top of page
Guests for ITHACON™ 49
WE ARE STILL CONFIRMING EARTH'S MIGHTIEST GUESTS. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN TO SEE THE LATEST INFORMATION.
Featured Guests
Chris Condon
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.
Roger Stern
Roger Stern has written for radio, television, the stage, and the Internet, creating scripts for everything from sketch comedy to flash-animation. But he is perhaps best known for his work at both Marvel and DC Comics.
Stern's stories for Marvel include well-regarded runs on Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and the Avengers. During his first tenure at Marvel, he co- created the Hobgoblin, Nebula, and Monica Rambeau, then known as Captain Marvel. His most recent work for Marvel includes Avengers: Loki Unleashed and Doctor Strange #450.
For ten years, Stern was the senior writer of the Superman series for DC Comics, where he contributed to the famous “Death of Superman” saga. During that decade, he wrote both the Man of Steel's obituary and his wedding ceremony, which were published in that order. While at DC, Stern also wrote stories about such diverse characters as Supergirl, Starman, the Atom, and the Justice League. His most recent DC work was for the Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 and the upcoming Superman: Brainiac Reborn Omnibus.
In addition to his work for Marvel and DC, Stern has written for Bantam Books, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Pocket Books, Sitcomics, Valiant Comics, Warner Books, and the Welsh Publishing Group—as well as for the European publishers Dorling Kindersley Limited, Egmont, and Panini UK.
Stern has written a number of original graphic novels—including Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment; Superman for Earth; Superman: A Nation Divided; The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman; and Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounters—and his work has been collected in hundreds of editions, both in the United States and internationally.
Stern has also written three prose novels, including the novelization of The Death and Life of Superman, a New York Times bestseller.
Stern's stories for Marvel include well-regarded runs on Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and the Avengers. During his first tenure at Marvel, he co- created the Hobgoblin, Nebula, and Monica Rambeau, then known as Captain Marvel. His most recent work for Marvel includes Avengers: Loki Unleashed and Doctor Strange #450.
For ten years, Stern was the senior writer of the Superman series for DC Comics, where he contributed to the famous “Death of Superman” saga. During that decade, he wrote both the Man of Steel's obituary and his wedding ceremony, which were published in that order. While at DC, Stern also wrote stories about such diverse characters as Supergirl, Starman, the Atom, and the Justice League. His most recent DC work was for the Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 and the upcoming Superman: Brainiac Reborn Omnibus.
In addition to his work for Marvel and DC, Stern has written for Bantam Books, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Pocket Books, Sitcomics, Valiant Comics, Warner Books, and the Welsh Publishing Group—as well as for the European publishers Dorling Kindersley Limited, Egmont, and Panini UK.
Stern has written a number of original graphic novels—including Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment; Superman for Earth; Superman: A Nation Divided; The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman; and Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounters—and his work has been collected in hundreds of editions, both in the United States and internationally.
Stern has also written three prose novels, including the novelization of The Death and Life of Superman, a New York Times bestseller.
Don Simpson
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.
Matt Bors
Matt Bors is an Eisner-winning comics editor and two time Pulitzer Prize Finalist in cartooning. He is writing the new Toxic Avenger and Toxic Crusaders comic books along with creator-owned comic Justice Warriors for Ahoy Comics. He is a longtime political cartoonist who founded The Nib, which was published from 2013-2023.
Dean Haspiel
Emmy and Ringo Award-winning cartoonist Dean Haspiel is best known for creating Billy Dogma, and The Red Hook. Collaborating with Harvey Pekar and Jonathan Ames, and illustrating for HBO's "Bored to Death." His published work includes writing and drawing for Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Archie, Image, and Webtoon on comics such as The Fox, Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Deadpool, Superman, Batman '66, Wonder Woman, and Godzilla. In addition, Haspiel is an accomplished playwright and Yaddo fellow. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Mike Gold
Mike Gold is a 51-year veteran of the comic book industry, having served as group editor and director of editorial development for DC Comics, founder and editorial director of First Comics Inc., and publisher of Classics Illustrated. Presently, Gold presently operates ArrogantMGMS, creating intellectual properties and overseeing media and ancillary rights and packaging comic books published by numerous comic book imprints, including Image and IDW.
