2024 ARTISTS & GUESTS
DARRYL BANKS
NEO ComicCon is pleased to announce the return of Darryl Banks, Ohio Native and co-creator of the fan-favorite Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner, and the classic story featuring the transformation of Hal Jordan into Parallax. As many of you know, Darryl’s incredible workload over the past few years has prevented him from doing local conventions, so we’re incredibly lucky to have him as our Special Guest of Honor this year.
Darryl will sign autographs, pose for photo ops, and take sketch commissions as time permits. Please contact Darryl through his Facebook page to arrange your commissions ahead of time.
Along with Darryl’s iconic run on Green Lantern, his body of work includes Uncanny X-Men, Captain America, Stormwatch, Tomb Raider, Superman, Lobo, JLA, Legion of Superheroes, and Vampirella, along with many other titles for many other publishers.
Darryl is extremely friendly and enjoys talking with his fans. We’re so grateful to have him as our guest, and we can’t wait for all of you to meet him!
ANGEL MEDINA
NEO ComicCon is pleased to announce the return of Angel Medina for our 2024 show!
Angel, a fan-favorite throughout his stellar career, is known for his amazing work on Spawn from issues #100-150, as well as Sensational Spider-Man and Warlock and the Infinity Watch.
Angel has also worked on Kiss: Psycho Circus, Abominations, Blackwulf, Dreadstar, Grimm Fairy Tales, The Incredible Hulk, and Venom: Dark Origin.
Angel has produced some amazing covers for the major publishers in the last few years, as well as one of the most iconic covers of its time, the Pulp Fiction poster homage featuring She-Hulk on Incredible Hulk #441.
Angel is one of the nicest creators in the business, and really appreciates his fans. When he joined us in 2019, he had long lines all day and signed so many books his hand cramped! Angel is also taking commission requests for this year’s show; you can message him for more information via his Facebook page.
Please help us make Angel feel welcome at Neo ComicCon this August 4th. We’re incredibly grateful to have him back!
DON SIMPSON
Neo ComicCon is proud to welcome Special Guest of Honor, Don Simpson. Don has been supporting our event and visiting with our attendees since our very first show ten years ago.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Don graciously offered to create an amazing new poster for us, featuring the first ever team-up between Neo and one of Don’s most important creations, Megaton Man. Even more impressive is the fact that this year is the 40th anniversary of the Mighty MM’s first appearance in 1984!
This year, we’ll be producing a special, limited-edition poster which will be available at both the ticket booth and at Don’s table. Don is an amazing artist and storyteller and always has time for our attendees.
Along with Megaton Man, Don created Border Worlds and has worked on Marvel’s CRAZY!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Splitting Image, Savage Dragon vs. Megaton Man, King Kong, and the DC Anthology series, Wasteland. Don also co-created In Pictopia with Alan Moore, which was recently re-released in a stunning new edition.
Don is also available for commissions and can be contacted via his Facebook page.
TONY ISABELLA - COMIC LEGEND!
NEO ComicCon proudly welcomes back the Chairman of the Board for Comic Book Culture in Northeast Ohio, Tony Isabella. Tony is a comic book writer, editor, and critic, known as the creator of DC Comics' first major African-American superhero, Black Lightning, as well as other ground-breaking characters like Misty Knight and Tigra.
As a writer and editor for Marvel Comics, Tony worked on several major titles, including Ghost Rider, the Champions, Daredevil, Captain America, and Luke Cage, Hero for Hire. He also published regularly as a columnist for the well-reknowned Comics Buyer’s Guide.
Tony owned and operated one of the most iconic comic stores in Cleveland, Cosmic Comics, located in the Arcade in downtown Cleveland. That shop is where this writer’s father bought him issues 141 and 142 of The Uncanny X-men. I read them in the backseat of the car on the way home and became a lifelong fan.
Tony continues to be one of the bright spots of our convention, and we hope that his grace and generosity of spirit will continue to guide us for years to come.
BILL KRAUSE
NEO ComicCon is pleased to announce a new guest 2024! Bill Krause is a custom model builder for film, television, and commissioned projects, specializing in the Star Trek Universe.
Bill has most recently been involved with Star Trek: Picard, Season 2 and 3, designing and building props for the show. The Season 3 ship, the U.S.S. Titan, is a modified version of an original design by Krause.
Bill built the new U.S.S. Stargazer, including the new ship model, the Sagan-class, He also built the gold-plated models seen in the back of the Stargazer's lounge.
Bill's 30-plus year career in Ohio saw him working in video production, editing, graphic design, and animation, as well as running his own company. He retired a few years ago, and pursued ship-building in earnest, which led him to Star Trek.
