Sam has over 60 films and hundreds of TV shows to his credit. In 1980 he became famous worldwide as the Classic Sci-Fi Superhero in the blockbuster film FLASH GORDON. This iconic role has recently been celebrated as Sam played himself in Seth MacFarlane’s films TED and TED 2 and the documentary LIFE AFTER FLASH. Genre TV fans know him as THE SPIRIT (1987), as the series lead in THE HIGHWAYMAN, and as bounty hunter Aris Boch in STARGATE SG-1. Sam’s current films include: FURY OF THE FIST AND THE GOLDEN FLEECE, AXCELLERATOR, ONE OF THE GOOD ONES, and the upcoming releases EDGAR ALLEN POE’S DECAPITARIUM 3D and THE SILENT NATURAL. As a former Marine and security professional, Sam brings a rare and unique quality to the film industry, and has received many entertainment, civic and humanitarian titles and awards.

A TV favorite for over 40 years, New York native Peter Scolari is best known for his starring role in BOSOM BUDDIES, his Emmy-nominated performances in NEWHART, his Emmy win for HBO’s GIRLS, and as the lead in HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS: THE TV SHOW. His many appearances include: FOSSE/VERDON, MADOFF, MURPHY BROWN, HAPPY DAYS, FAMILY TIES, THE LOVE BOAT, THE NANNY, etc. Peter is well known to Genre fans for his live action roles in THE TWILIGHT ZONE, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, and as the corrupt Commissioner Loeb in GOTHAM. He has voiced roles in dozens of cartoons such as: BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, AMERICAN DAD!, WHAT’S NEW, SCOOBY DOO?, ANIMANIACS, PINKY AND THE BRAIN, THE POLAR EXPRESS, GARGOYLES, HEY ARNOLD!, DUCKMAN, and as The Atom in BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD.

New Jersey native Michael Uslan is the Originator and Executive Producer of the BATMAN film franchise and Executive Producer of JOKER, the Christopher Nolan DARK KNIGHT Trilogy, JUSTICE LEAGUE, and many related DC animated films. Uslan rose to notoriety in the early 70s as the first instructor of an accredited course on the serious study of comics as folklore. This led to him authoring the first comics textbook, THE COMIC BOOK IN AMERICA, working at DC Comics scripting THE SHADOW, BEOWULF, DETECTIVE COMICS starring BATMAN, and editing several excellent collections of ARCHIE and DC war & romance stories. In the 80s he produced two SWAMP THING films followed by the 90s TV series, but in 1989 he changed the world when, after a decade of hard work, he was instrumental in launching Tim Burton’s BATMAN which started the blockbuster film franchise that continues with Joaquin Phoenix in JOKER, THE BATMAN in 2021, and beyond! This Fall saw the release of the brand-new paperback edition of his memoir, THE BOY WHO LOVED BATMAN.

Frank Romano was the art director for BEN COOPER INC., for over 30 years, from 1962 to 1992, and was instrumental in creating the look of the iconic Halloween Costume line’s aesthetic. Among the many, many classic childhood characters Frank interpreted are: SPIDER-MAN, HULK, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, FRANKENSTEIN, DEVIL, DRACULA, MR. SPOCK, YODA, DARTH VADER, BOBA FETT, C-3PO, SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, BIGFOOT, BLACK CAT, and GREEN HORNET. Frank is in his 90s and still active, still painting and traveling to meet his many fans whose lives he touched. He said he “worked all year to make children happy for one day”. Frank can be reached at his Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrankRomanoArtStore

Founded in 1976 by legendary comics artist, writer and editor Joe Kubert, The Kubert School has continued to hone its focus, direction and curriculum in preparing our students for the professions towards which they have dedicated themselves. We will continue to bring the finest professional practitioners to compose our faculty of instructors, all of whom give unstintingly of their time, understanding, and knowledge, and provide a solid foundation upon which the students may build a satisfying career. It is the aim and purpose of this institution to add to the ranks of our profession those people whose work and attitude reflects the highest level of the art. The Kubert School has and will continue to pride itself in bringing forth a new generation of skilled and well-educated Cartoonists, Illustrators, and more.
www.KubertSchool.edu
Info@KubertSchool.edu
973 361 1327
The Kubert School
37 Myrtle Ave
Dover, NJ 07801