Gold also writes a weekly column for Pop Culture Squad, and co-hosts the weekly live video podcast Pop Culture Squadcast, with his pal Bob Harrison.
He was a pioneer in the creation of an American market for graphic novels and has edited over 80 graphic novels and anthologies, including the bestsellers The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, EZ Street, Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, The Joker: Stacked Deck, GrimJack: Killer Instinct, Jon Sable Freelance: Bloodtrail and American Flagg!. In 2007 the graphic novel Breathtaker created by Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel and edited by Gold was among the few such projects included in the Norman Rockwell Museum’s graphic novels exhibit. Several properties he developed or rebooted for DC Comics that became television series and movies include Arrow, The Flash and The Suicide Squad.
In 2021, Gold appeared in the documentary “For Madmen Only,” about comedy legend Del Close. He appears in interviews, and his character also appears in recreated flashback scenes. In these latter scenes, the part of Mike Gold is played by Matt Welsh (Veep, the Upright Citizens Brigade, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart).
Gold also has an extensive background in the media and in the youth social services field, having been a broadcaster and radio personality, director of communication and education for the Alternatives, Inc. drug abuse prevention program, cofounder and director of communication of the National Runaway Switchboard, and creator and managing editor of Video Action magazine. A long-time political activist, community organizer and staffer at the Chicago Conspiracy 8 Trial (1969-1970), Gold continues these efforts to this day.
In addition to graphic novels and albums, Gold has been an author and editor of or contributor to more than one dozen books, including How To Draw Those Bodacious Bad Babes of Comics and How To Draw Monsters for Comics (both with artist Frank McLaughlin) and The Desktop Publishing Bible. His work has appeared a wide range of newspapers and magazines, including The Chicago Tribune, The Realist and MacUser magazine.
Gold is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Comics Buyers’ Guide Award as favorite editor and the Golden Apple Award for best comics limited series (The Longbow Hunters). In 2011, Gold received the second annual Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award presented by The Hero Initiative at the Harvey Awards Dinner in Baltimore.
He has lectured at numerous colleges and universities, including Brandeis University in Boston, University of Illinois, the Chicago Art Institute, and the University of Maryland.
Gold also writes a weekly column for Pop Culture Squad, and co-hosts the weekly live video podcast Pop Culture Squadcast, with his pal Bob Harrison.
He was a pioneer in the creation of an American market for graphic novels and has edited over 80 graphic novels and anthologies, including the bestsellers The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, EZ Street, Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, The Joker: Stacked Deck, GrimJack: Killer Instinct, Jon Sable Freelance: Bloodtrail and American Flagg!. In 2007 the graphic novel Breathtaker created by Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel and edited by Gold was among the few such projects included in the Norman Rockwell Museum’s graphic novels exhibit. Several properties he developed or rebooted for DC Comics that became television series and movies include Arrow, The Flash and The Suicide Squad.
In 2021, Gold appeared in the documentary “For Madmen Only,” about comedy legend Del Close. He appears in interviews, and his character also appears in recreated flashback scenes. In these latter scenes, the part of Mike Gold is played by Matt Welsh (Veep, the Upright Citizens Brigade, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart).
Gold also has an extensive background in the media and in the youth social services field, having been a broadcaster and radio personality, director of communication and education for the Alternatives, Inc. drug abuse prevention program, cofounder and director of communication of the National Runaway Switchboard, and creator and managing editor of Video Action magazine. A long-time political activist, community organizer and staffer at the Chicago Conspiracy 8 Trial (1969-1970), Gold continues these efforts to this day.
In addition to graphic novels and albums, Gold has been an author and editor of or contributor to more than one dozen books, including How To Draw Those Bodacious Bad Babes of Comics and How To Draw Monsters for Comics (both with artist Frank McLaughlin) and The Desktop Publishing Bible. His work has appeared a wide range of newspapers and magazines, including The Chicago Tribune, The Realist and MacUser magazine.
Gold is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Comics Buyers’ Guide Award as favorite editor and the Golden Apple Award for best comics limited series (The Longbow Hunters). In 2011, Gold received the second annual Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award presented by The Hero Initiative at the Harvey Awards Dinner in Baltimore.