Bill is happy to talk all things Trek with fans, autograph pieces, and pose for photo ops.
DAN BERGER
NEO ComicCon is proud to announce that TMNT fan-favorite Dan Berger will be a special guest at our convention on August 4th at the Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted, OH.
Dan Berger began working in the mail room for Mirage Studios in 1990, sending out postcard replies to letters mailed to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures. Not too long afterwards, Steve Murphy and Ryan Brown hired Dan to be the inker on that series, where he had the pleasure of working on the pencils of Ken Mitchroney.
In 1991, Dan began inking the Turtles daily comic strip and eventually became the solo writer/artist. He created the action figure Merdude and produced TMNT licensing art for Chef Boyardee, Dell Publishing, Disney Magazine, Playmates Toys, and others.
In the late ’90s, Berger became the web master and designer for Mirage’s ninjaturtles.com site. He also contributed many scripts and drew several issues of Mirage’s Tales of the TMNT Volume Two and served as the managing editor for Mirage Publishing.
Dan was also the managing editor and graphic designer for Heavy Metal magazine and earned a Ringo Awards nomination for “Best Presentation in Design” for issue #300. Berger’s talents struck a power chord as the designer for Megadeth’s “Death by Design” and The Who’s “Life House” graphic novels.
Currently the production editor for Kevin Eastman’s "Drawing Blood" series being published by Image Comics, the multi-talented dude has been called one of the most approachable and friendliest guys in comics.
Tom Orzechowski
This year at NEO ComicCon, we're pleased to have, for the first time ever on our fields, the one and only Tom Orzechowski!
If you have a favorite quote from nearly any of the Chris Claremont X-books, those words were made visible to you by a true master of the art form. Along with most of the Claremont-Byrne Uncanny run, Tom also lettered Rich Buckler's Black Panther run in Jungle Action and Jim Starlin's Captain Marvel, along with projects too numerous to name.
2023 ARTISTS & GUESTS
Johnny K. Wu - M.D.I.Film
Johnny K. Wu was born on June 8, 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He is a producer and director, known for Immortal Combat: The Code (2019), Innerself (2018) and T.R.A.C.E.: A Doctor Who Fan Film (2014).
With 35+ years in brand marketing & video production experience. Events produced and branded successfully included Cleveland Asian Festival, Cleveland Cultural Gardens One World Day, Data Cle Day, Presque Isle Down and Casinos Asian market's events, Mountaineer Casino's Asian market's events, VitaMix Pacific Rim video branding/marketing, Hollywood Charity Jam, Han Wei National Martial Arts Tournaments, IndieGathering Film Festival, etc.
Inducted into the The International Indie Filmmakers Hall of Fame for Outstanding Achievements in Editing; International Karate Hall of Fame; and World Spokeship Council.
TED SIKORA
Ted Sikora is a comic book writer and filmmaker. He is the president of Hero Tomorrow Comics, and the creator/writer of Tap Dance Killer. Punchline & the Vaude-Villians, Bloom, and co-creator/co-writer of Apama the Undiscovered Animal. The entire Hero Tomorrow Comics universe is set in Cleveland! He also directed the dark comedy indie feature Hero Tomorrow, and wrote the libretto, the principal music and lyrics to the horror show musical, Nothing Like Vaudeville.
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Born and raised in the Cleveland area, Rick has been producing professional comic book illustrations and commission artwork since 2008. His work with independent publishers includes Mask & Cape Comics’ American Knight series and HB Comics’ upcoming series Landslide. Rick is a featured artist for Akron Comicon and has appeared at comic conventions in San Diego, Philadelphia, and New York. Whether it’s professional, promotional, or freelance illustration, Rick’s art always reflects his unique talent and passion for the business. ricklozanoart.com
DAVE NESTLER
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For over 20 years artist Dave Nestler has enjoyed success as one of the most recognized names in Contemporary Pinup Art. Dave’s work has appeared in 5 published art books and graced countless magazines here and abroad. A regular on the convention circuit, He has appeared at over 350 conventions in North America and Canada.
10 years ago Dave was invited to contribute to George Lucas’ personal art book project: “Star Wars: Visions”. His inclusion caught the eye of Acme Archives Direct, one of the largest producers of officially licensed original art and fine art reproductions for the entertainment industry. Dave soon began producing art for franchises such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Kung Fu Panda, plus The Big Lebowski, and music brands: Iron Maiden and The Beach Boys.
In 2016 Acme turned to Dave to begin producing original character art for their Disney gallery partners in Asia.
