logo - comic-con thumbnail (distressed)SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2017: SPECIAL GUEST INDEX (A-K)

These are the CONFIRMED Special Guests for San Diego Comic-Con, scheduled to be held at the San Diego Convention Center on the 20th to 23rd July 2017.

These names were announced on the Toucan Blog by Comic-Con International and are correct as time of press – any changes or cancellations are listed when made available. While every effort will be made to keep this information as current as possible, some alterations may be made which are out of our control. If any errors are spotted, please do CONTACT US so we can make the relevant changes.

This is the index of names, in ALPHABETICAL ORDER, from A to K, as listed on the SDCC portal of the Comic-Con International website:

  • Arthur ADAMS
  • Sergio ARAGONES
  • Marguerite BENNETT
  • Box BROWN
  • Gail CARRIGER
  • Gemma CORRELL
  • Paul DINI
  • Mark EVANIER
  • Brigitte FINDAKLY
  • Roxane GAY
  • Melanie GILLMAN
  • Sarah GLIDDEN
  • Mike GRELL
  • Dean HALE
  • Nathan HALE
  • Shannon HALE
  • Simon HANSELMANN
  • Deborah HARKNESS  **CANCELLED, DUE TO COMMITMENTS**
  • Charlie N. HOLMBERG
  • John HOLMSTROM
  • Robin HOBB
  • James HUDNALL
  • Victoria JAMIESON
  • Denis KITCHEN

 

Arthur Adams at Comic-Con International, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

ARTHUR ADAMS

(Artist: LONGSHOT; Writer/Artist:  MONKEYMAN AND O’BRIEN)

Arthur Adams is an award-winning artist who became an immediate fan-favorite as the penciler on the critically acclaimed 1985 LONGSHOT mini-series. His decades-spanning career has included cover and interior work on such titles as BATMAN, SUPERMAN, THE AVENGERS, SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN, NEW MUTANTS, GEN-13, GODZILLA, THE AUTHORITY, DANGER GIRL, EXCALIBUR, ULTIMATE X, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and THE HULK. He’s the creator, writer and artist on MONKEYMAN AND O’BRIEN.

Outside of comics, Arthur has done movie, toy, and game designs, book illustrations, and provided the artwork for an X-MEN themed Spaghetti-O’s can.

More recently, in addition to the covers to many of Marvel Comics‘ top books, he supplied a run of covers for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and is working on covers for X-MEN BLUE.

Sergio Aragonés at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

SERGIO ARAGONES

(Cartoonist: MAD / Groo)

One of MAD magazine’s longest-running cartoonists (only Al Jaffee has been around longer) and the creator of dim-witted barbarian Groo the Wanderer, Sergio Aragonés is one of comics’ most popular creators.

In addition to his continuing work for MAD, Sergio — the man some call the world’s fastest cartoonist — had his own comic book series at Bongo Comics, Sergio Aragonés Funnies. His recent work includes a new series from Dark Horse Comics, Groo: Fray of the Gods.

Marguerite Bennett at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

MARGUERITE BENNETT

(Writer: BATWOMAN / DC BOMBSHELLS)

Marguerite Bennett is a New York Times bestselling comic book writer based in Los Angeles. Her superheroic credits include DC Comics’ BATWOMAN and DC BOMBSHELLS, as well as stints on BATGIRL and LOIS LANE, and Marvel’s A-FORCE, YEARS OF FUTURE PAST, and ANGELA: QUEEN OF HEL. At Archie, she writes JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS and BETTY & VERONICA, and her creator-owned titles, ANIMOSITY and INSEXTS, can be found through Aftershock Comics.

Her prose has appeared in THE SECRET LOVES OF GEEK GIRLS. Her work is full of queer characters, heroines, villainesses, talking animals, bloody revenge sagas, female monsters, murder, and kissing.

