Planet Comicon Kansas City continues its tradition of hosting world-class talent, bringing an incredible roster of artists and writers to the Midwest’s largest pop-culture event. Whether you are hunting for “key” issues or looking to meet the architects of your favorite franchises, this year’s guest list is a collector’s dream.
A quick note for autograph hunters: Many creators charge a fee for signatures, and most will require an additional fee for signatures witnessed for CGC or CBCS grading. Be sure to check individual booth pricing when you arrive.
🎨 The Creator Spotlight
Chris Claremont (Writer) The Legendary X-Men Architect Claremont’s 17-year run on Uncanny X-Men defined the franchise.
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Key Books: Uncanny X-Men #94–280 (notably #101, #129, and the “Days of Future Past” arc in #141–142), Giant-Size X-Men #1, and X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.
Mark Bagley (Artist) Modern Spider-Man Master Bagley is synonymous with the web-slinger, holding the record for the longest continuous run on a Marvel title with Ultimate Spider-Man.
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Key Books: Ultimate Spider-Man #1, Amazing Spider-Man #346–388, Venom: Lethal Protector #1, and the Maximum Carnage crossover.
Jason Aaron (Writer) Modern Marvel Powerhouse Known for his gritty storytelling and epic world-building, Aaron is the man behind the most influential Thor run of the last decade.
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Key Books: Thor: God of Thunder #1–25 (introducing Gorr the God Butcher), The Mighty Thor (Jane Foster era), and his creator-owned hit Scalped.
G. Willow Wilson (Writer) The Visionary Behind Kamala Khan Wilson co-created one of the most important new characters of the 21st century.
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Key Books: Ms. Marvel #1 (2014) — the essential debut of Kamala Khan — and her critically acclaimed recent run on Poison Ivy (2022).
Stanley “Artgerm” Lau (Artist) The Premier Cover Stylist Artgerm’s digital painting style has made his variant covers some of the most sought-after items in modern collecting.
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Key Items: DC “Artgerm” variants for Supergirl, Wonder Woman, and Catwoman. Note: His signatures are highly valued on cover art rather than interior pages.
Dan Jurgens (Writer/Artist) The Architect of Superman The man who famously “killed” the Man of Steel remains a titan in the industry.
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Key Books: Superman #75 (The Death of Superman), Booster Gold #1, and his definitive work on Justice League America.
Skottie Young (Artist/Writer) The Master of Style Whether it’s his adorable “Baby” variants or the chaotic world of I Hate Fairyland, Young’s art is instantly recognizable.
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Key Books: Rocket Raccoon #1, I Hate Fairyland, and Middlewest.
Jim Starlin (Writer/Artist) The Father of Cosmic Marvel Without Starlin, there is no Thanos. He is the undisputed king of cosmic stakes.
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Key Books: Iron Man #55 (1st Thanos), The Infinity Gauntlet #1, and Captain Marvel #25–34.
Don Rosa (Writer/Artist) The Definitive Disney Legend Rosa is world-renowned for his meticulous and heartfelt expansion of the Duck universe.
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Key Books: The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck and Uncle Scrooge #285.
Cullen Bunn (Writer) Horror and Genre Specialist Bunn is a master of the macabre and one of the most prolific writers in modern comics.
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Key Books: Harrow County, The Sixth Gun, and his fan-favorite Magneto solo series.
Steve Epting (Artist) The Architect of the Winter Soldier Epting’s cinematic, grounded art style reinvented Captain America for the 21st century.
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Key Books: Captain America #1 (2005) and the original Winter Soldier storyline.
Paul Dini (Writer) The Legend of Gotham As a primary force behind Batman: The Animated Series, Dini’s influence on the Batman mythos is peerless.
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Key Books: Batman Adventures #12 (1st Harley Quinn) and Mad Love.
🎯 Tips for Planet Comicon Autograph Hunters
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Prep Your Books: Have your comics unbagged and ready to go before you reach the front of the line to keep things moving.
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Check the Limits: High-demand creators (like Artgerm or Claremont) often have limits on how many items they will sign per person.
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Timing for Grading: If you want your books witnessed by CGC or CBCS, check in at their respective booths first thing in the morning to confirm when their witnesses will be available at specific creator tables.
- Placement Matters: For artists, having them sign the cover is generally preferred for resale and display; for writers, some collectors prefer the first interior page, though covers remain the standard.
Stay Geeky!
