Diversity & Horror in Comics

As an award-winning veteran in the TV and film industry, Mr. Barnes is a legend, with an extraordinary range of producer and screenwriter credits to his name including Blade, Wutang: An American Saga, American Gods, My Wife and Kids, and The Boondocks. He is also an acclaimed comic creator with a passion for horror, with his graphic novels Killadelphia and Blacula: Return of the King, receiving numerous accolades. Join Mr. Barnes as he shares his wisdom as an acclaimed comic creator, screenwriter, and pioneer in Black storytelling.

Techniques for Visual Storytelling

Vashti Harrison is the creator behind some of the most iconic children’s books of our time including the Little Leaders and Dreamers series, Sulwe, and Hair Love. Join acclaimed illustrator and NYT Bestselling author, Vashti Harrison, as she takes you through the process and techniques she uses to create stories that capture your heart and your imagination.

AFROFUTURISM: Traditional Art To AI Art

As the creator of Infinitum and Matty’s Rocket, illustrator, animator, concept artist, and graphic novelist, Tim Fielder is a multi-hyphenated talent. He is also a deeply committed Afrofuturist who is well known for utilizing constantly evolving tools to create Afrofuturist imagery. Join Mr. Fielder’s workshop as he demonstrates how artists can merge traditional/digital illustration techniques with AI imaging tools to take their work to the next level.

Building A World Around Your Characters & Plot

Every story takes place in a unique world that can either enhance or detract from the narrative. In this workshop with award-winning fantasy and paranormal romance author, Leslye Penelope, you'll learn how to construct a vivid, coherent environment that is linked to your characters and plot. You'll discover how to build an immersive, dynamic setting that leaves a lasting impression on readers and amplifies character development and plot progression. By the end of this workshop, you'll have techniques to breathe life into your story and create a setting that is as captivating and complex as your protagonists.

How to Create Multi-Dimensional Characters that Drive Plot

In this workshop conducted by Karla “Moon” Medrano, acclaimed writer and creator of Luna, which won the 2022 Indie Comic Dispatch Award for Series with the Most Potential, you’ll learn how to create a multi-dimensional character that will help drive your narrative plot. Whether you are in comics or fiction, this workshop is perfect to help elevate your character development. You’ll learn essential elements of every main character, how to use starting points to create a backstory, how to use your characters to express thematic values, and how to tie it all together to drive your narrative plot.

Happily Foiled Again: Using Intentional Roadblocks As Guidance

In this workshop, acclaimed author and publisher Zig Zag Claybourne will guide you through the process of consciously flipping, subverting, or tweaking your tropes to keep surprise and joy in your writing. From huge plot tropes (the loner finds an orphan) to small, subtle habits (do the protags truly need to kiss?), let's discuss how a change here or reroute there can steer your writing toward a happy place.

Creating Your Own Comics: The Science of World Building

In this workshop, Okemus, Shattered Visions, and Joystick Angels comic creator T. J. Sterling will guide you through his process for creating unforgettable worlds within the specific needs and constraints of the comic book medium.

The Human Mask: Technics for Drawing Characters with Expression & Depth

In this workshop, acclaimed illustrator of Nubia, Black Panther, Moon Girl, Spiderman, and Protectors of Wakanda, and comic book legend, Alitha Martinez breaks down the approach and techniques she uses to tell a story using the “mask” of your character's face. Don’t miss learning this unique and thought-provoking approach to visual storytelling.