Guests

Monica Paprocki

Cosplayer

CEO of Geeks A Gogo

Monica (Gonzales) Paprocki is the founder and CEO of Geeks A Gogo  - a geek news website that covers local comic book conventions and promote geek culture events, products and services. Monica is also an award winning cosplayer who has competed and won several major competitions in the region. 

Ashley Esper

Comic Artist

Skulls & Sketches

Ashley is a graphic designer and illustrator, whose work is inspired by classic cartoons, pop culture, and other general silliness. She is the creator of "Ralphs", a comic series following a pair of lovable pups and their everyday hi-jinks. 

Mr. Calavera

Artist

Jack Gonzalez

Jack Gonzalez is an Illustrator and writer. He has been making comics since 2012, creating Last Unicorn, Pins and Needles, and R/M. He is a US Air Force veteran who is passionate about the history of animation, along with Latin American history and mythologies. He lives in Chicago with his wife and dog. 

Freelance Artist

Artist

Kalea Phillips

Kalea is a freelance artist and has been drawing for many years. She works in various different medias such as paint, pencil, and ink. Her most popular media is ink or digital and takes commissions from anime, comic book, D&D, and more.  

Purple Panda's Creations

Vendor

Purple Panda's Creations is located in the southeast suburbs of Chicago. Creations include: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bookmarks, refrigerator magnets, and custom items. 

Fawn

Szymoniak

Artist

Fawn Szymoniak, aka “Sanzaki Kojika” has been a residence of the fantasy world from a young age, growing up in a house full of books and mythology. She spends her time drawing and writing, capturing her imagination on paper. She will also be teaching our Japanese Writing Class.

Xilarae

Crafter

Xilarae’s primary craft is crochet but she also dabbles in drawing, jewelry, and whatever else catches her attention.  She loves old school Pokemon, Harry Potter, and cats.  You can see examples of her work on Instagram.

Chicago Tardis

Cosplay Group

Alien Entertainment, the company behind Chicago TARDIS, is a local small business dedicated to bringing you new and vintage toys, collectibles, apparel, accessories, and more – all from your favorite nerdy fandoms. The showrunner and founder, Gene Smith, began Chicago TARDIS because of his love of and desire to connect with the community.

Ben Miller

Guerrilla Publishing

Author

Ben Miller is a comic book writer and has created and written titles such as Kaneesha, Judges, Botched, Nerdlife.  He also has also contributed to the Epic Misadventures of Deathbag.  Recently Ben Miller has taken on the job of Editor-in-Chief of Guerrilla Publishing.

Julio A. Guerra

Artist

Guerrilla Publishing

Julio A. Guerra is indie comic creator from NWI and Co-Founder of Guerrilla Publishing. His creations include The Epic Misadventures of Deathbag, Botched, and NerdLife. Julio get his inspiration from various genres and eras of music, graffiti, pro wrestling, and of course comic books.

Bret Juliano

Artist

Bret Juliano is a cartoonist and the creator of the all ages Dust Bunny Mafia comic, which has over 600 comics and began running in 2011. His dust bunny mobsters have been included in several anthologies including Unlawful Good, Forgotten Histories and Out of the Deep as part of the Let’s Make Comics Collective.

Chris "Papa Bear" English

Cosplayer

Chris “Papa Bear” English began cosplaying in 2012.  Co-founder of Chicago P.O.C. Cosplayers and Customers with a Cause (a costume charity organization). He has been featured on the SyFy Channel, guest speaker at various conventions, cosplay affiliate for Wizard World, internationally published, competed and judged in multiple cosplay events and won multiple awards.

Mandy Madrox

Author

Mandy Madrox first published “Curse of the Dark Heart”, a short horror story included in Bleed Black Volume 1, (Jan. 2015) an anthology by Black Heart Comics to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes. Her series, Nephilim, debuted in 2016. Set in Kankakee, Illinois, the story follows the journey of a young woman named Raven. After a  car accident, she awakens to a revelation and a peculiar choice that turns her world upside down. 

Brian Babendereder

Artist/Author

Brian “BMAN” Babendererde is a game designer, artist, and author working in games, comics, and novels. Brian is the creator of the comic series Soul Chaser Betty, as well as designer and writer on such classic game titles as Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, SepterraCore: Legacy of the Creator,  and  Beavis and Butt-head in Virtual Stupidity. 

Vendor

Bookies

Independent bookstore that sells both new and used books in the suburbs of Homewood, IL and a location in Chicago.

Lindsey

Balou

Vendor

My name is Lindsey Balou and I am with Usborne Books & More. Our books are all interactive and educational. My goal is to make learning fun with these amazing books. 

