credits Include most notably, Marvel Comics/Upperdeck sets THOR, Marvel Beginnings Series 1, Captain America: The First Avenger and Avengers: Kree/Skrull War. For Cryptozoic Entertainment Dan worked on CBLDF: Liberty Comics and AMCs The Walking Dead. For Breygent Marketing, credits include Vampirella and Alex Ross: Project Superpowers. In 2012 Dan continues to work on Sketch Card projects which include Marvel Beginnings Series 2 and Avengers: The Movie Trading Card sets by The Upperdeck Co., Red Sonja And Vampirella Series 2 by Breygent Marketing, Tarzan 100th Anniversary by Cryptozoic Entertainment as well as a few others. 2012 marks Dan’s debut as a Comic Book Penciler on FemForce by AC Comics when FemForce #158 hits shelves in February 2012. Stop by his table and say hi.

Randolph "Randy" Gray is a freelance cartoonist and designer hailing from Louisville, Ky. After graduating with a degree in graphic design from the University of Kentucky he came back to Louisville and decided to start a bi-weekly web comic called Lil Dude about a boy and his music DJ dog, Rooney, which ran for two years. In 2009 he was asked to speak during black history month at a local elementary school about the art of cartooning and the role of African Americans in the medium. This inspired him to write and draw the comic "Lil Dude and Rooney Explore Black History". The book is now in two elementary school libraries in Louisville, KY. Other books in the children’s comic series have followed such as “The Meaning of Christmas,” and “The Lost Sheep” blending humor, adventure and touching on morals and education.

He has created a web comic for the Alcohol Education program at UK, and illustrated a coloring book for Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. Randy is always looking to grow as a creator and explore new projects and mediums.

Sam Greenwell has spent a vast majority of his forty some odd years in the state of Kentucky. Whether this was by choice or providence, he won’t admit. Sam has been working in the toy and collectible industry for the past 16 years. He is highly skilled in his craft, and is entirely self-taught. He holds degrees in Russian and Law, neither of which has contributed anything to his sculpting life (except that now he knows A LOT of lawyers). He has sculpted as long as he has had the ability to walk and nothing makes him happier than finding a new challenge in his art. He has worked for nearly every company in the comic industry that makes toys or collectible statues (or busts or snowglobes, or bobbleheads, or . . .).

Currently he is putting the majority of his time into work for DC Direct and Diamond Select Toys, and loving every minute of it. In his free time, of which there is very little, he is trying to make a name for himself as a fine artist. His fine art pieces are currently showing at Art on Main in Georgetown, Kentucky. He can draw and sculpt anything in any scale and in (nearly) every medium that he can imagine. After years of resistance, he is even finally being shoved into the 21st century and learning to sculpt digitally in Zbrush. All of this he does in his Kentucky home where he lives with his wife, two kids, one dog and five cats.

Matt is the writer and illustrator of The Troll and the Giant, the tale of an Internet troll who takes on the Hollywood giant responsible for slaying his favorite hero on the big screen.

Matt is also the creator of the CAAATS! webcomic, which chronicles the tales of Olive and Hazel and their bizarre love/hate relationship. Pages update every Wednesday.

In his own words: "I have been drawing for longer than I can remember and drew my first comics when I was seven or eight years old. Since 2009, I have been writing, drawing, and publishing my own books, including two coloring books, Mothman, Aliens, and Flying Saucers and Monsters and Aliens of America. My comic book titles so far include Lucky Girl and Five Star Comics, a collaboration. By the time the Derby City Comic Con rolls around, I will have more books in print.

Brett Hatfield is a comic book and children's book author and artist from Lexington, KY. He does sketch cards of famous comic book characters in children's book form. He is currently working on his first comic book titled "Mimics." Brett started drawing and writing his own comics when he was 7 years old. He continued his love of drawing his entire childhood and has recently graduated from the University of Kentucky school of fine arts. His future plans include publishing his own comic book and children book.

Andrew Heath is a graphic designer and illustrator from Lexington, Kentucky. Focusing in minimalism and modernism, Andrew draws from popular culture to produce artwork that appeals to a wide range of audiences. While primarily dealing with digital illustration, Andrew has also done design work for several Fortune 500 companies and some big name bands.

