Uticon (est. 1990)

The galaxy’s favorite Astromech droid beeps, boops, and whirrs with fans.

Ample photo opportunities with Artoo as he glides throughout Uticon as only he can.

BILL ANDERSON

Bill Anderson has inked hundreds of comics for Marvel, DC, Image, Comico, First, and many more, including titles such as Spider-Man, X-Men, Silver Surfer, Superman, Batman, The Elementals, and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,

He’ll be happy to sign your copies of any or all of them, just bring ‘em on by.

Bill will also have prints available, as well as work from his latest project, The Trust Book One: Silent Scream, about which he’s ready and willing to talk your ear off!

MARCUS KWAME ANDERSON

Eisner Award-Winning Marcus Kwame Anderson is a Capital Region-based illustrator and teacher who has been creating art since he was able to lift a crayon.

He is the co-creator of the ongoing comic series Snow Daze and creator of EastRaven Adventures. He has also illustrated stories for Action Lab’s all-ages detective series, Cash and Carrie.

Recently, Marcus illustrated the graphic novel, The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History written by David F. Walker and published by Ten Speed Press.

CHARLES BARNET

Charles Barnett is a Veteran inker who has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Valiant Comics, Techno Comics, Warp and others on such books as Captain America, Thor, The Avengers, Code Blue, Teen Titans, Deathstroke, Star Trek: TNG, Viper, Rai, Magnus, and Elfquest.

He’s been doing more commercial work, the past few years, including children’s books, coloring books, comic books for toy companies, financial planning institutions and the Archdiocese of New York, toy design and promotional art, advertising concept art, storyboard art, and comic style history graphic novels.

He is also currently illustrating a sword and sorcery novel called Huscarl.

ULISES FARINAS

Ulises Fariñas is a Cuban American comic book writer and artist known for his highly detailed drawings. He is the artist of Where’s the Wookie? 1 & 2. He is the co-creator (along with writer Erick Freitas) of GAMMA, Motro, Amazing Forest and Cloudia & Rex.

He has worked as an artist on Catalyst Comix, and Transformers: Heart of Darkness. IDW Comics hired Fariñas for art duties on Judge Dredd: Mega-City Two in 2014. He followed up that series in 2016 with Judge Dredd: Mega-City Zero, which he wrote with Freitas. In 2016, Fariñas and Storme Smith launched Buño, a publishing imprint at Magnetic Press, aiming to provide an outlet to promote creative freedom in storytelling and a diversity of storytellers. Cloudia & Rex, written by Farinas and Freitas with art by Puerto Rican artist, Daniel Irizarri, was recently published by Lion Forge.

He illustrated New Lieutenants of Metal issues 1 through 4 for writer Joe Casey for Image as well as the second issue of the new GAMMA for Dark Horse.

ERICK FREITAS

Erick Freitas is a writer, photographer, and TV/Film Location Scout from New Jersey.

When he isn’t finding locations for such shows as “HAPPY”, “IRON FIST”, and “DAREDEVIL”, he’s writing comics such as “Judge Dredd”, “Godzilla, and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.

He has a horror comic called “HORDENTOWN” and currently working on “GIMME DAT MUMMY”.

Follow him on his Instagram @GimmeDatMummy or his photography Instagram @ERRFREITAS

PETER GILLIS

Writer Peter Gillis is best known for his work at Marvel Comics, including Marvel Two-In-One, What If…?, Captain America, Strange Tales, The Defenders, and Doctor Strange.

With artist Pat Broderick, Peter has written the comic Shatter 2.0, in connection with the Shatter video game the duo are developing.

He has worked on some of pop culture’s most memorable characters, including Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, and Iron Man, to name just a few.

His career also includes work for First Comics, including Shatter, Warp, Strikeforce, Micronauts, and more.

Recently, he penned the six-issue comic adaptation of Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn for IDW Publishing as well as the new graphic novel The Black Flame: Nobody Knows This is Everywhere with art by Kelley Jones and Alex Nino.