Barbie Chula is an Italian Cosplayer from New York City who works in fashion, graphic design, and media. She combined her passions of art, fitness, and modeling into the cosplay world. Barbie is famous for her horror cosplays, makeup skills, and her unique characters created from scratch and some modified to fit her persona. Each of her characters has its own backstory, which is what brings them to life and makes them special and unique in every way. Barbie incorporates her polyhedral artistic talent (acting, singing, illustrating) in order to transform into her lively and exclusive characters. She has many appearances in most of the popular horror events and conventions. She also includes her world-famous haunted dolls made by The Scary Closet and the exclusive props made for her characters. These props are created and modified by her, showcasing her many skills.

As seen on America’s Got Talent, RETIRED WONDER WOMAN is a free-range comic who brings her routine directly to the people. Born into royalty on an island of warrior women, she spent her youth dreaming of TV stardom. But alas, when it came time to cast the lead in a series about her life, the job went to mammarily-gifted beauty queen Lynda Carter. One dozen rehab stints and 5,632 bingo games later, RETIRED WONDER WOMAN is once again ready to save the world with her rapid-fire quips, ceaseless dedication to character and mad selfie skills. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram @RetiredWonderWoman) or at RetiredWonderWoman.com. Just don’t follow her to the ladies’ room—she’s had burritos.

NY Tony Stark is a Robert Downey Jr look-a-like who cosplays Tony Stark for Children's Charities. He will be hosting the BIG APPLE CHRISTMAS CON HOLIDAY COSTUME CONTEST. In addition, NY Tony Stark is a Tik Tok Influencer with over 2M followers. He creates videos with scenes from the IRON MAN movies as well as wholesome content for the hospital children he visits to enjoy on Tik Tok while they are in treatment.

As an author, illustrator, musician, art director, magician, designer, escape artist, filmmaker, pop-culture lecturer, and publisher, Steranko has cut a ferocious path through the entertainment arts. More than 150 innovations he created as artist-writer on Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D., CAPTAIN AMERICA, and X-MEN revolutionized the comics form and, as an illustrator, he painted a multitude of book covers, including 30 SHADOW paperbacks.

Photo Courtesy Luigi Novi

Sergio Aragonés is said to be the world’s fastest cartoonist and is certainly the most honored, having won every major award including the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award, and the Will Eisner Hall of Fame Award. Born in Spain in 1937, his family soon relocated to Mexico and at age 17 he began selling professionally to many local publications. In 1962 he moved to New York City and did odd jobs until he earned his way into the top humor magazine MAD.

Sergio's first contribution appeared in #76, and he’s since been in virtually every issue and produced 16 best-selling original MAD paperbacks. In the Seventies Sergio was a regular contributor to DC’s top-notch humor title PLOP!, and in the Eighties he teamed with wordsmith Mark Evanier to bring forth the adventures of Groo the Wanderer, which quickly became one of the funniest and longest-running creator-owned comic books.

Joseph Michael Linsner has been writing and drawing the adventures of his creation DAWN since her first appearance in Cry For Dawn #1 in 1989.  An award-winning illustrator, Linsner has painted covers for all the major comics companies, adding his personal touch to Wolverine, The Black Cat, Conan, Dejah Thoris, Killraven, Red Sonja, Witchblade, Vampirella, and Harley Quinn among others. He has just finished up work on Vampirella: Roses For The DEAD and is currently writing the next installation of his Dawn series.  
Facebook fan page -  
https://www.facebook.com/josephmichaellinsner  
and on twitter @josephlinsner

Neal Adams has been a driving force in comic art for over 50 years, beginning with Archie Comics, the BEN CASEY newspaper strip, and CREEPY & EERIE magazines before moving to DC Comics in 1967. There he blew fandom away with his amazing cover art and also his interiors for the Deadman strip in STRANGE ADVENTURES and Batman in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD. His revolutionary art for The Dark Knight continued in BATMAN and DETECTIVE COMICS, where he created Ra's al Ghul, the League of Assassins, and Man-Bat with writer Dennis O'Neil. Adams and O'Neil’s award-winning work on GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW brought social relevance to comics. Adams’ art for Marvel included X-MEN and THE AVENGERS. His company Continuity Associates (now Studios) has produced many decades of comics, film/TV storyboards, and commercial art. He is currently back at DC working on various Deadman, Batman, and Superman titles.

