Guests

Represented this year by Publisher Hart Seely, Chief Creative Officer Frank Cammuso, and Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer.

Attending Saturday only

Bill has inked hundreds of comics for Image, Mirage, Comico, DC, and Marvel Comics, including the Silver Surfer, Wolverine, Venom, and the X-Men. The first issue of his latest project, Crimson Storm, has been published, and the second issue is due out at any time.

Philip Bond is a British comic artist with credits including KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND, THE INVISIBLES, EVE STRANGER, and CUD: RICH AND STRANGE, a regular feature in the BLACK CROWN QUARTERLY. He is half of Off Register Press, where he is currently drawing the Britpop comic book GEEZER.

Jim is a Syracuse cartoonist, illustrator, painter and teaching artist who has created illustrations for books,, promotional items, character design, and much more. He has worked as a freelance artist, contributed cartoons to CNN, and taught art to children.

Caytlyn's YA novel Dark Flowers is available from BHC Press. She has been writing stories since she was young, imagining beautiful fairy tales and grand adventures. Yet as she grew up, she turned typical innocent creatures into lethal beings, shedding light on their darker tendencies. A graduate of U. Albany, she holds a degree in Psychology and studied how fear affects the mind and body. Living in Elmira, NY with her husband, two children, and an overweight tabby cat, she currently runs a daycare by day and writes dark fantasy/horror stories by night. She promises there are no kids buried in the backyard.

Frank Cammuso is the author/illustrator of the several graphic novel series. They include Edison Beaker Creature Seeker for Viking/Penguin, The Misadventures of Salem Hyde from Abrams/Amulet Books and Knights of the Lunch Table from Scholastic/Graphix. Cammuso is a professor of Comics & Sequential Illustration at Syracuse University.

Attending Saturday only.

Pete Carlsson wears many hats: art director, graphic designer, production manager, letterer, editor, and colorist. He got his start in comics almost 30 years ago working with Joe Kubert at the Kubert School. Today, he freelances with multiple publishers and creators on numerous comics and graphic novels. Pete designed a book called Young Men In Love, published by A Wave Blue World, which won Outstanding Original Graphic Novel Anthology at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards! He is excited for new projects and opportunities, both big and small.

Cosplaying as the 1960's Batman!

Co-Publisher: A Wave Blue World

From his early careers in teaching and humanitarian aid work, Tyler Chin-Tanner took the leap into his lifelong passion for comics, attending The Kubert School from 2003 to 2006 and co-founding AWBW with his wife Wendy in 2005. Publishing through AWBW, Tyler writes graphic novels including the New York Times featured American Terrorist and edits anthologies such as the New York Times featured All We Ever Wanted, art books like Punkrock* Jazz, and creator-owned projects including Jack The Radio: Creatures.

Speculative fiction author Thomas R Clark is a two-time Splatterpunk Award Nominee (Best Novella, 2021 for BELLA’S BOYS and Best Short Story, 2022 for FIREFLIES & APPLE PIES). His most recent release is IMMORAL DILEMMAS, a collection of Extreme horror. His journalism and entertainment critiques have appeared in Rue Morgue, Stranger With Friction, House of Stitched Magazine, This Is Infamous, and miscellaneous internet outlets. Tom lives in Central New York with his wife and their canine companions.

Chris Condon is the writer of the ongoing Image Comics series THAT TEXAS BLOOD with artist Jacob Phillips along with its Wild West spinoff, THE ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE, which was selected as one of the best comics of 2023 by The Hollywood Reporter, The Comics Journal, CBR, and The Comics Beat. He has also written for DC, Marvel, Z2, AfterShock, Mad Cave and Dark Horse. His most recent series is NIGHT PEOPLE, adapting the Barry Gifford novel for ONI Press.

Maegan Cook is a southern transplant in the New York finger lakes. She's an artist and author with many projects in the works. You can find her published books on Amazon; she also enjoys collaborating in zines and is working on a webcomic. When she isn't glued to a computer screen, she spends time working in the garden, catering to her dog's every whim, or taking long drives in the countryside with her family.

Storn is an artist, art teacher, and fantasy illustrator. His clients include AEG, Hero Games, and Wizards of the Coast.