The seemingly immortal Adam Hicks was born in the late 1800s in India where, as an infant, he was separated from his parents on a jungle safari and was raised by a pack of wolves. Growing up his friends were animals. Specifically a panther and a bear. After numerous jungle-based adventures such as a being kidnapped by monkeys and fighting a tiger it was decided he should be returned to the "man village". He was taken to the United States by his adoptive family where he was raised in the great state of Indiana. He still lives there to this day where he is currently a freelance artist working on private commissions, murals, and trying to break into the comics industry.

Lindsey "harper" Hicks is an artist of many talents. She currently works in Southern Indiana as a tattoo artist at Ageless Art Tattoo & Piercing Studio. When not in the studio, she can be found working on murals, private commissions, or honing her skills at her family's weekly "Drink & Draw" session.

Terry Huddleston is a pencil artist, inker and color artist for Big Bang Comics. He also is the current artist on the upcoming Marvel Upper Deck Avengers movie trading cards.

Terry has one of America's largest selections of nostalgic pin-up art that hearkens back to the late 70's and early 80's with a new school twist.

Douglas Hufford is a professional writer who works primarily in the comic book industry. Doug was born and raised in the Central Ohio area under British parents and often incorporates European sensibilities into his writing. He was first published in the 5th grade, and most notoriously wrote movie reviews for the now defunct Bumscorner.com. Currently Doug is writing the webcomic sensation Yuri: The Awakening, with artist Todd Beistel.

Bruce O. Hughes has been self publishing web & print comics for over a decade. He decided to attend the School of Advertising Art in Kettering, Ohio, to add design elements to his work. Bruce's career took an unexpected turn from there when he received a job drawing storyboards & building animated graphics for ABC & FOX affiliate stations. He also does design & animation work for Mandalay Entertainment and their numerous sports teams. In between working full time to pay the bills, Bruce found time to do album covers for numerous Ohio based bands such as "Comascape", "Upstate" & "Dishwater Psychics". Two of which led to directing music videos. Once in the video industry Bruce turned his storytelling aspirations toward film. He has directed three short films two of which won the "Atom Films Best Web Premiere 2003" & another the "Brokenlamp Film Festival Best in Show 2008". No matter what creative outlet Bruce finds himself in his passion for comics & illustration always return. It is his hope one day to stop receiving rejection letters & start getting paid to write and/or draw comic books! After many projects with a wide variety of co-writers, co-artists & etc. Bruce decided to work alone on a book showcasing his storytelling ability and artistic talent. He is currently finishing his first original, solo graphics novel "Clobber Vance: Sinking Ships". Check out his comic related work as well as his podcast documenting his struggle to break-in to comics at www.bruceohughes.com

Knifley is the writer/artist of Haunted, an intrigue-filled story about the dangers of obsession. There’s a bit of comedy in there, too.

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ryan King is an illustrator, dad, husband, and overall swell guy. When he isn’t procrastinating, he is co-writing the Stale Popcorn webcomic and co-hosting The Incredible Hulkcast, Ultra Friends GO! and The Trip podcasts. Currently, Ryan is drawing his first comic book story called "Resident Aliens" which will be featured in the upcoming Strange Places anthology, which he hopes will be the first of many to come. Perhaps Ryan's biggest (and most dubious) achievement to date was co-creating the viral video "Hey Ya, Charlie Brown." The things that make Ryan smile include the Muppets, the Hulk, his family, and peanut butter.

When he isn't engrossed with the TV show, comic series, movie, book, or game he is currently enjoying, Jason Knopp can be found in his office, drawing pictures of the TV show, comic series, movie, book, or game he is currently enjoying. A legitimate graphic artist (He has a degree! That's bonafide!), Jason strives to share his artwork and the fan experience with others.

Chad Lambert is a five-time Howard E. Day Memorial Award finalist and two-time Champion City Award nominee for his work in small press comics. Writing credits include Kung Fu Panda and Megamind from Ape Comics, as well as a biography of Saturday Night Live from Bluewater Comics.

Kevin Leen began freelance illustration several years ago. His work has appeared in independent comics, fantasy game publications and collectable card games. He regularly attends comic book conventions across the Midwest. Kevin has produced several original sketch cards for Breygent Marketing’s Golden Age Heroes and Villains and Classic Horror and Sci Fi Movie Posters card sets as well as Chakan: the Hundred Candles: Day of the Dragon, currently available through RAK Graphics.com. His upcoming projects include Issue 4 of Boomtown Scabs and Fantastic Storytime, in collaboration with Brett Pinson.

