A*Con 2026: Making Comics Panel with CSRA Comic Book Creators

Learn how to get started making comics! Moderated by Xavier O. Jones, CSRA comic book creators Lee Newman, Randyl Bishop, Specks Thompson, and Artsume Shae will discuss scripting, visual format, acquiring a team to work with, and funding for making comics. They’ll also address the dangers of using generative AI to the comics and art community.

Panelist Bios:

Xavier O. Jones. An artist, designer, art teacher, cartoonist, and mentor, Xavier Jones served as Artist in Residence at the Richmond County Regional Library and has worked with the Arts Council of Augusta, GA, Art Factory, Gertrude Herbert Art Institute, Aiken Center for the Arts, Artist Row of Augusta, Studio ArtGro, Croc Center Art Program, and ASU’s Continuing Ed Art programs. He served in the Army for four years.

Lee Newman. Born in Greenwood, SC, with aspirations in journalism, graphic novels, horror writing, and even children’s books, Lee strives to create unique, exciting, and engaging content for readers seeking an escape from reality, if only for the time it takes to turn a few pages. Find Lee at linktr.ee/ravenwritindesk.

Randyl Bishop. Army Veteran Randyl Bishop, BFA, MBA, is an Augusta, Georgia-based creative professional who burst onto the indie comics scene with his groundbreaking comic book series The Hawk of New York®, which has been the subject of imitation by multiple larger players within the comics industry. Randyl’s numerous animated music videos for the Iowa Music Hall of Fame band The Silvers on YouTube have won awards for best of category, generating smiles for those families who watch! No

stranger to integrating music with art, his website can be found at www.timebound.co.

Specks Thompson. Specks Thompson is from Augusta, Georgia, known for his work as a literary DJ. A lifelong lover of comics, he began creating his own stories and characters as a teenager, drawing inspiration from universes like Dragonball, X-Men, Star Wars, and Gundam. Encouraged by his fiancée, Specks later launched his Jawaga Verse, starting with his flagship hero, The View. Find Specks at legacyoftheview.com.

Artsume Shae. An artist, comic creator, and content maker, Artsume Shae began her professional journey after college. Her style blends Eastern anime and manga influences with Western animation like Disney. In 2020, she launched her webcomic Space Ultima, a super-powered sci-fi adventure. Find Artsume Shae at artsumeshae.com.

A*Con celebrates comics, graphic novels, cosplay, pop culture, and more! All ages welcome. Visit a-con2026.my.canva.site for full details!

Community event in Warrenville, SC 29834.