Check out the great artists and vendors that were at Wilkes Comic Con, Summer 2021
Art by Shmagiggins
Shmagiggins is a self-taught anime artist who focuses on commission work, fan art, and comics! She’s got a cute style which looks great for profile pictures, twitter icons, stickers, and she even works on more intricate works like D&D character design!
Bear Butt Comics
Brian Wingrove is the writer and artist of Intermezzo and the Mighty Mighties from Bear Butt Comics.
Beardy Weirdy’s Comics & Toys
Beardy Weirdy’s Comics is based in the Concord, NC area and can be seen at many of the conventions across the southeast.
We have a retail location at 325 McGill Ave, Concord, NC 28027.
We specialize in comic books, vintage toys and retro video games.
Visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/beardyweirdyscomics
Blaze Belushi
http://www.reverbnation.com/blazebelushi
“You thought I was a geek if my memory serves. If so, my flow, is ‘Revenge of the Nerds’.” – Blaze Belushi
Cartoonist and Rapper.
Blaze Belushi has been making waves in the local scene for a few years now. He’s had guest appearances on various songs, including on album releases from Mightier Than The Sword Records. He was featured on “The Other Side remix” from Ty Bru’s powerhouse debut “On the Brink”, then returned for the “Posse Cut” and background vocals on “TKO” for Ty Bru’s 3rd album “Triple Bypass- In The Ambulance.” Also, he appeared on Matt Irie’s “Don’t Wanna Go Home,” as well as placing 4 features on “Under The Tree” the Mightier Than The Sword Christmas compilation. In addition, Blaze has worked with artists ranging from Ed E Ruger, Celinski the Mayor, Pete Wurthy, Big Bis, Tenacious, Matt Irie, among others.
Will Boyer
Patreon.com/GospelmanMinistries
Will Boyer (CartoonistWill) is the creator, writer and illustrator of webcomics such as the secular comedy “SuperMilo,” the religious edutainment series “Gospelman Adventures” and the humorous Gospelman comic strip, as well as a the co-creator of Empire Comics Lab’s comedy “Hip Hop” about a rabbit trying to make it big in Hollywood, co-created and written by Dan Johnson, and the illustrator of a short backup comedy comic, “Li’l Nuetro,” written by Dave Noe, for a future graphic novel by inDELLible. He also letters for the publishers on various titles.
Cantabile Illustrations
Cantabile features anime-styled traditional and digital illustrations of comic book, cartoon, anime, and original characters.
My name is Stephanie and I’m a preschool teacher by day, freelance artist by night! I enjoy making colorful illustrations using watercolor and Copic markers. Please feel free to come by and say hi, as I love meeting everyone and talking about art and all things geeky!
The Crafting Ninja
The Crafting Ninja is a traditional artist who specializes in all things cute and nerdy! We make everything from prints, to pins, to jewelry! So swing by and check us out! We can’t wait to see you all there!
Chestnut Creations
Chestnuts Creations makes resin jewelry and accessories such as: necklaces, pendants, hair bows, earrings, and more. Brianna’s work has a super sweet and cute appeal!
Dark Glass Studios
Making and teaching games in the foothills of North Carolina.
We are an indie game studio that focuses on developing games for the mobile market with a strong emphasis on story/lore and character development as well as creating worlds in which the player has the freedom to explore. Our current project is a mobile game 500 years after the current civilizations of man have ended. No one knows what happened 500 years ago, though there are many legends that can be discovered. Or you can just keep yourself alive exploring your surroundings and constructing your own home territory to gain safety from the dangers of this world.
For more information visit our website -> http://darkglass-studio.com/
To follow the development journal and join Alpha testing, visit our Discord -> https://discord.gg/9Arc5cZ
Dazzle Crash
Dazzle Crash is an up and coming fiber artist with a focus in pop-culture amigurumi, custom hats and accessories, and charms. Dazzle Crash is a one man team making bespoke crochet goods with an emphasis on homemade feel. Through this chosen medium, Will hopes to achieve the idea that no two items are the same and have a one of a kind feel as they are stitched from the ground up. You can find Will at his personal instagram; DazzleCrash where he happily accepts any suggestions, commissions, and patterns to be worked.
The Dice Hut
The Dice Hut is a Game supply store. We do as are name says carry dice and that is our main focus but don’t let that fool you. We carry all the basic game supplies no matter what type of game we got you covered.
Duae Designs
Handmade sewn bags, catnip toys, fleece cat hats, and potentially crochet items such as small dolls, plush toys, and art prints.