Erica Schultz is a comic book writer best known for 2018’s DAREDEVIL Annual and the award-winning, creator-owned series M3 with artist Vicente Alcázar. Her latest book is the urban fantasy series FORGOTTEN HOME published by ComiXology Originals/Vices Press with artist Marika Cresta. In 2016, she was chosen by DC Comics to participate in the pilot program of their Talent Development Workshop, collaborating with artist Sonny Liew on a well-received HAWKGIRL story. She has written for Marvel, DC, Dynamite, 2000AD, and Action Lab, as well as contributed to multiple anthologies including Image Comics’ WHERE WE LIVE for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting (nominated for a 2019 Eisner Award) and THE 27 CLUB: A COMICS ANTHOLOGY published by Red Stylo Media and Action Lab Danger Zone (nominated for a 2016 Harvey Award). Erica is a writing instructor at The Kubert School in New Jersey and a lettering instructor for ComicsExperience.com.
Website: http://www.ericaschultzwrites.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EricaSchultz42

A former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics with over fifty books currently in print, Tom DeFalco has recently written comics starring SPIDER-MAN, THUNDERSTRIKE and the mighty THOR. He is also known for his work on characters like SPIDER-GIRL, FANTASTIC FOUR, SUPERBOY, HAWKMAN, ARCHIE, REGGIE & ME, and books like Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide and Comic Creators on Fantastic Four.

Paris Cullins co-created DC’s BLUE DEVIL in 1984, who has since also appeared in the JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED and YOUNG JUSTICE cartoons and the 2019 television series SWAMP THING for DC Universe. A dream realized for Paris with his rendition of Jack Kirby’s NEW GODS along with DC’s BLUE BEETLE, the FOREVER PEOPLE mini-series, WONDER WOMAN, BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, TEEN TITANS, SWAMP THING AND JUSTICE LEAGUE. He has illustrated covers, cards, game packages, and toy designs at companies including: Marvel, Nintendo, Mattel, and many others. His mentor Dick Giordano described Paris’s art best one day to Joe Orlando as: “the Manga baby of Jack Kirby and George Perez”, as seen in his emphasis of great devices such as action, drama, human emotions and imaginative backgrounds. Currently he is creating the independent titles NEW DEVIL, MARCUS ARENA, THE AFRO PUNKS, and PLUSH BABY.
Paris is accepting advance commissions at pariscullins@gmail.com
Facebook.com/ParisCullins
Twitter.com/ParisCullins

Peter Kuper is a regular contributor to The New Yorker and MAD magazine, where he has written and illustrated SPY vs. SPY every issue since 1997. He has produced over two dozen books including The System, Diario de Oaxaca, Ruins (winner of the 2016 Eisner Award) and adaptations of many of Franz Kafka's works into comics including The Metamorphosis and Kafkaesque. His latest graphic novel is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

Heidi MacDonald is the Editor-in-Chief of The Beat (comicsbeat.com) where she presides over an award-winning site that covers all the comics and pop culture news of the day. She’s also a former editor at DC/Vertigo (Y THE LAST MAN) and Disney (DISNEY ADVENTURES). With Philip Yeh she co-wrote SECRET TEACHINGS OF A COMIC BOOK MASTER, a look at the career and methods of the late Alfredo Alcala. Heidi won the Shelf Dorf Award for Best Blogger and has spoken everywhere from the Library of Congress to Columbia University to San Diego Comic-Con. She’s known for her insightful commentary on the comic business and her love of coffee. You can find her on all social media as @comixace.

Part of the 1990's roster of Marvel's Bullpen (during perhaps its most tumultuous era), Steve Bunche also worked at DC/Vertigo as a behind-the-scenes art corrector and digital compositor on many series before serving as editor on projects including THE FILTH, THE ORIGINALS, TRANSMETROPOLITAN, and Y: THE LAST MAN, as well as writing the coffee table book THE ART OF AMANDA CONNER as an independent. Hailing from Connecticut's Fairfield County — at the time a major hub of the comics/cartooning community due to its proximity to NYC — Steve grew up in an environment tailor-made for fostering a burgeoning interest in the medium. Now a self-described "Pop Culture Ronin" and possessing an encyclopedic interest in world pop culture, his post-comics endeavors include all-purpose media consulting, regular contributions to PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, and writing for FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, along with various websites and publishing houses.

