Chaz loves SteamPunk, CyberPunk, and fantasy. SteamPunk and CyberPunk are all about creatively defying authority and forging your own path. It’s resistance as art. Fantasy is all about visualizing your dream and then defying the odds to achieve it, no matter who you are or what you look like. This is why Chaz draws culturally diverse characters in the Art Nouveau style. Although publishers and corporations say that diverse characters don’t sell, he loves proving them wrong. Defying the odds is what defines him, and forging his own path is what drives him. Art is Rebellion. You can find him here: https://linktr.ee/chazkemp.
Fantasy creatures often follow familiar patterns, but small creative changes can make them feel entirely new. This panel challenges creators to rethink classic monsters and mythological beings with fresh ideas. Panelists discuss how design choices, cultural influences, and narrative roles can reshape legendary creatures. Learn ways to reinvent familiar myths for modern audiences.
Comics have become a powerful medium for a wide range of voices and experiences. Writers face the challenge of creating characters who seem authentic while avoiding stereotypes or shallow representation. This panel explores research, collaboration, and storytelling techniques that support thoughtful and inclusive writing. How can creators tell diverse stories that resonate with readers?
Learn from fantasy and scifi artists about the pathways from initial spark to final artwork, comparing traditional oil painting techniques to state-of-the-art digital tools. Panelsits will explore the importance of world-building through art, how to effectively translate narrative into striking visuals, and the crucial element of composition and storytelling within a single image."
Legacy characters are the backbone of modern comic storytelling. This panel looks at teams like the Teen Titans and the Green Lantern Corps—how they evolve, reinvent themselves, and stay relevant across generations. Creators discuss character arcs, redesigns, mentorship themes, and what it means to inherit a mantle in today’s comic universes.
Want to sell your work at conventions? Does this seem like a daunting task? Come and get an intensive crash course from artists who have been making their living as a convention artist!
An adult debate about anti-heroes, redemption arcs, and fandom’s tendency to excuse terrible behavior if the character is hot or sad enough.
From ancient sea monster myths to modern anime, horror, and adult fandom, tentacles have evolved into one of the most recognizable, and most curious, symbols in pop culture. But why? What is it about tentacles that makes them so powerful in fantasy, fear, and attraction?