Ed Price Vintage Comics
I grew up in Lenoir. Started reading comics when I was in 3rd grade. Graduated from NCSU and worked as a nuclear engineer for nearly four decades before taking early retirement. Along the way my son Eddie and I opened Time Tunnel Comics & Toys in Hickory, NC back in 2001. The store is still operating successfully today under new ownership. We also operated Plan 9 Comics and Games in Boone from 2006-2014. Now-a-days I’m still an avid collector who does an occasional Comic Con as “Ed Price Vintage Comics.” I specialize in silver age comic books and vintage toys, but also carry thousands of $1 comics in a wide variety. My younger brother John, who worked at both comic shops, is my expert helper and fellow collector. Looking forward to the Wilkes Comic Con!
Ence Gaming
Ence is a publishing company that is primarily focusing on video games and comics. Our goal is to build big, ambitious games that leave fans wanting more while creating entertaining comics for the fans to read.
Flashpoint Games
Flashpoint Games in Jonesville, NC is a one stop hobby shop. Our products include Magic the Gathering, Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, Pokemon & Yugioh. We also recently attained Authorized Retailer for the newest TCG, Flesh and Blood. Also, hobby supplies like Dragon Shield, DEX Protection, boxes and dice are always on hand. Come see as we are also building a tournament schedule, both competitive and fun for building the gaming community.
Great State Paranormal
Sicut Superius et Inferius
We are a group of paranormal investigators in Western North Carolina. Our goal is to investigate hauntings and spirit sightings while preserving native folklore.
We are based at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. The history of our area uniquely attracts the paranormal. Before the British colonized the Americas, our land was home to native american tribes. After the colonist came in search of freedom of religion, practitioners of various forms of witchcraft thrived in the seclusion of the mountains. As the two cultures collide, it has left us with a home between the collision of two powerful paranormal forces.
We are also blessed with a hometown that was left mostly unaffected by the American Civil War. While most cities and towns were burned down during Sherman’s march to the sea, fate preserved the town of Wilkesboro, NC. We don’t take such a gift lightly. We make a point to attempt to preserve and respect the historical sites around us and ensure that we can capture the legacy of wherever we investigate. We also work with our neighbors to help protect our historical sites for our future generations.
Guru Comics
Guru Comics sells Copper, Bronze, Silver and Golden Age comics. We are 40 year collectors who just want to make space in the closet! Our loss is your gain. We do not sell online so come see us at the Wilkes Comic-Con.
Happy Plushie Fun Time
www.facebook.com/happyplushiefuntime
We make plushies as well as plush making sewing kits. We will have some 3d printed items, dice and will have some mochi and ramune. Our primary goal is to spread the idea that people can learn to sew and make their own costumes, stuffed animals, and whatever else they want to make.
Historic Wilkesboro Halloween Parade
https://www.facebook.com/WilkesHalloweenParade
The Historic Wilkesboro Halloween Parade is a community event that supports various charities each year. The Zombie Walk and Parade is the highlight to this fall time festival. Boos and Ghouls of every age are welcome!
Hero Clash Collectibles
https://www.facebook.com/pg/heroclashcollectibles
Comic books, Marvel Legends, McFarlane Figures, Magic cards, Sports Cards, Hotwheels, and so much more! New Release comic books come in every Wednesday and subscription holder can save up to 20%. Call to start your own comic book subscription today, Free!
Located in Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro, NC – Hero Clash Collectibles is a store that offers a wide variety of collectible comic books, comic figures, sports cards, sports figures, horror/sci-fi figures, and more – all at affordable prices!
Kinda Cute Creations
http://etsy.com/shop/kindacutecreations
Kinda Cute Creations is here to brighten your day with art prints, plushies, buttons, and much more! Bring home your own handmade creation from us, made with love, by a fan for the fans!
Kitchen Table Games and Bistro
We are a full-service Local Game Store in West Jefferson, NC which also houses a great restaurant with Smoothies, Acai, Quinoa, and Sandwiches. We opened in 2021 but our sister store has been open 8 years, and we have a huge selection of Pokemon, Magic, Warhammer, Citadel Paints, Board Games, Yugioh, Digimon, Dragonball Super, and Board Games! If you want it we most likely have it! We also buy and sell Singles for all trading card games, and you can order for pickup or delivery at our website www.kitchentablegames.com. You can join us for Friday Night Magic, Prerelease, Saturday Modern (we are an official Magic tournament store), as well as Board Game nights, painting nights, Pokemon play days, and everything in between!
Klaws of Kreation
www.facebook.com/klawsofkreation
Kev Lyerly, aka Klaws of Kreation, is an artist from Winston Salem NC. For the past twenty years he has self-published his own comics and produced fan art ranging from cards to 11×17 prints.
Klingon Assault Group
https://www.facebook.com/KlingonAssaultGroup/
The Klingon Assault Group is a not-for-profit fan organization. The IKV Executioner, a chapter of KAG, supports Kwanzaa Family Inn women’s shelter. Look for their table of Klingon and Star Trek Alien memorabilia and recruitment information for the Klingon Assault Group.