He has lectured at numerous colleges and universities, including Brandeis University in Boston, University of Illinois, the Chicago Art Institute, and the University of Maryland.
Hart Seely
Hart Seely is the editor of three books of found poetry, and the author of two humor books and a memoir, THE JUJU RULES (Houghton Mifflin) His works have appeared in The New Yorker, Slate, The New York Times and on National Public Radio. He is the publisher of AHOY Comics and runs a blog devoted to Yankee fans, It Is High, It Is Far, It Is Caught.
Randy Elliott
Randy Elliott’s first real comic credit was for penciling & inking a story featured in Ghost Manor #70, from Charlton Comics in 1982 while he was serving overseas in the US Army. In 1988 he began working in comics full-time in the field when he was hired as the inker on Dragonlance, a licensed AD&D project from TSR and DC Comics. Since then he has gone on to produce more work for DC (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?), Marvel (Spider-Woman), Valiant/Acclaim (X-O & Turok), Innovation (Legends of the Stargrazers), Dark Horse (The Helm), Archie and AHOY. Starting his career as an inker, he has primarily spent the last 20 years inking his own pencils.
Randy also has created a large number of CCG images for AEG and WotC, including The Cheese Stands Alone. His most recent fantasy illustrations will be featured in a forthcoming RPG created for the Brazilian market, due for a 2027 release.
Randy also has created a large number of CCG images for AEG and WotC, including The Cheese Stands Alone. His most recent fantasy illustrations will be featured in a forthcoming RPG created for the Brazilian market, due for a 2027 release.
Jim Beard
Jim Beard is a writer, editor, and publisher of adventure fiction and pop culture non-fiction. He is the co-founder of Flinch Books and the founder of Becky Books, and has written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comics, as well as licensed prose fiction of Green Hornet, Kolchak the Night-Stalker, Zorro, Spider-Man, Captain Action, and the X-Files. His original fiction creations include the occult detective Sgt. Janus, the 1970s adventurers D.C. Jones and Adventure Command, and the Lemon Herberts, the greatest pop-rock band that never existed.
Bill Anderson
Bill Anderson has inked hundreds of comics for Marvel (Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Cosmic Powers, Uncanny Origins); DC (Action Comics, Superman, Superboy, Batman and the Outsiders); Mirage (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Turtle Soup); Image (Vanguard, Ethrian); Comico (Elementals, Robotech, Jonny Quest); Claypool Comics (Elvira) and countless other publishers.
He recently crowdfunded a comics anthology called Orphan Works, featuring almost 30 amazing creators.
You can follow him on Instagram @bill_anderson_comics
He recently crowdfunded a comics anthology called Orphan Works, featuring almost 30 amazing creators.
You can follow him on Instagram @bill_anderson_comics
Joe Rybandt
Joe Rybandt got involved in writing and editing in the mid-90s, working for Gemstone Publishing. After leaving Gemstone he worked in online commerce before joining Dynamic Forces in 2001, and then sister company Dynamite Entertainment in 2006, where he continues to serve as Executive Editor.
Guests
Glenn Whitmore
Glenn Whitmore grew up in Morris County, NJ, just 15 minutes from The Kubert School in nearby Dover, where he attended the Saturday Sketch classes throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. After he graduated high school, he took the Kubert School’s full time program. Through the school, he took a part time position at the Morristown Daily Record, creating colors and separations for their daily comics page, a rarity at the time for syndicated comic strips.
After graduating from Kubert in ’87, he sought out freelance coloring work, landing a part time bullpen position at Marvel, and coloring a few New Talent Bonus Books at DC. In the Spring of ’88, he was the colorist on the Hawk & Dove miniseries. H&D’s editor, Mike Carlin, also edited the Superman books, and when a position opened up, he became the colorist on those titles as well.
Throughout the ‘90s, he worked under contract for DC, also coloring The Flash, Justice Society Of America, The Power Of Shazam, and other projects. He was blessed to be a part of many momentous events during the “triangle” Superman run, including the Death Of and his marriage to Lois. Notoriously, he was the inspiration behind the Electric red/blue storyline.
Up until the end of the decade, he colored all of DC work using the traditional color guide method. During the 2000s, he transitioned into digital coloring, working on various Steve Rude projects (The Moth, Nexus) and, thanks to Super-team alumni Jerry Ordway’s recommendation, he became a go-to cover colorist for various TwoMorrows magazines.
