Guests
A variety of comic book writers and artists from across the country have been invited to the 2013 Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival to meet and greet fans. We’ll be announcing more names soon, here are those confirmed to appear thus far!*
Creators
Spencer Brinkerhoff III
Spencer Brinkerhoff III decided late in 2007 that drawing some sketch cards might be a good way to sharpen his illustration skills, but little did he know that he would be launching a new career entirely.
An invitation to Celebration Japan in 2008 gave him his first opportunity to create a limited edition print as well as his first shot at being an exhibitor. That same year, he debuted at the San Diego Comic-Con, where his animated short was a finalist in the Star Wars Fan Movie challenge. In 2009, Spencer launched the Star Wars Artist series on Zazzle, along with another print utilizing a cinematic depth of field and his signature animated style.
Georges Jeanty
Artist Georges Jeanty is concluding his run on season 9 of the Eisner Award-winning, critically acclaimed, New York Times bestseller, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – one of Dark Horse Comics’ top-selling monthly books.
In addition to being selected by Joss Whedon to work on Buffy (starting with season 8), his resume includes the critically successful The American Way, as well as successful runs at Marvel with titles such as Deadpool, Weapon X and Gambit, and at DC with Green Lantern, Superboy, Superman, Batman, and Teen Titans. He currently resides in Long Beach, Calif.
Greg Rucka
Greg Rucka is the New York Times bestselling author of almost two dozen novels, including the recent thriller Alpha. His award-winning comics work spans over fifteen years, and covers almost every major superhero in the popular culture, from Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and the Punisher, to his critically acclaimed creator-owned comics, Lazarus, Queen & Country, Whiteout, and Stumptown, to name just a few. He is also the author of the free webcomic, Lady Sabre & The Pirates of the Ineffable Aether, found at www.lady-sabre.com. His writing has appeared in video games, television, and motion pictures.
Rucka lives in Portland, Ore., with his wife, writer Jennifer Van Meter, and their two children.
Chris Staros
Chris Staros is the publisher and editor of Top Shelf Productions, which publishes contemporary graphic novels and comics by veteran creators as well as emerging talent.
Chris is also the former president of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), the non-profit organization founded in 1986 whose charter is to protect the First Amendment rights of the comics community.
If you want to make him happy, send him something with Elvis on it, as he loves the King more than anything.
Warren Wucinich
Warren Wucinich is a freelance illustrator/comic artist/caricaturist and native Las Vegan.
When he’s not in a dive bar complaining about the heat, he can be found daydreaming about fighting giant squid.
Entertainers
Adam WarRock
Adam WarRock has taken his lifelong obsession with pop culture and hip-hop and created an Internet sensation. His seamless blend of independent hip-hop and pop cultural sensibility has firmly established Adam WarRock as a name to watch for in the current music scene.
In the words of the biggest pop cultural sites and figures on and off the web, Adam WarRock’s music is “not just Internet good. It is…brilliant.”
His latest full-length album is “You Dare Call That Thing Human?!?,” but Adam WarRock releases singles and EPs about every 30 seconds on his website.
3d6
Nerd Punk pioneers 3d6 delight and disgust listeners worldwide with their unique amalgam of witty lyrics and
relentless punk rock. Their infectious songs profess their love of all things nerdy – from Dungeons and Dragons,
to comics, movies, cartoons, and video games – whilst reminding us to be proud of who we truly are and embrace
what we truly love.
Clever, immature, ridiculous, hilarious, perverted, brilliant, and always entertaining, 3d6 will continue their aural assault until global domination has been achieved. Unless the robots beat them to it.
Additional Guests
John Field
John Field is a recognized film and television historian. For over 17 years he has contributed special film presentations at the internationally known San Diego Comic Con. His interest in the Adventures of Superman television series, starring George Reeves, led him to become fast friends with Robert Shayne (Inspector Henderson on the show). Field is one of the foremost authorities on film (8mm, 16mm and 35mm), and has been described by friends as a walking movie and television database.
Molly McIsaac
Molly McIsaac began her career as just another manic fan and then somehow she managed to convince people she was cool. First she started writing about video games, comic books, anime, cosplay, and a variety of nerdy things for such websites as ifanboy.com, Ain’t it Cool News, Newsarama, and Official Cosplay Magazine. Next came the cosplaying, as she donned spandex and wig to gallivant with some of the most viral cosplay groups in recent history. McIsaac began to speak on panels and suddenly she became a well rounded pundit in geek culture.
An accidental feminist activist and all around outspoken lady, McIsaac preaches self respect and strength of character. Incredibly involved in many different things – a comedian, writer, cosplayer, model, and fashion advocate — she’s slowly but surely taking over the world.
Ben Saunders
Ben Saunders is Professor of English at the University of Oregon. He is the author of Do The Gods Wear Capes?, an exploration of the philosophical implications of comic book superheroes, and Desiring Donne: Poetry, Sexuality, Interpretation, on the reception history of poet John Donne. He has lectured nationally and internationally on both issues of popular culture and traditional literary topics, and Saunders has also served as a judge for the Eisner Awards (the “comic book Oscars”), as well as curated several comic-art themed exhibitions.
Saunders co-founded and currently directs the UO Undergraduate Minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies – the first academic minor of its kind in the country. He was a Special Guest at the San Diego Comic Con in 2012, in recognition of his work in the field of Comics Studies.
Very Awesome Girls into Nerdy Activities (VAG)
Very Awesome Girls into Nerdy Activities (VAG) was founded by the fabulous Stephanie Payne, geek girl de jour, in the city of sin, Las Vegas. These awesome girls formed into a social avenue for all girls with a geeky interests—but that’s not all! They participate in conventions, have community game nights, dress up for midnight movies, and are known to pass out free goodies they crafted themselves. Very Awesome Girls love to give back; not only do they volunteer, but they also hold fundraisers for different organizations. They prove it is okay to be a girl, get your geek on and help your community!
* Schedule of events, guests and activities subject to change prior to day of festival.