Saturday, August, 29, 2020
Creators
Linked websites are not affiliated with the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. We are not responsible for their content. The views expressed on these sites do not necessarily represent the views of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. Please note that this page will be updated regularly as we continue to confirm awesome guests and creators!
Look for the 
symbol to find creators with "kid-friendly" content. See our F.A.Q. for more details.
Henry Barajas
Panelist: Creating Authentic Storyworlds:
Latinx Representation in Comics
Henry Barajas is a Latinx author from Tucson, AZ. He is best known for his graphic memoir about his great-grandfather Ramon Jaurigue titled La Voz De M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo. He has contributed to anthologies that benefit mass shooting Route 91 victims and The Southern Poverty Law Center such as Where We Live and The Good Fight. Currently, Barajas is the Director of Operations at Top Cow Productions—and he lives with his roommate’s cats Ophelia & Morticia in Los Angeles, CA.
Instagram: @henryjbarajas
Twitter: @HenryBarajas
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Looking to purchase Henry's work?
Check back for an MCMC discount code through Top Cow Productions...
Javier Hernandez
Workshop Presenter: Let's Make Comics!
Panelist: Creating Authentic Storyworlds: Latinx
Representation in Comics
Javier Hernandez is a cartoonist and educator. He's been publishing through his imprint Los Comex since 1998. His signature character EL MUERTO has appeared in a live action film (2007). Javier has been teaching comic workshops since 2003, and also conducts lectures on Latino comics. In 2011 he co-founded the Latino Comics Expo, the nation's first convention dedicated to showcasing the works of Latino creators in comics and related popular arts.
Website: javzilla.com
Facebook: Javier.F.Hernandez
Instagram: @javierloscomex
Twitter: @javierhernandez
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Stephen Andes
Moderator: Creating Authentic Storyworlds: Latinx Representation in Comics
Stephen J. C. Andes received his doctorate in Mexican history at Oxford University. He is an associate professor of history at Louisiana State University. Andes is the author of two books on Mexican history, including The Mysterious Sofía: One Woman’s Mission to Save Catholicism in Twentieth-Century Mexico, as well as the co-editor of an anthology called Local Church, Global Church. He won the Latin American Studies Association’s Best Dissertation Prize. Andes was one of the first scholars to be granted access to the Vatican Secret Archives’ recently declassified files on the Mexican Revolution. He is the recipient of a year-long writing fellowship from the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Award for Artists and Scholars. He has studied at archives in Mexico, the United States, and Europe; he’s visited the birthplace of Joaquin Murrieta, one the legendary proto-type figures for the Zorro character, and has traveled to the major sites associated with early California history. His forthcoming book is called Zorro’s Shadow: How a Mexican Legend Became America’s First Superhero (Chicago Review Press, 2020). It'll be officially released on September 15th, 2020. You can pre-order it before the release date on Amazon or The Chicago Review Press. Dr. Andes is a native of the Pacific Northwest, Andes lives with his wife and three children in Baton Rouge, LA and Eugene, Oregon.
Website: zorrosghost.com
Twitter: @steveandes
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Looking to purchase Stephen's work?
Visit Chicago Review Press and enter the discount code MICROCON for 25% off Zorro's Shadow between August 22 & August 30, 2020!
Greg Burnham
Co-Presenter: Self-Publishing Comics w/the Tuskegee Heirs Crew
Greg Burnham is a Children’s Book Author, and Co-creator/writer of Tuskegee Heirs. His passion for history is only matched by his fire to inspire children to reach higher heights. By day, Greg works in finance, coaches basketball and raises his two children. By night, he, along with Marcus Williams form the duo that has brought Tuskegee Heirs to life.
Website: tuskegeeheirs.com
Facebook: tuskegeeheirs
Instagram: @greg_burnham7
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Marcus Williams
Co-Presenter: Self-Publishing Comics w/the Tuskegee Heirs Crew
A long time lover of video games, comic art, and all things animated, Marcus dedicated his young artistic years to fine tuning his illustration muscles by way of freelancing. Over eighteen plus years later, he's catching his stride and still ever growing in hopes of being a well rounded illustrator.
Stationed in Atlanta GA, he spends most of his time toiling away late nights on everything from illustrating comic art, fan art, children's books to random character commissions and more. A proud father of two, he somehow manages to steal enough time to create loads of artwork and check homework. He's excited about the direction his comic properties are heading in, and looks forward to creating more forms of visual entertainment and stories to enjoy.
