April 17 - 18, 2027 / The Oregon Expo - Jackman-Long Building / Salem, OR
Chris Warner
Chris Warner
Chris has worked in the comics industry as artist, writer, and editor for over thirty-five years. His first professional comics assignment was illustrating a 1984 Alien Legion story for Marvel Comics, where Chris went on to pencil Alien Legion, Moon Knight, and Doctor Strange. In 1986, he began a long relationship with Dark Horse Comics as artist and writer.
His creation Black Cross was the inaugural feature in the first Dark Horse Comics publication, Dark Horse Presents #1, and Chris went on to contribute to many Dark Horse titles, including Predator, The American, The Terminator, Star Wars, Barb Wire, Ghost, and many others. He joined the Dark Horse editorial staff full-time in 1998 and has since edited countless books and comics.
Chris has reviewed thousands of portfolios over the years. He is known for his incisive and supportive work with developing creators. Chris will be reviewing artist portfolios at his table.
https://www.instagram.com/chriswarner84/
Keith Tucker
Chris Warner
Keith is a veteran animation, storyboard illustrator and comics art professional. He is a top animation storyboard artist for studios including Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal, and Marvel.
Keith is best known for his storyboard work for cartoon shows of the eighties and nineties such as Animaniacs, Pinky & The Brain, Tiny Tunes, He-Man, Rescue Rangers, Duck Tails, GI Joe, Transformers, Spiderman, GhostBusters and many others.
Keith’s comic book work includes two years as a cover artist for Disney Comics and he penciled Roger Rabbit, Rescue Rangers, Goofy, etc.
His film credits include creating animated sequences for “John Carpenter’s The Thing”, “Robo Cop 3”, “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan” and additional films.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0875913/
https://www.facebook.com/keith.tucker.351/
Ron Randall
Ron is the creator and writer/artist of the scif-fi comic series TREKKER, featuring bounty hunter Mercy St. Clair.
In addition to his work on TREKKER, Ron is known for his work with DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and others on titles as varied as Supergirl, Star Wars, Swamp Thing, Venom, Predator, Justice League, and many more.
Currently Ron is funding the continuing of his passion project, TREKKER, through a series of highly successful Kickstarters.
Quoted from Ron’s website:
"Throughout my thirty-plus years of work in comics, storyboards and commercial illustration, my goal has remained to always to put my drawings in the service of clear and compelling communication. And that job never grows old.”
Dave Warren
Somewhere between a hug and a middle finger lives Dave (aka El Arto).
A Simpsons veteran who helped shape Springfield’s golden age (including the movie and the merch you still hoard), a Pinky and the Brain conspirator, and an artist lucky enough to ride shotgun on Sons of Anarchy’s legendary run. For decades, his work has thrived where pop culture and attitude collide—much like your favorite cartoon character giving you a noogie before buying you a beer.
Now he’s crashing Mid Valley Comic Art Expo armed with markers, questionable life advice, and stories from the trenches of animation, comics, and TV.
Want a sketch? A behind-the-scenes war story? Proof that art from the heart doesn’t have to play nice? You’re in the right place.
https://www.instagram.com/iamdavewarren
Jason Metcalf
Jason Metcalf
Jason has been in the comic industry for over a decade now, providing cover art, interior art, concept art and environmental story board art for comics, gaming and film. His first comic work was on a part time basis providing ink assists for Top Cow’s the Darkness and Magdelina titles. He then went on to his first interior pencil duties on Ray Harryhausen’s Wrath of the Titans issue 4, and then on to IDW’s Eternal Descent providing covers and interiors. That cover work led to more cover work as Jason has done covers for various publishers including IDW, Valiant, DC, Zenescope, Absolute, Big Dog, Coffin and Action Lab.
Jason has contributed art to the HBO’s Game of Thrones, the History Channel’s Vikings, Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, several Marvel trading card series and World of Warcraft card game art.
Jason is known for his detailed pencil and ink drawings of superhero and fantasy archetypes in striking compositions and routinely does commission sketches at shows and at home for clients. Jason loves Comic Conventions and is excited to be a part of the Artist lineup this year!
https://www.facebook.com/jason.metcalf.925/
Yuki Saeki
Yuki Saeki
Yuki Saeki
Yuki is a comic artist and illustrator based in Oregon. Her work includes Gates of Hell (Webtoon original series), Golgotha (Image/Top Cow), and several self-published mini-comics and books such as Illustrated Moments of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Her current work for Trackers Earth — a Portland-based summer camp company — includes illustrating novels, graphic novels, playing cards, and a variety of other original art.
