Ben Caldwell has performed his uniquely graceful style of cartooning on Justice League Unlimited covers, Wonder Woman children’s books, and Star Wars: Clone Wars comic books. Ben also did a bang-up job on Wednesday Comics: Wonder Woman and his creator-owned comic Dare Detectives. I recommend his Action! Cartooning series of ‘how-to’ books all the time! Please make sure you give this first-time HeroesCon guest a warm welcome!

Newcomer James Harren is making quite a splash with his work on B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Long Death. I’d try to get on his sketch list early and often!

Steve Niles is family around here and we’re happy to announce he’ll be back this year. Along with his new project with Bernie Wrightson, Frankenstein Alive, look for other new books like Creator-Owned Heroes.

No stranger to anyone who has been to HeroesCon, Tony Shasteen is returning in 2012. His work has been featured in the prestigious annual, Spectrum, The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art. Check out his work on titles like Burn Notice, Netherworld, Deathstroke and the recently optioned Occult Crimes Taskforce from 12 Gauge Comics

Dexter Vines is one of the most sought-after inkers in the industry, often working on high-profile “event” comics like Civil War and the recent white-hot Wolverine “Old Man Logan” story. He’s probably most closely associated with penciller Ed McGuinness, especially for their work on Superman/Batman and The Hulk.

Bernie Wrightson began his career working on horror anthologies like House of Mystery and House of Secrets and he has continued scaring readers with his distinct style. Some of his past work includes co-creating Swamp Thing with Len Wein and illustrating Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Also new this week is Derec Donovan. Derec has worked all over the place, including on Image’s Youngblood, Marvel’s Jubilee, and DC’s Robin and Connor Hawke series!

Next up we have Chrissie Zullo! Since her breakout success with Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love she has been gaining more fame and notoriety. Check out her contribution in the massive Kickstarter success story Womanthology.

Also appearing in artists alley is artist of the forthcoming Holliday OGN from Oni Press, Doug Dabbs.

Will Allred has contributed articles to Blue-Collar Pop Culture: From NASCAR to Jersey Shore (2012), Comics Through Time (forthcoming) and served as a Contributing Editor to Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels (2010).

Get your tickets here!

We’ve been hoping that for our 30th Anniversary show we could assemble some of the folks that were on that very first HeroesCon guest list back in 1982 and today we’re happy to announce that two of them, GEORGE PÉREZ & MARV WOLFMAN join already announced inaugural HeroesCon guests Pat Broderick and Butch Guice! Neither one of these guys really needs and introduction but just in case you’re new to comics, these two co-created the New Teen Titans and joined forces again for one of the biggest events in comics history Crisis on Infinite Earths. George Pérez is also known for long runs on Wonder Woman and his detailed work on Avengers. George has been always been an avid supporter of Shelton and HeroesCon since before that first show in 1982 and we consider him part of our family. Marv Wolfman also co-created Blade a character that has since been turned into a very successful movie franchise and Destiny which was later used by Neil Gaiman in his highly regarded Sandman series.

Earl Norem is primarily known for his painted covers for Marvel Comics books and magazines like Savage Sword of Conan, Silver Surfer, Amazing Spider-Man, Rampaging Hulk. Over his five-decade career Norem also brought his colorful, expressive, and dynamic style to covers for novels, box-design for toys (Masters of the Universe), gaming books, movie posters, baseball programs, and trading cards.

CLAYTON HENRY– Artist: Uncanny X-men, Incredible Hercules, Archer and Armstrong
ERIC LAYTON – Inker: Grim Ghost, Ex Machina, New X-Men, Venom
ANDREW PEPOY – Artist: Fables, The Simpsons, The Adventures of Simone & Ajax
TOMMY SMITH – Artist: Starship Troopers, The Hunger, Marvel Masterpieces Sketch Cards
MATT WILSON – Colorist: Wonder Woman, X Men: Season One, Phonogram
MATT WEBB – Colorist: Flesh and Blood, Next Men, Hawkman, Star Trek
THOM ZAHLER – Creator: Love and Capes, Deadbeats, Stan Lee NHL Guardian Project

Get your tickets here!

