The San Diego Traveler

It may seem early to be talking about Comic-Con again, but July 24 will be here before you know it, and the 4-day tickets will be sold out long before then.

Comic-Con has once again announced an incredibly diverse guest list including writers and artists from the worlds of comics and science fiction/fantasy/horror. The following special guests are confirmed for Comic-Con 2008, with many more to come!

Sergio Aragonés

 The world’s fastest cartoonist returns to Comic-Con as one of the show’s most popular guests. Sergio Aragonés continues to tell the tales of his wandering barbarian, Groo, and has recently become the newly-named co-writer on the DC Comics series Will Eisner’s The Spirit, along with collaborator Mark Evanier.

Frank Beddor

Writer/producer/actor Frank Beddor’s second novel in the New York Times best-selling “Looking Glass Trilogy,” Seeing Redd, has just been published. His film producing credits include the hit comedy, There’s Something About Mary, and the Looking Glass story has made its mark in comics, too, with Hatter M. Beddor’s re-imagining of the Alice In Wonderland story continues this Fall with a lavishly illustrated scrapbook, Princess Alyss of Wonderland, due out in November.

Ed Brubaker

Ed Brubaker had the comics story of the year when he killed off Captain America, a move that got much attention in the mainstream media. And Brubaker’s three monthly Marvel titles-Cap, Daredevil, and his creator-owned Criminal with Sean Phillips-garnered him the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Writer.

Eddie Campbell

For over 25 years, Eddie Campbell has gathered an international following for his work, along with nearly every honor in the comics field, including the Eisner, Ignatz, and Harvey Awards. He co-created and drew From Hell with writer Alan Moore, and his other works include the Eyeball Kid, Bacchus, and a number of books featuring his autobiographical character, Alec. His latest work includes a pair of graphic novels for First Second: The Fate of the Artist and The Black Diamond Detective Agency.

Howard Chaykin

In 2008, writer/artist Howard Chaykin celebrates the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking comics creation American Flagg! Chaykin’s 30 plus years in comics has seen him relaunch such seminal characters as The Shadow and Blackhawks, plus launch-along with writer Roy Thomas-the comic version of Star Wars. His career also includes work in television (including The Flash and Viper). Recently, he’s worked for DC (Challengers of the Unknown, Hawkgirl), Vertigo (Bite Club, American Century), and Marvel (Blade, Wolverine).

Kim Deitch

Looked on as one of the godfathers of the Underground comix movement, Kim Deitch’s illustrious career in cartooning has covered 40 years. Beginning with the East Village Other in the late 60s, Deitch, the son of famed animator/illustrator Gene Deitch, has continued to craft elaborate graphic novels around some of his passions, including silent movies and Waldo the Cat. Recent works include The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Shadowland, and his latest graphic novel, Alias the Cat.

Mark Evanier

Writer for comics, animation and television, blogger, panel moderator and now autobiographer! Mark Evanier’s latest book is a massive art tome devoted to his mentor, friend and one-time employer, Jack Kirby, the undisputed King of Comics. Evanier returns to Comic-Con to moderate another slew of panels, including, undoubtedly, a tribute to Kirby and the ever-popular “Quick Draw!”

Paul Gulacy

Best known for his incredible run on Master of Kung Fu in the 70s, Paul Gulacy’s 30+ years in comics includes work for all the major companies, including DC Comics, Marvel Comics and Dark Horse. Gulacy’s stylish, detailed, and cinematic art has graced such characters as Batman, Catwoman, The Terminator, and James Bond, among others. His frequent collaborations with writer Doug Moench generated two new creations, Six From Sirius and Slash Maraud. In addition, Gulacy drew one of the first American graphic novels, Sabre, written by Don McGregor, and first published by Eclipse Comics in 1978. His latest work include two Marvel mini series: Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk, and Penance: Relentless.

Bryan Hitch

 British artist Bryan Hitch is most famous for his work on Marvel’s The Ultimates, along with writer Mark Millar. His American comics work includes JLA, and his co-creation (along with Warren Ellis) of WildStorm’s The Authority. One of the most popular artists in comics today, Hitch has reunited with Mark Millar to take over Fantastic Four for Marvel in 2008.

Robert J. Sawyer

Hailed as the “dean of Canadian science fiction” writers, Robert J. Sawyer is a Hugo and Nebula award-winning author. In 2006, his novel, Mindscan, won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award (the world’s top juried prize for Science Fiction) for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year. His work includes Hominids (Hugo Award winner for Best Novel), The Terminal Experiment (Nebula Award winner for Best Novel) and his latest, Rollback, published in 2007. This is his first appearance at Comic-Con.

Joe Staton

Prolific and versatile, Inkpot and Eisner Award winner Joe Staton has, since 1971, drawn everything from The Incredible Hulk, to Scooby Doo, to Classics Illustrated, including two strong runs on Green Lantern. In the early 70s, Joe co-created E-Man with Nicola Cuti at Charlton Comics. Joe is also credited as co-creator of The Huntress, The Omega Men, and several members of the Green Lantern Corps, all from DC. In addition to the return of E-Man from Digital Webbing, Joe is also doing a Femme Noir mini-series with Chris Mills from Ape Entertainment and is taking his shot at re-imagining the Archie gang.

Ethan Van Sciver

One of the most popular artists working comics today, Ethan Van Sciver is best known for his work on the mini series that brought back Hal Jordan, Green Lantern: Rebirth. He’s also penciled Superman/Batman and the special issues introducing readers to the Green Lantern nemesis The Sinestro Corps, and is one of DC’s top cover artists. For Marvel Comics, Van Sciver has worked on X-Men.

Connie Willis

One of the most honored Science Fiction writers of the 80s and 90s, Connie Willis’ awards include nine Hugos and six Nebula Awards. Her work includes Lincoln’s Dreams, Doomsday Book, To Say Nothing of the Dog, and her latest D.A. (in collaboration with J.K. Potter), and The Winds of Marble Arch. This is her first appearance at Comic-Con.

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