Trained by her parents and comic icons, Neal and Cory Adams, Zeea began her career coloring comics for the family business Continuity Comics, including the fan-favorite BUCKY O’HARE. During that time, she also worked for Valiant and Red Line Comics; however, her most widely seen work was in the BETTY BOOP Landmark Calendars from 1996 to 2000. Adams also worked in advertising, pioneering the most advanced animatic techniques that rival the best of today. When Marvel decided to animate ASTONISHING X-MEN: GIFTED, Adams' own gifted skills helped bring the series to an explosive finale. Currently Zeea has jumped back into the world of coloring comics, doing work on QUANTUM & WOODY, MIGHTY MOUSE, and most recently Neal Adams' DEADMAN.

Writer/editor/cartoonist/illustrator/actor/musician Larry Hama has worked in comics, tv and film. In comics, he has written, edited or drawn for AVENGERS, BLAZE, NTH MAN, THE ‘NAM, CONAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, BIZARRE ADVENTURES, X-MEN, SPIDER-MAN, DAREDEVIL, and dozens more. He is best known as the writer of Marvel’s GI JOE comics in the ‘80s, and as the writer of Marvel’s WOLVERINE in the ‘90s. Recent script credits include BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT and WONDER WOMAN for DC CONVERGENCE, GI ORIGINS AND GI JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO for IDW, and CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS for Dark Horse. Recent art credits: breakdowns for DC’s DEATHSTROKE, DAMAGE, and WILDSTORM: MICHAEL CRAY. His illustrations and cartoons have appeared in NATIONAL LAMPOON, ESQUIRE, NEW YORK MAGAZINE, and ROLLING STONE. His comics have been translated in ten languages worldwide. He has appeared on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s PACIFIC OVERTURES and on TV in M*A*S*H, SNL and ANOTHER WORLD. He lives in NYC.

Artist, Creative Editor, Writer, Reference model & all-purpose Joe wrangler at Linsner Industries. Founder of lightisthenewdark art studios. Kristina Deak-Linsner has brought her years of fine art experience in the West Coast gallery scene over to the house that Dawn™&© built. After beginning her comics career at Dynamic Forces in the late 90's, she now uses her keen eye to help guide all Linsner products and projects such as: Sin Boldly, the Dawn & Vampirella crossover series, as well as Linsner's annual Dawn sketchbooks (2011 to present). The graphic novel Dawn & Vampirella brings her comics career full circle by working with Dynamite/Dynamic Forces once again. In 2019 she will have released her Vampirella series Roses For The Dead in hardcover format.
Twitter - @KDeakLinsner
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/lightisthenewdark

Bob Rozakis is a veteran of the Bronze Age of Comics and beyond, working at DC Comics from 1973 until 1998. During that time, Bob was DC's Answer Man, using his vast knowledge of the company's history and characters to respond to all sorts of readers' questions, first in print and later online. As a writer, Bob is perhaps best known as the co-creator of ‘MAZING MAN, but his credits include more than four hundred stories featuring Superman, Batman and virtually every other DC character. He is also the creator or co-creator of the Calculator, Bumblebee, Hero Hotline and Duela Dent (The Joker’s Daughter), among many others. He is the author of THE SECRET HISTORY OF AA COMICS (an alternate history of the comic book business) and THE ANSWER MAN’S BOOK OF TRIVIA QUIZZES.

For over twenty years Gary Cohn’s business card has read, “writer, teacher, fencer, motorcyclist.” He has had two careers as a comics writer. The first was in the early Eighties, when he co-created AMETHYST, PRINCESS OF GEMWORLD and BLUE DEVIL at DC Comics. His second comics career came a dozen years later, when he got aboard the Crusade Entertainment bandwagon early on, editing SHI and writing SHI: SENRYAKU and his own DEMON GUN. When the industry slumped in the late Nineties Cohn stepped away and spent fifteen years as a NYC high school teacher and fencing coach. Now retired from teaching, he has returned to writing. Current projects include NEW DEVIL, with BLUE DEVIL co-creator Paris Cullins, and NEMESIS, with Bronx Heroes Comic Con founder Ray Felix. A recent transplant to Richmond, Virginia, Cohn is creating opportunities to let his imagination run.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Cohn_(comics) http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Gary_Cohn/Writer http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15728131-shi Link: Justin’s Blue Devil Page http://bluedevil.uatu.net/