• MARK BAGLEY – Mark has been one of Marvel’s go-to artists for years now.  Along with classic work on titles like Amazing Spider-man, New Warriors and Venom: Lethal Protector, Mark also provided work for Ultimate Spider-man and the recent Avengers Assemble title.
• ALEAH BAKER –  You can see Aleah’s coloring skills in recent issues of both Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe.
• IAN FLYNN – Ian is responsible for writing some of the best kids books on the shelves today.  Along with work on Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe, Ian also helms the popular Mega Man series.
• JAMES LYLE – You might’ve seen James’ artwork on books like Doorman and Grimm Fairy Tales.  He’ll also be representing and bringing some friends from the Southeast Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society (SCNCS).
• BUDDY PRINCE – Buddy provided pencils for Night, along with art for Upper Deck Cards.
• BUDD ROOT – As the creator of Cavewoman, Budd built a strong following with his renditions of dinosaurs, creatures and the humans who survive among them.
• ANDY SMITH – Andy’s a veteran artist who has worked on everything from X-O Manowar, The First, WWE Heroes, War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath and X-men: Forever, among many others.
• CHRIS SPARKS – Chris is responsible for editing and compiling Team Cul de Sac which will debut at HeroesCon! It’s an amazing book celebrating the art of Richard Thompson and benefitting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Researh.  There’s a huge list of talented artists who contributed to the Team Cul de Sac book, among them are Bill Watterson, Sergio Aragones, Mort Walker, Roger Langridge, Chris Schweizer, David Malki and Evan Dorkin.
• KOI TURNBULL – Koi has provided art for a variety of books, including Michael Turner’s Fathom, Soul Retreiver, Black Panther and Young Justice.

Making comics is a pretty solitary endeavor so when convention time rolls around you want to make sure you can hang out with your friends without having to leave your table and miss your fans! Today’s update features 3 great groups of artists!

Kiss by Jamal Igle

Scarlet Spider by Ryan Stegman

CADENCE COMIC ART

JAMAL IGLE – Kiss, Supergirl, World’s Finest, Nightwing, Firestorm
ERIK JONES – Unknown, Elric, Witchblade
AARON KUDER – Amory Wars, Legion Lost, Key of Z
ANDY KUHN – Firebreather, TMNT, Marvel Team-up
AMY MEBBERSON – Muppets, Strawberry Shortcake, Richie Rich, Dorothy of Oz, Monsters Inc.
KHARY RANDOLPH – Starborn, Charismagic, Spider-Man, Spawn, New Mutants
JAMES SILVANI – Darkwing Duck, Chip & Dale’s Rescue Rangers, TMNT, Star Wars, Looney Tunes
RYAN STEGMAN – Scarlet Spider, Amazing Spider-man, She Hulks, X-23

COMIC ART HOUSE

Atomic Robo by Scott Wegener

MATTHEW FLETCHER
DANIEL GOVAR – Azure
NORMAN LEE – X-Men, Namor, New Mutants, DCU Online Legends
MIKE LILLY – Black Terror, Annihilation Conquest: Quasar, Vampirella, Punisher
JACK PURCELL – Batgirl, Gotham Underground, Green Arrow
SARA RICHARD – Zombie Bomb, Marvel’s Dangerous Divas Sketchcards
CHRISTOPHER UMINGA – Living Dead Dolls
SCOTT WEGENER – Atomic Robo, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
CHARLES PAUL WILSON III – Stuff of Legend

Buffy and Faith by Randy Green

ROBERT ATKINS – GI Joe, SnakeEyes, Amazing Spider-man, X-Men Forever
STEVE BIRD – Robin, Blue Beetle, Outsiders, Detective Comics
RANDY GREEN – New X-Men, Emma Frost, Witchblade
RICK KETCHAM – Runaways, Uncanny X-Men, Excalibur, New Mutants
GARY MCKEE – Warhammer 40K, Legends of the Five Rings
BRIAN SHEARER – Dr. Who, Transformers, GI JOE
JASON WALKER – Sword and Scorcery, Scarred Lands and Ravenloft
JOHN WYCOUGH – G.I. Joe, Transformers, Dr. Who, Star Wars, Noble Causes
KELLY YATES – Amber Atoms, Doctor Who, Tales of Tellos, JLA/JSA Secret File

Oh man! Did you read that headline? Jaime Hernandez is coming back to HeroesCon this year! We are so happy to welcome this modern master of comics back to Charlotte. We’re both celebrating 30th Anniversaries after all! 30 years ago Jaime and his brothers began creating Love & Rockets and, judging from the last 2 amazing books in that series, we’re happy to say Jaime’s best work may still be ahead of him!

Evan Dorkin & Sarah Dyer are becoming like family to us! We’re so happy they’re made HeroesCon one of their regular stops for the summer and we’re sure you are too! Stop by their table to get your shiny new Milk and Cheese and Beasts of Burden hardcovers signed!

Since Tom Hart was awarded the Xeric Grant in 1994 he has gone on to publish Hutch Owen in almost every iteration possible. Aside from cartooning Tom is currently the Director of the Sequential Artists Workshop in Gainesville, FL and we are very happy to welcome him to what I believe is his first HeroesCon!

