Inaugural ICON Festival Celebrates Comic And Narrative Art In LA This November
by Tom Smithyman
Move over Lake Como and the Hawaiian Islands. It’s time for Los Angeles to show off some comic glitz and glamor.
The inaugural ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art will give collectors the opportunity to rub shoulders with some comics illustrator superstars in Southern California’s Biltmore Hotel.
The show, which runs from November 7th to 8th, will feature such comics visionaries as Ryan Ottley, Nick Dragotta, Daniel Warren Johnson, Jim Cheung, Cat Staggs, Dustin Nguyen, and Dave Johnson. In addition, more than 100 Alex Ross paintings from comics will be on display. Ross also painted the festival’s artwork.
“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet some of the most talented comic book artists working today while experiencing the grandeur of one of the most prestigious spaces in Los Angeles,” said ICON co-founder Steve Morger. “You can explore the storied hotel, talk with creators about their craft, commission art, and purchase rare, original pieces.”
Morger is also the co-founder of the Lake Como Comic Art Festival and the upcoming Hawaiian Islands Comic Art Festival, which focus exclusively on comic art. No cosplayers, Funko pops, celebrities, or even writers are invited to these events. Attendance is limited for each, as will be the case at ICON.
Also like the other events, those who pony up $375 for the VIP pass will be invited to an opening reception the evening before as well as a special event on Saturday evening. There’s also special event swag. A regular weekend pass is $225, which is more than many conventions, but you’re really paying for access here. The convention has also negotiated a special room rate at the Biltmore.