She loves tea, donuts and collecting cute things.
https://yukisaeki.myportfolio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/yukiciel/
Floydman
Yuki Saeki
Yuki Saeki
Floydman is the mind and creative force behind Planet F Studios. He began drawing at a young age. After realizing the working world just wasn’t cut out for him, Floydman decided to pursue his own path in the field of graphic design and illustration. Eventually, he ended up in the sketch card world working on such properties as Garbage Pail Kids and Wacky Packages for Topps as well as contributing for other licenses such as MST3k, TMNT, Red Sonja and Ultraman.
Floydman has most recently finished his first full color comic project SWELL COMICS that premiered at the Mid Valley Comic Art Expo 2024 and he is working on the second issue. He will have a good stack of original art, stickers, prints and will be doing sketches at the event.
https://www.facebook.com/Floydman0922
https://www.instagram.com/therealfloydman/
Warren Montgomery
Warren Montgomery
Warren Montgomery
Warren is a freelance artist with 36 years of comic book experience. He has provided lettering and coloring for many publishers.
Publishers include Dark Horse Comics, Random House, Scholastic, Insight Edition, Boom! Studios, Pilot Studios, Albatross Funnybooks and many more. Titles include: Sweet Valley Twins, First Test: Protector of the Small, Wonder City, Adventure Time, Toil and Trouble, Over The Garden Wall, Jim Henson's The Storyteller, Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy, 'Namwolf, Galaktikon, Hillbilly and more.
As a writer and artist, Warren currently self-publishes under the Will Lill Comics banner with titles like: John Kirby: Firefox and Lightning Marval.
Mark Arnold
Warren Montgomery
Warren Montgomery
Mark is a Pop Culture Historian. He continues his weekly Fun Ideas Podcast featuring guests who are professionals or fans or authors in the world of comic books, animation, movies, TV and music.
In the past year alone, Arnold has issued four books: a 2-volume set on the history of MAD called Unconditionally MAD, Part 1 and Part B, a book on The Turtles music group called Not Just Happy Together: The Turtles from A to Z (AM Radio to Zappa) and Crazy: The Magazine That Dared to be Dumb.
He has authored over 15 books about Harvey Comics, Underdog, Pink Panther, The Beatles, The Monkees, Dennis the Menace, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Disney, Cracked magazine and more.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
https://www.facebook.com/mark.arnold1
Caesar The No Drama Llama
Caesar The No Drama Llama
Caesar The No Drama Llama
Caesar the No Drama Llama is many things to many people. He is a therapy llama, a llama-activist, a school educator, and an internet celebrity.
Juggling all these roles keeps Caesar and his human team busy.
Caesar’s human counterpart, farmer and activist Larry McCool owns the Mystic Llama Farm in Jefferson, Oregon.
Larry is a Hewlett-Packard retiree with an impressive resume including previous work with Greenpeace in Salem and as a founding member of the Llama Fiber Cooperative of North America.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Caesar-the-No-Drama-Llama-Needs-New-Wheels/61556984242495/?_rdr
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000201109094/Bee-Dugan-Caesar-the-No-Drama-Llama
Nate Quarry
Caesar The No Drama Llama
Caesar The No Drama Llama
Nate is a life-long consumer and collector of comic books. Nate appeared and was a fan favorite on SPIKE TV's The Ultimate Fighter season 1. His fighting career spanned over 13 years. During those years he got a shot at the UFC's world title, fighting in front of thousands at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. One of the many notable moments of his career was his highly publicized 'Comeback Fight', bringing him back into the ring just 15 months after an innovative spinal fusion back-surgery. Nate lives in Portland, OR with his wife. They stay busy with their 3 kiddos, exploring the outdoors and local comic book shops.
Zombie Cage Fighter is an Autobiographical Horror story based on the creator: Nate “Rock” Quarry’s life. After many requests to write an autobiography, Nate decided to do just that, though he did not want it to be “just another fighter’s story”. His life experiences are more than that, and there was more to share with the world. Nate went on to create the Zombie Cage Fighter brand in 2010. The ZOMBIE CAGE FIGHTER brand has grown into a selection of T-Shirts, multiple comic books, stickers, bags, posters, and its very own ZCF Statue.
“This is my story. With a few embellishments. Every one of my fights was to the death. They were just stopped early” –Nate “Rock” Quarry
https://www.zombiecagefighter.com/
Shannon McFly
Shannon has become recognized for their Marty McFly cosplay here in the Pacific Northwest, since their start in 2013. Appeared in various Back to the Future documentaries over the years,
Shannon has had the privilege of meeting the cast and crew of Back to the Future, along with visiting numerous filming locations used in the movies.