KRISTEN GUDSNUK

Kristen Gudsnuk is a comics writer and illustrato who got her start with the webcomic Henchgirl, which was later published by Scout Comics in single issue and Dark Horse Comics as a collection.

Her newest works include the middle grade graphic novel Making Friends, from Scholastic Books, and Modern Fantasy, a miniseries from Dark Horse (written by Rafer Roberts).

Gudsnuk also illustrated the VIP series by Jen Calonita, published by Little, Brown.

CONOR HUGHES

Illustrator and co-creator of the hit comic book series White Ash from Scout Comic, Conor lives with his wife in Hopewell, NJ.

After graduating from the School of Visual Arts he was part of a team of graphic designers at the United Nations. Setting out on his own he has since pursued freelance comic and illustration work. 

Winner of the Mark Millar new talent showcase for rising stars in the comic industry, Hughes has been published by several companies, including Image Comics. 

You can find more of Conor’s amazing comic work HERE.

RON MARZ

Ron Marz has been writing comics for more than two decades, starting his career with a lengthy run on Silver Surfer for Marvel. Since then, he has worked for virtually every major publisher and compiled a long list of credits, including stints on Thor for Marvel, Green Lantern and Superboy for DC, Star Wars for Dark Horse, and the historic Marvel vs. DC crossover.

Among Marz’s more recent work is his acclaimed run on Witchblade for Top Cow/Image, the Skylanders series for IDW, Turok and John Carter: Warlord of Mars for Dynamite, and Fathom for Aspen. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Lead Writer for the revived Ominous Press, penning Dread Gods, Demi-God, and Beasts of the Black Hand.

Marz’s creator-owned series include the all-ages tale Dragon Prince at Top Cow; the historical adventure Samurai: Heaven and Earth, and the science-fiction story Pantheon City at Dark Horse; and the vampire tale Shinku at Image. Marz and acclaimed artist Stjepan Sejic also have teamed for Ravine, a series of creator-owned fantasy graphic novels from Top Cow.

His website is ronmarz.com, and his Twitter is @ronmarz.

RAY MCCARTHY

Ray has worked with many different artists on a large variety of characters and books for both DC Comics and Marvel.

His artwork as an inker has graced the pages of Marvel Comics amid such titles as The Uncanny X-Men Annual, Ghost Rider, and What If…?

He is best known for his work as an inker at DC Comics, helping to bring to life any number of characters in the DC Universe, including Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Green Lantern, Robin, and The Flash.

Among the myriad of titles at DC that has seen his pen grace their pages – The Adventures of Superman, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Red Robin, Starfire, New 52 Supergirl, The Fury of Firestorm, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Teen Titans, and Green Arrow, to name just a few.

MELODY OFTEN

Melody Often is an artist, writer, and organizer known for her ongoing adventure comic, Trinadot, as well as her Xeric winning comic, In the Hands of Boys, which was written by her mother. She has explored the medium of comics by organizing two issues of the Baltimore Time Travel Anthology and as an illustrator she has participated in a variety of other projects and anthologies, most notably, Amazing Forest, 1001 Knights, and Corpus.

Her work as a colorist has been for IDW, Image, Stela, and Dark Horse and she is currently working on a comic for Line Webtoon called Mermaids of the Devonian. Her illustrations, paintings, and murals grace the walls, sidewalks, and bookshelves of many humans both here and abroad.  

JOE ORSAK

Inspired at the age of eleven by the artwork of JOE SINNOTT in TREASURE CHEST and JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY, Joe Orsak launched a comic strip in the newspapers of Syracuse, NY in 1982 called THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN ‘CUSE. The strip ran weekly for eight years. 

Joe turned to sports comics in the 1990s, working on bios of MICKEY MANTLE, BROOKS ROBINSON  and DUKE SNIDER for MAGNUM COMICS.  These books gave Joe the chance to work with his inspiration… Orsak’s pencils were inked by Joe Sinnott!