Kristen Gudsnuk is a comics writer and illustrator. She got her start with the comic HENCHGIRL, which was published by Scout Comics in single issue and Dark Horse Comics as a collection. Her newest works include the middle grade graphic novels MAKING FRIENDS and MAKING FRIENDS: BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, from Scholastic Books, and MODERN FANTASY, a miniseries from Dark Horse written by Rafer Roberts and illustrated by Gudsnuk.

Making a rare convention appearance for Big Apple Con, Sy Barry has earned worldwide fame as the artist for 33 years on THE PHANTOM newspaper strip for King Features, as well as his work on FLASH GORDON and TARZAN assisting his brother Dan. His diverse comic book work from the Forties to the early Sixties spans many genres, encompassing super-heroes, romance, science fiction, mystery, adventure, and westerns. His work on characters including The Phantom Stranger, Superboy, Hopalong Cassidy, Johnny Quick, and Rex the Wonder Dog are fondly remembered by generations of readers. Of special historical note he drew the promotional comic book MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THE MONTGOMERY STORY, which was a milestone during the Civil Rights Movement and has since been reprinted and cited in textbooks.

Robert J. Sodaro is best known as one of the longest-running journalists in comics, having launched his career with his article Ditko Days (AMAZING HEROES #5). He went on to contribute to virtually every comics magazine published during the ‘80s and ‘90s — including but not limited to THE COMICS JOURNAL, COMICS BUYERS’ GUIDE, WIZARD, HERO ILLUSTRATED, FLUX, COMBO, NONSPORTS UPDATE, COMICS VALUES MONTHLY, TwoMorrows, and more. He also contributed articles to Marvel, DC, Image/Extreme, Malibu, Dark Horse, Valiant/Acclaim, J.C. Comics, and others. He also served as Senior Title Coordinator and regular contributor to SpiderFan.org. In the mid-‘80s he created and wrote AGENT UNKNOWN, a spy thriller, for Renegade Press. He has written for several indie publishers including Red Anvil (CYBERINES and OWLGIRLS), Main Enterprises, Pronto, InDELLible, WonderFunders, Lion’s Forge Press, and others. Some of his characters include Wülf Girlz, Girl Skout Wars, and Hot Girl & Totally Hot Girl.

NYC native, painter, and illustrator Mark Texeira was granted the Presidential Scholarship at the School of Visual Arts. His career began in the early 80s at DC Comics on such titles as: HOUSE OF MYSTERY, THE SWAMP THING (movie adaptation), WARLORD, and several minicomics sold with the toys for Mattel’s MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. His Marvel Comics credits include: BUCKAROO BANZAI, PSI-FORCE, THE PUNISHER, GHOST RIDER, WOLVERINE, DARKMAN, and SABRETOOTH. Tex is credited in the last four Marvel Studios movies for co-creating with Christopher Priest the fierce female warriors the Dora Milaje in BLACK PANTHER. Recently he has worked on the JONAH HEX/YOSEMITE SAM SPECIAL and the DEATHSTROKE/YOGI BEAR SPECIAL for DC, and for Insight Comics the graphic novel A MILLION WAYS TO DIE HARD with Frank Tieri, based on the film franchise. Tex can be found painting and hanging art at his old digs the Art Students League in NY.

Billy Tucci is an award-winning cartoonist best known for his modern-day samurai fable, SHI. Through Billy’s Crusade Fine Arts, the multi-Eisner Award-nominated SHI has been printed in five languages and has sold more than 3 million comic books. He is also known for DC Comics’ SGT. ROCK, HARLEY’S LITTLE BLACK BOOK, and the Eisner Award Nominated story “Batman – Trick For The Scarecrow.” His earnest graphic novel retelling of the Christmas story, A CHILD IS BORN, has quietly turned into an international blockbuster after winning the Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award. 2018 sees the release of the all-new SHI-RETURN OF THE WARRIOR graphic novel, along with two new creator owned projects, ZOMBIE-SAMA!, APPALACHIAN APOCALYPSE, and several mainstream projects to be announced.
www.apostlearts.com
www.crusadefinearts.com