Box Brown at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

BOX BROWN

(Writer/Artist, ANDRE THE GIANT: LIFE AND LEGEND / TETRIS: THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY)

Box Brown (born 1980) is a comics artist from Philadelphia. In 2011 he founded the publishing house Retrofit Comics, which has now published over 60 comics.

His graphic biography about the professional wrestler André the Giant (ANDRE THE GIANT: LIFE AND LEGEND, First Second Books) was published in May 2014 and spent three weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. His book TETRIS: THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY was released in 2016.

Joyce Chin at Comic-Con International, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

JOYCE CHIN

(Artist: MARVEL COMICS Covers, inc. AMERICA / DEADPOOL THE DUCK)

Joyce Chin has been working in comics since 1995 when she pencilled several issues of GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR for DC Comics. Since then, she’s has gone on to work on many titles, interiors, and some covers on stories for THE HULK, RED SONJA, VAMPIRELLA, GREEN LANTERN, XENA, SPIDER-MAN, SUPERMAN and WITCHBLADE, with a variety of publishers. She’s also worked on book, game, and magazine and toy packaging illustrations.

Currently, she’s been keeping busy penciling and inking Marvel Comics covers, for books as diverse as ALL-NEW WOLVERINE, AMERICA, DEADPOOL THE DUCK, THOR, SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN ’92 and HELLCAT.

Gail Carriger at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

GAIL CARRIGER

(Author: PARASOL PROTECTORATE / FINISHING SCHOOL series)

Gail Carriger writes steampunk comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance. Her books include the PARASOL PROTECTORATE, CUSTARD PROTOCOL, SUPERNATURAL SOCIETY, and DELIGHTFULLY DEADLY series for adults, and the FINISHING SCHOOL series for young adults.

She is published in many languages and has over a dozen New York Times bestsellers via 7 different lists (#1 in Manga). She was once an archaeologist and is overly fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

Gemma Correll at Comic-Con International, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

GEMMA CORRELL

(Cartoonist: THE WORRIER’S GUIDE TO LIFE / A PUG’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE)

Gemma Correll is a writer, artist, and cartoonist. Originally from England, she currently resides in Oakland, CA with her trusty pug sidekicks, Mr Pickles and Bella. Gemma’s published works include THE WORRIER’S GUIDE TO LIFE, THE FEMINIST ACTIVITY BOOK, and A PUG’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE, as well as her award-winning eponymous series of quirky, humorous greetings cards and gift products, which are sold all over the world.

Gemma is particularly well known for her comics about mental health in collaboration with charities including Mental Health America. Her comics appear regularly on TheNib.com and GoComics.com and weekly in the UK’s Observer Magazine. More info at www.gemmacorrell.com.

Art (c) Gemma Correll

Paul Dini at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

PAUL DINI

(Writer, DARK NIGHT: A TRUE BATMAN STORY / BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES)

Paul Dini most recently authored the New York Times bestselling Vertigo graphic novel DARK NIGHT: A TRUE BATMAN STORY. Paul is known for his work on Warner Bros Animation projects including BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, BATMAN BEYOND, and the current JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION.

He has scripted numerous comic book series (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS, ZATANNA, DETECTIVE COMICS), video games (BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM, BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY), and live television (LOST, TOWER PREP), and last Christmas he released a collection of his creator-owned JINGLE BELLE comics through IDW. The co-creator of Harley Quinn, Paul continues to write frequent stories about America’s screwball sweetheart.

Mark Evanier at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

MARK EVANIER

(Writer, producer, comics historian, KIRBY: KING OF COMICS / GARFIELD)

Mark Evanier has been writing comic books since he was 17, having started reading them when he was about that many minutes old. He apprenticed with the great Jack Kirby and has written much about Jack and comic book history. He’s written countless comics including many with the superstars of Disney, Warner Brothers, and Hanna-Barbera, as well as BLACKHAWK and others for DC, and his own co-creations including The DNAGENTS, CROSSFIRE, and MAGNOR.

