NYCC Reflection: #Shoutout to the Creatives '24
NYCC ’24 was a creative paradise. Yet, on the 1st floor of the Jacob Javits Center lies the heart of everything—the reason why we geek out in the first place. The writers, illustrators, and everyone in between are down there. Here, a storyline can lead into a major motion picture: Superman, Batman, Deadpool, Wolverine, Okoye, Invincible, Iyanu; everyone here has a dream and a plan. Down on the first floor, the imagination is infinite. This is Artist Alley.
Within the rows and alleyways of this famed ecosystem are the newcomers, the veterans, and everyone in between. Honestly, I had to sit down and reflect on how a single idea can turn someone into a star; how their words can carry them across the globe, leading to a second, third, or even fourth printing. Simply wonderful.
With camera in tow, and a little bit of research, RGN99 would like to #shoutout some amazing creators for NYCC 2024.
Sweet Paprika – Mirka Andolfo: Volume (1) #1-6
Sweet Paprika is one of the wildest comics you will ever read. Image allowed it, and I read it. Brief synopsis, Angels. Demons. Sex. Drama. Love. Death. Add in a little bit of drugs and sado-machoism, and this beautiful classic won the Harvey Award for Best International Book.
Her additional work has been featured by Boom Studios, DC Comics, and Marvel. As an artist, she has illustrated comics for Dynamite and Aspen, contributed short stories for Vertigo and DC’s Young Animal, and is currently creating covers for major publishers including DC Comics, Marvel, Valiant, BOOM! Studios, Aspen, and Zenescope.”
Venom: Lethal Protector – Sam De La Rosa: Volume (1) - #1-6
The pen of Sam De La Rosa has drawn amazing universes in the world of Marvel, DC, Image, Disney, and Dark Horse. He’s also credited for Spider-Man, Green Lantern, Venom, Carnage, Black Panther, and more.
Sam’s legendary run-on Venom: Lethal Protector #1–6 became the groundwork for the Venom movie, while Venom: Let There Be Carnage drew from the Maximum Carnage series. Maximum Carnage is another storyline he brought to life. His work on Maximum Carnage led to a phenomenal game that, to this day, is still a classic and expensive to get.
OKEMUS - T.J. Sterling: Volume 1 #0-5 /Volume 1 #1
Writer and Illustrator, T.J. Sterling has revolutionized the game with his company RAE Comics. Founded in 2015, his company highlights underrepresented characters using visual styles that are colorful and engaging.
His current project, OKEMUS, follows the main protagonist, Cale, an orphaned teen who holds a mysterious power that changes everything. Enter the Okemus Hunters, bio-mechanical nightmares who want what’s inside him. The result? Epic battles and a narrative that encompasses explosive action with emotional depth.
Nikolas DRAPER-IVEY (Left) speaking with T.J. Sterling (right)
Part manga, part X-Men, all action, the saga is planned for 14 issues spanning over 2/3 arcs. There’s also a Prequel, OKEMUS: Dark History which highlights the origins of the Okemus universe (Written by TJ Sterling and Illustrated by Sean Damien Hill)
PLUME - K.Lynn Smith: Vol (1) -#1-5
An award-winning artist (Michigan Press Award and the Victoria Hayes Storyboarding Award) and writer from Michigan, K. Lynn Smith is known for her independent works that are imaginative, engaging, and blend humor, adventure, and emotion. Her standalone series, PLUME, is a testament to her world-building, magic, and art style.
The story follows Vesper Grey, a sheltered protagonist who uncovers a golden amulet and the truth about her legacy. This discovery propels her across the Wild West in a journey filled with action, adventure, resilience, and a thirst for justice.
Enter her supernatural guardian Corrick (from the amulet) with his glowing yellow eyes, as they encounter friends, foes, and every human relationship in between.
The graphic novel/comic series first appeared as a webtoon, which was later published by Devil’s Due Comics.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll - Asia Simone: Marvel/Scholastic
A digital artist and storyteller from the University of the Arts (RIP), Asia’s work blends expressive storytelling, vibrant colors, and creativity in every project. Her standout project, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, is a testament to her ability to bring her characters to life.
Her work isn’t just visually pleasing; it also includes characters and stories from underrepresented groups. Beyond her dynamic visuals, Asia is dedicated to crafting narratives that highlight underrepresented voices and communities.
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier – Marco Rudy
A comic book artist, painter, and illustrator, known for his unique visual storytelling and innovative use of traditional media, Marco Rudy employs watercolors and acrylics to create deeply textured illustrations that make each comic page feel vibrant and alive. Some of his notable works include Swamp Thing, Action Comics, Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier, and Avengers.
His creator owned project, RDW: A Tale of Lost Fantasy – Vol. 1, deals with theme of addiction, trauma, and the human spirit, set in a fantasy like background. The story focuses on the protagonist Astrid and it is set in a world where magical corporations vie for supremacy. Astrid, a mercenary leader who once led a now lost Free-company, relies on an amphetamine-like drug to enhance her fighting power in her search for her lost companions.
One companion in particular, Menhir, is Astrid’s close friend and fellow solider and is the catalyst for Astrid’s journey. Accompanied by additional teammates, her quest to save Menhir is not a solo mission and together they face a harsh landscape filled with emotion challenges and dangerous enemies.
Colorist- Andrew Dalhouse
With over 16 years in the game, Dalhouse has contributed to the comic book industry with his colorful works on major titles like Marvel, DC, Valiant, Image, IDW, Dark Horse, Boom!, and Dynamite. His approach to coloring is to enhance the storyline by matching his palette to each story’s tone. His coloring not only elevates the visual appeal of each page but also amplifies the narrative, creating immersive, mood-driven experiences that make every comic scene feel alive, adding depth to characters’ emotions and setting the tone for different environments.