Michael Jan Friedman is the author of 78 books of fiction and non-fiction, about half of them set in the STAR TREK universe. Eleven of his titles, including the autobiography HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN and GHOST HUNTING (written with SciFi’s Ghost Hunters), have appeared on the New York Times primary bestseller list. Mike has also worked in network and cable television, radio, and magazine publishing. His involvement in comic books includes a seven-year run on DC's STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and the creation of DC's cosmic superhero title DARKSTARS. He co-wrote the story for the acclaimed second-season STAR TREK: VOYAGER episode “Resistance,” which guest-starred Joel Grey. Mike's most recent work is the graphic novel EMPTY SPACE, a deep-space mystery saga. His website is MichaelJanFriedman.net. As always, Mike advises readers that no matter how many Friedmans they know, he is probably not related to any of them.

Paul Kupperberg is a writer of novels, short stories, comic books, and nonfiction, including THE SAME OLD STORY and IN MY SHORTS: HITLER'S BELLHOP AND OTHER STORIES (both from Crazy8Press.com). He has written over 1,000 comic books, including SUPERMAN, SUPERGIRL, and THE DOOM PATROL, and is the author of the GLAAD Media Award nominated and 2014 IAMTW Scribe Award-winning young adult novel, KEVIN (Grosset & Dunlap), as well as the Harvey and Eisner Awards nominated LIFE WITH ARCHIE series (including the controversial “Death of Archie” story line) for Archie Comics. Paul is the executive editor and writer for Charlton Neo Comics (http://morttodd.com/charlton.html). You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter (@PaulKupperberg), and at PaulKupperberg.com. For information about Paul’s small press Buffalo Avenue Comics, contact him at Pkupps55@yahoo.com.

STEVE SAFFEL is a senior acquisitions editor at Titan Books, where he edits science fiction, fantasy, horror, and media tie-in novels based on Marvel Comics, DC Comics, the CW, major movie releases, and other exciting licensed properties. He worked at Marvel Comics from 1983 through 1995, where he edited MARVEL AGE and several behind-the-scenes specials, wrote for THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, did freelance work for DC, and wrote the lavishly illustrated book SPIDER-MAN: THE ICON that traced the web-spinner’s rise to fame. Currently he lives in the neighborhood where Peter Parker was raised by his aunt and uncle.

Russ Braun has been drawing comics for 30 years, with a 7-year break for a stint with Walt Disney Feature Animation. Known for his expressive characters and storytelling, on everything from BATMAN: VENOM, SWAMP THING, FABLES, FAIREST and JACK OF FABLES, but perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with Garth Ennis on THE BOYS, NIGHT WITCHES, WHERE MONSTERS DWELL, SIXPACK&DOGWELDER and their creator owned JIMMY'S BASTARDS.

Paul Levitz is a comic fan (THE COMIC READER), editor (BATMAN), writer (LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, executive (30 years at DC, ending as President & Publisher), historian (WILL EISNER: CHAMPION OF THE GRAPHIC NOVEL)) and educator (Columbia, Pace, Manhattanville). He received two consecutive Comic Art Fan Awards for Best Fanzine, Comic-Con International’s Inkpot Award, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Comics Industry Appreciation Award from ComicsPro, the Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award from the Hero Initiative, and has been inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame. His 75 YEARS OF DC COMICS won the Eisner Award, Eagle Award and Peng Pris, and has been released in multiple formats. His over 500 comics have been collected in over 20 graphic novels. Levitz also serves on the board of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and Boom! Studios.

Inker Bob Wiacek has worked on thousands of comics published worldwide since the mid-70s, starting with the (in)famous “Crusty Bunkers” crew at Continuity Studios. His breakthrough title was inking Mike Grell on SUPERBOY & THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, followed by more DC Comics including: SUPERMAN, BATMAN, GREEN LANTERN, BRAVE AND THE BOLD, SHAZAM, JUSTICE LEAGUE, and CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN. Bob’s Marvel Comics credits are vast, led by STAR WARS and THE UNCANNY X-MEN, and incorporating virtually every major title and character: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, CAPTAIN AMERICA, THOR, FANTASTIC FOUR, IRON MAN, SILVER SURFER, SPIDER-MAN, HULK, MAN-THING, and WOLVERINE. Other publisher credits include: Archie, Valiant, Dark Horse, Image, Insane Comics, and First. He illustrated the poster for the independent film MANOS: THE RISE OF TORGO, and starred in a commercial with Rap group G-Unit. He and writer David Noe are reviving a classic character: ZAZA THE MYSTIC: PROTECTOR OF THE UNIVERSE!

