HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Three nationally recognized comics artists will share their expertise with those who attend Spa-Con Infinity — Version 8 — the comics and pop culture convention to be held September 20 – 22 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Artists John Lucas, Kelly Williams and Gustav Carlson will be on hand to interact with the thousands of fans who attend the popular gathering.
“All three artists are such talents,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said. “It’s such a pleasure to have them join us for Spa-Con Weekend.”
“They will be sharing their expertise on horror, humor, the extraterrestrial, the paranormal and the ins and outs of breaking into comics,” Hampo said. “These are must-see demonstrations and discussions.
Registration for Spa-Con is at www.spa-con.org.
John Lucas has worked for every major American comics publisher and others in the UK and Europe. He has worked on characters such as Wolverine, Deadpool, Spider-Man, X-Men and X-Force, Batman, Superman, Conan the Barbarian, Vampirella, Aliens, Predator, and even Alfred E. Neuman for MAD Magazine.
More recently he’s done work for the Texas-based publisher BIG DEAL. He’s written and drawn his own book, MONSTERHANDS — out soon from French publisher Les Humanoids — and has drawn a cover for the first issue of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Kelly Williams, of Blytheville, has done work for Skeeters, The Dead and the Damned, Bountiful Garden, A Letter to Jo, The Dark and more.
Gustav Carlson, the artist who created this year’s Spa-Con poster, is an illustrator and comic creator based in the Arkansas Ozarks. He has honed his craft specifically to draw weird little aliens, strange ghosts and monsters in the woods. Sometimes when he is very lucky, he gets to draw something with all three.
Carlson’s work has an emphasis on the places off the beaten path – whether that’s terrestrial or celestial. He says he hopes to find a story under every rock.
His comics include his decade-long sci-fi series, Tourist Unknown, all ages fantasy, Eve of the Ozarks, and his upcoming Ozarks-based folk horror series, Backwood Folk. You can find him almost any day picking up rocks and seeing what he can find.
The schedule of the artists’ appearance at Spa-Con:
Saturday, September 21
11 a.m. — “Horror and Humor in Comics” with Kelly Williams
4 p.m. — “Breaking into Comics” with John Lucas
Sunday, September 22
1 p.m. — “These Ghost Towns Are Full: Drawing the Haints and Monsters of Arkansas with Gustav Carlson”
All three will also be set up in the Expo Hall Saturday and Sunday.
Arkansas natives Rodger Bumpass and Joey Lauren Adams were previously announced as being among the guest celebrities for this year’s Spa-Con
Bumpass is the famous voice of Squidward on the “Spongebob Squarepants” TV hit, and North Little Rock native Adams is known for her movie acting and directing roles.
Other previously announced events and guests at this year’s Spa-Con include Spa-Con Showdown, the exciting video gaming competition that attracts competitors from across the state, and two of the stars in the iconic movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Tohoru Masamune and Minae Noji. Also on tap are Erin Macdonald, the astrophysicist who is the science adviser for all the “Star Trek” franchises, a kids’ cosplay showcase, a cosplay contest, an evening of dance fun at Cosplay Club and demonstrations for fans. New and returning cosplayers this year include Akakioga, Steven K. Smith, also known as SKS Props, Casey Renee and Eric Woods.
Earlier announced guests include internationally known nerdcore rapper MC Lars, who will open things with a concert Friday night, September 20. Seth Gilliam, best known for his role as Father Gabriel Stokes in the “Walking Dead” TV series, also will be on hand, along with two iconic vehicles with connections to famed movie franchises — “Back to the Future” and “The Fast and the Furious.”
For more information call Alexis Hampo at 501-321-2027.