Event Programming
Check back often, as updates and changes to the schedule will be posted as needed!
Friday | September 26, 2023
Educational Track
Join our guest artists as they discuss creating comics and breaking into the industry. These talks and workshops allow for an in-depth dive into comics.
Each panel will be approximately one hour long with time for audience questions.
Jonathan Hill |
Breaking into YA Comics
10:30 AM - Multipurpose Room |
Jonathan Hill will discuss bringing Lizard Boy to life, and how his creation found a home with a YA audience.
Hannah Batsel |
Designing Moveable Art Books
11:30 AM - Activity Room, LAB 002 |
In this hands-on exploration of artist books and paper engineering, author/illustrator Hannah Batsel will introduce her body of work and allow participants to manipulate and explore moveable books. Participants will then learn how paper mechanics are designed by constructing their own moving eyeball model.
Mark Smylie |
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Sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship
Illustrating Business
12:30 PM - Multipurpose Room |
Mark Smylie will discuss ways to think about how the business of publishing, art, and illustration flow and work together, from the origins of ideas and projects to their financing and then to the distribution of finished products; how opportunities both expected and unexpected come and go; and how reality tends to intrude along the way.
John VanFleet |
From Digital to Traditional Canvases
1:30 PM - Activity Room, LAB 002 |
John will showcase creating illustrations by moving from 3D models using digital software to illustrating with traditional painting media and methods. Embracing the new with an eye to tradition can open up exciting options and opportunities.
P. Craig Russell |
Parallel Narratives
2:30 PM - Multipurpose Room |
P. Craig Russell will decode the leap from text to image and how one finds a visual structure for non-visual text. Pictures and visual references not described in the text can be visually developed to bring narrative depth to a story.
Scott Hampton |
A Wicked Talk
3:30 PM - Activity Room, LAB 002 |
Scott Hampton will chat about adapting "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire for the graphic novel form. Moving from the original text to roughs to painting will be highlighted, as well as other behind the scenes content.
Katie Cook |
Your Voice on the Web
4:30 PM - Multipurpose Room |
Join Katie Cook as she talks about her journey in webcomics, licensed books and more: find out more about a profession that constantly challenges and surprises as Katie discusses being a professional creative online.
Activities Track
This programming track explores additional comics activities through GVSU students clubs and organizations.
Movie Room
Dear Mr. Watterson, 2013 [1hr 30min]
12:00 NOON - Activity Room, LAB 001 |
Mr. Watterson has inspired and influenced millions of people through Calvin & Hobbes. Newspaper readership and book sales can be tracked and recorded, but the human impact he has had and the value of his art are perhaps impossible to measure.
Chinese Culture & Language Club
Manhua
2:00 PM - Activity Room, LAB 001 |
The Chinese Culture & Language Club discusses their club and manhua comics.
Movie Room
Funny Ladies: A Portrait of Women Cartoonists, 1991 [46min]
3:00 PM - Activity Room, LAB 001 |
Why are so few women in the comics pages? That question becomes even more provocative as we watch four smart and witty role models -- Cathy Guisewite, Nicole Hollander, Lynda Barry and "Brenda Starr's" Dale Messick -- share their creative process. Viewers will find themselves looking at the comics, and the world, in a new way.
Evening Programming
Join us for Laker Con @ Night!
Laker Con evening programming will be held at Kirkhof Center, next door to the Idema Pew Library. Join us for movies, games, drawing and reading comics.
Movie Room
The Secret of Kells, 2009 [1hr 15min]
7:00 PM - Kirkhof, Room 2204 Pere Marquette |
To help complete his magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan’s determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil?
Gaming, Drawing and Reading Room
Activity/Social Space
7:00 PM - Kirkhof, Room 2215/2216 |
Play tabletop games, draw exquisite corpses and read comics and zines purchased at Laker Con.
Saturday | September 27, 2025
Comics For All
Join our guests artists as they share their work and techniques. Programs marked with an asterisk [*] will also be fun for the entire family.
Each panel will be approximately one hour long with time for audience questions.
Hannah Batsel |
Linocut Demos *
10:30 AM - Zinetopia Table, C12 |
Hannah Batsel will demonstrate linocut printing throughout the day. Participants can stop by and can create a print to take home.
Jonathan Hill |
Share Your Hidden Self *
11:30 AM - Activity Room, LAB 002 |
Come join Jonathan Hill, author of the "Lizard Boy" series, for a zine-making workshop where we will share the parts of ourselves that the world sees, as well as the hidden self we keep inside. No drawing experience necessary! Only a willingness to create and reflect!
Gary Land & Sean Watkins |
Behind the Pages *
12:30 PM - Multipurpose Room |
Gary Land and Sean Watkins (Athenaeum Comic Art, Ann Arbor, MI) will share and showcase original comic and alternative comic art.
Katie Cook |
What’s Your Story? *
1:30 PM - Activity Room, LAB 002 |
Come on over and draw with Katie Cook as she helps you tell a story through words and pictures. All ages are encouraged to spill their guts and spill some ink. Bring your art supplies if you have them (some supplies will be available)!
Comfort and Adam |
Sponsored by the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center
Draw Anything! *
2:30 PM - Multipurpose Room |
Bring your love for superheroes, storytelling and live drawing as Adam Withers turns concepts into reality.
Scott Hampton |
Painting from Life
3:30 PM - Activity Room, LAB 002 |
Join Scott Hampton as he paints from a live model. Bring your supplies or watch this award-winning comics creator break down his methods and processes.
P. Craig Russell |
An Afternoon with P. Craig Russell
4:30 PM - Multipurpose Room |
Join P. Craig Russell as he shares his professional highlights and successes in comics and other inspirations.
Activities Track
This programming track explores additional comics activities through GVSU students clubs and organizations.
Table Top Gaming Group
Come Play With Us!
12:00 Noon - Activity Room, LAB 001 |
The Table Top Gaming Group invites Laker Con to game with them!
The Lanthorn, GVSU
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Podcasting 101 with Charles Carden
[Sponsored by the Lanthorn]
2:00 PM - Activity Room, LAB 001 |
A talk with Charles Carden of the Secret Friends Unite Podcasting Network.
SIGIL, Illustration Club
The Exquisite Corpse
3:00 PM - Activity Room, LAB 001 |
A drawing method first used by surrealist artists, join SIGIL in creating collaborative, bizarre and fun drawings.
Sunday | September 28, 2025
Trivia
Comics Trivia Contest
11:00 AM - Multipurpose Room |
Show off your comics knowledge in our first ever Trivia Contest! Answer questions on superheroes, alternative comic stories and more to win prizes in this Extended Universe.
Round Table
Panel Discussions
12:00 Noon - Multipurpose Room |
Laker Con Guest Speakers will talk about the state of comics in a round table format.
The presenters will will discuss pressing issues for emerging comics creators including their career trajectories, the state of publishing and self-publishing, and the changing trends in art, media and technology.
Cosplay
Costume Contest
2:00 PM - The Atrium Main Floor |
The GRAND FINALE! Time to test out your costumes in plenty of time for Halloween! Prizes with glory given in the following categories:
- Best Closet/Crafter
- Best Group
- Judges Choices
- Best in Show