Since then, Dave has traveled twice to Japan to do appearances, print signings, and live painting demonstrations in Tokyo, Osaka and 6 other major cities. In a short 3 year period, he has built up a big following among the Disney art crowd, and has produced, and sold over 130 pieces of original art.
davenestler.com
JESSE MARKS
An artist & illustrator from Cleveland – Marks’ art ranges from his favorite classic heroes & villains to Disney & My Little Pony. He is working on a web comic, Evolution Prime & a comic book for Underground Comixx. Also in the works is a project with Eric Cooper, creator of Knightseeker.
facebook.com/jamartsketchez
Gary Dumm
Gary Dumm is an illustrator and a life-long Cleveland resident who worked with Harvey Pekar on American Splendor since Pekar began self-publishing that comic 35 years ago. He has shown his artwork in exhibitions nationally from Cleveland to San Francisco and internationally from Canada to Germany. His cartoons have been shown in Entertainment Weekly, the New York Times, the VillageVoice and France's le Monde and in Cleveland Scene, Free Times and Plain Dealer.http://www.dummart.com/
Dan Gorman
Dan is a trained Medical Illustrator with his BFA in Medical Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art (1999). Dan began working as a Sketch Card Artist in 2010 and has since worked on over 150 Licensed trading card sets that include but are not limited to Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Star Trek, Game of Thrones, Alien, The Lord of the Rings and AMC's The Walking Dead. In 2012, Dan began his career as a Comic Book Penciler and has been published by Dark Horse, AC Comics, Empire Comics Lab and Source Point Press. In 2015 Dan launched a weekly Internet Radio Show about Comics and Pop Culture called "The Altered Realm" which he co-hosts on krmaradio.com every saturday night from 8pm-midnight. Dan is a member in good standing of The National Cartoonists Society and contributes cartoons to his local home town paper, The Akron Devil Strip Magazine. You can see more of Dan's work at dangormanart.com and be sure to follow him @GdanArtist on Twitter.
Jason Moore
His early works include inking The Realm and the Realm/DeadWorld crossover title Realm of the Dead for Caliber Press, among a number of other projects including: Evil Ernie: Destroyer, Halloween II and Halloween III for Chaos! Comics, Leatherface for NorthStar; many titles for Malibu Comics/Ultraverse such as Rune, Mantra, Codename: FireArm, The Exiles and many more. The comic adaption of the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp film Sleepy Hollow, Batman: Haunted Gotham, and The Crusades… all of which were published by DC/Vertigo Comics. Also, Spider-Man: The Osborn Journal and other titles for Marvel Comics.
Long before The Walking Dead and Zombie craze that is everywhere these days, Jason was the penciller/inker for the early 1990s Arrow Comics title The Dead which was featured in Fangoria Magazine and was banned in Canada and the United Kingdom!
Jason was the artist on a children’s book that was written by legendary Hall of Fame boxing Champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler and co-written by Dustin Warburton.
He also created the movie poster artwork for the upcoming documentary Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Jason was also the inker over legendary penciller Mike Zeck on a special variant cover edition of G.I. Joe.
Jason Christner
Jason Christner, an artist for Cryptozoic Entertainment and Upper Deck, is a lifetime comic and pop culture fan. A father of two daughters, who are fans in their own right. As well as a wife that keeps pushing him to keep pushing himself.
He specializes in detailed sketches of all sorts of pop culture icons. Movies, comics, even sports.
A self taught artist who influences include many great artists like Alex Ross, Joe Jusko, Jim Lee among many others.
The Mischief Factory - David Spencer
David Spencer has made his staple creating visual adventures for children and adults alike. David specializes in making fun illustrations featuring monsters superheroes and weird robots. David recently finished illustrating "The Epic Adventures of Huggie and Stick" written by the best selling author of "The Day the Crayons Quit", Drew Daywalt. The new book, out now, promises to be David Spencer's super fun breakout romp. Follow David on his own epic adventure at From the head of David Spencer to your lives, we create visual adventure for people who love fun, playing in the mud, using their big imaginations, colorful art that doesn't take itself too seriously, high fives, and obviously scissor kicks! So look around & GET INTO IT. Get into it!
http://www.mischief-factory.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/mischieffactory
RAK Graphics was founded in the early 1980s by RAK, (Robert A. Kraus).
