Salinas Valley Comic Con December 16th & 17th Hartnell College

Look who’s talking! GUEST SPEAKERS

Salinas Valley Comic Con, now in its fourth year, is sponsored by the National Steinbeck Salinas Valley Comic Con 2017 Center and the Salinas Public Library. This year’s is presented by theme is “We are not Alone,” which suggests the community focus of this event; the excitement of reading and literacy as gateways to other worlds; and the cosmic worlds of comic characters.

The scope is diverse, including a gaming room, Artists’ Alley, cosplay contests and a variety of speakers and panels which will engage audiences from 5 to 95. There will be a makers’ table for kids, Special Thanks to Hartnell College facepainting, comic books, scores of vendors. and our Media Sponsors A featured speaker is James Burks, animator and illustrator for both Warner Brothers and Disney (Space Jam, Quest for Camelot, The Iron Giant, The Emperor’s New Groove, Atlantis, Treasure Planet, and Home on the Range). He has also worked on animated TV series and published his own graphic novel series, Bird and Squirrel. We panels, face-painting, craft tables, taco trucks, hope our community comes together to learn, Sur-prizes, Costume Contests, and more. read, create and have fun. This event endeavors to make a space for artists and writers, gamers and James Burks: Animator/Author of children’s students. We are not alone! books, including the Bird and Squirrel series. Animator on filmsThe Emperor’s New Groove, Comic Con Highlights Atlantis, Treasure Planet, Home on the Range, Disney Family Museum workshops, Latino Comics Space Jam, and The Iron Giant. Expo, James Burkes, David Keane, Michael Thaler, and other notable children’s authors, local artists Caged Bat Cosplay: A cosplayer located in the from Somos Gallery, local professors, Hana Bunny Monterey Bay portraying her favorite characters Cosplay and various cosplay groups, Chunky and teaching people that anyone can cosplay! Girl Comics, CSUMB Clubs, Santa Cruz Gamers Gaming Room & Museum, Super Smash Brothers Chunky Girl Comics: Chunky Girl Comics use Tournaments, Graphic Artists/Novelists, Naval art and storytelling to challenge and expand the Postgraduate School’s Makers Club, dynamic definition of “beautiful” in comics, pop culture, 1 Look who’s talking! ...more guest speakers! and cosplay. Their characters break the standards of videography, and illustration for clients as what a superhero should look like. Other projects of diverse as recording studios, zine fests, CGC include efforts to reduce bullying in schools and nonprofits, and restaurants. redirect student interactions towards positivity and mutual respect. Hana Bunny Cosplay: Hana Dinh, or Hana Bunny, is a Vietnamese American cosplayer and CSUMB Adventure Guild: Lorenzo Pimentel (President): fashion model based in San Jose. Hana has been The purposes of this organization are to help teach the cosplaying since 2009 with around 200 projects new players the rules of how to play and run Dungeons completed. She blends photo-manipulation & Dragons, or Magic: The Gathering. into her own cosplay to bring characters to life as accurately as possible. She travels between CSUMB League of Legends Club: Jacob Garcia Vietnam and the U.S. hoping to spread the geek (President): The League of Legends Club empowers culture’s kindness. players and in the process bridges social boundaries. Integrity Comics: Integrity Comics was started in CSUMB Saber Society: Brendan Di Dio (President): Star the early 1990s with the successful titles Snake Wars fans who are bringing the galaxies together one Eyes, Baby Warriors, Erika America, Herotown, lightsaber duel at a time. ...S..., and Topher Thomas. The collaborating groups that makes up Integrity Comics are Walt Disney Family Museum: Workshop on illustration Allan Angel, Chris Perguidi, and Alanah Knapp. and character creation focusing on female comic book Allan Angel is an Artist, Publisher, Writer, and leads. Practice drawing characters like a real Disney Entrepreneur. Chris Perguidi is a Wrestler, Artist, animator. Writer, and frequent collaborator of Allan Angel on such projects as Htown, The Baby Warriors, Thomas Esmeralda: San Jose State Univeristy Professor Snake Eyes. Alanah Knapp is a poet, writer and of Animation and Illustration who has professionally creator of The Baby Warriors. used his artistic talents for major movie studios. He has served in numerous creative roles, ranging from Art Michael Jasorka: Self-published comics Director to Visual Development Artist to Matte Painter author, celebrating 11 years of independent for world-renowned studios such as Dreamworks, comics creation, including the Misfit Wrestling Industrial Light & Magic, Digital Domain, Framestore, Federation series and Hello World zine. Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts, and Blizzard Entertainment. Dave Keane: San Jose native Dave Keane is a self-taught author, illustrator, and vocabulary Dustin Garcia: An Oakland based cartoonist, illustrator, enthusiast. He is the author and illustrator of animator, and art educator. Dustin draws inspiration several chapter books and many picture books from the early era of animation, giant robots, and including the Joe Sherlock: Kid Detective series. underground comix. He has done graphic design, He has also published chapters books for Pixar’s Cars 3. 2 Look who’s talking! More speakers...WOW!

