comic con – Wild Ghost

The main artwork for Comic Con 2019 was inspired by the “Chrome on the Range” statue in Downtown Grand Junction.

Mesa County Libraries Comic Con 2019 is wrapped up and in the books! It was another great year and we saw the event grow in both attendance and quality. This year I expanded my role with the event. I created the marketing strategy and design work for the event, ran the official merchandise booth, and hosted a panel presentation / podcast.

The main artwork for this year’s event was a blast to work on! I took inspiration from an iconic statue downtown and turned it into a super hero. The goal was to create a dynamic poster that ties the event to the new creative district in Downtown Grand Junction. Between the bison and the Two Rivers Convention Center silhouette in the background, I think I accomplished that goal.

To help make the connection between the Comic Con poster artwork and the “Chrome on the Range” statue, me and another artist Emmi Farris, installed a red cape on bison for Downtown Art Fest.

The other major design element of this poster was the “Kirby Crackle.” I wanted to pay tribute to one of the greatest comic creators and artists ever, Jack Kirby, by using these circle patterns in this illustration.

Overall, this is one of my favorite posters ever.

From the success of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe to the rise of comic conventions all across the world, nerd culture is taking over. I for one, could not be happier about it.

Mesa County Libraries Comic Con is an annual event that keeps growing year to year. Now in its fourth year, Comic Con is one of the largest events in Mesa County. I’ve been lucky to work on the organizational team from the start, aka Team Awesome, and get the chance each year to design the main poster art.

Like most children of the 80s and 90s, I grew up watching X-Men cartoons, X-Files, and playing video games. Those memories, plus the rise of throwback shows like “Ready Player One” and “Stranger Things,” inspired the design of this poster.

The arcade cabinets are heavily influenced by my time pumping quarters into games at Aladdin’s Castle in the Mesa Mall. Note the carpet detail, a design only found in arcades and perhaps bowling alleys.

Other throwback influences include Marty McFly’s jacket from “Back to the Future 2,” the lens flairs from “Poltergeist,” and one of my favorite video games “Street Fighter II.”

Special edition prints of the poster will be for sale at this year’s Comic Con. If you’d like to get your hands on one, message me and we can work something out.