Veteran penciler and inker Larry Stroman has worked at many companies over the years including Marvel, DC, First, Valiant, Image, Fleetway/Quality, Dark Horse, Continuity, and Titan Comics. Among his many credits are: AMERICAN FLAGG!, ALIEN LEGION, WORLD’S FINEST COMICS, DAREDEVIL, BLACK PANTHER, DEADPOOL V GAMBIT, THE DARKSTARS, EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN, WHAT IF?, X-FACTOR, IRON MAN, EXCALIBUR, THE LAW OF DREDD, HULK 2099, WOLVERINE, WILD CARDS, PUNISHER MAGAZINE. Under his own imprint Axis Comics he published TRIBE. Larry’s current credits include NINJA-K, BITTER ROOT, MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR, and CLOAK AND DAGGER: PREDATOR AND PREY.

Cliff Galbraith is best known for his independent sci-fi comic RAT BASTARD, the story of private detective Roscoe Rodent, who happens to be a five-foot-tall rat. After a long hiatus, Cliff has returned to comics with a new Rat Bastard three-part series SMALL DOSES. He’s also working on more issues of UNBEARABLE, a dark humor comic he created with his wife J.C. Luz. In a former life, he created the merchandise sensation SAURUS, which included the Partyasaurus, Rockasaurus, and Shopasaurus. He also claims to have invented gravy.

John Orlando's career began in 1994 as a penciling assistant for Rich Buckler at Visage Studios. His early works include: SYPHONS THE SYGATE STRATAGEM for Now Comics, ZAANAN for Mainstream Comics, and GENE RODDENBERRY’S THE UNIVERSE for Tekno Comics. In 1995 he was promoted to Production Manager for Visage Studios. In 1996-1998 he released his creator-owned CYBERGEN, THE INTRUDER, JOURNEY INTO MADNESS, and DOC BEHEMOTH with Roy Thomas. In 2012-2013, with Joe Martino he released his creator-owned Underground series, FHA-Q. John now works with his wife Jill and Jonathan Miller at Macrospasm Studios NYC. His earlier works have been collected into the VISAGE STUDIOS ANTHOLOGY and FHA-Q trade paperbacks. Other current and upcoming titles include HUMANS, MONSTERS, MONSTER MEMES STICKERS, and U.S. PRESIDENTS AND OTHER HISTORICAL TYPES trading card set, premiering at BACC 2019. John has also invented the patent-pending Nev-R-Drop Guitar Pick.

Jim Salicrup is Editor-in-Chief of Papercutz, the company devoted to publishing great graphic novels for all ages: ARIOL, DREAMWORKS TROLLS, GERONIMO STILTON, GUMBY, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, MANOSAURS, THE LOUD HOUSE, THE ONLY LIVING BOY, SMURFS, and more. Plus two imprints: Super Genius (HIGH MOON, Neil Gaiman titles, TALES FROM THE CRYPT, TRISH TRASH, THE WENDY PROJECT, THE JOE SHUSTER STORY, and more) and Charmz (CHLOE, THE SCARLET ROSE, and more). Jim worked at Marvel Comics for twenty years, editing SPIDER-MAN (with Todd McFarlane), X-MEN (with Claremont & Byrne), FANTASTIC FOUR (with John Byrne), IRON MAN, and more, including MARVEL AGE. Jim wrote SPIDEY SUPER STORIES, TRANSFORMERS, VISIONARIES, the SPIDER-MAN Child Abuse Prevention comic, THE A-TEAM, KOOL-AID MAN, the Marvel toilet paper, and more. Jim was also Editor-in-Chief at Topps Comics, Senior Writer/Editor for Stan Lee Media, and a Trustee for MoCCA, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art.