Dave Dellecese is a writer and author of children’s books, graphic novels, comics, and more.​ ​He is the co-creator and writer of the all-ages graphic novel series Lacey & Lily from Darby Pop Publishing, co-creator and writer of the adult comedy series Holidaze, has written prose for AHOY Comics, is the author of the children’s picture books The Little Lamp and Lucy and the Ghost take the Stage, as well as the WWII Christmas tale, Frank the Barber.​ ​A former journalist and news anchor, he has lent his voice to The Brass Lantern old time radio adventure podcast playing former reporter-turned private investigator, Wam Dixon, and has voiced characters in the video game Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries.  

Andy has a public access show that features a puppet that draws pictures. The puppet's name is E. L. Fink and he'll be there to draw pictures.

Stephen Saperstein Frug came to Ithaca for a Ph.D. and just stayed. He is the author and illustrator of Happenstance, a photo-based graphic novel of which SF writer Samuel R. Delany said "It’s among the best graphic novels around; and certainly the best photocomic I’ve ever read” and cartoonist Barry Deutsch said “As a rule, I don’t like photo comics. Stephen Frug’s Happenstance is the wonderful exception… a unique graphic novel that everyone who likes smart comics should read.” So you should read it! Frug is also the author of a number of things which, sadly, are just text and have no pictures at all, and thus won’t get a shout-out here, but feel free to come by his table in the dealer’s hall and ask. He lives in Ithaca where he is writing more words, and all-too-rarely making pictures.

Gold co-founded First Comics in 1983. serving as president and editing several of their titles. He later became a senior editor and Director of Editorial Development at DC Comics. In 2006, he co-founded Comic Mix and published columns there for 11 ears. He currently is a columnist at Pop Culture Squad. Outside of comics, Gold co-founded The National Runaway Switchboard and has worked for many social causes involving drug education, sex education and youth. In 2011. Mike was awarded the Hero Initiative's first Humanitarian Award at the Baltimore Comic-Con's Harvev Award Ceremony.

SHP was founded by Shawn Hainsworth in 2021. He wanted to bring his thought-provoking screenwriting into the world of comics and enlisted the help of some world class talents. SHP already has 3 acclaimed series coming to comic shops in the fall with a brand new adventure slated for 2025.

Bob Harrison is a lifelong fan of Comic Books, fantasy, and sci-fi storytelling. He is a comics journalist, interviewer, and historian. He is the Editor at PopCultureSquad.com and is the co-host of the Pop Culture SquadCast.. He strives to craft interviews with a conversational style to elicit interesting stories from guests about their history and creative process. He is also an accomplished comic convention programming coordinator and panel host.

Keith Haugen, a former student of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic art, is an artist from the Albany, NY area. His published credits include: Shriek #1 & #2 by FantaCo Enterprises, Ghost Investigator #1 by Spirited Comics, Hudson Valley Zombie Apocalypse, GN by Eagle Press, Argo5 38 by Argo Comics, Quandary Magazine #1. Keith also has a self-publishing project: WTF (What The Freak) Comix Anthology. Along with his published credits, Keith has also produced numerous commissions, prints, and other assorted art.

Best known for his portrayal of the Klingon officer General Martok from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Hertzler has appeared as several different characters in various Star Trek series and provided voices for multiple Star Trek computer games. He has also co-written two Star Trek novels, The Left Hand of Destiny: Book 1 and Book 2. In addition to his Star Trek-related work, he appeared in 38 episodes of the 1991 Zorro TV series as Alcalde Ignacio de Soto, and in many other TV series.

Kevin Lucia's short fiction has been published in many venues, most notably with Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, David Morell, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and Robert McCammon. His first novel, The Horror at Pleasant Brook, was published by Crystal Lake Publishing, October 2023.

The OlderNDumber podcast is the story of three dumb friends just trying to make it on this planet we call Earth! We're a comedy, just chatting podcast that dip our toes in a variety of pop culture topics on every episode. From video games to Dungeons & Dragons, movies, music, and TV, we probably chat about it and how it moves us. Made up of artist Joey Schichtel, voice actor Hunter Taylor, streamer, photographer, and editor May Piazza, and local business owner Carter Ruttle, this group of friends each bring a unique perspective to the things that make geek culture great. You can tune in for new episodes every Friday on Youtube, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Joe Orsak was inspired to become a comic book artist at the age of eleven by the artwork of JOE SINNOTT in TREASURE CHEST and JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY.  In 1982 Orsak launched a comic strip in the newspapers of Syracuse, NY, THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN 'CUSE.  The strip ran weekly for eight years.  Joe turned to sports comics in the 1990s, working on bios of MICKEY MANTLE, BROOKS ROBINSON and DUKE SNIDER for MAGNUM COMICS.  These books gave Joe the chance to work with his inspiration… Orsak's pencils were inked by Joe Sinnott!

