LadiesCon 2018 was a one-day celebration of women of all kinds and their work in comic books, science fiction, fantasy, cosplay, and many other realms of pop culture.
LadiesCon is for everyone, with a focus on creators who identify as women, non-binary, LGBTQ, and people of color, plus local artists.
CONVENTION HOURS: 11AM-5PM
2018 Guests and Highlights
MING DOYLE
Ming was born in Boston in the Fall of 1984 to an Irish American sailor and a Chinese Canadian librarian. In the Fall of 1991 she saw a million ducks and predicted the Harry Potter franchise's formula for success with startling accuracy.
Her formative years were spent at the nation's oldest co-educational institution and oldest continuously running boarding school, with a brief layover in the People's Republic of China for some noodles. In 2007 she earned her BFA from Cornell University with a dual concentration in painting and drawing.
She is currently working on art all night and every day and would probably love an espresso..
ERICA HENDERSON
Erica Henderson is a comics artist and two time Eisner award winner. She is best known for her work on Jughead for Archie Comics and Marvel's The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. She recently finished a thirty-seven issue run on Squirrel Girl and continues to draw the covers. She is currently working on Secret Book Club for Penguin Random House and a mysterious MYSTERY PROJECT. She lives in Somerville, MA.
MARJORIE LIU
Marjorie Liu is an attorney and New York Times Bestselling author of over seventeen novels. Her comic book work includes Han Solo, Black Widow, X-23, and Astonishing X-Men, which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for its "outstanding representation of the LGBT Community". Her current project is Monstress, a dark steampunk fantasy that Entertainment Weekly named the "Best New Original Series of 2015." Monstress won multiple Eisner awards in 2018 including Best Continuing Series and Best Writer. It received rave reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal and Neil Gaiman. Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and has been profiled on NPR’s All Things Considered, the New Yorker Radio Hour, the Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, and teaches a course on comic book writing at MIT. She lives in Cambridge, MA.
KRISTEN GUDSNUK
Kristen Gudsnuk is the creator of the comic series Henchgirl, as well as the artist for the upcoming series Modern Fantasy, both published by Dark Horse Comics. She is also the creator of the middle grade graphic novel Making Friends, published by Scholastic Books and out August of 2018.
JASON BADOWER
Australian born and now US-based artist and writer, Jason Badower has been working in comics for over 20 years and movies and television for almost a decade.
His covers for DC Comics include: THE FLASH, ARROW, SUPERGIRL, CAPTAIN ATOM, GOTHAM CITY GARAGE and KRYPTON. Jason wrote a WONDER WOMAN story that featured her officiating a gay wedding that was covered in EW and the HUFFINGTON POST.
He has provided artwork for over two dozen movies such as SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, JUSTICE LEAGUE, LOGAN, THE MARTIAN, KICK ASS 2 and OLDBOY. Jason has drawn for even more tv shows including: GAME OF THRONES, THE WALKING DEAD, HEROES, TRUE BLOOD, POWERLESS, LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, SANTA CLARITA DIET, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and CASTLE.
LadiesCon 2018 Vendors
Many talented vendors helped to make LadiesCon 2018 amazing.
Yarnvark Designs
Stephanie Mann
Red Bark Crafting
Trescha Brock
Quantum Seahorse
Victoria Chiu-Lin
Fanservice Nails
Marianna Martin
ShaHuskies illustration
Matt Szychowski
The Indigo Octopus
Liz Young
Castle Thunder Graphics
Dan Cleri
Hellcat Press
Lindsay Moore
Small Monsters Games
Meg Stivison
Marche de Gobelins
Jasmine Kimieye Graham
Phraseworks
Jen Williams-Rapa
Sew Cute Workshop
Mykela Pascual
Singing Stones Jewelry
Kelly Hopkins
ELS Day Boston
Tracey and Savannah
Underdog Comics
Tessa Beatrice
Pretty Okay Pins
Janna Hochberg
Dark SaberCat Designs
Nicole Hanafin
Holy Crow
eowyn evans
FanMail
Rose Del Vecchio
Joy Cat Comics
Kristi Mc Dowell
MONOLITH
Josh Dahl
MERUZ
Mariel Rodriguez
Copper Centipede
Greg McCullough
Reeberry
Irena Spassov
Chira
Jayd Aït-Kaci
Make Me A Dragon
Tonya
Cambrasine
Jennie
Marina @ Just Yaoi
Mary Dumas
2018 Sponsors
We are so grateful to our 2018 LadiesCon sponsors who helped to keep our convention free.