Brian started his illustration career at Marvel Comics in 1994,working on popular characters the X-Men, Captain America & Fantastic Four. In 1997 he worked in advertising doing storyboards & pitch art for Universal Studios theme park opening ,which featured Marvel characters. From 2000-2004 , Brian produced over 25 custom comics for MLB & NBA franchises ( including the Yankees & Mets) for promotional giveaways at stadiums. Brian continues to work on some of the hottest properties today including Stranger Things, the Walking Dead, Marvel ,DC, Star Wars & MLB for the top card companies today. He has been regularly commissioned by The Topps Company since 2007 to illustrate art for their MLB , NFL & NBA card brands & their entertainment division , including Star Wars. He has worked on their MLB " Museum Collection" , " Allen & Ginter ", " Chicle" & "Gypsy Queen" brands since 2008.

Fingeroth is best known for his long stint in the 1980s and 1990s as group editor of Marvel’s SPIDER-MAN titles! He also wrote all 50 issues of the original DARKHAWK series! Recently, Fingeroth has become an acclaimed author, writing such books as SUPERMAN ON THE COUCH, DISGUISED AS CLARK KENT, and THE ROUGH GUIDE TO GRAPHIC NOVELS. He also co-edited, with the legendary Roy Thomas, THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE, the ultimate repository of interviews with and mementos about The Man who co-created SPIDER-MAN, the X-MEN, and so many other immortal characters! Currently, Fingeroth is writing a biography of Lee, A MARVELOUS LIFE, due out in late 2019 from Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press. For more info: www.dannyfingeroth.com

Mike Diana was born in Geneva, New York in '69, and moved with his family to Florida in '78. As a teen, his art got more warped in the Southern surroundings, so at age 17 he started making zines of his comics. In '89 he started BOILED ANGEL, a zine that would get him charged with obscenity for issues #7 and #8. He ended up world famous, in jail, and then on probation, so he escaped to NYC in '96 to pursue his art free of the Florida law. His comix have also been published in many titles including: SUPERFLY, FIREBRAT, and SLAUGHTERHOUSE COMIX. You can find his art via: http://mikedianacomix.com/boiledangel.html

Dan Fogel is a leading authority and historian of Underground, Alternative, and Adult comic books. He is the author and publisher of the 2006 FOGEL'S UNDERGROUND COMIX PRICE GUIDE, its 2010 SUPPLEMENT, and the current FOGEL'S UNDERGROUND PRICE & GRADING GUIDE V.1: Underground Comix, which is the industry standard for retailers, collectors and investors. His companies Fogelcomix, Hippy Comix, and Apex Novelties have published dozens of titles and helped keep classic Underground Comix art in print including several remastered collections of work by R. Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, and Spain Rodriguez. His writing, editing, and publishing career began in the early '90s with Larry Welz's best-selling line of books starring CHERRY (POPTART). When he's not making and/or selling comic books and books about comic books he's also the art agent for Dan O’Neill and Ted Richards of the notorious Air Pirates Studios, and the licensing agent for Dana Crumb Associates.

Captain Zorikh is a filmmaker, writer, artist, musical entertainer, swordfighter, grappler, and low-flying geek icon. He has appeared in SCI-FI SCIENCE, JEDI JUNKIES, BIG GIANT SWORDS, JAKE LOVES MOVIES, BREAKUP AT A WEDDING, and countless off-Broadway performances, as well as some of the finest subway singing spots in the city. He has produced and directed four documentaries about medieval armored combat in the modern world, and hundreds of YouTube videos. He is writing the definitive history of all the Captain Marvels. He has managed a team of female wrestlers. He has a stock portfolio. On top of all this he has been hosting the costume contest and interviewing celebrities at the Big Apple Comic Con since 2003.

Extraordinary face painting for all who want it. Bianca will make you a Prince or a Princess, a Superhero or a Super Villain. Everyone is invited it's a Holiday Party

Daniel Perez is a sketch artist and caricaturist, who works throughout the NY TrisState area. His work has graced numerous commercial and non-commercial venues, and he is known for is particular style and ability to bring out the real you in a few lines. He will be offering his take on you as a superhero at this show. Everyone is welcome to become the hero of their choice. You are going to like it Contact Dane for events and private commissions at mybeastart10@yahoo.com