Billy Littlepage is a cartoonist and contributor to a depression era reader an online and print comics anthology.

The Louisville Cartoonist Society exists to promote and encourage the creation of original comics by local artists of all ages. We publish our work together, show our art all over town, run a weekly comics spotlight in the local newspaper the LEO, and meet regularly to draw and share ideas.

Artist Nate Lovett is best known for his highly animated work on Xombie:Reanimated, but since then he's done a variety of work, from colors (Hack/Slash, Double Feature) to concept/package art for companies like Hasbro and more. Most recently he's completed Gear Monkey with Aubrey Sitterson for Double Feature, as well as the start of it's own web comic. Currently he is working on pencils for Redakai for Viz with Wright Height Media.

Chris and Ginger Ludden are independent comic creators from Indianapolis and active members of the Indy Webcomics Group. Their online action/comedy, The Brothers Grant, follows the adventures of Sam and Kevin in the midwestern city of Harrison. You should read it on your lunch break.

Paul has been a working artist since 1977 but has wanted to draw comics since he was 12. He's worked in book and magazine illustration, screen printing, production art for a couple of films and corporate presentation art. Now after a 33 year career in just about everything BUT comics he's doing his first sequential graphic story work with Dave Williams on League of Analogues.

Inspired by classic film and literature, Jason began writing scripts as a teenager. He founded Ivory Tower Images in 2001 and quickly began producing his own short films. Jason has served as technical advisor, and director on several indie projects. In 2006 he founded Atlantean Filmworks as a means of connecting other aspiring talent. Today Jason serves as head writer, and Editor-in-chief for EUREKA! Comic Labs.

Mike Maydak was the illustrator of a run on the comic book series Blackbeard Legacy and is the creator of his own book 1782: The Year of Blood. Mike currently works painting fine art while always keeping an eye towards developing future comic book projects.

Michael is freelance illustrator from northeastern Kentucky, currently living in Portsmouth, OH. Mostly self-taught and having already provided illustrations for a string of small-press children's books, he earned a BFA in Visual Design in 2008, at which time he began developing the story for Bonnie Lass, with the aide of co-writer Tyler Fluharty. After many revisions and even an old fashioned "back-to-square-one," Bonnie Lass: The Legend was picked up by Red 5 Comics as the flagship title in their new "digital-first" line. The piratical mini-series is currently available through digital comics vendors ComiXology and iVerse and just completed its print run in December 2011. Work on a volume two has begun and should help keep Michael busy for the early part of 2012.

Other work from Michael includes illustration of the Bryan Burke authored comics Possessed and For My Own Good; Massively Effective from the writers at Atomic Rex Studios; VSS vs. Gearz from Bluewater; and various other pinups and upcoming one-shots. He will also be contributing to Rusty Gilligan's up-and-coming Mac & Trouble series in a few capacities.

Michael spends his free time worrying about expenses and the deadlines he's supposed to be taking a break from, though he'd much prefer to simply enjoy good company, movies, games and comics. Karaoke on Friday nights fits into the mix occasionally.

Ren McKinzie, from Virginia but residing in Ohio, has been illustrating books for hire since before 2006 and producing professional illustrations since leaving CCAD. Staying in the indy market for now and having a few books published, he stays hungry by staying humble and cranking out quality work.

Kenn Minter has been producing illustrations and comics professionally for 20 plus years. His illustrations and comics have appeared in numerous weekly and monthly publications across the states. His weekly comic strip, "I'm not from here" appears on the Web site Comic Related every Friday. Currently, Kenn publishes his comics under the imprint, Near Mint Press Books. So far, he has published his books, I'm Not From Here, The Experts and Super World. Kenn lives and works in Lexington, Kentucky

Joseph Morris is the Owner and Operator of TORC Press, a Small Press Comix Publisher based out of the Middle of Nowhere in Illinois. His massive library of comixworx include The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club, Cosmic Love, Walt n' Sped Comix, SDF, and Monster King. He also creates crudely animated videos for the World's Greatest One Man Death Jazz Band, The Dr. Orphyus Project. He loves Comics and Tacos.