Since 2016, Shannon has traveled across the United States to conventions and events raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's research through Team Fox, the grassroots community fundraising division of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. With thousands of dollars raised to date, Shannon has proved to be an exemplary advocate for utilizing cosplay for volunteer work and giving back to the community.
https://shannonmcfly.carrd.co/
Brian Kidd - The Unipiper
Of all of Portland’s colorful characters, none are as easily recognized as Brian Kidd, aka The Unipiper. With his fire-breathing bagpipes, colorful costumes, and unicycle, reports of Unipiper sightings stretch back to 2007.
The Unipiper has earned his place as the city’s unofficial ambassador of weird, having represented the Rose City in a variety of foreign lands from Scotland to Japan. Named Portland’s ‘Best Local Celebrity’ by Willamette Week for 6 years, the Unipiper solidified his position as a true Portland legend with appearances on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, ‘America’s Got Talent’, and ‘The Gong Show’, among others.
https://www.facebook.com/theunipiper
Mark Gillespie
Mark Gillespie
Mark Gillespie
Mark is an award-winning artist and designer from Salem Oregon. His comics and illustrations have appeared in publications such as Bachelor Pad, Tiki Magazine, Scary Monsters, and CARtoons.
He spent almost thirty years as a graphic/production artist for various companies including the Oregon Lottery. Now retired from his “day job,” he has found the time to pursue more personal creative projects like graphite drawings and potentially a graphic novel.
https://markgworld1.wixsite.com/markgspot
https://www.facebook.com/mark.gillespie.75457
Adam Watson
Mark Gillespie
Mark Gillespie
Adam has written over 40 comics released through Darkslinger Comics, a publishing company that he owns. In addition to writing, Adam colored and lettered a number of the titles. He is best known for Ghost Assassin and
The Chronicles of Van Helsing. Other titles include El Bovine Muerte, Minislingers and his newest The Chihuahua Who Flew Away.
In addition to Darkslinger, Adam owns Comics Mainstream which is a specialty comics distributor focused on building a new version of the newsstand market.
Jack Stepp
Mark Gillespie
Jack Stepp
Jack is the creator, writer and artist of the ongoing graphic novel series The Elysian. He was first exposed to art through the local grocery store comic book rack. Learning from the work of artists like Larry Hama, Mike Zeck, and Greg CapulIo. Jack taught himself how to write and
draw.
He went into teaching and has been a classroom art teacher for over two decades. Jack has worked as a freelance artist and designer including creating logos, coloring books, cosplay props and album covers for Oregon bands like Don’t Ask Alice and One Dollar Check.
Jack is currently working on the next volume of The Elysian.
https://elysian-comics.com/jack-stepp/
www.facebook.com/ElysianComics
https://www.instagram.com/jstepp_elysian/
Portland Ghostbusters
Portland Ghostbusters
Portland Ghostbusters
The Portland Ghostbusters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cosplay group founded in 2012 by James Nelson and Boone Langston. Since its inception, the team has grown from 5 to 40 active members and rookies (as of 2024). We are thrilled to participate in community events throughout the Northwest United States and support local charitable causes through fundraising, activities, and appearances.
They will have fun activities and photo ops for fans at our event!!!
https://portlandghostbusters.org/
https://www.facebook.com/portlandghostbusters/
Star Wars Oregon
Portland Ghostbusters
Portland Ghostbusters
The bad guys of the 501st Legion and the good guys of the Rebel Legion work together in Oregon and SW Washington to bring Star Wars joy to children and adults at hundreds of local events each year.
Their members have costumes in Cloud City Garrison (501st Legion), Kashyyyk Base (Rebel Legion), or both groups (double agents).
They will have fun activities and photo ops for fans at our event!!!
https://www.starwarsoregon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/StarWarsOregon
Saber Guild Felucia
Saber Guild Felucia
Saber Guild Felucia
Two Sides, One Force! Saber Guild is an organization that volunteers using costumed, choreographed lightsaber performances.
Felucia Temple is the Oregon Temple of Saber Guild is a not-for-profit Lucas Film-recognized Star Wars lightsaber choreography and costuming group.
Each local chapter supports charities and local community events using the highest quality representation of costumed characters from the light and dark side of the Star Wars Universe. The local chapter for Oregon is Felucia Temple, whose members never underestimate the Power of The Force.
Check out their fun activities and photo ops for fans at our event!!!
Z Fighter Worldwide
Saber Guild Felucia
Saber Guild Felucia
They are a charity base "Dragon Ball Z" themed cosplay group dedicated to helping their communities by doing charitable causes to help out those in need and to bring smiles to fans of all ages. This cosplay group was founded in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and it is open to anyone anywhere in the United States or around the world.
They will have fun activities and photo ops for fans at our event!!!
https://www.facebook.com/ZFightersWorldwide