In 2008, he began coloring for Archie Comics, working on various titles. This included the Archie Wedding issues which led into the Life With Archie series. The series concluded with Archie’s death, making him the only freelancer to contribute to the deaths and marriages of two publishers’ major icons.
In the past decade, he continued to color for Archie on various titles and TwoMorrows. In addition, he has colored for Darin Henry’s Sitcomics line (Blue Baron, Startup, The Heroes Union) and Big Bang adventures. He continued to hone his writing and drawing skills and in 2019, successfully ran a Kickstarter campaign for his own character Captain Clockwork. Also, he is one of the artists represented by Catskill Comics, both hand coloring and drawing commissions.
After graduating from Kubert in ’87, he sought out freelance coloring work, landing a part time bullpen position at Marvel, and coloring a few New Talent Bonus Books at DC. In the Spring of ’88, he was the colorist on the Hawk & Dove miniseries. H&D’s editor, Mike Carlin, also edited the Superman books, and when a position opened up, he became the colorist on those titles as well.
Throughout the ‘90s, he worked under contract for DC, also coloring The Flash, Justice Society Of America, The Power Of Shazam, and other projects. He was blessed to be a part of many momentous events during the “triangle” Superman run, including the Death Of and his marriage to Lois. Notoriously, he was the inspiration behind the Electric red/blue storyline.
Up until the end of the decade, he colored all of DC work using the traditional color guide method. During the 2000s, he transitioned into digital coloring, working on various Steve Rude projects (The Moth, Nexus) and, thanks to Super-team alumni Jerry Ordway’s recommendation, he became a go-to cover colorist for various TwoMorrows magazines.
In 2008, he began coloring for Archie Comics, working on various titles. This included the Archie Wedding issues which led into the Life With Archie series. The series concluded with Archie’s death, making him the only freelancer to contribute to the deaths and marriages of two publishers’ major icons.
In the past decade, he continued to color for Archie on various titles and TwoMorrows. In addition, he has colored for Darin Henry’s Sitcomics line (Blue Baron, Startup, The Heroes Union) and Big Bang adventures. He continued to hone his writing and drawing skills and in 2019, successfully ran a Kickstarter campaign for his own character Captain Clockwork. Also, he is one of the artists represented by Catskill Comics, both hand coloring and drawing commissions.
Howard Simpson
Howard Simpson is a Los Angeles-based cartoonist, illustrator, and storyboard artist whose work focuses on clear storytelling and design. He has created illustrations and storyboards across publishing, advertising, and entertainment for clients including HBO, DISNEY, and WARNER BROS. ANIMATION, DC COMICS, VALIANT, DARK HORSE, SONY, RANDOM HOUSE, SIMON & SCHUSTER, and BANTAM BOOKS.
Howard has also taught storytelling and layout, including teaching at THE JOE KUBERT SCHOOL, and he continues to share his craft through workshops and creator-education projects focused on helping artists translate story intent into images that entertain and feel alive. He also posts tutorials on YouTube at https://youtube.com/abbastudios. For more on his process and comic-making mindset, visit his blog at https://justcreate.net/, and get social with him on Instagram at @abbastudios.
He creates ongoing webcomics, including ROMANTICAL TALES (https://tinyurl.com/romanticaltales) and ZONE 26 https://tinyurl.com/zone26comic) both available on WEBTOON. His latest children’s book, GRANDMA’S PRAYER, is available at his table while supplies last.
Howard has also taught storytelling and layout, including teaching at THE JOE KUBERT SCHOOL, and he continues to share his craft through workshops and creator-education projects focused on helping artists translate story intent into images that entertain and feel alive. He also posts tutorials on YouTube at https://youtube.com/abbastudios. For more on his process and comic-making mindset, visit his blog at https://justcreate.net/, and get social with him on Instagram at @abbastudios.
He creates ongoing webcomics, including ROMANTICAL TALES (https://tinyurl.com/romanticaltales) and ZONE 26 https://tinyurl.com/zone26comic) both available on WEBTOON. His latest children’s book, GRANDMA’S PRAYER, is available at his table while supplies last.
