Heroes & Villains Indie Book Fair

1-6 p.m. Saturday, October 9 during the Plaza District Festival

Convergence OKC 1755 Northwest 16th in OKC

From the minds behind the SoonerCon SciFi/Pop Culture Expo conference and Literati Press comes the Heroes & Villains Indie Book Fair! This one day book fair is a celebration of writers and illustrators from Oklahoma and around the region. It is free to the public during the Plaza District Festival and will feature fiction, graphic novels, comic books and even a gaming tournament. The authors, artists presses and organizations are hand-picked to bring you the best in graphic novels, sci-fi, fantasy and horror.

Featuring Guests:

Brian Winkeler - 

‘Knuckleheads’ writer Brian Winkeler is a freelance creative director whose work in advertising has won him over 100 ADDY Awards (including an unprecedented three Fontana Comedy awards from the OKC Ad Club). His comic book property ‘Bastard Road’ has appeared in the Eisner-award winning anthology Popgun and is now in active development as an animated series. He lives in Yukon with his hot wife and their two crazy, awesome sons. If you listen to 105.3 The Spy you’ve heard his work and if you don’t listen to 105.3 The Spy you seriously totally should. That’s 105.3 FM or www.thespyfm.com. Seriously.

Mel Odom - 

I’m Mel Odom.  A lot of people have wanted to know more about me, more about the work I’ve done, and more about the work I’ve got coming out.  I’ll try to answer all those questions.

Those of you who have read my work for a few years have noticed that I tend to have varied interests in my fiction.  I write in a number of fields, but always with the hope of telling an interesting tale that will incite a reader to think for himself or herself, to examine his or her own place in the world, and offer a little nudge in the direction of dreams, faith, and personal growth in spite of whatever odds a person has to face.

I also believe we were all put here for a purpose.  Hopefully, several purposes.  I’m a father, a teacher, a friend, and a writer.  I struggle to keep that balance, as many of us do these days, but I hold tightly to the belief that I’m doing all I can be doing, and doing what I should be doing.

Www.melodom.net

Art of Destruction - 

In college, she was named Outstanding Editorial Cartoonist in 1999 and 2000 by the Leadership Institute.  Ms. Destruction has done political cartoons, comic book art, and also worked on canvas, shoes, and t-shirt design.  Among her influences are 1980s superhero art, television, bright, shiny things and trash culture.  

Her comic book teaser for “Edward and the Island” is all ready in stores, and she  is debuting her first original comic book series, the World Wide Tribune.

Brad Gregg - 

The compulsion to fill white sheets of paper with black lines, family, friends, sunsets, coffee, cigarettes and Saturday morning cartoons are what give this biped’s existence meaning. Brad Gregg is an artist and illustrator for the Oklahoma Gazette and has previously worked as graphics editor for Doublethink magazine and artistic director for Moxie magazine. He is knee deep in the animated adaptation of “the dominant hand,” with illustrated teasers to begin popping up in comic book stores in 2010.

Eric Gorman - 

Eric Gorman divides his time by working  at a sex shop, playing in a psychedelic band called The Gentle Art of Floating, and drawing comics.  “Long Distance” is a slice of Gorman’s upcoming work, “eggs,” which lands somewhere between Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” and Crumb’s  “Mr. Natural.”

David A. Farris - 

Edmond author David A. Farris has been documenting true mysterious events in Oklahoma since the 1990′s. Two of his books, Mysterious Oklahoma and More Mysterious Oklahoma focus on events in the supernatural realm that have taken place in our state.
Be prepared to be surprised!

Oklahoma History Center - 

Did you know that Chester Gould, creator of the classic Dick Tracy comic strip, grew up in Pawnee, OK?  Discover this and more in The Uncanny Adventures of Okie Cartoonists, an interactive, kid-friendly exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center!  Oklahomans have played a major role in the evolution of comic books, comic strips, and editorial cartoons.  You will discover how industry pioneers such as Chester Gould, award-winning editorial cartoonist Jim Lange of The Oklahoman, and current Supergirl and Superman writer Sterling Gates have created, drawn, or written some of the most recognizable characters in American popular culture. 

Join us at the Oklahoma History Center June 12^th for a truly uncanny adventure!

June 12, 2010 10am-3pm

$5 admission

Special appearance by Sterling Gates, Tulsa native and DC Comics writer of Supergirl

Discover which Oklahomans write and draw your favorite comic strips at www.okiecartoonists.org

Charles Martin and Will Weinke - 

Martin and Weinke debuted with 2008’s “the dominant hand,” which The Tulsa World predicted to be the “cult classic of our generation.”

      Despite rumors that the team were splitting up after only one book, the pair have committed to three books in three years starting with 2010’s “Edward and the Island.”

      The dark comedy set in heaven follows the struggles of a group of children trying to adapt to an Island created as an experiment for a new universe.

Bev Hale - 

Beverly Hale is the author of multiple Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror short stories, as well as a novel. She also has published in the roleplaying game and comic book fields. Her work includes:  THE ESSENCE OF STONE,THE HAPPINESS BOX, and TEXISTANI: Indo-Pak Cooking From a Texas Kitchen from Yard Dog Press;  “Keeping It in the Family” in BIG OLE FACE FULL OF MONSTER; “Pest Control” in HOUSTON, WE HAVE BUBBAS! (Yard Dog Press) and BEST OF THE BUBBAS OF THE APOCALYPSE (BenBella Books); “World in the Balance” (with Michael B. Moe) from Mayfair Games; “Memorial” (with Michael B. Moe) in UNDERGROUND from Dark Horse Comics; “Arrest Report” (with Michael B. Moe) in NEGATIVE BURN from Caliber Press.  In her spare time, Beverly tutors in English, creates Steampunk Accessories and other art.  You can find out more about Beverly at www.bevhale.com. She is also active on Facebook, and LiveJournal

Equinox Comics - 

Equinox Comics. The new universe of comic book heroes and villains. Conceptualized at a very young age by best friends Aaron Ballinger and Timothy Lackey, the reality is finally at hand. Join brand new heroes as they fight for the good of mankind and beyond! Watch as villains carry out evil plots of destruction and world domination! The battle between light and dark is a never ending war. Be a part of the beginning and experience the birth of the Equiverse!

