Special Guests

Michael W. Conrad currently writes Wonder Woman and Batgirls and has worked on such other projects as Midnighter, Doom Patrol, Superman Red and Blue, Wonder Woman Black and Gold, Infinite Frontier, and more. November will see X-O Manowar make its return to the shelves, with Conrad writing alongside his frequent collaborator Becky Cloonan. Michael’s creator-owned graphic novels Tremor Dose and Double Walker have been bestsellers in the ComiXology Originals line, and Tremor Dose is now available in print through Dark Horse. Michael has also written for Marvel, IDW, Image, and several other publishers. Aside from all that writing, he is working on a number of unannounced projects. These projects are so secret even mentioning them poses a threat to National Security, so let’s just pretend we never spoke of anything like that.

Shannon Hale is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 books for emerging readers, kids, teens, and adults, including Newbery Honor–winner Princess Academy; graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever (with LeUyen Pham); and Austenland (also a major motion picture starring Keri Russell). With her husband Dean, she created the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge (with art by Nathan Hale) and bestselling chapter book series The Princess in Black (with LeUyen Pham). For DC’s line of graphic novels for young readers, they created Diana: Princess of the Amazons (with Victoria Ying) and Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (with Asiah Fulmore).

Elliot S! Maggin, writer of Superman in the 1970s and 1980s, wrote stories of every major DC character and something for every major publisher of the period. He’s written 400 to 500 comics stories and half a dozen novels, including the bestsellers Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday, marketed with the first two Superman feature films. He wrote the novel Not My Closet and the collection An Enemy's Gift. He reads his work on the podcast “Elliot Makes Stuff Up” and he’s working on several novels now, because he’s not terribly concerned when he’ll finish any of them.

David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books and graphic novels for young readers, including When We Were Alone, which won Canada’s 2017 Governor General's Literary Award; On the Trapline, which won the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award; The Barren Grounds, the first book in a middle-grade fantasy series; and the graphic novel series The Reckoner Rises, about an Indigenous superhero with mental health struggles. Dave is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.

Kevin Patrick Smith is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. He came to prominence with the low-budget comedy buddy film Clerks (1994), which he wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted in as the character Silent Bob of stoner duo Jay and Silent Bob. Jay and Silent Bob also appeared in Smith's later films Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Clerks II, and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. Since 2011, Smith has mostly made horror films, including Red State, Tusk (2014), and Yoga Hosers. Coming later this year, Smith will release the much-anticipated Clerks III via Lionsgate. Smith co-hosts several shows on his SModcast Podcast Network, including SModcast, Fatman Beyond, and the live show Hollywood Babble-On. (appearing Friday only)