Joe Orsak
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 spot illustrations in new books, including THE TOXIC AVENGER. He is also involved with new comic book projects for STELLAR COMICS.
His comic HELLOWEEN is out and he will have copies of the book with his variant cover available.
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 spot illustrations in new books, including THE TOXIC AVENGER. He is also involved with new comic book projects for STELLAR COMICS.
His comic HELLOWEEN is out and he will have copies of the book with his variant cover available.
Emily Swan
Emily Swan is a graphic and sequential artist, as well as digital media content creator and TTRPG enthusiast. Currently, she is a part of the Airtime for Nonsense network, (airtimefornonsense.com) the creator and showrunner of the Doodle Crew art stream, co-host of Sketching Shakespeare art and discussion stream, the Art Corner stream, and a member of the In Addition, Animorphs Anonymous, Surprise Attack Book Club, and Youngvale podcasts.
More of Swan's art can be found across the internet at: 'aSwanNamedEmily'.
More of Swan's art can be found across the internet at: 'aSwanNamedEmily'.
Ethan Young
Ethan Young is an award-winning cartoonist, prolific cover artist, and character designer for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man on Disney+.
Born and raised in NYC, Young’s notable graphic novels include NANJING: The Burning City (winner of the 2016 Reuben Award for Best Graphic Novel, along with Eisner and Harvey nominations), The Dragon Path, Space Bear, Life Between Panels, and an adaptation of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bonesby NYT Bestseller Rick Riordan.
Young has also contributed to comic anthologies FIREFLY: Watch How I Soar and COMIC BOOK TATTOO: Tales Inspired by Tori Amos.
As a cover artist, Young has provided covers for DC, Marvel, Image, IDW, Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, and more.
Young is currently a character designer on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man at Marvel Studios, and also worked on three FXX cartoons: Major Lazer, Golan the Insatiable, andAxe Cop.
Young is also debuting his creator-owned action-horror series Demon Run in 2026, self-published and self-distributed.
Born and raised in NYC, Young’s notable graphic novels include NANJING: The Burning City (winner of the 2016 Reuben Award for Best Graphic Novel, along with Eisner and Harvey nominations), The Dragon Path, Space Bear, Life Between Panels, and an adaptation of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bonesby NYT Bestseller Rick Riordan.
Young has also contributed to comic anthologies FIREFLY: Watch How I Soar and COMIC BOOK TATTOO: Tales Inspired by Tori Amos.
As a cover artist, Young has provided covers for DC, Marvel, Image, IDW, Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, and more.
Young is currently a character designer on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man at Marvel Studios, and also worked on three FXX cartoons: Major Lazer, Golan the Insatiable, andAxe Cop.
Young is also debuting his creator-owned action-horror series Demon Run in 2026, self-published and self-distributed.
Tyler Jennes
Tyler Jennes is an assistant editor, having worked with veteran editor Will Dennis for the past six years on comic titles by creators Jeff Lemire, Rick Remender, Brian Azzarello, Jason Aaron, and Scott Snyder. He currently works with Snyder as an executive assistant on his Best Jackett Press comic label and other multimedia ventures. His social media rep clients have included writers Joshua Williamson, Alex Segura, Al Ewing, Ram V, and James Tynion IV, and he serves as a publicity manager for the marketing agency Modern Fanatic.
THE MOST IMPORTANT COMIC BOOK ON EARTH, an environmental benefit anthology featuring his first written works, was released internationally in October 2021.
THE MOST IMPORTANT COMIC BOOK ON EARTH, an environmental benefit anthology featuring his first written works, was released internationally in October 2021.
Small Monsters Games
Small Monsters Games is an independent tabletop game studio founded by husband and wife team Meg Stivison and Harold Sipe. Based in Fall River, MA, the company focuses on creating card games that are easy to learn, typically taking only a few minutes to pick up, and designed to inspire, entertain, and provide hours of fun.
Matt Flint
Matt Flint is a Comic/Cover artist from Syracuse, NY. His style is a good blend of American Comics and Anime/Manga into one unique style that utilizes elements of both into one. Training himself in both traditional and digital ways of making art, Matt is featured on covers for titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Toxic Avenger, and Independent titles like Quintara Stone(keenspot), Hollowed(keenspot), and I Brought A Gorilla to A Gunfight. He also is an interior artist for Quintara Stone and ongoing interior artist for I Brought A Gorilla To A Gunfight.