Let’s Collect It!
Let’s Collect it! has been doing toys shows and comic cons in the Western North Carolina area for 7 years. We sell mostly Funko Pops. This adventure began with the desire to buy a John Wick Chase Pop. We registered for a business and tax ID. We were approved by Funko to purchase directly and resell. We now do 6-8 shows a year and have been looking to expand our reach. Having worked in Wilkesboro for a few years, we decided to try the Wilkes Comic Con. We’re looking forward to meeting new folks and making a connection with a new region!
Joe Lisi
Joe Lisi is an artist, illustrator, and creator of pop culture art and merchandise.
Magpie Dice
Magpie Dice Co. specializes in homebrewed instruments of fate for Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop roleplaying games. We work hard to create unique and one-of-a-kind dice that you can find nowhere else, with inclusions such as florals, feathers, snakeskin, and more. Alongside handmade resin dice, we also offer other ttrpg accessories such as dice trays, boxes, spell slot counters, and of course, stickers. If you’re looking for something truly unique for your tabletop game, search no further!
Major Havoc
Member of AIWF outlaw wrestling, one of the most extreme wrestling federations in America, Major Havoc is a recent inductee of the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Check out his Wrestling Hall of Fame Panel!
Man Eating Cake Comics
www.facebook.com/ManEatingCakeComics
Man Eating Cake Comics is the Brainchild of Jay Gobble and Jason Carr…we publish the comics Appomattox…and Blood of the Lotus…hailing from Winston Salem and Greensboro…our styles run from superhero to Manga.
Chris McJunkin
Chris McJunkin is a freelance comic illustrator, sequential artist, painter, letterer, & graphic designer.
He has recently contributed to Marvel and Upper Deck’s “Marvel Diamond Black”, “Marvel Masterpieces 2020”, “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, “Marvel Premier 2019”, “Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years”, “Marvel Flair 2019”, “Marvel Masterpieces 2018”, “Avengers: Infinity War”, “Ant-Man & the Wasp”, “Marvel Premiere 2017” and “Black Panther” Official Sketch Card Series. He’s also recently contributed to “Mars Attack!” Official Sketch Card Series and “Ultraman” Sketch Card Series.
He is currently working on the new issue of “The Amoral Stingray” for 2nd Though Comics. More of his work can be seen at junkdrawerstudio.com and on Instagram @junkdrawerstudios.
Mental Pablum
Hi! My name is Chris Reader and I go by the name Mental Pablum online.
I am a freelance artist that does fan art. I like to think of myself as a corporate flunkie that is trying to become a struggling artist. I’ve had a career in retail for close to 30 years, but within the last 3 years decided to get back to drawing all the comic book characters that I love. I took what I was doing started going around to comic shows in the North Carolina area since that is where I live. I sell original art, prints and do commissions upon request.
I’m originally from Florida and have been drawing since Junior High School once I really got into comics and decided I wanted to make my own. I was an MP in the US Army before getting into retail. I’ve worked for 3 different Fortune 50 companies in many roles. I enjoy what I do, but love creating art too. I will continue to create art and make it available for sale for people that are interested and enjoy it. I’m not looking to be famous or get into the comic industry at this point in my life. I’m just trying to have fun, be creative and try to get better.
Modern Goldfish
Moderngoldfish is a delightful North Carolina based wife and husband geek team who have been making wands, decorative potions, and other magical items for over 8 years. They live in the magical space between the Harry Potter universe and the metaphysical community and are thrilled to provide handmade and some hand-sourced items to begin, extend, or complete your collections. Moderngoldfish believes that magic is the ability to make change, be it personal, social, or global – and a wand can be an amazing tool for change! They are interested in what you are reading – the world gets better with every book you read. We rise by lifting others! Come by and say Alohamora!
Modern Mercurial
www.instagram.com/modernmercurial/
Modern Mercurial sells a variety of small trinkets, including vinyl decals, buttons, plushies, resin-printed jewelry, and more!
Moon Bunny Crafts
@moon.bunny.crafts on Instagram
@MoonBunnyCrafts on Facebook
Moon Bunny Crafts is a small online based shop that specializes in a variety of crafts. I make everything from jewelry to prints to functional resin pieces to stickers and more! I tend to focus on crafty, nerdy goodness with a taste of the dark side too. Nerdy? Kawaii? Cute? Gypsy? Hippie? Dark? Cottagecore? Delicate? Statement? Having a little something for everyone is something I strive for. I love to create and spread happiness, and my passion for that has driven this business for years.