In 2001 Orsak was picked by his friend ROGER STERN to pencil and ink a two-page tale for the 9-11 tribute book 9-11ARTISTS RESPOND for DARK HORSE. In 2008 he returned to comic strips with SALT CITY, another strip about his hometown, this time with a female superheroine, written by Douglas Brode. The comic strip drew the attention of people at MCFARLAND and Co., who asked Joe and Doug to launch their line of graphic novels. Joe and Doug created YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS the Myth of Emily Morgan and VIRGIN VAMPIRES for MCFARLAND Inc.

Joe is now working with AHOY Comics, including the recent series MY BAD, as well as several spot illustrations. He is involved with new comic book projects for STELLAR COMICS.

More of Joe Orsak’s artwork can be found at his website. 

PAUL PELLETIER

A professional comic book artist for more than 25 years, Paul Pelletier started drawing comics in his home state of Maine in the late 80’s with small black + white publishers (Zen The Intergalactic Ninja, Hammac Publications, Alpha Productions), and became a full-time artist when he started work on Ex-Mutants for Malibu Comics back in 1992.

Since then, he’s worked with DC Comics, Crossgen Comics, and Marvel Comics on many different titles like Aquaman, Incredible Hulk, Cyborg, Guardians of the Galaxy, Flash, Fantastic Four, Negation, Green Lantern, Wolverine, and the list goes on.

CHRISTIAN ST. PIERRE

Christian N. St. Pierre is an artist who specializes in tabletop game and comic book illustration.

He has worked with companies such as Topps, Atlas Games, Fantasy Flight Games, Catalyst Game Labs, Hero Games, and Mongoose Publishing. He has also worked extensively with Evil Hat Productions contributing art for their Dresden Files RPG and their Spirit of the Century RPG line including Race To Adventure, Zeppelin Attack!, and covers for their game-related novels.

In addition, he has been involved with charitable projects, private commissions, and independent comic books as well as lectures and art classes. For artwork, news, and contact information please visit www.christiannstpierre.com. 

THE BRASS LANTERN PODCAST

Modernizing the format of old time radio dramas, The Brass Lantern, created and written by A.G. Devitt and produced by Matt Powers and the LiFT Theater Company, is available on Spreaker, Spotify, iTunes and more.

A.G. Devitt is a New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Brass Lantern Podcast (produced by LiFT Theater). He is also the vocal talent behind the show’s protagonist, a pulp style vigilante with blinding light, blazing guns, nerves of steel, and a mask of brass. In addition to writing, consulting, and voice acting, Devitt is an award winning college professor and nascent curmudgeon. He has no pets.

Matt Powers is the creator of LiFT Theater (Little Falls Theater) and professor at a local college where he teaches writing, Shakespeare, and British Literature. When he isn’t directing, editing, or producing, he is spending time with his wife and twin boys, or working on his homebrew Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

More information may be found at: https://www.facebook.com/thebeaconofjustice

JIM BRENNEMAN

Jim is a cartoonist, illustrator and teaching artist from Syracuse, NY.

His cartoons and commentary inspired by world issues, popular culture and random silly thoughts can be found at Artboy Designs.

JOHN CASTELLO

John Castello, AKA Chipmunk Jones, is a children’s book author known for Speranza and The Adventures of Chipmunk Jones

A picture book with a comic book feel to it, The Adventures of Chipmunk Jones the book follows the antics of Richard “Chip” Jones, based on Castello’s own childhood growing up in Utica, NY from 1974 to 1980.

Speranza is the story about a fairy who was born without wings. Her name is Speranza, which means “hope” in Italian.

Illustrated by syndicated comic strip artist Phil Juliano, the book shows how being a kid is very much an adventure in itself!

ANDREW CIESLINSKI

Andrew is the co-creator and artist of the comic series Lacey & Lily, the story of a middle schooler turned superhero and her dog, as well as Holidaze, about the after-hours lives of mythical icons when they’re off the clock and at their favorite watering hole.

