Artists Alley is the place to be -- C2E2 Spotlight
A tiny introduction to only some of the many talented artists tabling at this years C2E2
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For many comics fans, the most exciting aspect of any comic convention is the ability to roam the artists alley, get beloved comics signed and sketched, and to find their next favorite thing. This year's artist alley at C2E2 2022 is no different, and Saturday found those famed aisles quite busy with fans lining up to get their comics signed by the likes of Chris Claremont, Kat Leyh, and Ryan Browne.
For those who couldn't make it to the convention this year, or who simply didn't have time or the ability to stop by the arists alley at this year's C2E2, we put together a few introductions to only a handful of the many many talented artists who have made it to Chicago this year.
Now these are only a tiny tiny representative of the amazing talent that you can find at Artists Alley. Make sure to check out these awesome artists' work and support their shops!
Steenz
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Heartwarming.
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?Heart Takes the Stage, because it's in a format that's accessible for the greater public, since not every city has the comic in their newspaper. Peep the comic on the left side of Steenz's table!
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This is Steenz's second time tabling at C2E2 as a creator, but they've tabled a bunch as a publisher.
Lain - CloudKBD
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Reclamation.
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
The owl linoprint. (Find it at the left of the display or printed on the kraft brown notebooks on Lain's table!)
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This is Lain's first year doing C2E2.
Landis Blair
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Landis mentioned that his work has been described as "Nihilistic whimsy" by his previous collaborator, author Caitlin Doughty.
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
A small book titledWhetting Engines that features illustrations of pencil sharpeners. Check it out at the top right corner of his book display!
How many C2E2s have they been to?
Eight or nine.
The Kao
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
LGBTQ friendly, comics, slice of life, and fantasy.
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
Magical Boy and The Out Side, which are both stories featuring trans and non-binary characters, one a fantasy and one autobiographical. Check out Magical Boy front and center of Kao's display.
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This if Kao's first time tabling at C2E2.
Natalie Andrewson
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Woodland creatures meets whimsical fairies with vibrant colors layered with risograph ink.
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, a graphic novel which debuted during pandemic. The comic is displayed to the right of Natalie in the above picture.
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This is Natalie's first year at C2E2.
Woolbeast - Melissa Sue Stanley
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Whimsical creature art with a bite
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
This troll print.
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This if Melissa's first time tabling with these beasts, but she has been tabling since 2015 with the Galaxy-Hero comic book with Revolution Brewing.
Max Bare
How would they describe they work in just a phrase or so?
Kid friendly stories
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
Hero Beards-- you can see it at the left of Max's display!
How many C2E2s have they been to?
Like Melissa, also since 2015 with the Galaxy-Hero comic book (which they both worked on-- plus, they're married!)
Justin Madson
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How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Character driven, focusing on relationships between characters with sci fi surreal elements
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
His new graphic novel Tin Man. You can see Tin Man at the left of Justin's display.
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This is Justin's first year at C2E2!
Ariel Chan
How would they describe their work in just a phrase or so?
Emotional and full of fun!
What's their favorite thing that they have on display?
Ariel really loves her Breath of the Wild print as well as her comic Armor Up. You can catch a glance of Armor up at the left of Ariel's book display.
How many C2E2s have they been to?
This is Ariel's third year tabling, but she has been an attendee for five or six years.
So check out these amazing artists' work! Online or in person. Be there at C2E2 2022 from anywhere with Popverse's liveblogs, reports, interviews, and streaming panels.
