LadiesCon 2023 was a one day celebration of women of all kinds and their work in comic books, science fiction, fantasy, cosplay, and many other realms of pop culture. The 2023 convention was in-person on Saturday May 20, 11am-5pm at the Somerville Armory.
LadiesCon is for everyone, with a focus on creators who identify as women, non-binary, LGBTQ, and people of color, plus local artists.
Our LadiesCon 2023 special guests are professionals we invited to join us at LadiesCon. They were present throughout the convention signing books, doing sketches, and appearing on panels.
Ming was born in Boston in the Fall of 1984 to an Irish American sailor and a Chinese Canadian librarian. In the Fall of 1991 she saw a million ducks and predicted the Harry Potter franchise's formula for success with startling accuracy. She has worked on titles including The Banks, Constantine, DC’s Anatomy of a Metahuman, and The Kitchen, now a major motion picture. She is currently working on art all night and every day and would probably love an espresso. This will be Ming’s seventh appearance at LadiesCon.
See Ming at our Color in Comics panel
Mad Rupert is a comic artist and writer. She has been neck-deep in the online comics scene for over 10 years, and authors two ongoing webcomics. She has also worked with many comic publishers, including First Second, Boom! Studios, and Oni Press, on projects ranging from comic adaptations of popular cartoons to original graphic novels. When she's not making comics, Mad enjoys spending time with her husband and small angry dog, going to the gym, and playing Minecraft. She is most active on Twitter, where you can find links to most of her comics and content.
See Mad at our Webcomics to Print panel
Kristen Gudsnuk is a comics writer and illustrator. She got her start with the webcomic Henchgirl, which was later published by Scout Comics in single issue and Dark Horse Comics as a collection. Her other works include the middle grade graphic novel series Making Friends from Graphix, the Minecraft: Wither Without You trilogy, co-illustrating Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch by Emily Hampshire, and illustrating Modern Fantasy by Rafer Roberts. Kristen will be premiering a brand new self-published horror one-shot called Toxic Love at LadiesCon!
See Kristen at our Webcomics to Print panel
Erica Henderson is a comic creator best known for The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl , Jughead,. Assassin Nation, and Dracula Motherf**ker. She's the winner of two Eisner Awards. Erica has lectured internationally and at Harvard University on making comics. Her most recent book is Danger and Other Unknown Risks.
See Erica at our Color in Comics panel
All LadiesCon 2023 panels were presented live in the mezzanine area of the Somerville Armory on May 20, 2023.
How does color affect story, visuals, and the reader experience? Join Ming Doyle (Two Graves, The Banks) and Erica Henderson (Danger and Other Unknown Risks, Assassin Nation) for an exploration of the role of color in comics.
From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the mother monster in Alien (1979), women and monsters share a long history across science fiction media. Monsters often terrorize women in slasher films, seduce them in fantasy romances, or even ARE women. Our team of creators, writers, and creature enthusiasts will discuss their favorite beautiful beasts and what can make monsters of us all.
Gillian Daniels (she/her) is a writer.
Cat Scully (she/her) is a writer, artist, and video game creator.
S.T. Gibson (she/they) is a writer, bestselling author, and literary agent.
Lindsay Moore (she/her) is a writer and editor.
Artists will discuss what its like to make autobiographical works that explore trauma and the real world implications of opening up on the page.
Catalina Rufin
Maria Varmazis
Sierra Barnes (Hans Vogel is Dead, Lower Your Sights, Fairytales from Mars) and Jamieson Alcorn (Fairytales from Mars, The Pub Crawl Anthology) talk about making comics using inspiration from folklore, history, activism, superheroes and more!
Sierra Barnes has written and drawn webcomics since 2015, and her first graphic novel HANS VOGEL IS DEAD Vol. 1 will be re-released through Dark Horse Comics in September 2023.
Jamieson Alcorn is the founder of Bad Neighbor Comics and has organized several successful Kickstarted anthologies. He is a freelance comics editor, writer, artist and dad in his free time.
What are some of the challenges and advantages creators experience when moving their content from online to print? Join Kristen Gudsnuk (Henchgirl, Making Friends) and Mad Rupert (Sakana, Robber-Robert) as they discuss their own process of publishing both online and their conversion to print collections.
Our LadiesCon 2023 vendors sold their products on May 20, 2023 at the Somerville Armory. Check the links below for their web stores and other information on how to buy their creations throughout the year.