Neo Monster Island
Sean McGuinness, is a Kaijū(Japanese – “strange beast”) enthusiast and ne’er-do-well from West Columbia. Using Godzilla toys and digital techniques, he destroys pre-conceived notions of what art should be. The terrible beasts of cinema are inserted into images of the Palmetto State, the Civil War, French Impressionism, Japanese woodblock prints and more. His methods and vision are unconventional, but the results are always unmistakable.
“Nature may point out the folly of man, but I’m here to preach Art Appreciation Through Godzillafication.”
Godzillafications [noun] God-zill-a-fi-ca-tions (gd-zɪlə-f-kshn):
An artwork or consequence growing out of Sean’s unique vision to interject his Godzilla Collectibles into established works of art, photographs, or concepts. It ranges from serious gravitas to social and political satire, yet always centers around a deep love of the kaiju [giant monster] eras of past, present and future. The purpose is to not only spread the love of Godzilla and his eternal, relevant messages, but to also connect people with art who would not normally appreciate traditional arts or even Godzilla himself.
Paprika Studios
https://paprikastudios.carrd.co/
paprikaSTUDIOS specializes in creating chibiarts of both original and fanarts! We take commissions, have several social media outlets to keep updated about our work, stream nightly, and have a Etsy shop where you can purchase our goods!
Red Wolf Studios
https://theartofkatelynndaniel.weebly.com
I’m an artist, with a background in Graphic Design, inspired by my favorite video games and plants. I have a mixture of both original and fanart designed collectibles and art.
Retro Steam Studios
www.retrosteamstudios.com/index.html
Original Steampunk, Fantasy and Retro Sci-Fi art, film-quality props, collectables and cosplay accessories, costuming and armor.
Rumble and Roar Wandmakers
http://www.facebook.com/RumbleandRoar
Handmade wands and movie quality props. Master Wandmakers for over a decade, come see the finest magical products this side of Diagon Alley, (Though we have a shop there too if you don’t want to fly in).
Shea Sew Silly
SheaSewSilly uses nerdy and comic fabric used on everything including seat belt covers, purses/coin pouches, coasters, and Other miscellaneous cool things.
Shero Productions
Feed your Fandom with our Collectibles!
We carry action figures, non-sports cards, autographs, model kits, books,
records/CDs, & other memorabilia. You can find us at various fan, comic, and sci-fi/horror conventions in the Southeast.
Smogfrog
Smogfrogg (Leeanna Earp) is a locally based illustrator and mixed media artist. She’s currently a senior at UNC Pembroke majoring in studio art. Concentrating in digital art and printmaking, she enjoys drawing her original characters, cute animals, and fan art. If you’re looking for prints and buttons, be sure to check out her table!
David Sorensen
Comic Artist / Colorist / Painter
Featured in: Sanctuary Press, Black Out Comics, One Shot Press, Island Dreams Sketch Card Company
Tammy’s Handcrafted Jewelry
https://www.facebook.com/TLHTD/
http://tammyscrafts.storenvy.com
Based in Rural Hall, Tammy makes Macramé Wall, and Dream Catcher wall hangings, Jewelry and Loom knit items, and will be featuring perler bead key chains with logos related to Marvel and DC characters.
Two Tiger Moon Studios
https://www.facebook.com/pg/twotigermoon/
https://twotigermoon.vpweb.com
Two Tiger Moon Studio is your friendly purveyor of dice, dice bags, and other table top rpg goodies. Our colorful and unique style of art is also still available.
Karen Whitfield
www.instagram.com/livelikebatgirl/
www.comiccollectorsguild.com/karenwhitfieldbatgirl
Karen Whitfield is the author of “Batdriven West”, the never before told story of her adventures as The Bronze Age Batgirl. She toured with Adam West and Burt Ward, The Caped Crusaders (Batman and Robin), from 1978 to 1984.
Wilkes Playmakers
Recognizing the powerful impact theatrical art has on humanity, Wilkes Playmakers is committed to providing entertainment, promoting cultural awareness, and nurturing inclusion through captivating stage performances, creative educational programs, and meaningful community experiences. Entrusted with caring for one of the area’s oldest buildings, Wilkes Playmakers is honored to offer its home, Benton Hall Community Arts Center, as a venue for professional functions, social gatherings, and community events.
Byron Wilkins
Byron Wilkins is a professional illustrator having created work for NASCAR and NBC Sports. He also is the creator of the webcomic “1977 the Comic” based on Byron’s life as a bass player in rock bands back in 1977.
C.L. Williams
C.L. Williams is an international best-selling author living in central Virginia. He’s written poetry, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and almost every genre out there. He’s written 15 books across various genres and has appeared in over 100 anthologies. His novelette Cindy’s Choice was a number one new release and “Homecoming” from his poetry book META- (Complete) is an award winning poem. His short stories appear in the MMH Productions film BED BUGS.