Mutant Cactus started in 2009. Fueled by a passion for pop culture and an undying love for all things comic book and cartoon related (especially the stuff from the 80's). With unique designs and a flair for fun, Mutant Cactus comes to you with awesome hand made buttons, magnets, key chains, ear rings and hair clips. It is MC's plan to make the word "radical," once again, part of your daily vernacular.

Bio coming soon!

Bill Nichols is a comic book inker, writer and editor who has done work for Knight Press, Caliber, IDW, among others. Talking about the creative process and helping others to realize their own projects is part of who he is, which comes in handy as the editor of Sketch Magazine. For those one-on-one encouragements and portfolio reviews, he is the Comics Mentor. He is the writer and co-creator of the webcomic Arteest. He’s also co-publisher of SkyStorm Studios with Robert W. Hickey and edits the webcomic strips Clay’s Way as well as Chris Noeth’s Maya. He’s also a columnist for the Comic Related website.

Peter has been an inker in the comic book industry since 1991 and has worked at DC, Marvel, Image, Valiant and many, many indy publishers! Currently inking his own character Retro, H-Town published by Integrity Comics and Smashing & Fighting World by Jacob Ketron. Retro will have his own ongoing comic starting this year, which he is doing with Richard Fuscia and Volker Siebeneich. Web comics he is doing include Neon Eden with Richard Caldwell, Squares that Touch written by Alan Green (Abbadessa), and Bright Eyes.

Ronda Pattison is an Eisner and Shuster Award nominated comic colorist who's current titles include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Godzilla, Atomic Robo, and Next Men. In her 15 year career she has worked for DC, Marvel, Image, IDW, Dark Horse, Red5, and others. You can see her work in Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dark Times, Indiana Jones, Angel, Girl Comics, Wolverine, Jurassic Park, Dark Sun, and many, many other titles.

Ronda is also one half of RSquared Studios, with creative partner Brian Roe. They are currently in production on two self published titles: Zombie Plague, a comic and board game, and Yva, a science fiction action/adventure series. World domination is next on the list.

Brett is the owner of Boomtown Press. Brett’s credits include: Boomtown Scabs, The Adventures of Carl, Fat Momma from SYFY Channels' Who wants to be a Superhero, The Expendables (written and created by Brett; illustrated by Adam Talley of www.idiothead.com), Socrates Popadopolis, Western Outlaw. Brett is currently collaborating with Kevin Leen of Leenink.com on Zombies Dinosaurs and Flying Saucers.

Linda Lessmann Reinhold has worked in and around the comic book business for many years. Having graduated BFA from Stephens College, Columbia, MO, in 1970, she moved to NY and worked in the Marvel Comics offices in the early 1970's as staff colorist. She then partnered with Barry Windsor-Smith to form The Gorblimey Press in 1974 and from 1976-79 worked in "The Studio" with Windsor-Smith, Jones, Wrightson and Kaluta. In 1984 Linda moved back to the midwest and went to work for First Comics, as colorist on American Flagg, Grimjack, The Badger, Corum and more. Later, with husband Bill Reinhold, she returned to working for Marvel on Punisher, Barbie and graphic novels, and Silver Surfer, and has since worked with Bill on many comic book projects.

Scott D.M. Simmons is a freelance comic book and sketch card illustrator, known for his artwork for Star Wars licensees, the Arcana graphic novel The Dead Cell, indie comics like Our Super Mom, Halloween Man, and Hero Chronicles, as well as his creator-owned series Knights of P.O.W.E.R. His inking work has appeared in Image Comics' Hack/Slash collected volumes and in various Halloween Man stories. His sketch card artwork has appeared in officially licensed sets for Star Wars, Dynamo 5, Zombies Versus Cheerleaders, Sheena, Golden Age of Comics, and more, with base card art also done for a few sets. He has contributed art for Moonstone's Voltron: United and Drawn, New Comic Day, and Mr. Jigsaw. Other credits include Wannabez, Jenny Everywhere, Mute, Global Comic Jam, as well as various CDs, magazines, and educational books. Scott and his wife live in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

Dubbed "One of the 15 sickest artists in America" by Girls and Corpses Magazine, Dick Starr has embedded himself nicely into the horror community. Add to his bloody drawings a twisted sense of humor, and you'll understand why his early art got sent home by teachers on a regular basis. Since 2004, Dick's work has been featured in numerous galleries, horror/tattoo magazines, books, album covers, and comics around the world. In late 2006, Dick began picking off famous idiots with "The Celebrity Death Poll"...a rotating list of awful celebrities up for an artistic execution. In less than 1 year, The Celebrity Death Poll became a regular feature in almost every issue of Girls and Corpses Magazine since. Currently, Mr. Starr's resume boasts clients from UFC, Full Tilt Poker, and Suicide Girls, to the legendary producer/director Charles Band. If you aren't already familiar with Dick Starr's nightmarish creations...you will be. Consider yourself warned.