Keith Haugen
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: Jump by New Pain Productions Confirmed by Koan Comics Shriek Vol. 1 & 2 by FantaCo Enterprises Ghost Investigator by Spirited Comics Hudson Valley Zombie Apocalypse GN by Eagle Press Argo5 by Argo Comics Quandary Magazine Keith also has self-publishing projects: WTF (What The Freak) Comix Anthology (horror/scifi) Love/Hate (Martial Art madness) Along with his published credits, Keith has also produced numerous commissions, prints, and other assorted art.
Nicholas Parisi
Nicholas Parisi is the author of ROD SERLING: HIS LIFE, WORK, AND IMAGINATION and AMERICA’S TWILIGHT ZONE: HOW ROD SERLING FORESHADOWED THE AGE OF TRUMP. He serves as president of The Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, a 501c3 charity dedicated to promoting and preserving Rod Serling’s legacy, based in Serling’s hometown of Binghamton, New York. Nicholas is also a musician and vocalist and recently completed writing his first musical, BETWEEN LIGHT AND SHADOW, which he is currently shopping to producers.
Nathan Squiers
Nathan Squiers is a resident of Upstate New York, where he divides his time not-so-equally at home between writing and “nerding out” over comic books, anime, and horror movie marathons with his loving wife and fellow author, Megan J. Parker, and their “fur babies.” When he isn’t lost in the realm of fiction, Nathan can usually be found at the gym, furthering his efforts as an amateur powerlifter.
A four-time USA Today bestselling and award-winning author, Nathan Squiers began his writing career in 2012 and was voted one of the top-ten new authors of that year. His debut novel, Curtain Call, received both the “Best Occult” and “Best Paranormal Thriller” awards with the Blogger Book Fair, and his Crimson Shadow series has gone on to gain international recognition and become a bestseller in urban fantasy and dark fantasy.
A four-time USA Today bestselling and award-winning author, Nathan Squiers began his writing career in 2012 and was voted one of the top-ten new authors of that year. His debut novel, Curtain Call, received both the “Best Occult” and “Best Paranormal Thriller” awards with the Blogger Book Fair, and his Crimson Shadow series has gone on to gain international recognition and become a bestseller in urban fantasy and dark fantasy.
Megan Parker
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. Her first novel, Scarlet Night, also was a runner up for 2013’s Best New Series Award on the blog, Paranormal Craving. In 2016, she became a USA Today bestselling author and since then, has been on the list three times.
On her down time, she likes reading, graphic design, 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.
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. Her first novel, Scarlet Night, also was a runner up for 2013’s Best New Series Award on the blog, Paranormal Craving. In 2016, she became a USA Today bestselling author and since then, has been on the list three times.
On her down time, she likes reading, graphic design, 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.
D.A. Xiaolin Spires
D.A. Xiaolin Spires steps into portals and reappears in sites such as NY, Hawaiʻi, various parts of Asia and elsewhere, with her keyboard appendage attached. Her work appears in publications such as Clarkesworld, Uncanny, Analog, Sunday Morning Transport, Strange Horizons, and anthologies of the strange and beautiful: Make Shift, Deep Signal, and Sharp and Sugar Tooth. Her stories have been selected for The Year’s Top Robot and AI Stories, The Year's Best Hardcore Horror, The Year’s Top Hard Science Fiction Stories and The Year’s Top Tales of Space and Time Stories, with poetry nominated for Rhysling, Best of the Net and Pushcart awards. Her sci-fi novella Ellipses is forthcoming from Infinivox. She has a Ph.D. in socio-cultural anthropology and has conducted National Science Foundation-funded research. Her multifaceted writing reflects her interest in food systems, ecology, technology and society. She has mentored through SFWA and has taught academic and creative writing to students at the college level. She speaks multiple languages, savors durians, dekopon, and rose-apples and teaches stick-fighting and weapons-based martial arts. Brush in hand, she also paints fantastical art in sumi ink, gouache, watercolor and acrylic--and is currently working on an ongoing comic strip that blends the paranormal and the technological with a splash of humor. When she’s not doing all these things, she is playing with meeples, cards and tiles, convening with good folk around a board game or RPG. She can be found on Bluesky: https://spires.bsky.social, Patreon: patreon.com/daxiaolinspires and on her website: daxiaolinspires.wordpress.com.