Plus, he does something (God knows what) on GROO THE WANDERER with Sergio Aragonés. He’s also written hundreds of hours for TV including sitcoms, variety shows and cartoons, including writing/producing twenty years of GARFIELD THE CAT.

Brigitte Findakly at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

BRIGITTE FINDAKLY

(Writer, POPPIES OF IRAQ)

Brigitte Findakly was born in Mosul, Iraq, in 1959 and lived there until 1973. POPPIES OF IRAQ is the story of her childhood, co-written with and drawn by her husband, cartoonist Lewis Trondheim. The graphic novel will be published by DRAWN & QUARTERLY in Fall 2017. Findakly has worked as a colorist since 1982, with work for Disney and Spirou. She also colored a number of graphic novels including LAPINOT, LE CHAT DU RABBIN, LE RETOUR A LA TERRE, and RALPH AZHAM. Findakly and Trondheim have two children and live in the south of France.

Art by Lewis Trondheim

Roxane Gay at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

ROXANE GAY

(Author: WORLD OF WAKANDA / BAD FEMINIST / DIFFICULT WOMEN)

Roxane Gay’s writing appears in BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2014, BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2012, BEST SEX WRITING 2012, HARPER’S BAAZAR, A PUBLIC SPACE, MC’SWEENEY’S, TIN HOUSE, OXFORD AMERICAN, AMERICAN SHORT FICTION, VIRGINIA QUARTERLY REVIEW, and many others.

She is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. She is the author of the books AYITI, AN UNTAMED STATE, the New York Times bestselling BAD FEMINIST, the nationally bestselling DIFFICULT WOMEN and HUNGER: A MEMOIR OF MY BODY.

She is also the author of the Black Panther comic book series WORLD OF WAKANDA for Marvel Comics.

Melanie Gillman at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20-23 at the San Diego Convention Center

MELANIE GILLMAN

(Cartoonist: AS THE CROW FLIES / STAGE DREAMS)

Melanie Gillman is a queer, nonbinary cartoonist who specializes in LGBTQ YA comics. They’re the creator of AS THE CROWS FLIES (Iron Circus Comics, 2017) and STAGE DREAMS (Lerner/Graphic Universe, 2019), and are writing the new STEVEN UNIVERSE comics series for BOOM! Studios.

They are also the co-editor and publisher of THE OTHER SIDE, an anthology of queer paranormal romance comics. Their work has won a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators, and been nominated for an Eisner and an Ignatz. They are currently living in Tulsa, OK, where they are a 2017 fellow in the Tulsa Artist Fellowship program.

Sarah Glidden at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

SARAH GLIDDEN

(Writer, artist, HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISRAEL IN 60 DAYS OR LESS / ROLLING BLACKOUTS)

Sarah Glidden was born in 1980 in Massachusetts and studied painting at Boston University. Her first book, HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISRAEL IN 60 DAYS OR LESS, earned her the Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent and was translated into five languages. Glidden’s work has appeared in various newspapers and magazines, as well as in the Best American Comics anthology. Her second book, ROLLING BLACKOUTS, was published by Drawn & Quarterly in 2016, receiving widespread acclaim and spending a month on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Glidden lives in Seattle, WA.

Mike Grell at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

MIKE GRELL

(Writer/artist: STARSLAYER / THE WARLORD / JON SABLE / FREELANCE)

Mike Grell is a storyteller. Since his debut as comics creator in 1973, his creations include THE WARLORD, STARSLAYER, JON SABLE, FREELANCE, SHAMAN’S TEARS, BAR SINISTER, and MAGGIE THE CAT. In addition to his own creations, Mike has had successful runs on SUPERBOY & THE LEGION OF SUPERHEROES, GREEN LANTERN, GREEN ARROW, BATMAN, IRON MAN, X-MEN FOREVER, JAMES BOND: PERMISSION TO DIE, the TARZAN Sunday comic strip, and the Eisner Award-nominated GREEN ARROW: THE LONGBOW HUNTERS.

