It is one of the longest lines for autographs at this year's Fan Expo Canada, so much so that the line began to block entry to other booths. No, it wasn't the stars of Tru Blood or Heroes, Battlestar Galactica or Stargate, but Montreal-based writer Ryan Sohmer and Acton, Ontario-based artist Lar Desouza. The duo are the creators of two wildly popular online comics, Least I Could Do, a strip following the adventures of a 24 year-old corporate executive and Looking For Group, a fantasy comic book series that delves deep into the humour and conventions of video game culture. Their online stories and characters have lead to a massive and very successful catalog of bound books, T-shirts, and now even figurines. Trying to get a moment to chat with the boys was tough as the flow in coming requests for signed boxed sets was never-ending.  

Chris Roberts's work has appeared in numerous movies and television shows including Orphan, The Incredible Hulk, Cinderella Man, X-men, and even our own The John Dore Show. A painter and sculpter, The Canadian artist creates original works for production designers, populating movie sets with unusual pieces that help establish a movie's unusual surrounds and unique presence. At this year's Fan Expo he's showing offer a collection of paintings and busts he's made in homage to the classic Universal Studio monsters, including an impressive rendering of the Creature From the Black Lagoon. 

      

 

Showing off her upcoming comic book series The Oracle Of The Seven, Rio Dayne (pictured right) has written a series with a refreshing and dazzling sense of style. Fashion-savvy Dane says she's eager to see comic book characters who reflect a connection to haute couture, to have heroes and heroines who seem to acknowledge the impact of today's modern fashions while enjoying the kind of relationships and personalities that we see more of in today's ever diverse cities. Culling from her own experiences growing up in Canada, she's assembled a story that follows a telepathic beauty on a far off world who must risk her life to lead a rugged crew of travelers through epic fights and quests that involved a world torn between battling castes and groups. Her penchant for glitter and "gorgeous" heroes has already found popularity amongst fans in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, now she's eager to bring it to fans everywhere.