In 2001 Orsak was picked by his friend ROGER STERN to pencil and ink a two-page tale for the 9-11 tribute book 9-11ARTISTS RESPOND for DARKHORSE.

In 2008 he returned to comic strips with SALT CITY, another strip about his hometown, this time with a female superheroine, written by Douglas Brode. The comic strip drew the attention of people at MCFARLAND and Co., who asked Joe and Doug to launch their line of graphic novels. Joe and Doug created YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS the Myth of Emily Morgan and VIRGIN VAMPIRES for MCFARLAND Inc.

Joe is now working with AHOY Comics doing illustrations in the third series of MY BAD and is also involved with new comic book projects for STELLAR COMICS

Nick Parisi is the celebrated author of Rod Serling: His Life, Work and Imagination and a leading authority on Rod Serling. Nick has become a frequent guest lecturer at Ithaca College and we are grateful to welcome him back to ITHACON.

Megan J. Parker lives in upstate New York and is normally found lounging in the writing office with her husband and fellow author, Nathan Squiers. Since the debut of her first novel, Scarlet Night, Megan J. Parker has gained international recognition and has been a bestseller in paranormal romance and dark fantasy. In 2016 she became a USA Today bestselling author and has been on the list three times. On her down time, she likes reading and designing new logos and videos. Her passion for telling stories is portrayed in all her work and when there’s a story to tell, you can be sure she’ll tell it to its full extent. She is finally fulfilling her dream of owning a design company along with her literary career at EmCat Designs.

Best known for his revamp of the DC Comics' character Hourman, Peyer is currently writing The Wrong Earth and High Heaven for AHOY Comics.

Attending Saturday only

Executive Editor at Dynamite Entertainment

Hart Seely has written numerous books, including The Juju Rules: A Memoir of a Fan Obsessed (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012) and Mrs. Goose Goes To Washington (Simon & Schuster, 2007) He also edited several books of “found poetry,” including O Holy Cow: The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto (ECCO/Harpers, 1993) and Pieces Of Intelligence, the Existential Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld (Simon & Schuster, 2003). His works have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Slate, and on National Pubic Radio. He is publisher and co-founder of AHOY Comics, which has been making great comics since 2019.

Hart had to cancel due to a family emergency

Don Simpson is best known as the creator of the satirical superhero series Megaton Man for Kitchen Sink Press and Image Comics, the science fiction saga Border Worlds (collected by Dover in 2017), and Marvel’s one-shot CRAZY! reboot (2019). A veteran of the 80s-90s indy movement, Don worked for every major comic book imprint in the late twentieth century including Mirage Studios (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Image Comics (Splitting Image, The Savage Dragon vs. Megaton Man, 1963), Fantagraphics (King Kong), and DC (Wasteland, Flash Annual, Secret Origins, Action Comics Weekly). Under his Fiasco Comics imprint, Don self-published 17 issues of Bizarre Heroes, a universe of characters surrounding the cast of Megaton Man. More recently, Don has been authoring his weekly prose novel, The Ms. Megaton Man Maxi-Series, a sober but wry sci-fi take on his imaginative universe. Most recently, Don teamed up with William Messner Loebs, Jason Moore, and Tom Orzechowski on Victory Folks—The Golden Age Public Domain Supergroup in YEET! Presents #50 in 2022.

Meg Stivison and Harold Sipe met working in video games. They founded Small Monsters Games to turn their stories, interests, and experiences into fun, casual tabletop games to share with friends and family.

Best known for his self-published series Jason and the Draconauts, Paul is currently developing a brand-new science fiction series.

USA Today bestselling author Nathan Squiers resides in upsate New York with his loving wife and fellow author Megan J. Parker, two incredibly demanding demons wearing cat-suits, and a pair of “fur baby” huskies. When he isn’t dividing his time between writing or “nerding out” over comics, anime, or movie marathons, he’s chasing dreams of amateur body building. If he can’t be found in a movie theater, comic shop, or gym, chances are “the itch” has driven him into the chair at a piercing/tattoo shop... or he’s been “kidnapped” by loving family or friends and forced to engage in an alien task called “fun.” His Crimson Shadow series has gained international recognition and has been a bestseller in urban fantasy and dark fantasy. His novel Curtain Call won best Occult & Paranormal Thriller in the 2013 Blogger Book Fair Awards.

