Comics and independent artists are central to the identity of Comic Con Cape Town. Artist Alley, held in partnership with Fancon, showcases artists of all kinds – comic book artists, fine artists, illustrators, writers, designers – who produce original works and fan-inspired art. It’s where fans can discover new talent, commission custom pieces, and meet and speak with the artists themselves, as well as receive advice and top tips from comic legends. Artist Alley is the heartbeat of any Comic Con, because it embodies the spirit, creativity, and community that define the convention experience, while truly representing the grassroots foundation of fandom.
After Dark: Coffee and Comics
First things first: the ultimate way to kick off your Comic Con weekend is to join us for an evening of caffeine and creativity at the iconic Truth Coffee in Buitenkant Street. We’re bringing the Cape Town fan community together for a night of incredible art and great company, all in support of The Children’s Hospital Trust. It takes place from 7pm until late on Thursday 30 April. Tickets for this event are available on Howler. Come grab a cup of fantastic coffee, meet fellow fans, and help us support a fantastic cause.
International Spotlight Artists
Across various time slots at Comic Con Cape Town, our international spotlight artists will hold workshops on writing and editing comics, appear on the Main Stage and Artist Alley stage for fan Q&As, and hold live drawing sessions where fans can watch them bring characters to life in real time. Additionally, they have time set aside for Portfolio Reviews, where budding artists and writers can receive invaluable trips and advice to help advance their craft.
Ron Marz, Comic Book Writer
Ron Marz has been writing comics for more than three decades, beginning with the Silver Surfer for Marvel. Since then, he has worked for virtually every major publisher and compiled a long list of credits, including stints on Thor for Marvel, Green Lantern and Superboy for DC, Star Wars for Dark Horse, and the historic Marvel vs. DC crossover. He co-created the Green Lantern,also known as Kyle Rayner, during his landmark run on the title. Ron has created several of his own series, including a graphic novel, and has written extensively for video games. He is currently is part of the narrative team for Diablo.
Heather Antos, Comic Book Creator and Editor
Heather Antos is a Hugo, GLAAD, and Eisner Award–winning comic book editor, artist, and writer whose work has helped shape some of the best-selling and most iconic and talked-about comics of the last decade. She is best known for her influential tenure at Marvel Comics, where she worked across the Star Wars and Deadpool lines and co-created the breakout fan-favorite character Gwenpool. Heather has built a career championing bold voices, genre-defining stories, and creator-driven innovation, earning a reputation as a sharp editorial mind and a passionate advocate for diverse storytelling within the comics industry.
Phil Hester, Comic Book Writer and Illustrator
Phil Hester is a veteran comic book creator, with decades of storytelling excellence behind him. Renowned for both his writing and illustration, Phil has left a lasting mark across some of the biggest names in comics. From iconic titles like Green Arrow, Swamp Thing, Ant-Man, and Gotham City: Year One, to standout runs on Nightwing, The Flash, Batman Beyond, and Justice League, his work has shaped the comic book landscape for years. Phil has co-created fan-favourite series like The Coffin and Deep Sleeper. Phil remains one of the most respected voices in modern comics.
John Romita Jr, Comic Book Artist
Widely known by his initials JRJR, John is an American comic book artist renowned for his extensive and defining work for Marvel Comics from the 1970s to the modern era. Over the course of nearly 50 years, he has worked on almost every major Marvel character ever created. His first significant work was on Iron Man in the late 1970s, and by the 1980s and 1990s he had defined his signature visual style which was celebrated in runs on Uncanny X‑Men, Daredevil, Wolverine, The Punisher War Zone and many more. In the 2000s, John became a cornerstone artist on Amazing Spider‑Man, for which he is most well‑known. After decades of exclusive work for Marvel, John signed with DC Comics to draw a celebrated run on Superman. He then returned to Marvel and is currently working on Spider‑Man once again, cementing his legacy as one of the most prolific and recognisable sequential storytellers in comic book history. Outside of the mainstream universe, he co‑created the creator‑owned blockbuster Kick‑Ass with writer Mark Millar in 2014.
John Romita’s Meet and Greet
John is also offering fans an exclusive meet and greet on Friday 1 May between 4pm and 6pm. There are three tiers of ticket fans can purchase, which include general access for Friday. During these exclusive sessions, John will sign 10 items of memorabilia, give them a signed print or actually draw for fans, and chat with them one-on-one. Anyone who purchases one of these tickets will be entered into a raffle to win an original, exclusive, full-figure Spider-Man drawing. This is an incredible opportunity to interact with the one-and-only JRJR – a must for Spider-Man fans. Tickets are available on Howler.
Local Spotlight Artists
Our local spotlight artists showcase the talents of our homegrown comic creators, writers, and illustrators. Comic Con Cape Town and Fancon are proud to elevate these deserving artists who have made their mark not only in South Africa, but also overseas. They will generously share insight into their individual journeys through comics, host workshops, give talks, and take part in panels and Q&As.
Bill Masuku, Comic Book Artist and Writer
Bill Masuku is an Award-winning Zimbabwean comic book artist and writer currently creating Beanstalkking which is to be published in Japan. He is set to release the middle-grade fantasy graphic novel Runeless for Disney Hyperion through the Kugali Ink imprint in October 2026. His original Afromanga Tokoloshe Hunters, that debuted at Comic Con Cape Town x Fancon, has been published by Etan Comics through a successful Kickstarter. Bill has worked as a storyboard artist for Triggerfish on a Netflix project and Disney x Kugali’s three-time Emmy Award-nominated animated series Iwájú. In 2022, Bill was featured in the Forbes Africa Under 30. He was selected for the Creation Africa FOCUS in France, supported by Institut Francais, among 15 other comic book artists across Africa.
Sean Izaakse, Comic Book Artist
Sean Izaakse is a local comic book artist who entered the international comics scene with work for both DC and Marvel Comics. He has illustrated Fantastic Four, Avengers, Deadpool, and Captain America, among others for Marvel. His DC work includes Green Arrow, Justice League Unlimited, Worlds Finest, Superman, and the recently released one-shot, DC KO: Superman vs Captain Atom #1, plus a range of awesome covers, including the upcoming Absolute Flash #14.
Andy Mason, Comic Creator
Andy Mason, also known by the pen names N.D. Mazin, Pooh, and Poynton Shute, is one of South Africa’s longest-serving comic artists. His influential Vittoke in Azania comic strips, published in anti-apartheid university newspapers in the late 1970s, inspired a generation of satirists including Jonathan Shapiro. Over the decades he has self-published several underground comic magazines including PAX (Pre-Azanian Comix), Mamba Comix, Graf Lit: Graveyard Literature in Black & White, and ToonZA Comix, all while supporting and publishing emerging South African creators. Andy is a true pioneer of South African comic art, with decades of underground creativity behind him.
Anand Ramcheron, Comic Book Illustrator
Durban-based illustrator Anand Ramcheron is a rising force in the global comics and visual development space. A graduate of the prestigious Kubert School (2019), Anand has built a dynamic career spanning illustration, concept design, and comic art. His work has caught the attention of major industry players, with collaborations including Marvel Comics, DC, Sony Pictures Animation, Passion Pictures, and Second Dinner. From striking cover art to immersive concept designs and trading cards, Anand’s versatility shines across every project he touches.
This year Comic Con Cape Town expects to welcome 36,000 fans at the CTICC 2 from 30 April to 3 May.
