Environment is an important element of storytelling. Comics, TV, and games use it all the time – but it’s easy to let the details of your world distract from your story. Whether it’s a science fiction/fantasy setting or a real-life location, learn how to make your world come to life without losing the reader. Join Trevor Mueller (Albert the Alien, Aw Yeah Comics ), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (The Last God, Superman, 007), Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure Time), and Brian Michael Bendis (Jinxworld, Miles Morales, Avengers, Powers).

Comic creators will talk about the craft of working on existing characters. How do they approach the task while maintaining the appeal of the character and keeping it fresh? Guests: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Ron Marz, Tom King, David Pepose, Torunn Gronbekk, and Brian Michael Bendis. Hosted by Bob Harrison.

Spying is often said to be the second oldest profession, and the world of modern comic books has seen a great assortment of undercover operatives since its beginning a century ago. Mark S. Zaid (national security attorney, Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Advisor, comic book historian) will first showcase some of the coolest and rarest volumes in his collection and how they mirror the intelligence issues of their time, followed by a tantalizing discussion with Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Eisner award nominee, 007); Shawn Martinbrough (Eisner Award nominee, Thief of Thieves), and John K. Snyder III (Eisner Award nominee, The Secret Agent) about their writing and drawing some of the best current spy comics!

Comics are written very differently from other media. Learn the ins and outs of this unique storytelling medium and how to make your stories come to life!

Trevor Mueller hosts a Q&A session with comic writers – including Brian Michael Bendis, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Amy Chu among others – to talk about their process for writing comics, finding creator partners/collaborators, pacing, writing for long vs. short form stories, etc.