Prism Comics, the nonprofit championing LGBTQ+ visibility, diversity and inclusion in comics, graphic novels and popular media, presents Q Con, Southern California’s newest LGBTQ+ comic con on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 10am to 5pm, at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, 1166 North Vista Street, West Hollywood, CA.
Last year, Prism Comics held the first annual Q Con to great success with over 900 people attending. This year’s Q con will once again celebrate the amazing diversity of LGBTQ+ comics, games, and popular media today and will be expanded with panel presentations on various comics topics. Attendees will be able to meet creators from indie comics to major publishers, get autographs and sketches, and mix with other comics fans. Attendees are encouraged to cosplay their favorite characters with a fun and festive Costume Contest being held at 3:30 pm.
Winners from Q Con 2022 – Photo by Mike Pingel“We’re very pleased at how well Q Con went last year,” Ted Abenheim, the President of Prism Comics told WEHO TIMES. “The feelings of community and empowerment were very strong, and we’re all excited for June 17. It’s great to be able to produce an event where readers and creators can meet and mingle, where people can cosplay in welcoming space, and everyone can share the joy of comics and popular media.”
Abenheim says a lot of terrific creators are returning from last year, plus wonderful new ones. “We’re expanding to present panels including a spotlight on Sina Grace (Rockstar and Softboy; Iceman) and Josh Trujillo (Hulkling & Wiccan; Blue Beetle); a panel on “Positive Representation and New Frontiers in Queer Comics”, moderated by Barbra J. Dillon (Editor-in-Chief, Fanbase Press) and others to be announced,” he said.
The convention is family-friendly and free to the public with support from the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division as part of the WeHo Pride LGBTQ+ Arts Festival. “In the face of the book banning and the growing backlash against LGBTQ+ people, it’s more important than ever for queer and questioning people of all ages to see themselves represented by positive characters and stories in comics and graphic novels,” added Abenheim. “Everyone from the young to the “young at heart” should be able to find comics and graphic novels to enjoy at Q Con.”
SCHEDULED TO APPEAR:
Aleasha Acevedo (Husk); Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here, Stacked Deck Press); David Booher (Rain; Killer Queens); CAPS – Cartoon Art Professional Society; Dave Davenport (Feral and the Ghost Fighter); Michael Derry (Troy; Derry Products); A.C. Esguerra (Eighty Days); Fanbase Press; Jack Foster (Gun); Sina Grace (Rockstar and Softboy; Iceman); Hi-De-Ho Comics; Tini Howard (Excalibur; Catwoman); D.J. Kirkland (Black Mage; Dream Daddy); Jeff Krell (Jayson; Arena Stage); Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter; Unpacking); Knave Murdock (TransCat); Gladys Ochoa (Ribbons of Thought); Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf); Mei (Qi-Shift); M.K. Palmer (Meraki); Mike Pingel (Channel Surfing: Betty White); Prism Comics; Qweerty Gamers; Brad Rader (Bob’s Burgers, Batman: The Animated Series); Rainbow Arc of Fire; David Reddish (The Passion of Sergius & Bacchus); Jimmy Sherfy (cosplayer); Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life); Josh Trujillo (Hulkling & Wiccan; Blue Beetle); Max Spragovsky (W.O.O.F. Galaxy); Stacked Deck Press; William O. Tyler (Theater of Terror);Shannon Watters (Lumberjanes: Hollow); Fernando Velez (Kraven Comics; Class6); Yaoi Revolution; Joe Pryde Zuniga and Bryan Gomez (cosplayers) and others to be announced!
FOLLOW PRISM COMICS:
PRISM COMICS WEBSITE – prismcomics.org
Q CON WEBSITE – https://qconprism.org
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/prismcomics
TWITTER – @prismcomics
INSTAGRAM – @prismcomics
