Get immersed in this weekend's C2E2 2025 in Chicago - whether you're there or not - with our Main Stage livestreams, best cosplay photos, what we're most excited about (including that Artist Alley line-up), and where to find Popverse all weekend long. If you're joining us in Chicago this weekend, see more of it all with a Popverse Superfan membership which you can buy online or at Will Call - with it you can save time, avoid the lines, and have a place to re-charge you and your devices.

Spoilers, maybe, but C2E2 2025 has the biggest Artist Alley in all of North America. I checked the data, and even went to the McCormick Place earlier this week and counted the spots. It's not all about volume, but also the quality - it has a little bit (or a lot of bit) for everyone, whether you're into superhero comics, slice of life dramas, comic strips, fine art, or comedy. 

Out of over 500 creators expected to be here at C2E2 2025 Artist Alley, here are nine I recommend most:

Donny Cates (A-07)

For a period, Donny Cates was one of the hottest writers in modern superhero comics, bursting onto the scene by redefining Marvel Comics' Venom - with his and longtime collaborator Ryan Stegman's work there quickly adopted by Marvel as a whole, and even serving as the inspiration for the third Venom movie in perhaps the shortest turnaround from a successful Marvel comic influencing a mainstream movie. Pair that with his bold takes on Marvel's Thor and Hulk, along with his creator-owned series God Country, Baby Teeth, Redneck, and Crossover, and he's a real star. After a personal tragedy pulled him away from a flourishing writing career in 2022, his return here to C2E2 2025 - where he got his first big break in comics - speaks to his imminent return to comics.

Afua Richardson (K-02)

Afua Richardson broke out in a big way with Image Comics' Genius, and since then has become one of the most vital artists in the American comic book scene with her work on Black Panther: World of Wakanda and cover work for Marvel, DC, and others. She's currently balancing work on her creator-owned series Aquarius: The Book of Mer for Image Comics with work in film & television such as on HBO's Lovecraft Country. 

Arthur Adams (K-10)

Often imitated, never duplicated - Arthur 'Art Adams has been a beloved fixture in American superhero comics since the early '80s with his work on Marvel's X-Men. He has grown to become one of the most in-demand cover artists in comics, while also being one of the most popular in the private commission scene. Adams' style was one of the key building blocks to influence popular artists who followed him such as Deadpool co-creator Rob Liefeld, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and DC CCO/Publisher Jim Lee.

Bill Amend (Y-06)

Bill Amend is the creator of the long-running newspaper comic strip FoxTrot, which has been running regularly since 1988. Amend's appearance at the C2E2 Artist Alley is a rare treat for fans (and Amend's fellow comics pros), as newspaper comic strip artists rarely appear on the comic convention circuit. Make sure to go by and tell him your favorite member of the Fox family from FoxTrot. (Mine is Quincy the Iguana.)

Cara McGee (G-11)

Cara McGee is the epitome of the great modern comic artist. The SCAD-trained illustrator is currently working on a top-secret project we can't tell you about here (but she might hint at if you go talk to her), and has done great work with DC's Black Canary: Ignite and the ComiXology Unlimited digital series .Self. For those of us who go to a lot of conventions (that's me), Cara's booth is known to have a plethora of things to look at and buy in addition to actual comics, with options for any price range - and a fabulous conversation to boot. 

Gene Ha (G-03)

When Gene Ha first debuted in comics, he was heralded as the 'most promising newcomer' of the year - and he hasn't let up since. From career-defining work with Alan Moore on Top 10 to his recent creator-owned epic Mae, Ha has shown he's an all-around storyteller using art to make us feel -  he also happens to be one of the most engaging and conversational people you'll see at a con, so I encourage you to seek him out at C2E2 2025.

Kat Leyh (J-10)

I loved Kat Leyh's Snapdragon, a brilliant follow-up to their work on Lumberjanes, and a true auteur take on comics storytelling. Since then I've followed Leyh's work backwards and forwards, and its brought me to their Artist Alley table here at C2E2 2025. I hope to see some of their embroidery work, and possibly some teases of their new post-apocalyptic bicycle courier OGN (!!) called Spoke. 

Steenz (Z-07)

When I think of C2E2, I think of Steenz - it's where I met them during way back during the Lion Forge days (sigh!), and its how I became to know them as more than 'just' an artist, but a writer, an editor, a networker, and a thinker. When Steenz is at a show I make it a point to go by, spend some money,and have a conversation - and you should too.

Tom King (B-10)

Arguably the biggest 'name' in superhero comics here at C2E2, Tom King is a gregarious delight that I've known to be as creative as he is affable. With him currently in the middle of runs on several DC books, while at the same time seeing (and in some cases overseeing) adaptations of his Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Love Everlasting, he is one of the busiest comics creators I know. That's not to mention him being a writer on Max's Lanterns TV series. WIth all that, he's here for three days meeting, signing, selling comics, and drawing (!!) with anyone who comes by.

Did you miss a C2E2 Main Stage panel? Don't worry, we're filming it all thanks to our partners at CGC x JSA -  our official authenticator & grading partner. Here is the C2E2 2025 panel livestream & VOD release schedule.