Scott Story is a freelance illustrator who lives in the Midwestern USA. He has been involved in the comic industry for over a decade and a half, and has drawn comics for numerous publishers, including Image, Amp, Arrow, Digital Webbing, Spinner Rack Comics, and many others. As a cartoonist, Scott co-writes, pencils, inks, colors, and occasionally letters. Benita and Scott publish “Johnny Saturn” under their Story Studios imprint.

Chad Strohl is the creator and writer of the Did Somebody Call For A Hero series....the very first books to be released through the Twilight Star Studios. Chad has had a hand in almost every Twilight Star book the last year or so as he also draws, letters, and colors. Besides the Hero series Chad has worked on several issues of Pandemonium Spotlight, The Un-Naturals Source Book, Tales From The 'Field and Prodigy. Chad is the writer for the first novel released through the studio....which features his character Hero Montgomery from the Hero books.

Rusty Shackles is a comic/web artist who co-created with Chris Sims the Great Comics That Never Happened feature for Comicsalliance.com, and illustrator of the original 17. He has had works published by Antarctic Press, Beta 3 comics, Action Age Comics and Oni Press. Currently he is working on a webcomic with Sven Straatveit, assorted novel artwork for Brandon Mendelson, as well as CD and show poster art for Adam Warrock and other musicians. He lives in Dayton, Ohio with his wife The Vizz. His art gallery is available at tabletopfetus.com. He is on twitter under the user name @rusty_shackles

In his own words: " I am just a 22 year old Louisville native, an artist, and a comic book and game nerd. I typically paint with watercolors and inks, and I believe art should be fun and approachable. I am ecstatic to be a part of Derby City Comic Con. It's gonna be awesome."

Gavin Smith is a freelance artist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a 2011 graduate of the Kubert school.

His past work includes a story in the Millar-World anthology “A Fistful of Comics”, cover art for "The Sound" Magazine, and has done album and merchandise artwork for independent record labels: Hewhocorruptsinc., Flannelgraph Records, Glory Hole Records, and Crossroads of America. He also did the artwork for the independent superhero movie, "VS".

He is currently working on a comic project with Zane and Brea Grant entitled “Dead City Kids”, and recently wrapped up the first issue of his creator owned comic "Human City".

Jamie Snell studied illustration and graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design. Jamie has been working on and off as a freelance illustrator for over 10 + years. Some of his credits include: Various sketch card sets from Topps (Star Wars: CW Movie and Seasons 1&2, Galaxy 4&5, ESB Widescreen, Terminator Salvation, Heroes Season 2, Indiana Jones Masterpieces & Crystal Skull, Lord of the Rings Masterpieces 2), 5finity's Voltron sketch cards, various pencils and inks on profiles for Beastwars Source book (IDW), Popgun Anthology Vol.1 (Image)

In 2010 Jamie had the privilege of producing two exclusive Star Wars posters for Lucas Films, Ltd, and Acme Archives: Celebrations V (Official Star Wars Convention) official print and the 30th Anniversary of Empire Strikes Back here (release date: 10/10).

Dean is a Michigan native who has lived his life in pursuit of 2 things: a comic book art career and the WWE Heavyweight title. He has worked on Layer Zero: Choices, The Sleepless Phoenix Project, the CGS User Forum Anthology and 2Dark. He's the artist and author of Headlocks and Headaches, a webcomic based on '80's era pro wrestling.