Emily Swan is a graphic designer, illustrator, digital content creator, and instructor. She began teaching in 2009, primarily focusing on Cartooning, Digital Art, and Social Dance. Currently, Swan is the creator and showrunner of the Doodle Crew art stream, co-host of Sketching Shakespeare art and discussion stream, and a member of the In Addition, and Surprise Attack Book Club podcasts. When she’s not teaching, Swan can be found working on illustrations and traveling to sell her art at Comic Cons. More of Swan's art can be found across the internet at: 'aSwanNamedEmily'.

Ken is a seasoned comic book artist with extensive experience across various publishers including Bongo, IDW, Archie, DC, Image, Moonstone, and Airwave. Notable credits include inking stories for "Futurama," "Bart Simpson Comics," and "Simpsons Winter Wing Ding." He has also contributed to titles like "Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol," "I Dream of Jeannie," and "The Phantom." Ken's freelance work extends to national projects for clients such as Toyota, McDonald’s, and Wegmans, showcasing his versatility in illustration and design. He has served as an editor for "Munster Memories: A Coffin Table Book" and contributed to IDW's "Back To The Future" comic series. Currently, Ken is dedicated to "Dreamer," a comic series raising awareness about health conditions like TBI and Autism. His recent projects include exclusive covers for Archie Comics and a story for the revival of the classic character Jetta. Ken is also developing "Timeless Love Comics," a modern romance anthology series. Passionate about nurturing young talent, he hosts popular comic book production workshops and collaborates with The Strong National Museum of Play as a teaching artist. Follow Ken's work on Instagram @artistkenwheaton.

Whipple, seen under the monicker of Illustronics, is a traditional and digital illustrator. Developing a unique style through decades of freelance illustration and comic art creation, Brandon brings numerous characters from various geekdoms to life with his own twist. Never content to rest on his laurels, Brandon is constantly developing and growing his art style through exploration of new tools and techniques. In addition to his story and art contributions, Brandon also acted as assistant editor and contributing cover artist for the anthologies of Robots and Monster Carnival.

Glenn Whitmore is an American comic book artist who has worked for DC, Dark Horse, TwoMorrows, Archie, Sitcomics, and many other publishers. Using Adobe Photoshop and IIllustrator and Clip Studio Paint, he is a full service visual/narrative artist, writing, drawing, coloring, and lettering comic book stories. A Morris County, NJ native, Glenn commuted to the Joe Kubert School and graduated in 1987. His first professional work came from coloring the daily comic strips at a local newspaper. Glenn’s first coloring credit appeared on DC Comics’ Hawk & Dove 1988 miniseries, pencilled by an up-and-comer named Rob Liefeld. In the decade to follow, Glenn colored the Superman titles, The Flash, and the Justice Society series. In the 2000’s, he colored some of Steve Rude’s projects; including The Moth and Nexus. Since 2008, Glenn has served as a go-to colorist for both Archie Comics and TwoMorrows Publications. In 2019, he successfully crowdfunded his own project, Captain Clockwork, a retro sci-fi superhero.

Chris Wildrick (he/him) is an Associate Professor in the School of Art at Syracuse University where he teaches first year core classes as well as courses on cosplay, Fluxus, and artists who write.

Chris is a conceptual, performance, and systems-based artist, which means he tends to make charts about dinosaurs and dress up like comic book characters. For the last few years, one of his main recent “artworks” has been to put on a free comic con at Syracuse, the Geek/Art CONfluence.

Chris is also a former semi-professional comics organizer, a moderately-skilled light saber duelist, and a reasonably effective destroyer of tiny plastic space ships.

An adventurous soul having hiked across the United States in his early life, J. Scot Witty became rooted in ideas rather than places. With a fascination for words, storytelling became second nature at a young age. Using his rampant imagination, he has created new worlds in his writing with a strong focus and preoccupation with character building. Currently living in Ithaca NY, when not writing, Witty enjoys time with his wife and children, and playing fantasy role-playing games with the local children at the elementary schools.

With his stories dealing mostly with the characters' relationships and how they relate, Witty hopes to show how unity can still be achieved in diversity effectively. “As much as Americans in the U.S. would like to think that we are a melting pot of cultures, we have become quite galvanized in the question of us vs them instead.” Through his novels, Witty hopes to inspire hope and change as he is consistently involved with how to make a difference in today’s environmental and socioeconomic issues.