With a large number of titles under his belt, Dalhouse’s contributions to color in the comic book community are inspiring, showcasing his ability to elevate storytelling, bring characters and worlds to life, and influence the visual standards of modern comics.
Heart of the City - STEENZ
Cartoonist, Editor, and Professor, STEENZ, is a St. Louis–based cartoonist, editor, and educator renowned for their work on the syndicated comic strip Heart of the City. Steenz currently teaches at Webster University and SVA while editing titles from independent publishers and creators.
Steenz's career includes editing at Lion Forge Comics, where they worked on the first 12 issues of the comics and tabletop gaming magazine Rolled and Told. They also contributed to the Eisner and Ignatz Award-winning anthology Elements: Fire and co-created the graphic novel Archival Quality with writer Ivy Noelle Weir, which won the 2019 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics .
Big Cartel/Fine Lines - Dexter Vines
A comic book artist and inker with over 18 years of experience, Vines has shaped and contributed to numerous titles across Marvel, DC, Image, and Dark Horse Comics. Some of his career highlights include Civil War (2006) where he teamed up with fellow comic book artist, Steve McNiven which earned them a Best Penciller/Inker nomination at the 2007 Eisner Awards.
Vines’ work is celebrated for his bold, clean lines and his ability to enhance the storyline through his inking. Collaborating with artists like McNiven and across a series of titles, Vines is the go-to person for adding depth and clarity to the penciler’s art and the overall visual experience.
DC Comics - Anthony Fowler Jr.
With over a decade of experience, Fowler’s inking style is celebrated for its precision and his contributions to enhancing depth and clarity to every page he touches. Fowler has the ability to bring out the fine details, sharp contrasts, and elevate both the characters and environments making the storytelling more engaging. Fowler’s experience has contributed to major titles across various publishers such as DC Comics, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, and Dynamite Entertainment.
Some of his work includes Batman vs. Bigby: A Wolf in Gotham! which brings Gotham’s dark, gritty atmosphere to life. Other contributions include DC Power 2024 #1, DC Power: A Celebration #1, and DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1 which highlight his skill in dynamic storytelling.
DC Comics - Charles Stewart III
Charles Stewart III is a comic book artist whose bold inking and fluid storytelling has quickly made him a name to watch in the industry. His work has appeared in several notable DC Comics titles, including Static: Shadows of Dakota, DC Power: Rise of the Power Company, and New Talent Showcase: The Milestone Initiative. Stewart’s linework brings an energy to pages that enhances both action and character-driven moments, making his art as narratively compelling as it is visually striking.
Beyond interiors, Stewart’s artistic range extends to cover art and convention sketches, where his mixed-media creation, such as his standout Rogue piece, demonstrate his versatility and command of style. He has also contributed to fan-favorite projects like Static Team-Up: Anansi, further cementing his presence within the Milestone and DC universe.
Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze – DJ Ben Ha Meen
A native of Texas’ 3rd ward, and an alumnus of Howard University, DJ Ben Ha Meen is a multi-hyphenate creative force whose work bridges the worlds of music, comics, and storytelling. From his love of hip-hop, mixtapes, and narrative craft, his artistry exists in sound and visuals.
As a DJ, he’s known for his inventive remixes showcased through releases on Bandcamp and SoundCloud that range from deep disco-inspired grooves to bold reinterpretations of Pop and R&B.
Ben Ha Meen is the co-creator of Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze as well as a self-published author of the children’s book, The World Is Yours. Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze is a psychedelic, space-opera graphic novel that reimagines Jimi Hendrix as a cosmic hero on a mission to restore music across the universe. Released in August 2024 by Titan Comics, the 128-page hardcover blends sci-fi, Afrofuturism, and Hendrix’s musical legacy into a stunning visual and narrative experience. The graphic novel has also been praised for its bold, imaginative aesthetic and earned a 2025 Eisner Award nomination for Best Coloring.
Molly Danger – Jamal Igle
Jamal Igle is an accomplished comic book creator whose talents span illustration, writing, cartooning, graphic design, and editing. A 2011 Inkpot Award recipient for outstanding achievement in comic art, Igle has left his mark on both mainstream and independent comics.
He is the creator of Molly Danger (Action Lab Entertainment), co-creator of Venture with Jay Faerber, and penciller/co-creator of The Wrong Earth with Tom Peyer for Ahoy Comics.
He has also collaborated with Scott Snyder on Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine for Comixology. Over his career, Igle has contributed to major superhero titles including Supergirl, Firestorm, Zatanna, The Ray, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Wolverine, Daredevil, and Spider-Man, showcasing his mastery of design, tone, and body language.
His run on Supergirl with Sterling Gates notably inspired the CBS/CW television adaptation, demonstrating the lasting influence of his work.
Final Thoughts
NYCC 2024’s Artist Alley is the heart of creativity, uniting award-winning legends, bold innovators, and rising voices who continue to shape pop culture through their storytelling and art.
From Mirka Andolfo (Sweet Paprika) and Sam De La Rosa (Venom: Lethal Protector) to fresh talent like Asia Simone (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur) and veterans like Marco Rudy (Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier), the floor showcased the full spectrum of comic artistry.
With creators such as T.J. Sterling, K. Lynn Smith, Andrew Dalhouse, Steenz, Dexter Vines, Anthony Fowler Jr., and Charles Stewart III, the event continues to highlight diverse narratives and talents that make comics a global force in media.
NYCC’s Artist Alley has once again proved to be the heart of NYCC, a space where imagination turns into legacy and the next generation of stars takes flight.
Respect.