More fresh names added to our Indie Island guest list today are:

• Robin Holstein –Snow White: Through A Glass, Darkly
• Ashley Holt – Mr. Product, Bedbugs: the Dream Diary of Ashley Holt
• Jackie Lewis – Play Ball
• David Mack – Steak and Cake, Cemetery, Wolf City, OTTO, Some Things I’ve Dreamed
• Chad Thomas – Mega Man, Tricky Journeys
• Ben Towle – Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean, Oyster War, Midnight Sun, Farewell Georgia
• Joey Weiser – Cavemen In Space, The Ride Home, Flight, Superior Showcase

The entire HeroesCon guest list is here and you get get your Advance 3 Day passes here!

Happy Monday! You don’t want jibber jabber, you want names! Tommy Lee Edwards never misses HeroesCon and this year is no different. You probably recognize his amazing art from books like Turf, The Question, Marvel: 1985 and Rocketeer Adventures, among  many others.  This year Tommy’s bringing along a couple of his buddies from the BLVD too, Bernard Chang and Sean Chen!  Bernard recently provided the Deadman story for the new 52’s DC Universe Presents, and has worked on books like Wonder Woman, Superman and Supergirl.  Sean Chen is known for memorable work on diverse titles like Iron Man, Nova, Wolverine and Avengers Academy.

Shane Berryhill is the author of Chance Fortune and the Outlaws and Chance Fortune in the Shadowzone from MacMillan Press. Chance Fortune and the Outlaws is an official selection of the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age and the Texas Lone Star Reading List. We should mention, all 2012 author proceeds for the audio version of Chance Fortune and the Outlaws (available for download from Amazon.com, Audible.com, and itunes) go to benefit the Read 20 Program, an organization devoted to promoting Children’s literacy.

Nelson Blake II pencilled GI JOE: RELOADED at Devil’s Due before moving over to Top Cow working on various titles for the publisher. He’s really been making a name for himself lately on Magdalena. You’ll find him at his table with a big smile on his face while drawing and listening to metal in his headphones!

Pat Broderick is an artist known for his work on the titles like Micronauts and Firestorm. Broderick also pencilled the four-part Batman: Year Three storyline, written by Marv Wolfman, which detailed the first meeting of Batman and Tim Drake.

Not only is Mark McKenna a veteran comics inker working on such titles as Star Wars: The Old Republic-The Lost Suns and Grifter, he is also the creator of the children’s book Banana Tail’s Colerful Adventure!

Jonboy Meyers is an artist you might know from his work on titles like Fall of the Hulks: The Savage She-Hulks, World of Warcraft the Trading Card Game, Marvel Adventures: Spider-man, IDW G.I. Joe Covers, and various covers for BOOM Studios.

You have seen the work of Stuart Sayger on books like 30 Days of Night, Lego Bionicle, Machete and Bram Stoker’s Death Ship.

Tim Vigil is known for his contributions to horror, including work on Faust, EO, Webwitch, Image’s recent ’68 and numerous Frank Frazetta properties.

Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, the penciller and inker team on the New 52 Aquaman are coming to HeroesCon for the 1st time in 2012!  The pair have been key players on some of DC’s biggest stories over the past few years, including Infinite Crisis, Green Lantern, Blackest Night and Brightest Day!

Our friends from Atlanta, Studio Revolver will be joining us again! The current roster is Tariq Hassan, Tom Feister, Stephanie Gladden( Harvey Nominated artist of Jingle Belle), Dominike Stanton (Deadpool special), Irene Strychalski ( Deadpool Special), Joe Peacock ( Art of Akira), Bernard Shepard ( inker),  and John Floyd ( artist on the Fx Series Archer, and Unsupervised)

Also joining us again is HeadHunta Studios headed up by Chris Walker and featuring Derrick Fish, Ben Fisher, Nathan Massengill, Kevin Stokes,  and Laura Truxillo.

Get your 3-day advance tickets and all the goodies that go along with that right here!

Neil Bramlette has assembled a great lineup of talent featuring Toby Cypress, Logan Faerber, Andrew MacLean, Paul Maybury, Alexis Ziritt, Greg Ruth and presenting their newest member Ming Doyle! Out of Step Arts was started by Neil to help support talented, hard-working artists with unique styles who are not only interested in working in comics, but also have interests in other art cultures as well. This could be gallery shows, custom vinyl, graffiti, gig posters, tattoo design, illustration, pin-ups, etc. OOSA offers a collaborative way to promote the artists involved, expose their work to new people, share knowledge and information, and help each artist find opportunities to do what they want to do with their art.  The OOSA artists all bring different experiences, perspectives, and styles to the collective. This diversity reflects comics at their best.  www.OutofSteparts.com

Alexis Ziritt: Mekano Turbo in POPGUN Anthology 4, The Package

Andrew MacLean: Practically A God, Colonial Souls, StrayDogCounty and MEATSPACE.

