Creators Gallery

Kayden Phoenix is a writer and creator made history by creating A La Brava, the first-ever Latina superhero team in comic book history, now published under Andrews McMeel Publishing. She also launched Princess Academia, a modern-day princess adventure series for all ages, and partnered with Ghezal Omar and Artillery Network for mature, action-packed stories. Her latest comic, Lipstick Cliqa, a gripping three-part series about a Latina vampire gang, was slated by Sony Music Entertainment.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, All-Ages

A comic book publisher dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and untold narratives, Next Step Comics stands at the forefront of representation and inclusivity. We are committed to crafting captivating stories that celebrate and empower underrepresented communities, shining a spotlight on the richness of their experiences. With each vibrant panel, we aim to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and provide a platform for minority creators to express their unique perspectives.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

John Avina is a comic book author living in Chicago, IL. His past work experience includes, Wedding Photographer, Comic shop Clerk and Mortuary Assistant. John has written such titles as Lockjaw and Pistolero, Americana, and Lucha Forever. 

John's writing is a reflection of his Mexican American upbringing. His stories often include Latin characters or references to Latin American pop culture.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Horror

Brittany Matter is a comic book writer and editor. Her writing often explores themes of grief, the cycle of violence, companionship as salvation, and overcoming fears, such as in her sci-fi thriller Dead Dreams: The Lucid Chronicles. She loves helping creators polish their work and has edited independent Kickstarter comics, such as Amelia Sky, Hellbent II & III, One-Shot, and Super Best Friend.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Tony Bourne is a comic book writer and artist who has self-published his comic titled, The Network and a long running webcomic, the 388th. A lifetime New Yorker and fan of comic books, Bourne’s introduction to underground and independent comics grew out of his interest in the Heavy Metal magazine.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi

I am a queer artist and writer based in Canada, originally from Ukraine. I specialize in fantasy, autobiographical work, and exploring the horror genre. My work includes my self-published autobiographical graphic novel, "Be Yourself! Oh, Not Like That", which was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter. Currently working on my upcoming fantasy series, "Oriana: The Forgotten Deities", a Slavic mythology retelling set in a modern world. I’m open to cover art, variant cover art, interiors, and character design opportunities.

Key Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Romance

I am an American comic writer, editor, and historian. I primarily write supernatural, fantasy, and horror stories, and have had the privilege to work with a number of up-and-coming indie artists. My published work includes "The Last Magician" and "Age of Yokai", with more books well on the way!

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Horror

I am an artist and writer from Canada, who specializes in horror, fantasy and folklore. My work is influenced by my life growing up on a farm, and my time living and working in South Korea and Germany.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror

I'm a comicbook artist and architect from South Africa with a deep love and reverence for the sacred and mystical ambience of creation.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mysticism

I'm an illustrator, writer and cartoonist based in London (UK), with a love for colourful images and science fiction. My fictional work explores feelings of grief and loneliness using an imagined future where many things were lost, but yet humanity lives on. Additionally, I’m available for freelance projects in comic book art, storyboarding and book covers.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance

I am a comic colorist and illustrator from Indonesia. I work mostly on indie comics, with published titles such as Shaolin Nun, 28:56, Rosana!, Murky Waters anthology, and many other short comics.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Fantasy, and Horror

Brazilian writer of graphic novels, illustrator and teacher. Passionate about the language of the Sequential Art. His stories cover different genres, always bringing an introspective and poetic look at the characters' emotions and relationships and invites the reader to reflect upon the little pieces of life’s puzzle. Among his main works, the series Pieces, Therapy and Monsterverse stand out; and the comic book adaptations of Dom Casmurro and Anne of Green Gables.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Slife-of-Life, Romance

Marta Gèpe is a comic book writer and artist with a multidisciplinary background that involves cross-cultural communication, teaching and mentoring. Marta has always been fascinated by the intricacies of the human experience and how we interact with each other. Her stories, told in a light-hearted tone, focus on the mundane details of life, interpersonal relationships and psychology.

Key Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Slice-of-Life

Hi, my name is Alexander and I'm the creator and writer of Red Rapture, an action fantasy shonen manga-esque comic series.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

A writer focusing on speculative fiction at the intersection of entertainment, psychology, pop culture and social commentary. Henry Chebaane is the author of three graphic novels: Times of London, Ghosts of Sound, and The Panharmonion Chronicles. His latest series is ‘Kingdom United: Clean Up London’, a gritty action thriller set in a dystopian near-future.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror

I'm a writer and artist, but more than that I'm a comic book fan! I want to reflect the generosity and creativity of God through art, which is why my comic is free to read! Comics are for everyone.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror

Born in Cleveland, OH, worked as an Illustrator, Designer, Prepress/Platemaker & Color Specialist. In 2019 my wife & I sold everything & became full-time RVers. I create my comic book while we travel. I’ll be wrapping up issue 8 soon. The Monk’s cyborg body is powered by his “Lightning” brain. It’s an all-audiences superhero/action romp layered with easter eggs for those of us living with epilepsy. He’s a metaphor for epilepsy awareness and positivity. A living butterfly effect. If he falls, so goes the world.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

I'm a comic illustrator based out of Southern Maine, and I've been an illustrator for over 10 years. I've created interior and cover illustrations for local New England magazines, had my work displayed in local galleries, and self-published two comic books through Kickstarter.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Slife-of-Life, Comedy

Nate Crocker is an illustrator and comic book junkie. He focuses his talents on the absurd.

Key Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Slife-of-Life, Comedy

John is a writer of mind-bending genre comics such as The Memory Machine, Acausal,, and Scratcher. He’s known for creating dark, unconventional tales about empowerment and self-discovery. Featuring complex characters and unsettling plot twists.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror

Devin Whitlock is a comics writer from Chicago who explores issues of faith and human relationships across a variety of genres. His work has appeared in anthologies published by Lesser Known Comics and Geek Collective.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror

As a comic book writer and illustrator, ever since I could remember, I’ve been interested in drawing and making artwork. This quickly developed into a desire to tell stories, and the natural conclusion of this…comics! I tell stories of found families, developing relationships and dragons. Lots of dragons.

Key Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Kaj EK is a writer and illustrator who enjoys telling nuanced stories set in surreal circumstances that deal with queer identity and the complicated nature of living with mental health issues. They specialize in monsters and otherworldly entities, and also enjoy genre work such as mystery, espionage and fantasy. They completed their graphic novel trilogy Warhead in 2024 and have contributed art and stories to numerous other projects including Heavy Metal Magazine, The Color of Always, Advanced Death Saves, and in 2022 their short “Fine Porcelain” was the Runner Up in the Negative Space Comics Short Comic Competition.

Key Genres: Fantasy, Slife-of-Life, Surreal drama

Katie Silverwings is author and artisan based in Memphis, TN. In addition to writing and illustrating her award-winning Strange Space Adventures science fiction book series, Silverwings also creates the webcomic Space Quail! This slice-of-life sci-fi comic follows the lives of a group of Quail who live aboard a Space Ranger's starship.

Key Genres: Sci-Fi, Slife-of-Life