His artwork has graced the pages of The Mike Wieringo Tellos Tribute by Todd Dezago, Ink Puddle Press’ The Devil and Mr. Gandhi, the Made in Utica 2018 Passport, as well as character designs for Mad Angel Films.

Andrew’s artwork has also been seen on posters for the Albany All-Stars Roller Derby and the Syracuse Crunch hockey.

NICHOLAS DAVIS

Nicholas T. Davis was born in 1962 in Sodus,NY and has lived most of his life in Syracuse, NY. He graduated from Bryant and Stratton College in 2001 and received an associate degree in Paralegal studies. He worked in a psychiatric hospital for 26 years as a cleaner, and has a wife and daughter.

His science fiction series consists of Dimension Lapse, Dimension Lapse II: Return to Doomsday, Dimension Lapse III: Dimensional Breakdown, and Journey to Aldron, the first book of the Aldron series. He also has three children’s books entitled Tobias Meets A Friend, Wacky Wild Tales I and II, and a fantasy book entitled Bargo Lynden: Adventure of A Lifetime.

His latest title – The Power of the Dark Lord – is the third part of his Bargo Lynden trilogy.

DAVE DELLECESE

A former journalist and news anchor, Dave Dellecese writes a variety of books and comic books, and blogs about parenthood at thedorkydaddy.com.

Collaborating with artist Andrew Cieslinski, Dave co-created the middle schooler turned superhero series Lacey & Lily, and the after-hours life at the bar comedy Holidaze.

He recently released his first children’s picture book, The Little Lamp.

Dave also lends his voice to the The Brass Lantern old time radio adventure podcast, playing former reporter-turned private investigator, Wam Dixon.

MATT FLINT

Drawing since the age of two, Matt admires all forms of arts, but especially western comic book and Japanese manga styles.

Turning a lifelong love of art into a study of Computer Art and Design at Alfred State College, Matt has been diving into the waters of comic book fandom and culture as he continues to grow as an artist, and been continuously attending conventions with his own original pieces of art.

KEITH HAUGEN

Keith Haugen is a former student of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic art, currently residing in New York’s Capital Region. 

His credits include Ghost Investigator by Spirited Comics, Hudson Valley Zombie Apocalypse by Eagle Press, Yellow Squad by RATO Illustrated and his own WTF (What The Freak) Comix featuring the alien helmet Chrome Dome.

BRIAN LABELLE

Brian R. LaBelle is an illustrator and graphic designer.

With a four-year degree in Computer Art from SUNY Oneonta, he focuses mostly in comic book and realism artwork.

Currently, Brian is working on his own noir detective comic, The Swine Detective.

KYLE LINCE

Kyle Lince’s first novel Magyra, has been called “a sophisticated blend of science fiction, precise character development, and masterful plot construction.”

He has currently finished his second novel, The Prodigal Outlaw, and is busy completing his third novel titled: Jack Zero and the Missing Man.

Also an Associate Professor of Web Development and Information Design in Upstate New York, he fills his time reading, writing, and hanging out with his kids. He enjoys genre entertainment, reads comic books, and loves watching cartoons.

RAYMOND LOWELL

Raymond Lowell is an illustrator and purveyor of monsters, creeps, tentacles and the occasional spandexed hero.

He has illustrated, lettered and self-published the mini-comics, Moochie the Dumpster Kat and Enter the Shopping Kart Man with writer Peggy LeGee and is currently illustrating a new comic called Monsuto Island with writer Jim Whiting.

He has also contributed art to Gore Shriek from FantaCo, the artbook DarkARTs and the card game Destroy These Cards.

G.B. MACRAE

Author of numerous books that include A Night in the Garden, Ethel’s Bane, The Veil Lifted, and the Avenzyre series, GB was born in a small town in Vermont, and grew up in the country and attending a rural school. She started telling stories from a young age, writing her first short story in second grade. She started writing her first novel in tenth grade which appeared in a regional magazine.