Jenny M. Stead, is a self taught artist from London, KY who’s been drawing since age 4. Her signature character, Ally, from her comic Ninja’d, is based on her, and has been since age 16 when Ally was created for her High School Senior Project. Jenny loves to write and draw and is currently working on her second comic, Secret of the Reibai, hopefully coming out some time in the future. She’s currently taken on freelance work of all kinds as both a sketch card artist and a character concept designer. Jenny is both published with Facebook and Pink Floyd and has had her work in independent film in the past. On the side, she’s an aunt of the two cutest and greatest nieces in the whole world, a sister, a daughter, and a best friend to many people both in her home life and web life. Jenny is known to be random, eccentric, blunt, and dangerous on caffeine. Oddly enough she’s rarely moody like her cartoon counterpart, but more like her other character, Ted, in personality.

Born in the swamps of Southern New Jersey, Pab Sungenis developed a childhood fascination with cartooning and drew a daily strip for his own amusement for two years before realizing he couldn't draw. He wound up in broadcasting, working for numerous stations including WSBU, WOND, WMGM, WSKR, WBNJ, WWBZ, and WKTU.

The self-described "World's Worst Sketch Artist," he likens his drawing ability to that of "a mentally challenged rhinoceros on a Ny-Quil bender" but thanks to the wonders of photo-manipulation and computer image editing on February 8, 2006 he found himself creating The New Adventures of Queen Victoria, which is syndicated daily by Universal Uclick.

His new young adult novel, The Sidekick, will be published by Month 9 Books in March, 2013.

With humble beginnings in rural KY, award winning artist Billy Tackett freelanced tirelessly for 12 years to receive international recognition as an accomplished artist and illustrator. His numerous works include fine art paintings, portraits, and various other commercial illustrations. His work has been seen on National Geographic Channel and showcased in publications such as Horrorhound Magazine and ImagineFX and his client list includes authors Shane Moore, Curt Siodmak, Richard Lupoff and Jonathan Maberry, pro wrestler Jerry Lynn and death-rap musician Necro.

After publishing over 200 book covers he created his signature piece, Zombie Sam, which gave birth to his Dead White & Blue series and has amassed a loyal fan base that transcends all genres and stereotypes.

In addition to creating art in his studio he also attends over 20 events per year, most by invitation as Artist Guest of Honor, and has launched a line of apparel and merchandise featuring his art. His art book, For The Love Of Monsters, is out now and his graphic novel, Dead White & Blue Comics, is scheduled for release later in 2011.

Matt Triano was born in the latter half of the Twentieth Century, and is still living. He has written and drawn comics for collections and anthologies by publishers like Moonstone, DC and Atomic Press. His work can be seen in works for Robin Hood Charities in New York, Moonstone, Zenescope and Marvel Trading cards, among much more. As well as his creator owned projects.

Dean Trippe is a freelance writer and illustrator from North Georgia. He is best known as the artist and co-creator, alongside writer J. Torres, of the Oni Press kids book series, Power Lunch, as the writer and illustrator of the all-ages superhero parody webcomic, Butterfly, and as the co-founder and co-editor of Project: Rooftop.

Damion Waldbrunn is an artist and graphic designer based in Louisville, KY. He has created for ABC TELEVISION on "The LOST Experience" ARG , Creating art and co-writing the story for the RED DWARF webcomic "Prelude to Nanarchy" for GRANT/NAYLOR PRODUCTIONS, Creating art and writing copy for THE JIM HENSON COMPANY and TOY VAULT LLC. HE also brought the "Realmer" and "funkyTOWN" comics series to life for his own CATACLYSM PRESS. He is currently in the lab making comics, music, video, games, and animation for CATACLYSM PRESS.

Scottie "SWAT" Watson broke into comics in a big way with a smashing win of the Small Press Idol 2007 contest working over the competition with his creator-owned medieval series Talon. After talking over a period of a few years with Red Handed Studios founder/publisher, Cary Kelley, he joined Red Handed Studios. Since then he has polished up his already fantastic Talon book as well as worked up an intro story for a forthcoming web series, Seppuku Blues with Kelley and RD Hall (American Wasteland) and is now producing the sci-fi western Dead Reckoning as a series of stand alone graphic novels, which he co-created with Kelley. SWAT has produced many covers and pinups for a variety of independent creators and publishers such as Shelby Robertson on Latex Alice and Steven Franks on Voltron: United and Drawn. In addition to his comic work he has worked with many TV and film celebrities, several of the WWE Divas to produce their portraits and is currently working with several of the cast from the AMC TV series The Walking Dead to produce a collage zombie print.