The following is a brief break down of my skills and things that I do:
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professional artist 30+ years
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created CHAKAN the FOREVER MAN Video Game & GRAPHIC NOVELLA series
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designed DRAGON WARr, COIN CREATURES & other game systems
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artist of the "EVERYMAN" visual poetry series
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grandmaster of the "WAY of the WINGED LION" kung fu style
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star of many instructional dvds, seminars, & guest apperances
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SUPERFREEK super-hero spoof series
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2010 & beyond - bringing several multi-media & film projects to fans all around the world
email: rakart1@yahoo.com
Rob Kraus - RAK Graphics
Justin Roberts
Artist Justin Roberts mixes Surrealism, Realism, and Abstract art to create his own unique style of paintings and drawings. He is best known for his Live Painting shows, where he creates epic pieces in less than an hours time on stage with a band, feeding off of the live music and illustrating the sounds as they perform. Born and raised in Kent, Ohio, growing up he learned many tricks of the trade by watching his parents who are both versatile artists, especially his father Gerald Roberts, founder of Kustom Art & Signs. Justin studied fine arts at the Columbus College of Art & Design, following in his parents footsteps who also attended the art school. Justin is consistently working on commissions, live painting gigs, murals, and expanding his own personal portfolio.
Justin Roberts Fan Club Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/210687252277280/
Web Store: https://tinyurl.com/5fama8mh
David K. Photgraphy
Entertainment personality David K is a modern renaissance man , in the best sense of the word . An award winning music industry & glamour photographer, his published work has graced the covers of magazines & has even been featured in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and Museum as well . His love of comics and movies led to him shooting the comic book cover for Thomas F. Zahler and IDW's Time and Vine - Cards Comics Collectibles variant as well as still photos of a few horror movies as well. A pop culture enthusiast, his love of Raiders of the Lost Ark eventually led him to learn the art of whip cracking and eventually teaching actress Jessica Cameron how to properly use the a whip for movie/tv roles. In addition he has been a radio host,journalist and is currently working on his YouTube channel DavidKPhoto as he tackles 2021 with a renewed vigor.
Come meet him at NEO Comic Con
Alex Abood
Alex Abood is an independent author from the Akron, Ohio area. Abood wrote the first draft of The Wizard at the age of fourteen, and self-published it during her senior year of high school. The Chronicles of Novun series is her first published work of fantasy, but certainly not the last.
Abood lives in Mogadore, Ohio with her parents, three sisters, three dogs, cat, and bearded dragon. She is currently pursuing an English degree, as well as her dream of being an author.
ALEX ABOOD
Caleb started his writing career as a filmmaker in Chicago. Over the past 6 years, Caleb has run 16 successful crowdfunding campaigns to create numerous comics, graphic novels, and children’s books that are not only entertaining but thought-provoking and timely.
His children's comic series, Supercats is part of Scout Comics all-ages imprint, Scoot. The Supercats characters also appear in a quality the quarterly magazine, Frontiers which features original all-ages comic strips and activities. His WWII ghost story Nook has recently been acquired by Source Point Press and will be hitting comic store shelves as a monthly limited series this summer! His new series, The Neverland is a modern Stand-Alone sequel to the original Peter Pan novel by J.M. Barrie set during the pandemic. Issue #1 was funded on Kickstarter in March with issue 2 planned to hit the platform later this year. He now lives in Hudson Ohio with his wife, son, two cats, and a daughter due in July!
CALEB THUSAT
Claude Raymond Design
Jen
I’ve always been known as a bit of a juxtaposition. Deep, insightful, and emotional with a wide streak of wit and quirky humor. You’ll find the same range within my photography. I see such profound beauty in the spaces that others have abandoned. Where “man” begins to decay and nature accepts it as one of its own. I also enjoy capturing “pearls of wisdom” graffiti. Be it blatant profanity, oddly encouraging advice or eyebrow raising verbiage….it all appeals to my vision as an artist.!
Steve
Claude Raymond Design was started by Steve in 2013 after he picked up his tools from a long hiatus . Throughout his time on the Orb called Earth I have been a model maker and sculptor.
I create life like fantasy creatures pulled from some strange bent place in my mind. Some are inspired by 80’s fantasy games, and others are my take on mythological/historical creatures from our past. You will also find creations that are original concepts that pop into our world as my fingers do what they are told by that bent place in his mind.
AHURA's Creations - Stacie Johnson
Cuddle Porcupine - Elisha Reyes
Fandom Collective - Darlene Abilay
Jason Banak
Live Dream Crate - Krystal Tomlinson
Madeline & Phil Casella
Marcus Calvert
Mason Moon - Bailey Mooney
Merch Guy Merch with Justin Roberts - Vince Lombardi
Russell Casseday
Spaz Tastic Studios
These Artists are also attending
More To Be Announced!
More To Be Announced!
Due to unforeseen, unfortunate events - Some guests & scheduled events may have to be altered & even canceled. N.E.O. Comic Con sincerely apologizes in advance. N.E.O. strongly suggests one keep checking back to this website or its Facebook page for updates.