Www.equinoxcomics.com

Mike Kennedy - 

Oklahoma-born artist specializing in illustration and painting for over 30 years here doing shows in Oklahoma and Texas. Mike has done over 20 published comic books, and illustrations for several magazines, and for clients like Disney’s World on Ice, Ringling Brothers and others. Recently having shown in the first “Steampunk’ show in Tulsa with several other artists including former members of a group studio “Rough Cut” that Mike belonged to. Mike is currently working on several comic projects like “Worst Case Scenarios”, “Weird Zombie Horror”, and “Celtic Knights” due out spring 2011.

W.J.”Bill”Hodgson – Bill Hodgson has been writing, painting, and illustrating for over 30 years.  He has shown all over the country and beyond, in group shows, galleries, museums, conventions, ren faires, and more, winning over 300 awards.  He has over 1,000 originals in collections world-wide.  He lives with his veterinarian wife (Sherrie) and three kids on a wiener dog ranch in Piedmont, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Steampunk Expo - 

Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Step right up and welcome to the Carnivale! Immerse yourself in a world of splendor and delight, where things might be similar, but no two things are alike…

Inside our tented walls beyond our midway, a Grand Exhibition hall awaits with Merchants persuading you to stay. Baubles, trinkets, and jewelry for sale. Don’t forget your gadgets and gizmos, guaranteed never to fail! Snake oil for the weak, the tired, the old. A cure for each, for a handsome price sold!

A few steps further on, your ears catch a voice. A Talker on the bally, presenting you with a choice. For one slim coin, 1/10th of a dollar, a Mercury dime…come see a world, past the rules and the forbidden line. Death defying stunts, Strong men, and Ladies on the highwire. For an extra dollar, see a Fakir survive a mouthful of fire!

With all of the wonders you have seen, we assure you that none of it was a dream. The lights flicker out as the music begins to fade. Beauty begins to disappear, natural and manmade. We thank you for this great premier, and look forward to seeing you the following year…

DarkFaery Subculture Magazine - 

DFSM reflects a  unique lifestyle which both its readers and publishers
strive to be a part of. Featuring and attending local events and conventions, DFSM continues to transcend the labels and prejudices placed upon the freakish, interesting, weird world upon which we live.
Through the years it has been DFSM’s mission to bring together the
underground music, art, and fashion scenes who have, in the past, tried to
remain exclusive and reclusive unto themselves. DFSM is committed to stamping
out pretension among the genres so that fans and industry professionals can band
together to create something memorable, and darkly beautiful, for years to come.

Steven E. Wedel - 

Steven E. Wedel is a life-long Oklahoman best known for The Werewolf Saga books: Murdered by Human Wolves, Shara, Ulrik and Call to the Hunt (Scrybe Press). His other books include Darkscapes (Fine Tooth Press), Seven Days in Benevolence (Scrybe Press) and Little Graveyard on the Prairie (Bad Moon Books).

In 2011 Bloomsbury will publish his first young adult novel, Ghost Sickness, written with Carrie Jones. Bad Moon Books will release The Prometheus Syndrome in the fall.

Steve has held many jobs but is currently a high school English teacher. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Steve lives in central Oklahoma with his wife and four children.

Visit him online at www.stevenewedel.com.

Dennis McDonald - 

“13 Nightmares” is a collection of thirteen chilling tales written by a master of horror. Winner of Editor’s Choice by iUniverse Publishing, each tale takes you into the world of macabre and madness. Most of the stories are set in Oklahoma. One story is soon to be a short film shot in Tulsa.

About the Event: Heroes and Villains Indie Book Fair

Heroes and Villains is a collaborative effort between SoonerCon SciFi/Pop Culture Expo and Literati Press. The invite only book fair is an attempt to elevate the public’s awareness of the vibrant metro comic book and fiction culture.

About the Venue: Convergence OKC

Convergence is a community embracing restoration through awareness, hospitality, and solidarity.

as community…
Convergence is a community of people hoping (and doubting), imagining (and complacently unimaginative), and forging forward (or struggling move) with the belief that there is an ancient/unfolding Story of God that matters to all of life–civic, religious, social, family, art, neighborhood, career, commerce, etc. We pursue an awareness of God in all of life, in others, and evident in creation. We also go after a life beyond compartmentalization–one where we share all of life with others–not being okay with our Western/American tendency toward autonomy and individualism. We are made for life together, but we struggle to trust others with our life. We are made to fit into a larger story than just “me – although we are often skeptical/cynical of any grand narrative.

Check out our rhythms info to see more of the ways we gather as a community.

as neighborhood creative space…
Convergence is also a collective space to encourage and resource creativity, beauty, truth, and community/neighborhood efforts. The space we occupy has many facets: art gallery, music venue, shared workspace, children’s creative space, gathering space, and Shop Good.

Sponsored by Literati Press and Soonercon