James Kochalka is, without question, one of the most unique and prolific alternative cartoonists working in America today. His comics have been published internationally by almost every alternative comics publisher; he's recorded several music albums under the name James Kochalka Superstar (making him a favorite at college radio stations across the country); and he's developed animated cartoons for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Hangover.

He is the first official Cartoonist Laureate of the state of Vermont, appointed in 2011. Among his best known works are the Monkey vs Robot series, the superpowered frathouse comedy SuperF*ckers, the beloved children's series Johnny Boo, Dragon Puncher, and Glorkian Warrior, and his magnum opus, the 14-year span of daily diary comics known as American Elf.

Marguerite Bennett is a comic book writer working for such major publishers as DC Comics, Marvel, Aftershock, BOOM! Studios, Rosy Press and more. She is best known for projects such as DC Comics: Bombshells, A-Force, Angela: Queen of Hel, Red Sonja and Insexts. Marguerite is currently writing Batwoman for DC Rebirth.

Mairghread Scott is an animation and comic book writer. Her animation includes Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors, and more. Her published books include Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Till All Are One, Transformers: Windblade, Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special #1 and the upcoming The Secret on the Other Side (also from First Second).

Tom Taylor is the creator of the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series The Deep (which tells the adventures of a multi-ethnic family of underwater explorers who live on a submarine). The Deep has been optioned by Technicolor to be turned into a 26-episode CG animated series. He is perhaps best known for the best-selling DC Comics series Injustice: Gods Among Us, Earth 2, Batman/Superman and his many Star Wars series. Taylor has written for DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, WildStorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

Kyle Higgins is an American comic book writer best known for his work with DC Comics. Higgins' knack for dynamic action scenes and pacing make him oneof the best up-and-coming talents in the industry. He is currently writing BATMAN ETERNAL and BATMAN BEYOND. His previous works include the fan favorite DC Comics--The New 52's NIGHTWING, the limited series BATMAN- GATES OF GOTHAM along with best-selling writer Scott Snyder, as well as BATMAN and DETECTIVE COMICS.