Website: tuskegeeheirs.com
Facebook: Marcusthevisual
Instagram: @marcusthevisual
Twitter: @marcusthevisual
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Donterrian Kelly (Anime On A Couch)
Panelist: In Living Color: YouTube, Podcasts, and Online Content
"Yo 
, I'm Donterrian Kelly, creator of the YouTube channel and comedy group "Anime On A Couch". I create Nerd 
Comedy Sketches based on anime, comics, gaming, and all around nerd stuff."
YouTube: AnimeOnACouch
Facebook: AnimeOnACouch
Instagram: @donterriankelly
Pronouns: He/Him/His
INDAFILM (Trapped In Anime)
Panelist: In Living Color: YouTube, Podcasts, and Online Content
"We are an small production company, running a over-the-top live action anime experience."
Website: trappedinanime.tv
Instagram: @trappedinanimeTV
Facebook: TrappedinAnime
TikTok: @trappedinanime
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Ben Passmore
Ben Passmore is a graphic journalist and author of the ongoing comic book series DAYGLOAYHOLE, the artist of the body horror graphic novel BTTM FDRS, as well as Sports is Hell, and the Eisner Award-nominated and Ignatz Award-winning comic Your Black Friend. He lives in Philadelphia.
Website: https://thenib.com/author/ben-passmore/
Instagram: @Dayglo
Twitter: @Daygloayhole
Pronouns: He/Him/His
USS CORSAIR-STARFLEET
The International Star Trek Fan Association
The USS CORSAIR is the largest and oldest STARFLEET chapter in Louisiana. They have been featured in television broadcasts, newspapers, and at community events. They aim to be innovative in the way they express their passion for STAR TREK, with a strong emphasis on interaction with other sci fi organizations, Star Trek themed activities, community service, and away missions for all generations.
Website: BRStarTrek.com (Parent organization: sfi.org)
Facebook: /USSCorsair
Twitter: @usscorsair
Instagram: @usscorsair
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Ethan Killett
Local cartoonist and illustrator creating fun and silly comics and stories!
Website: kapucove.com
Twitter: @ethankillett
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Tobey Truestory
Tobey Truestory is a storyteller. He write novels and create graphic novels and draws manga-related prints. His work includes the action fantasy graphic novel series, Impisha, as well as The Monster of T: Hunter.
Website: https://www.amazon.com/Tobey-Truestory/e/B019HUYVO4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1596493691&sr=8-1
Facebook: tobeytruestory
Instagram: @tobey_truestory
YouTube: Tobey Truestory
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Kawaii NOLA
A culture of cute accessories, gifts, and street fashion to make you smile.
Website: kawaiinola.com
Facebook: kawaiinola
Instagram: @kawaiinola
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Ninja Yoyo Cosplay
Cosplay Competition Judge
With a Master's in Strategic Communication and a Bachelor's in Public Relations, Ninja Yoyo (Cheri) has combined her education and work experience with her passion for cosplay. Cheri would describe her cosplay persona as a "media personality" who has been cosplaying just over 6 years. Her favorite thing to craft for a cosplay is dying (fabric and wigs) and her favorite cosplays are generally influenced by anime.
Website: casmall.myportfolio.com
Facebook: theninjayoyo
Instagram: @theninjayoyo
Twitter: @theninjayoyo
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Gamma Rae Cosplay
Panelist: In Living Color: YouTube, Podcasts, and Online Content
Cosplay Competition Judge
"I work as a lawyer by day, but by night I double as a cosplayer, under the name Gamma Rae Cosplay. Three years ago, I attended my first Comic Con, where I discovered a newfound passion for cosplay. My first attempt at cosplay was when I went to the Mississippi Anime Festival, dressed as Rick from Rick and Morty. I've been addicted ever since.
I've always loved geek culture. Growing up I played video games and loved things like Ronin Warriors and Street Fighter.
I co-host a podcast called Geeked Up, where we discuss geek/pop culture and what it was like to grow up as a geek in Mississippi. She also recently started a chapter of the international organization Geek Girl Brunch (a meetup group for ladies to talk about geek culture over brunch and mimosas) in Jackson, MS with two of her close friends. When it comes to cosplaying I love doing cosplays as a variety of characters and adding some black girl magic to it."