Mike has won the coveted Inkpot Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comic Art and was voted to Wizard Magazine’s Top Ten List of Comics Writers. His series JON SABLE, FREELANCE was adapted for TV by ABC in 1987.

Photo: Dr Dan Photo Creative

Dean Hale at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

DEAN HALE

(Writer: ESPERS / THE AGE OF HEROES / THE PSYCHO)

Dean Hale is the co-author of the award winning graphic novels RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE and CALAMITY JACK. He’s also authored the picture book SCAPEGOAT: THE STORY OF A GOAT NAMED OAT AND A CHEWED-UP GOAT.

He lives in Utah with his wife and co-author, Shannon, and their children.

Nathan Hale at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20-23 at the San Diego Convention Center

NATHAN HALE

(Cartoonist: NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES series)

A superstar in elementary school libraries across the country, Nathan Hale has been nominated for an Eisner Award four times. Every book in the NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES series has spent time on the New York Times bestseller list—two made it to #1 (UNDERGROUND ABDUCTOR and ALAMO ALL-STARS), which is pretty exciting for non-fiction comics about American history. In addition, Hale has provided the illustrations for the fairy tale mash-ups RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE and CALAMITY JACK, written by Dean and Shannon Hale (no relation).

This year sees the launch of Nathan’s first non-history graphic novel, the Moebius-inspired, science fiction adventure, ONE TRICK PONY.

Shannon Hale at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

 

SHANNON HALE

(Author: WORLD OF WAKANDA / BAD FEMINIST / DIFFICULT WOMEN)

Shannon Hale is the bestselling author of many books for children, including the EVER AFTER HIGH series, PRINCESS ACADEMY (Newberry Honor book), the graphic novel REAL FRIENDS (illustrated by LeUyen Pham), and THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL MG Novel. She co-wrote the graphic novels REVENGE and CALAMITY JACK, and the chapter book series THE PRINCESS IN BLACK with her husband Dean Hale.

They live with their four children near Salt Lake City, UT. More info at: squeetus.com

Simon Hanselmann at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

SIMON HANSELMANN

(Cartoonist, MEGAHEX)

New York Times bestselling cartoonist Simon Hanselmann (MEGAHEX) was born in Tasmania and currently resides in Seattle, WA. He spends his days meticulously watercoloring each page of comics he hand draws.

Simon has found international success with his stoner witch comics, which have been translated into over a dozen languages. When not making comics, Simon can be found smoking cigarettes and walking a one-eyed dog.

DEBORAH HARKNESS **CANCELLED, DUE TO COMMITMENTS**

(Cartoonist: AS THE CROW FLIES / STAGE DREAMS)

Deborah Harkness (born 1965) is an American scholar, novelist and wine enthusiast, best known as a historian and as the author of the ALL SOULS TRILOGY.

In 2011, Harkness published her first work of fiction, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES. The first novel in the All Souls trilogy, the book is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a modern-day witch who inadvertently calls up an ancient enchanted manuscript at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library, thereby attracting the unwelcome notice of a host of magical creatures who live among humans, including other witches, daemons, and a 1,500-year-old French vampire. The novel debuted at number two on The New York Times Best Seller hardcover fiction list, and has been sold in at least 34 countries: the book was called “a sophisticated fairy tale for adults” by the San Antonio Express-News. The second novel in the series, SHADOW OF NIGHT, was published a year later, becoming a number one success on The New York Times Best Seller list. The third novel in the series is called THE BOOK OF LIFE

Harkness currently lives in Southern California where she teaches.

Charlie N. Holmberg at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

CHARLIE N. HOLMBERG

(Author: FOLLOWED BY FROST / THE PAPER MAGICIAN Trilogy)

Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie N. Holmberg is the author of FOLLOWED BY FROST; MAGIC BITTER, MAGIC SWEET; and THE PAPER MAGICIAN trilogy, which includes THE PAPER MAGICIAN, THE GLASS MAGICIAN, and THE MASTER MAGICIAN. A RITA Award finalist, she majored in English and minored in editing at Brigham Young University.

Raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters who also have boy names, Charlie plays the piano and ukulele, owns too many pairs of glasses, and hopes to one day adopt a dog.

For more on the author and her work, visit www.charlienholmberg.com.

Photo by: Erin Summerill

John Holmstrom at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

JOHN HOLMSTROM

(Cartoonist: PUNK MAGAZINE)

John Holmstrom founded PUNK magazine in 1975, which launched the Punk Movement and was instrumental in the success of many bands such as Blondie, the Ramones, and the Dead Boys.

At the same time he created the JOE comic strip that ran in R. L. Stine’s BANANAS magazine for 10 years. He also co-founded COMICAL FUNNIES with Peter Bagge and STOP! with J. D. King in the 1980s.

His work is on permanent display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in the archives of the Museum of Modern Art, and in Yale University’s Beinecke Library of Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Robin Hobb at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

ROBIN HOBB

(Author, THE FARSEER TRILOGY / THE FITZ AND THE FOOL TRILOGY)

Robin Hobb has been writing fantasy for over 35 years. Best known for The Farseer Trilogy, Robin has recently completed The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy. ASSASSIN’S FATE (May 2017) concludes the adventures of Fitz and his close companion, the Fool.

Robin’s works are published in over 20 languages and have been adapted as graphic novels in French and Dutch by Soleil. Writing as “Megan Lindholm,” her works have been finalists for both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards. Robin resides in Washington state, where she spends a great deal of time on a small farm near Roy.

James Hudnall at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

JAMES HUDNALL

(Writer: ESPERS / THE AGE OF HEROES / THE PSYCHO)

James Hudnall is a veteran comics writer with over 30 years in the comics business. He has worked for Marvel, DC, Image, Malibu’s Ultraverse, Eclipse, and many others. His main focus has been on his own creations such as Espers, The Age of Heroes, The Psycho, and Harsh Realm. He was also an early adapter of Japanese Manga and later Chinese comics to the English market.

Hudnall has also written novels such as Hell’s Reward and the nonfiction The Secrets of Writing. His latest comic, Blue Cat with artist Val Mayerik, is being collected in 2017, and his latest novel, Diogenes, is due out in 2017 as well.

Hudnall went to high school in San Diego, at Point Loma High and started attending SDCC in 1975. He has only missed 5 since. Aside from comics, James works as an Internet engineer and is developing social media videos.

Victoria Jamieson at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

VICTORIA JAMIESON

(Writer / Artist, ROLLER GIRL / THE GREAT PET ESCAPE)

Victoria Jamieson is the author and illustrator of several graphic novels for young readers. Her first graphic novel, ROLLER GIRL, won a 2016 Newbery Honor award and was an Eisner Award nominee in the category of Best Publications for Kids. She is also the creator of THE GREAT PET ESCAPE and THE GREAT ART CAPER, a series for young readers published by Henry Holt.

Her next graphic novel for middle grade readers, ALL’S FAIRE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, will be published by Dial Books for Young Readers in 2017. Victoria lives in Portland, OR with her family.

Denis Kitchen at Comic-Con International 2017, July 20–23 at the San Diego Convention Center

DENIS KITCHEN

(Writer, cartoonist, publisher, comics historian)

Denis Kitchen started in “underground” comix. His Kitchen Sink Press (1969-1999) published countless top cartoonists. In 1986, he founded the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. He partners in two agencies and the new Kitchen Sink Books imprint. He draws, edits, and writes books about comics: an AL CAPP biography, a Harvey Kurtzman monograph, and the never-before-collected Trump magazine.

He guest-curates exhibits, currently Will Eisner Centennial shows in France and America. A monograph, THE ODDLY COMPELLING ART OF DENIS KITCHEN, was published in 2009. Columbia University acquired Kitchen’s papers in 2014. He was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2015.

© 2013-2016 An Englishman In San Diego
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