Latino Comics Expo: Executive Director, Ricardo Jimmie Robinson: Creator, writer, and artist for Padilla, and Creative Director, Javier Hernandez, several Image Comics and Shadowline series, celebrate the unique, rich contribution Latino cultures including Bomb Queen, Five Weapons, and The bring to comics. Empty. A California native, he has worked in comics for twenty years. He received an Inkpot Lawrence Lindell: Zinester and creator of From Award in 2015. Black Boy With Love and Hey, People of Color, both of which offer uplifting, hopeful sentiments to his Sam Robinson: CSUMB Professor, Humanities and readers, especially young men and women of color. Communication. Her research explores agriculture through multiple media platforms (everything from Mandelorian Mercs: Costumers inspiring the love of newspapers to television to graphic novels). Star Wars through costume making and contributing to their communities. Walter Ryce: Arts writer and columnist for the Monterey County Weekly newspaper. Mari Magica Cosplay: LA based Cosplayer with a background in theater costume design and Santa Cruz Gamers: Shop owner Vaden Pascal seamstress. She also works as a voice actor and founded Santa Cruz Gamers in 2015 in order to writer. Her passion is for strong female characters curate a video game console museum through the that stand up to evil. decades and to educate gamers. He emphasizes direct interaction between competitors and a Wesley Modes: Currently a CSUMB Professor commitment to sportsmanship. teaching Web Design in the School of Computing and Design. He is founder of the Free Skool Santa Cruz Somos Gallery: Featuring Lowbrow and Urban art, and has worked at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & artists from Somos Gallery, Salinas, will show their History as an artist, artistic collaborator, organizer, work. and Guest Curator and Exhibition Catalyst. He serves on the MAH’s Creative Community Commission. Mike Thaler: Children’s book author and illustrator. Creator of riddles and inspiring children to love Naval Postgraduate School Makers’ Club: The NPS reading and writing. Makers’ Club is aligned with the maker movement, focused on collaboration and networking, skill- Mike Wietecha: Artist, actor, professional sumo building, and innovation. wrestler on the 2016 US Sumo Team, Silver medalist in the 2016 National Champions, and José Ortiz: Founder and head of Hijos del Sol Arts, a Gold medalist in 2015 Georgia Open. group dedicated to creating space for Salinas youth to engage and make art, finding their voice and love Ray Zepeda: Author of Tragic Hero Comics, of creation. an on-going comic series featuring aberrant heroes, antiheroes, and villains for a whole new Roaring Mice Studio: A Salinas art studio offering art generation. instruction for all ages. 3 Look who’s coming! VENDORS

1) 8 Bit Bytes: paper crafts, jewelry, upcycled 16) Kreative Katz: Enamel pins, hair bows, & vinyl notebooks/sketch books, keychains, and bookmarks decals, inspired by fandom, pop culture, and science. with 8 bit sprite designs of all your favorite 17) Labishka Ink: Producer of “The Luchador” comic characters. series, a story about maturity, redemption, super 2) Allie Love: Featuring anime. powers, and Home Run Pies. 3) The Art of Gard: Art prints of favorite characters 18) Latino Comics Expo: The premier contributors to from a wide variety of fandoms. the Latino Comics Expo and leaders in Latino Comics. 4) Arte Tonatiuh: Crystal necklaces & earrings, 19) MikeysArt: Artwork prints, pins, stickers, wood leather bags, and other arts and crafts. paintings, and tshirts with original designs ranging 5) Blonde DVD: 11”x17” art prints. from lighthearted to political. 6) Bryan West Art: His work can be seen as a never 20) Moonlit Mia’s: Decoden cases and handmade ending quest to paradoxically combine midcentury kawaii accessories, keychains, and charms. esthetic with punk rock style and attitude. In addition 21) PM Press: An independent publisher of comics, to freelance work Bryan self-publishes comics and graphic novels, zines, and books, specializing in hot runs an online business at mutantpins.com. button issues. 7) Carol Long Jewelry: Steampunk/Fantasy jewelry 22) Alex Schumacher: Writer and Illustrator for and tote bags. Antix, an online comic producer. Also writes for Drunk 8) Chunky Girl Comics: Fighting stereotypes and Monkeys and Five2One, an art and literary journal. normative standards of beauty through comics and 23) Snapdragon Hobbies: Snapdragon carries a superheroes. wide selection of collectible toys, games, comics, 9) Dwight Illustrations: The art of Brandon models and more. Dealing in your favorite fandoms. “Dwight” Smith as digital art prints. 24) Stacked Deck Press: Comics, zines, coloring 10) Everett Alvarez High School National Art books, tote bags, and prints from Stacked Deck Honor Society: Fundraising for their events, selling Press, dedicated to cultivating diversity and buttons featuring the original art of its members. excellence in LGBTQAIU comics publishing. 11) Glossy Toast: posters, stickers, and original 25) Urban Realms: fantasy maps, journals, t-shirts, illustrations. posters, and cards for fantasy lovers and gamers 12) Integrity Comics: An independent comic book 26) Mike Wietecha: Sumo demonstrations and free company producing daring, interesting topics that prints. explore adventure, nostalgia, and diversity. 27) Ray Zepeda: Author of Tragic Hero Comics, a 13) Mike Jasorka: Independent comic book graphic novel focusing on anti-heroes. publisher, author of Bombshell Comics. 28) Viva La Revolution: T-shirts with original graphic 14) J&R Fan Art: T-shirts featuring the unique art of designs. John and Ritchie, inspired by their love of comics. 29) Artist Regina Garcia: Original artworks, prints, and self-published books. 15) Just Toyz: Collectable toys. 4