Three Must Visits at this Year's ECCC

This year's Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle offers up a bevy of amazing creators that run the gamut from genres and styles. Here are three must visit creators as you make your way through the crowds. These talented folks offer works of exceptional fun and top notch storytelling.

Monica Gallagher (Table M-05)
I've been a fan of Monica's art for ages. Her character design is incredibly inviting and the voices she creates within them are really warm and endearing. Her trade that's just come out this week is Part-Time Princesses. It's the story of four bestie high school seniors who all work as princesses in the local amusement park. Think of it as Mean Girls meets Disney, only these girls aren't as snobby. Through a series of unexplained mishaps at the amusement park, their place of employment is losing customers and money. The ladies band together to investigate the troubles and defend their kingdom, so to speak. It's nice to see a book with lady pals working together and looking out for each other, no damsels in distress here. One of my favorite lines from the book is, "...you've got ovaries of iron, girl." This encapsulates everything that this story is. It's 100% girl power. If you're looking for a gift for a teen lady in your life, this age appropriate and fun, fun, fun. Nothing in here to worry about either so don't fret parents. I'm in my late 20's and totally dug this book too, so it's not just for a younger crowds. Snag this book while you're at her table!


Fabian Rangel Jr. & Alexis Ziritt (Table A-14/A-15)

Everything Fabian does is magic. I can't think of one title he's put out that hasn't been truly entertaining. Space Riders has been nothing short of that. It's incredible, it's actually mind numbing how cool the color and all around design on this book is. I'd call it aggressively colorful, but it only enhances the story. In no way does the art deter from it, the mark of good work. If you're into throwback space adventures, bad-ass captains with an awesome crew that's regulating justice, seething for redemption, and causing exquisite mayhem across the universe, this book if for you. But I can't stress enough, you really need to purchase this book in print. You just won't get the full effect of how good the artwork is on an iPad/Kindle.

I'm sure Fabian will have copies Doc Unknown and Boss Snake, two other really fun series of his. Hopefully he brought tshirts, the man makes killer shirts.

Also....Get one of those really rad Space Riders patches too. Join the Skullship Santa Muerte Crew!


Ed Brisson (Table HH-07)
I've gotten several of my pals who aren't traditional comics folks into a few of Ed's books, in particular Sheltered. The best thing about Ed's writing is he doesn't just create well rounded characters he builds a whole world where they and you can be totally submerged in. One of my favorite series is Murder Book. It's so nice to see the volumes collected into a trade and with Michael Walsh doing the cover art you really can't go wrong. For those not in the know a Murder Book is a documented case file of a homicide from the inception crime to an arrest. This is a gritty collection of these stories. Ed has assembled so many talented artists over the last few years to bring this anthology to life. A few of the artists who lend their talents are Vic Malhotra, Johnnie Christmas, Jason Copland, and Brian Level just to name a few. The Murder Book series was actually my introduction to Ed's writing, needless to say he hooked me. If you are into noir you will really like this trade and be completely impressed with Ed's writing too. Ed's new book with Brian Level won't be out until May, but go ahead and ask him about The Mantle. You'll be pleasantly surprised.