LadiesCon 2018 Panels
Women in Comics Retail
11:30AM - 12:20PM, DOWNSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists
Jill Carter (Comicazi)
Other local retailers
Reflections on changes in the industry, predictions for the future, insights into the day-to-day life of a comic shop worker (it's not exactly sitting around reading books & passing judgement) & DEEP DISH on the books & creators we love & hate!
Disneybounding 101
12:00PM - 12:50PM, UPSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Valerie Sacchetti
Stephanie Mann
Cassandra Lease
Disneybounding is a fun way to dress in outfits inspired by Disney characters without wearing a traditional costume. In this panel, we will discuss the history of Disneybounding and provide a practical guide to shopping for and developing your first "bound."
The History of Fandom: What We Lose When We Forget the Past
12:30PM - 1:20PM DOWNSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Corrina Lawson, contributor to the B&N Science Fiction/Fantasy blog and co-founder GeekMom.com
Sue, founder of DCWomenKickingAss
A journey through the history of modern female fandom, staring with Star Trek zines in the 1970s, touching on slash and the rise of fanfic, the explosion of fandoms with Buffy and Harry Potter, and what the landscape looks like today.
Manga and the Women Who Make It
1:00PM - 1:50PM UPSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Morgana Hartman, manager of Comicopia
Juliet Kahn, Comics Writer & Retail Salesperson at Hub Comics
Join Juliet and Morgana as they celebrate women in manga! Everyone knows that shonen action properties are the most popular manga in the North American market, but there are plenty of titles for women and girls, and by women, that deserve just as much attention. The ladies will discuss well-known heavy-hitters like the multi-award-winning Rumiko Takahashi and Akiko Higashimura, as well as some of their lesser-known favorites.
So You're the Only Female at Your Gaming Table: A Survival Guide
1:30PM - 2:20PM DOWNSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Tracey Michienzi, ELS Day Boston
Savannah Camacho, ELS Day Boston
Does it feel like every game night you are hearing one too many "manly" jokes? Afraid to speak up because you don't want the group thinking you are "too sensitive"? Is it ruining your fun? Does it make you want to quit? How far is too far? Lady Diceacorn and Meepiline from the Ladies and ELS Day Boston are here to save the day with humor and tips on how to tackle this difficult topic with love and from a place of understanding. They will also give GM's direction on how to handle a female players discomfort at the table.
Wonder Woman: Past, Present, and Future
2:00PM - 2:50PM UPSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Donna Martinez
Juliet Kahn
Julie C Day
Last year, Wonder Woman celebrated her 75th birthday with a hit movie, a few new comics series and a starring role in DC's Super Hero Girls cartoon and toy line. With a highly-anticipated sequel in the works and new writers G. Willow Wilson and Kelly Sue DeConnick on board, Diana's future looks brighter than ever! Join our panelists as we discuss what's in store for our favorite Amazon.
Defying the Gaze: Cosplay is for Everyone
2:30PM - 3:20PM DOWNSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Karly Stallworth
Historically, SFF fandom has privileged the cis/het white male gaze and this persists in racist and sexist depictions in media and the expectations and attitudes of fan communities. Four veteran cosplayers discuss their experience in finding body positivity in cosplay and the fitness and beauty strategies they use to stay happy and healthy.
Nerdy Knits and Other Fiber Arts
3:00PM - 3:50PM UPSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelists:
Carolyn Frantz
Stephanie Mann
Trescha Brock
Fiber arts are a popular way for creatives to express love for our fandoms and to add touches of our favorite characters to our every day lives. Join our panel of nerdy knitters, crocheters, and more for tips on modifying patterns, finding just the right colors for our projects, sharing our projects with others, and more!
Illusion of Time
3:30PM - 4:20PM DOWNSTAIRS PANEL SPACE
Panelist:
What is time and motion? Ah, that's too big of a question for one hour. What is time and motion in comics? That's still a big question, but maybe in an hour we can start to understand how to make a story move forward when in fact nothing is moving.
What is LadiesCon?
LadiesCon is a one-day celebration focusing on women of all kinds and their work in comic books, science fiction, fantasy, cosplay, and many other realms of pop culture. LadiesCon is for everyone, with a focus on creators who identify as women, non-binary, LGBTQ, and people of color, plus local artists.
LadiesCon 2018 was be our third convention.
Who is welcome at LadiesCon?
Everyone is welcome at LadiesCon, we strive to have an all inclusive and diverse event.
When and where was LadiesCon 2018?
LadiesCon 2018 was be held on Saturday, September 22, just outside Somerville's Davis Square at The Armory.
Who were your 2018 guests?
For more on our guests, click here.
What vendors were at LadiesCon 2018?
For more information on our vendors, click here.
Who sponsored LadiesCon 2018?
Comicazi, Rockland Trust, and Candlewick Press were our 2018 sponsors.