The Cincinnati Comic Expo bills itself as the city’s largest gathering dedicated to comic books and pop culture. In other words, it’s the perfect place to dress up like Darth Vader and meet fellow nerdy connoisseurs to talk about the newest indie comics or Marvel blockbuster.
Running Sept. 17-19 at the Duke Energy Convention Center downtown, the expo is an exciting weekend-long destination for anyone who collects and celebrates comics, film, TV, toys or memorabilia
But those colorful characters that grace your favorite pages and films don’t appear from thin air, even if that is supposed to be one of their superpowers. Alongside writers, creative artists produce the “POW” and “BANG” for every hero and villain.
Cincinnati is home to plenty of these talented storytellers. Keep an eye out for the local creators below when you visit.
(A quick note regarding our coverage: Of the two dozen or so artists slated to appear at the expo, only two are women and neither is local.)
David Michael Beck
With 51 years of experience on the page, David Michael Beck’s illustrations show a mastery in his craft. He’s produced several issues of sequential illustrations for DC’s gunslinging antihero title, Jonah Hex, and much of his work can be found as cover art in the comics, gaming and role-playing industries.
Beck also is a fine artist who produces paintings for gallery sales and is an adjunct professor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
“The Comic Expo gives artists as well as writers a platform to present their creations to an eager audience,” Beck tells CityBeat. “The comic convention industry is a breeding ground for creative writing leading to creative artwork. It is a showcase for new work being released and the sale of associated merchandise. The con is very useful for artists networking to present their craft for consideration for a publisher’s working talent pool, as well as an open door to meet and talk with already established accomplished artists producing work for the industry in its array of forms.”
Jay B. Kalagayan
Jay B. Kalagayan is writer and publisher of MeSseD, a tale of Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District worker Lilliput and her battle against strange creatures and more that threaten to stop the sewage’s constant flow.
Illustrated by local artist Dylan Speeg, this comic series was well-received by critics and readers within the city and beyond.
Also known for founding Know Theatre, Kalagayan is the Contemporary Arts Center’s director of advanced and corporate giving.
“I was inspired by my daughters to create a strong character that happens to be Asian and identifies as female. So when I bring my daughters to a local comic shop or bookstore, they get to see someone that looks like them on the shelves,” Kalagayan says of his comic series.
“As a parent, you get the privilege to introduce the stories you love to your children. But then they re-introduce those stories back to you. Maybe your favorite stories weren’t as gender equitable or the characters were racial homogenized. I sought out more diverse media for my children, and I also wanted to contribute to it, as well.”
Aaron Lambert
Aaron Lambert’s first time exhibiting at Cincinnati Comic Expo in 2010 was an eye-opening experience on his road to becoming a professional artist.
Lambert reports that three years after what he calls his “failed debut,” he quit his day job to work on art full-time, a career he maintains to this day in his hometown of Cincinnati.
“My love of creating art compels me,” Lambert says. “I love painting things from my mind no one has seen before.”
These days Lambert creates portraits of pop-culture icons ranging from Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre to Grogu (known by fans as “Baby Yoda”) from The Mandalorian.
Jason Montgomery
Jason Montgomery’s work pays homage to costumed superheroes and their iconic villains. The independent artist is currently working on a few storylines that will become multi-issue comics, so the illustrator is on his way to becoming a writer as well.
He has appeared at the Cincinnati Comic Expo for six years and credits it as a great way to meet fellow creatives and to promote his artwork to a wide audience.
“My approach to making a comic is to combine the things I’ve always been interested in,” Montgomery says. “Whether superheroes, monsters, folklore and sci-fi, I’d like to tell stories that aren’t quite the typical superhero genre.”
facebook.com/jasonmontgomeryart
Lee and Nate Xopher
Bold, colorful artwork runs in the family for brothers Lee and Nate Xopher. The two work independently, with Lee living in Colerain and Nate in Dayton, but their shared passion for comics shines through in their unique yet similarly inspired illustrations.
Lee’s comic work includes The Wyld, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi romp featuring talking animals; webcomic Pixel Overdrive; and an illustrated time-travel concept album titled Rock of Pages.
“Cincinnati is a great city for comic artists,” Lee says. “Most work is done remotely, so the most important thing is living somewhere affordable with quick access to cheese coneys.”
Nate, whose work can also be found on The Wyld, agrees.
“I don’t really think it matters where you live these days,” he says. “Sure, you might find some connections in a big city, but social media and remote work have really opened things up for everyone. The Cincinnati Comic Expo is one of my favorite shows every year. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and get your work out there.”
The Cincinnati Comic Expo takes place Sept. 17-19 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. For more information and a full list of comic creators and celebrities slated to attend, visit cincinnaticomicexpo.com.
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