Logan Faerber: Re-Pro-Duct

Paul Maybury: DOGS of Mars, Blue Estate, Party Bear

Toby Cypress: Rodd Racer, Blue Estate, Killing Girl, The Tourist (Rodd Racer image at the top of this post, VROOOOM!)

Ming Doyle: Mara, Womanthology, Tantalize: Kieren’s Story

Greg Ruth (not attending Heroes Con) : Freaks of the Heartland, Conan: Born on the Battlefield, Alabaster: Wolves (covers)

The weatherman says we’re going to reach 90° today in Charlotte. It just makes us think of summer a little early and summer, June 22-24 to be specific, means HeroesCon around here! We have a jumbo-sized Indie Island update for you guys today (It actually went up yesterday but if you missed that, it’s news to you)! It’s chock full of first-timers, folks we haven’t seen a few years and people that we consider family.

Let’s start by welcoming some new faces for 2012! Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore are the writer and artist respectively of the awesomely violent new series The Strange Talent of Luther Strode. Their comic has a been a big hit with our customers so if you haven’t picked it up yet, check it out!

Benjamin Marra makes comics that need to be seen to be believed (by adults only!). We met Benjamin at SPX last year and were blown away by purity of his artistic vision. We guarantee that Night Business and Gansta Rap Posse will light your senses on fire! Also in Indie Island this year is Matthew D. Smith is a writer and artist working on many self-published books and also stuff for 80 Pork and TAK comics. He is also a self-proclaimed music snob so you can chat with him about that at the show. Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb are another pair of creators we met at SPX last year. We picked up their self published project The Potter’s Pet and loved it. They’ve been doing great work on the Tricky Journeys books with writer and HeroesCon guest Chris Schweizer (my daughter loves them, check em out if you have kids! They are choose-your-own-adventure comic books! -r). Shelli and Braden are currently the monthly artists of the new Adventure Time comic and of course it is AWESOME!

It’s been a few years since our pal Scott C. has been a guest at our show but we are happy to have him back! Scott did an amazing print for us in 2008 (pictured). Scott’s book Zombie In Love (written by Kelly DiPucchio) is a Finalist in the 2012 Children’s Choice Book Awards and you can totally go vote! Scott has the best smile in comics, make you stop by and say hello and do yourself a favor and check out his Great Showdowns Tumblr. it will help you pass the time until Scott is here in June.

We’d also like to welcome back Heroes family Andy Runton and Robert Venditti! Andy is the creator of the adorable Owly. Robert is the writer of The Homeland Directive and The Surrogates. These guys will be doing double duty, holding down the fort for Top Shelf Productions, publishers of some of the finest comics and books out there! Joel Carroll’s new webcomic Cuttle and Chirp is awesome, go check it out as soon as you’re done reading this! Mike Maihack is responsible for the great Cleopatra in Space, check that out after you’re done with Joel’s Cuttle and Chirp!

Hey comic book fans, we hope March is treating you well so far. It’s time for another big guest list update!  Looking at the image below you realize comics has a place for huge variety of great creators! Check em all out this June 22-24 at HeroesCon! Click on their names (below the image) to be taken to their websites. We’ll have more announcements coming soon for you guys! Click here to get your 3-day advance passes and all the exclusive goodies that come along with it!

• NATHAN EDMONDSON – The ACTIVITY, Who Is Jake Ellis?, Grifter, The Light
• FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA – The Black Beetle, Captain America & Bucky, Detective Comics, Black Panther
• MITCH GERADS – The ACTIVITY, Doctor WHO, Planet of the Apes
• GENE GONZALES – DC Comics Licensing Artist, Iron Man 2 Cards, Diary of Night
• JEREMY HAUN – The Darkness, The Beauty, Detective Comics, Gotham City Sirens
• JANET LEE – Return of the Dapper Men, Jane Austen’s Emma & Northanger Abbey
• MARK MORALES – Avengers vs X-men, Avengers: Children’s Crusade, The Mighty Thor
• JOE PEKAR – Grimm Fairy Tales, Brandi Bare, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
• PAT QUINN – The Phantom, GI Joe: Declassified, Necrotic
• RON SALAS – Existence 2.0/3.0, Dracula: Company of Monsters, Comic Twart
• JILL THOMPSON – Magic Trixie, Beasts of Burden, Scary Godmother
• SHANE WHITE – 1Month2Live, Things Undone, The Overman