Facebook: geekedupjxn & gammaraecosplay
Instagram: @gammaraecosplay
Twitter: @GammaRaeCosplay
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Cajun Moon Creations
Cosplay Competition Judge
Lady Luna Loveless is the owner and creator at Cajun Moon Creations. She has been cosplaying for 4 years and during that time has won awards for cosplay she creates for herself and her family. Wig and sewing are her specialty, commissions are always available too. As an avid gamer, anime fan and comic nerd she creates things from every fandom you can think of! There is something for everyone.
Facebook: cajunmooncreations
Instagram: @lady_luna_loveless
Twitter: @LovelyLadyLuna4
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Katlin Marisol Sweeney
Panelist: Bring It Back: Using the Past to Create the Future
Katlin Marisol Sweeney is a third-year PhD student in the Department of English at The Ohio State University. She specializes in Latinx Studies and U.S. popular culture and researches how Latina media makers produce comics, zines, and social media content that envision sustainable futures for women and nonbinary folx of color. She is the Central Coordinator for SOL-CON: The Brown, Black, and Indigenous Comix Expo at Ohio State and serves as an Executive Team Leader with LASER: the Latinx Space for Enrichment and Research. Her work can be found in American Book Review, Latinx Spaces, and in the forthcoming collection, The Routledge Companion to Gender and Sexuality in Comic Book Studies.
Website: katlinsweeney.com
Instagram: @katlin.sweeney
Twitter: @KatlinMSweeney
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
William "Memo" Nericcio
Panelist: Creating Authentic Storyworlds
William "Memo" Nericcio, a Tejano Cultural Studies Professor from Laredo, Texas, began his career as a Latin Americanist focused on novels of the 20th century by Carlos Fuentes, Rosario Castellanos, Julio Cortázar, and Gabriel García Márquez. From his first Assistant Professorship at the University of Connecticut he moved to SDSU in 1991, where his work has expanded into critical studies of film, mass culture, television, and cutting-edge Latinx fiction. With a BA in English from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Cornell University, Nericcio presently directs the MALAS Cultural Studies MA @SDSU and also runs SDSU Press, the oldest independent scholarly press in the California State University system. His American Library Association Choice Award-winning book in film studies, Tex[t]-Mex: Seductive Hallucinations of the “Mexican” in America appeared in 2007. His latest book, co-authored with Frederick Luis Aldama, Talking #browntv: Latinas and Latinos on the Screen, appeared December 2019 from the Ohio State University Press.
Website: http://malas.sdsu.edu/textmex
Amatl Comix: https://amatlcomix.sdsu.edu/
Instagram: @william.nericcio
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Moana McAdams
Panelist: Bring It Back: Using the Past to Create the Future
Moana McAdams is a multi-passionate creator (Burning Spear Boutique), published photographer (Overstreet Guide to Cosplay), editor (Wildcard Chronicles comic series) and small business owner who advocates for diversity and positive authentic representation of indigenous peoples and cultures in comics and mainstream media. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration, a Masters of Science in IT, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Moana is a bookworm who enjoys capturing life’s precious memories through her creative endeavors, traveling the world, and spending time with family.
Website: moanamcadams.com & burningspearcomix.com
Instagram: @thereallifemoana & @theburningspearllc
Facebook: /AdventuresofNakoaandNohea
YouTube: Blunt Force Media
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
John "Nuri" McAdams
Panelist: Bring It Back: Using the Past to Create the Future
Nuri McAdams is the owner and creator of the Burning Spear Comix. He wrote and self-published the WildCard Chronicles series, an independent comic created to proudly promote finding the Hero Within. Nuri is a US Marine vet and Motorcycle Club President of the Jokers Revenge Motorcycle Family based in the DC area who utilizes his expertise to bring a bold and edgy perspective to the comic landscape.
Website: burningspearcomix.com
Instagram: @wildcardchronicles & @theburningspearllc
Facebook: /wildcardchronicles
YouTube: Blunt Force Media
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Ky Hikari Cosplay
Ky Hikari Cosplay is a fun-loving and ambitious cosplayer from Louisiana. Her goal is to spread the message of loving the skin you're in and cosplay is for everyone. Her mission is to not only, help but inspire more people to take the jump into cosplay regardless of what they look like!