Podcaster/Blogger

Rob

 Southgate

Co-owner of Southgate Media Group, home to over 100 podcasts, blogs, vlogs and more, along with a number of podcast groups on Facebook (Chicago Podcasters Unite & Chicago Podcasters), co-created the Women in Podcasting Festival and SMG Podcast Marathons, and is known for live shows and panels that he runs and produces. Rob also has hosted or guested in over 1,000 podcasts, soon-to-be a published author, and is a professional actor/director.  

Molly

Southgate

Actress/Blogger

A professional actress who recently portrayed Cora in The Winter Wolf at Otherworld Theatre; along with her role as Young Ellie in Rogue Aviator. Molly ‘s stage work includes: The Artistic Home and EDGE of Orion Theatre Co. She has also played the role of Princess Raven in Chronicles of the Realm and has her own food blog “What’s Molly Makin’.” When she’s not performing, Molly loves cooking, writing, drawing and singing.

Crafters

Ginkie's Handmade Crafts

"Ginkie's is a locally based coffee enthusiast, jewelry maker, and polymer-clay crafter. As an avid reader, she's excited to be a part of MAPLD FanFest 2019!" 

Junction 

Collectibles

Vendor

Junction Collectibles is a family-owned and operated collectibles company. Established in 2018, we sell collectibles and collectible supplies to anyone from casual to seasoned collectors. We are an officially licensed wholesaler in the state of Illinois.

Artist

Reflex

My name is Kolin Smith, I go by Reflex. I’m a Self taught artist that loves to draw. I utilize the acronym, “w.a.g.a.w.d”, which stands for, “we are good at what we do”, in all of my work.

ChunChun

Art

Artist

ChunChun creates pieces with watercolor with soft blending to create a whimsical and cute feeling to my painting.

Awesome Sauce Art

Artist

Awesome Sauce Arts will have cute plushies, hair and jewelry accessories, along with stickers and her original art. 

Red

Envelope

Vendor

Red Envelope is your one stop spot for all your handmade bath, shower, and body products. 

Vendor

Boss Lips

Mistie, owner of Boss Lips, is a Beauty Trainer. Her mission and passion is empowering women of all walks of life. It’s important that woman know the truth about make-up and other beauty products. No matter what color, race, creed or age; a woman’s beauty is forever.

Juicy Watermelon Shoppe

Crafter

Juicy Watermelon Shoppe specializes in a mixture of cute knits and crafty duct tape that speak to your inner geek. Something fun for everyone!

Convention

Foam 

Fighting 

Presenter

"Free to play Boffer(Foam Weapons) Event that is fun for all ages! 17 and under require parental/guardian permission. Will be taking place throughout the day!"

IcyPanther's

Art Shop

Artist

Welcome to IcyPanther's Art Shop! If you're looking for cute, you've come to the right spot! All of the chibi artwork is drawn in my unique style and you won't find anything like it anywhere else! Unleash the cuteness! 

Artist

Project:

AEGIS

"Project: AEGIS is a greek mythology inspired coming of age comic being created by a team who's coming of age themselves. Grounded in everyday struggles but with a Greek twist, the story is quirky but full of heart."

Eric

Wolfgang

Artist

Eric Wolfgang is a cartoonist and illustrator and is a current graduate from the International School of Comics. With his unique art style, Eric finds comics to be the best way to tell a story. His is open commissions and bad jokes. 

Artist

Knight 

Illustrations

David Knight is a published freelance Illustrator currently completing his BFA In Illustration from Columbia College Chicago. Over the last two years, he has taken to traveling the country to table at Artist Alley events at fantasy conventions sharing his vision with others. Currently he is working on a commissioned comicbook series and creating an upper level high school arts program

501st &

Midwest

Garrison

In addition to providing a network for fans to meet, MWG is committed to the community. We offer support at charity events, fundraisers, and social functions by appearing as film-authentic Star Wars characters. While there is no cost to engage our services, we encourage donations to charity on our behalf instead.

Cosplay Group

Customers

With a Cause

Costumers With a Cause is a group of volunteer costumers and cosplayers with big hearts and some creative talents who choose to make a difference in the world. We do this with visits to children in the hospitals, visiting children who are at home suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses, and by supporting various non-profits, organizations, and foundations!

Come meet Clifford The Big Red Dog at WTTW's Big Idea Traveling Lab Tour! Join us for an exciting 45-minute FREE live show, perfect for children 2 to 7 years old, bringing to life the fun and learning from WTTW Kids’ most popular and beloved children’s shows.