As the Charlotte Minicon closes in we want to take this time to spotlight some of the wonderful guests who will be in attendance. Most of the guests are Heroes event regulars but there are a few new names on the list. We asked each of them three simple questions and we got some awesome responses. Not only are these creators witty and charming but they are also incredibly talented. Just take a look at their artwork and you will see what I mean. I am sure that all of you are excited to get some convention sketches from these talented Charlotte Minicon guests!

The first person we are spotlighting today is someone you are certain to recognize, Andy Smith. Most recently he has been doing the art for WWE Heroes and X-Men Forever 2. You might also be familiar with his work on Stormwatch: PHD, Superman Confidential, 52 and/or WildCats.

Heroes: Creatively, what are you most proud of from 2010?
Andy Smith: I’d have to say that my X-Men Forever work is the high mark on the list! Just being able to work with a legend of the status of Chris Claremont was a thrill! And being able to draw some of my favorite characters from the X-Men when I was first starting my career was just awesome.

H: What can we look for from you in 2011?
AS: Now if I had that crystal ball I could win the lottery! I’m doing some work for Marvel right now for their licensing department. I can’t really say much more about it though. From there we’ll just have to see. I’m teaching at UNCC again this new semester as well.

H: Do you have any interesting or fond memories from a past Charlotte Minicon?
AS: Honestly it is one of the conventions I look forward to every year. I’m so glad Shelton brought it back. It’s right in my backyard I get to relax and not be too overwhelmed by people. It’s just a nice small hometown show where I always have a good time! And of course hanging out with Budd Root for the day is always a plus! We talk football non-stop!

Next up we have Chrissie Zullo who is an artist on the rise. Since her breakout success with Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love she has been gaining more fame and notoriety. She is a must have on anyone’s I-need-to-get-a-commission-by-this-person’s list!

Heroes: Creatively, what are you most proud of from 2010?
Chrissie Zullo: 2010 was a huge deal to me because it was my first year of interior work. I was able to do the covers for Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love, as well as interiors for the first time for Madame Xanadu and Fables #100.

H: What can we look for from you in 2011?
CZ: More Cinderella! She’s back and better than ever.

H: Do you have any interesting or fond memories from a past Charlotte Minicon?
CZ: I love this show because it’s a great size and you can get away with some great deals. I snagged Marko Djurdjevic‘s cover run issues of Daredevil a couple of years ago for a steal, as well as grabbing some free posters. It’s also great for getting to hang out and talk to some great artists. And it’s in an awesome building to boot.

This will be the first Charlotte Minicon for our Special Guest Chris Stevens who first burst onto the scene working for UDON Entertainment. His recent work includes cover work for Skullkickers and Thor. He also made a big splash at the 2010 HeroesCon Annual Art Auction.

Heroes: Creatively, what are you most proud of from 2010?
Chris Stevens: I did my first Marvel covers in 2010. My second cover was recently released as a t-shirt. Very cool stuff. That may be career and not creative, but I’m never proud of my work, so I can’t think of anything.

H: What can we look for from you in 2011?
CS: More Marvel covers I hope. I plan to keep providing covers for Skullkickers too. Hopefully catch up on my commission list.

H: Do you have any interesting or fond memories from a past Charlotte Minicon?
CS: Sorry to say this will be my first time at Minicon. Been going to HeroesCon since ’92 though. I get some points for that, right?

Our last spotlight for today is Bridgit Scheide. She is a relative new-comer to the comic’s scene with her self-published book Kindle and her webcomic Brother Nash. You can check out her deviantART page for more examples of her work!

Heroes: Creatively, what are you most proud of from 2010?
Bridgit Scheide: Early this past year I self-published a comic called Kindle, which is a single issue introduction to a graphic novel I’m working on. It’s been a huge learning experience for me, but a very exciting one as well. I’ve been hopping around comic conventions in NC, which has been a lot of fun. I’ve also been working on a webcomic called Brother Nash, which is a 30 page script I wrote as a sort of creative break from Kindle. After a year or so of working with graphite I really felt like I needed a project where I could ink and color something for a little while (and draw trucks, apparently?).

H: What can we look for from you in 2011?
BS: In 2011, I’ll shortly finish up Brother Nash #1: Roadkill and release it as a single issue.  I’ve also been scheming with Chrissie Zullo and we’ll be collaborating on something killer for HeroesCon 2011, so be on the lookout for that! It’ll be my third year at HeroesCon – it’s my favorite con for sure. I’m also continuing work on Kindle, though I’m actually changing its name to The Kindle Kind, with the intention to save from confusion with the popular electronic device and all of the lame jokes which accompany that. Haha!

H: Do you have any interesting or fond memories from a past Charlotte Minicon?
BS: This is actually my first time at the Charlotte Minicon. I’m pretty stoked! And seriously, pony rides?! How good does this get?!