Website: linktr.ee/kyhikaricos
Facebook: kyhikaricosplay
Instagram: @kyhikaricos
Twitter: @kyhikaricos
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Miss OoLaLa
Cosplayer
"I love sewing, armor and prop making, wig styling, and everything cosplay! My favorite characters to cosplay are from classic RPG series. Some of the characters I’ve cosplayed include: Terra from FFVI, Aerith from FFVII, Yuno Gasai from Future Diary, Kai’Sa from League of Legends, KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, various versions of Harley Quinn, Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx... I also have a Princess Zelda Sailor Moon mashup cosplay! I travel to conventions all over the south and compete on contests, and have won several group and solo awards for cosplay, as well as wig contests too!"
Website: MissOoLaLa.com
Facebook: OoLaLaCosplay
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Daniel Strickland
Daniel Strickland is a professional illustrator and comic artist based in Baton Rouge, LA. His most recent projects include the NerdGirl plus size pinup series, COLORWEEN spooky adult coloring books, and illustrations for the Zombie Anatomy 101 young adult novel series.
Follow Daniel's work on Instagram, check out the prints and books in his online store at strickart.com, or contact him at strickart@gmail.com for commission or project inquiries.
Website: strickart.com
Facebook: strickbook
Instagram: @strickstagram
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Check out some of his original artwork under our MCMC Original Content tab!
Wakanda Moon Cosplay
Cosplay group hoping to spread love and confidence to everyone around the world! Cosplay is for everyone!
Instagram: @wakandamooncosplay
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Chenese Lewis
Moderator: In Living Color: YouTube, Podcasts and Online Content
Chenese Lewis is the epitome of a sophisticated woman entrepreneur and entertainer who has gained international attention as a highly sought-after keynote speaker, expert commentator, as well as a positive body image and self-esteem advocate. She has modeled for the national chain Torrid and was the Coast-to-Coast Curves Spokesperson for Ashley Stewart. A guru in the plus size industry, Chenese has appeared as an expert on Dr. Phil, Huffington Post Live, and quoted in USA Today. She is an in-demand host for major fashion and beauty events. She has hosted large-scale fashion events during New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, and abroad in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, she graced the cover of VICE Magazine UK’s 10th anniversary issue, a mainstream publication distributed worldwide. In 2015 Chenese was honored by Baton Rouge Fashion Week with the Fashion Icon Award recognizing her outstanding achievements as a fashion trailblazer from Louisiana. Chenese is frequently booked for lectures at national workshops, seminars and universities around the country. The Baton Rouge native is the Chief Creative Officer for Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC, a media company she established in 2007.
Website: cheneselewis.com
Facebook: cheneselewis
Instagram: @cheneselewis
Twitter: @CheneseLewis
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Rodneyna Hart
Moderator: Bring it Back: Using the Past to
Create the Future
Rodneyna M. Hart has been instrumental in the development of local art and cultural advancements in the Baton Rouge area for over ten years. After graduating from LSU in 2008, Hart worked as the Exhibitions Coordinator at Baton Rouge Gallery – center for contemporary art, Preparator at the LSU Museum of Art, as the Exhibitions Manager at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and resident Curator and Art Manager of The Healthcare Gallery. A strong desire to break down barriers for access for artists lead to Hart reestablishing and serve as Executive Director for the not-for-profit organization, Culture Candy. Advocating for more inclusive and intersectional cultural spaces, Hart created pop-up art events open to all with an educational component providing resources for emerging artists.
Over the years, Rodneyna has served on numerous history, arts, and culture boards and given generously of her time, energies, and resources to various organizations and initiatives. She received a gubernatorial appointment to the Louisiana State Arts Council in 2017 and served as the Council’s represented on the Folklife Commission for Louisiana. In 2018, Rodneyna was named one of Baton Rouge Business Report’s Fourth Under 40.
January of 2019, Rodneyna accepted the position of Division Director for the Louisiana State Museum overseeing the four regional museums. In this capacity, Hart adds structural support to further the success of each institution through programming, promotion, partnerships, and exhibitions that strategically meet the needs of the communities served.
Website: rodneyna.com
Instagram: @rodneyna
Facebook: rodneyna
Twitter: @Rodneyna
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
PoeArtry Creative Movement, LLC
Presenter: Worldbuilding: Creating the World of Sankofa's Eymbrace
Antoine GHOST Mitchell is the Creater, writer, penciler, colorist, and letterer of the Afro-Fantasy comic book series, Sankofa's Eymbrace. His Wife, Erica AYXA Williams-Mitchell serves as the Editor.