Her stories are often been of the fantasy genre, because who doesn’t want to let their imagination travel as far as it can? But they’ve also been about real life: betrayal, suspicion, joy, war, triumph, self doubt, intrigue, all that good stuff. …And unicorns and dragons!

LEN MIHALOVICH

Len Mihalovich is a writer, colorist, letterer and… whatever else he needs to be to get an Indie Comics out these days.  In his “spare time” Len is also saving endangered comics with his initiative RescuedComics.com  RescuedComics.com turns “worthless” comics into “PRICELESS” comics.

Len has worked for various Independent Comic publishers creating super-hero adventures.  A few years back Len  founded Lenovations Press who’ve brought you The Adventures of Track Suit Man.  The hit 90s comics series Section 12 has been re-released by Lenovations Press across 3 titles –  Section 12 (Flashback), Section 12 (Declassified), Section 12 (Lost Adventures). 

At Uticon 2019 Lenovations Press will be releasing Section 12 (Lost Adventures) #3 for the first time EVER.  This issue brings back the character of FlyGuy from CV Productions.  We haven’t seen him around since 1990, so pick up a copy of Section 12 (Lost Adventures) #3 and see what FlyGuy has planned for his first ever Section 12 story.

PHIL MILLER

A talent local to the Utica area Phil Miller has been working hard for Lenovations Press creating the fantastic artwork in Section 12 (Flashback) and Section 12 (Lost Adventures).  Phil is also one of the driving forces in providing amazing original cover art for RescuedComics.com.  

Phil is a commercial artist who has too many credits to list here.  He artwork adorns everything from toy packaging to investment portfolios.  His past comic credits include: Section 12 from Mythic Comics, Adventures of Track Suit Man from Lenovations Press, 401Comics, Johnny Lightning Comics, and an educational series from Graphics Library found on Amazon.

At Uticon 2019 Lenovations Press will be releasing Section 12 (Lost Adventures) #3 for the first time EVER. Get your copy signed by artist Phil Miller.

DAN SOPP

Dan Sopp is a fiction writer from upstate New York and author of the Eon Chronicles, an ongoing serialized epic. The Eon Chronicles tells the story of Toria Kayden, an individual evolved beyond mortal limits. Her tale spans the globe with many allies and enemies, along with secret organizations.

This action series is a blend of urban fantasy, and high fantasy, chronicling the struggles she must overcome for a better world.

BYRON DANE TURNER

Byron Dane Turner is a writer, illustrator and stage actor from Saratoga Springs.

Byron started his own comic book label Wildfire Comics back in 2002 and began works on such titles as Jupiter Child, Spectrum, and Dark Tempest. Then he became a dad, and five years ago created the groundbreaking children’s book series The Caped Costumers Costumed Capers! Now his kids are older, and so is the story. This past June, he debuted The Caped Costumers Costumed Capers comic book series for all audiences, old and young alike! 

Follow Byron on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or online.

BRANDON WHIPPLE

The artwork of Brandon Whipple, also known as Flork McCormick, ranges from classic movie monsters to modern day super heroes and timeless science fiction icons.

Much of his work can be found on his Facebook page and Official Website.

JEN WOJTOWICZ

Jen Wojtowicz has been making art and telling stories since she was old enough to hold a crayon.

Her latest comic book is “What Was THAT?” a lighthearted spooky tale for all ages!

You can find more of Jen’s work at:
jennysdresserdrawer.com

EDWARD YANCEY

Edward Yancey is an illustrator and graphic designer who has brought numerous beloved and well-known comic book icons to life in a myriad of full-color prints.

He is also the writer and artist of the comic book “A Waste of Life: The Spencer Miller Cases” as well as the horror anthology, “Tales from the Sketch Club” and has also illustrated one of several tales in the Holidaze: All-Krampus Spectacular for Dandy Press.