Kevin Delgado
Kevin Delgado is a cartoonist and cover artist based in Buffalo, New York. His versatility has lead to much fanfare as he applies mixed media and varying techniques to his work with expert level craftsmanship.
As a highly sought after cover artist he has had dozens of works published by Image Comics, IDW, Dynamite Entertainment, After Shock Comics, Scout Comics, Mad Cave Studios and many more. He has worked on titles such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Godzilla, Exquisite Corpses, Vampirella and so on.
His comic series “Tuff Stuff” is his self proclaimed labor of love. The ongoing saga about a scruffy cat fighting crime has led to publishing deals with both Cosmic Lion Productions and Source Point Press. As its creator, he intends to work on this series for as long as possible. Tuff Stuff has remained funded with five different successful kickstarter campaigns
As a highly sought after cover artist he has had dozens of works published by Image Comics, IDW, Dynamite Entertainment, After Shock Comics, Scout Comics, Mad Cave Studios and many more. He has worked on titles such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Godzilla, Exquisite Corpses, Vampirella and so on.
His comic series “Tuff Stuff” is his self proclaimed labor of love. The ongoing saga about a scruffy cat fighting crime has led to publishing deals with both Cosmic Lion Productions and Source Point Press. As its creator, he intends to work on this series for as long as possible. Tuff Stuff has remained funded with five different successful kickstarter campaigns
Dave Dellecese
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, and is the author of the children’s books The Little Lamp, Lucy and the Ghost take the Stage, and Look Out! Here Comes…the Mope!
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.
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, and is the author of the children’s books The Little Lamp, Lucy and the Ghost take the Stage, and Look Out! Here Comes…the Mope!
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.
Ken Wheaton
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.
Follow Ken's work on Instagram @artistkenwheaton.
Laurence Maslon
Laurence Maslon is an arts professor at NYU’s Grad Acting Program. With Michael Kantor, he wrote the three-part documentary, Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle, as well as the companion volume, Superheroes! Capes, Cowls, and Comic Book Culture. His most recent book is Hitchcocktails: Lethal Libations Inspired by the Master of Suspense; a previous book, I’ll Drink to That!: Broadway Cocktails, was published by Insight Editions in 2023 (winner, Gold Medal, Independent Book Publishers, 2024). He is also the host and producer of the radio series, Broadway to Main Street on the NPR radio station WLIW-FM. The program is winner of the 2019 ASCAP Foundation/Deems Taylor Award for Radio Broadcast. Among the documentaries he has either cowritten or coproduced for PBS are: the Emmy-Award-winning Broadway: The American Musical;, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me; and Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds. He has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the New Yorker and, recently, a history of the 1966 Broadway musical, “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s SUPERMAN!” for RetroFan magazine. He also still thinks the 1980 film Superman II is hard to beat.
Bill Schanes
Bill Schanes was just 13 when he and his brother, 17-year-old Steve, started selling comics almost by accident. What started out as a small business run out of the brothers’ bedroom grew into Pacific Comics, a chain of four comic shops in San Diego. When the "direct market" of comic shops developed in the 1970's, Pacific Comics expanded into distribution, with Schanes negotiating deals with DC and Marvel executives when he was 22. In 1981, the brothers expanded into publishing, with a line of comics that were intended specifically for the direct market and did not claim ownership of the work, leading to their publishing Jack Kirby's Captain Victory and Silver Star as well as Dave Stevens' The Rocketeer. Following the closing of Pacific Comics in 1984, Schanes joined Diamond Distributors as an executive and remained with Diamond for over 25 years.
INFORMATION AND GUEST STATUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
For more information on our guests reach out to guests@ithacon.org
© 2026 by The Comic Book Club of Ithaca. ITHACON™ is a registered trademark.
The Comic Book Club of Ithaca is a registered 501(c)(7) tax-exempt organization.
Ithaca College is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible corporation.
Designed & managed by Aanish Farrukh for ITHACON™ 49.
bottom of page