Together they have crafted a Fantasy world full of many familiar traditional and non-traditional elements such as unique races, magic, and fantastical technology. However, inspirations from various African Cultures have helped to make Sankofa's Eymbrace a truly organic experience for seasoned Comic Book/Fantasy lovers, as well as those new to comic books.
The Norwood, La born, Baton Rouge, La resident is a 2007 Visual Arts graduate of Southern University and A&M College. He has been developing the world of Sankofa's Eymbrace for nearly 20 years. He currently has an East Baton Rouge Parish Library tour called: Sankofa's Eymbrace: From Concept to Manifestation" focusing on the Concept Art that crafted the world of Sankofa's Eymbrace.
Facebook: sankofaseymbrace
Instagram: @sankofaseymbrace
Patreon: eymbracethemovement
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Antoine “GHOST” Mitchell at the Carver Branch Library
Jason Walz
Presenter: Our Experiences & How They Drive Our Storytelling
Jason Walz is a cartoonist and illustrator living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the creator of the YA graphic novel trilogy Last Pick, the Eisner nominated graphic novel Homesick, the online comic anthology Crap Shoot, and several short story comics. His many years teaching in special education continue to shape his life and the stories he wants to tell.
Website: https://jasonwwalz.com/
Instagram: @jasonwwalz
Twitter: @Jasonwwalz
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Blerd-ish
(Keith Cooper & Mark Wallace)
Podcast & Comic Book Pop Up Shop
"We are the Blerd.ish! podcast and comic book pop up shop. We are a couple of "blerds" who love Marvel, DC, movies, and various things from anime to indie comics. One of our goals is to highlight as many independent creators through our podcast. We also are distribution for independent artists and we sell for them at various events. We are in the process of creating our own comic styled coloring book based on our experiences and the things we enjoy."
Website: blerd-ish.com
Facebook: Blerdish1
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Risen Vision
"Risen Vision comics is a Christian comic book business where we are sharing our vision with the world while giving God the glory. We sell comic books, a fresh title from the mind of Daniel Johnson the CEO, and variety of clothing representing the business."
Website: risenvision.org
Facebook: risenvisioncomics
Twitter: @risen_vision
Lazy Nerds Designs
"Nerd-inspired merchandise... We are a small local brand that print and embroider our own hats, shirts, bags, and pillows."
Website: lazynerdsdesigns.com
Facebook: lazynerdsdesigns
Instagram: @lazynerdsdesigns
Twitter: @lazynerdsdesign
Pronouns: He/Him/His
JaNiece Campbell/Sleepy Cynic Illustration
"Relatively new freelance artist/illustrator based out of Baton Rouge with special interest in anime and video games. My personal work varies from comics to cartoons to character concepts. You can usually spot me drawing cowboys, animals, monsters, or whatever other random interest I've pick up at the time. Though I'm just getting started, I've had the chance to work with a variety of local projects, including video games, books, and promotional material. I hope you enjoy my work!"
Website: sleepycynic.com
Instagram: @sleepy_cynic
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Jason Hyde
"Dungeon Cowboy is the Alternative Queer Surrealism style of Jason Hyde, a twenty-three year old mixed media artist. The ideas of drag culture, horror, and surgical procedures are engaged with through various mediums, mostly paintings with cremains. Dungeon Cowboy combines the elements of the morbid, colorful, uncanny, and grotesque."
Website: dungeoncowboy.squarespace.com
Instagram: @dungeoncowboy
Facebook: /dungeoncowboy
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Gavin Michelli
Vendor at Arts & Comics Market
"I am an independent comic book artist and professional illustrator."
Website: gavinmichelliart.com
Facebook: gavinmichelliart
Instagram: @gavinmichelliart
Twitter: @gavinmichelliart
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Louisiana Cosplayers
"Louisiana Cosplayers is an organization of cosplayers for cosplayers! Our focus is to help our members grow their crafting skills while expressing love for their fandoms. We host bi-monthly social gatherings throughout the state of Louisiana."
Website: louisianacosplayers.com
Facebook: Louisianacosplayers
Instagram: @louisianacosplayersofficial