VCU graduates Camryn Simms (right) and Lillian Trenton display and sell their artwork at the Richmond Indie Comic Expo.
VCU graduates Camryn Simms (right) and Lillian Trenton display and sell their artwork. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

Nov. 15, 2021

Scenes from the Richmond Indie Comic Expo

The expo, held at James Branch Cabell Library, featured art, comics and more for sale by VCU graduates, students and local creators.

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By VCU News staff

The Richmond Indie Comic Expo, or RICE, an independent comics convention organized by Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts students, drew comics fans from across VCU and Richmond to James Branch Cabell Library on Sunday.

The convention featured art, comics and more for sale by VCU alumni, students and local comics creators, as well as panel discussions and presentations on a variety of comic arts subjects.

Among the panels was a presentation by Maggie Colangelo, a communications arts and environmental studies major, and Bernard Means, Ph.D., an assistant professor of anthropology in the School of World Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences, about their comic “Founding Monsters” that tells the story of the Founding Fathers’ obsession with giant Ice Age animals.

A roundtable featured several comics creators including Bizhan Khodabandeh, an assistant professor in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Khodabandeh is a designer, illustrator, artist and activist who was the artist on the graphic novel “The Day the Klan Came to Town,” written by Bill Campbell.

Campbell, who runs Rosarium Publishing, also spoke on a panel with Chris Pitzer of AdHouse Books, on how to get comics published. Another panel, “So You Want to Make Webcomics,” featured Scott Wegener, co-creator and artist of “Atomic Robo.”

RICE’s mission is to share the joy of comics, promote local artists and VCUarts alum, and add to the thriving Richmond arts community year after year. As a student-run organization, RICE is also dedicated to giving special emphasis to VCUarts alumni and their work, while encouraging current students to get involved with the greater comics community.

Sunday’s event was the second expo to be held at Cabell, with the first occurring in 2019. VCU photographer Kevin Morley was on campus to capture scenes from the event:

Crowd of people at the Richmond Indie Comic Expo.
At the Richmond Indie Comic Expo. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Abby Giuseppe works with a customer buying some of Giuseppe's art at the 2021 Richmond Indie Comic Expo
Abby Giuseppe works with a customer buying some of Giuseppe's art. Giuseppe is a spring 2020 VCU grad whose art includes the digital painting (right) of characters from "Over the Garden Wall." (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Earrings made by Abby Giuseppe. These are hand cut clay earrings/clay which are baked and painted.
Earrings made by Abby Giuseppe. These are hand cut clay earrings, which are baked and painted. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Theodore Taylor III, a 2008 VCU graduate, with books he has illustrated for authors.
Theodore Taylor III, a 2008 VCU graduate, with books he has illustrated. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Illustration of a young Shaquille O'Neal
Detail from a book illustrated by Theodore Taylor about Shaquille O'Neal. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Crowd of people at the Richmond Indie Comic Expo.
Browsing for comics. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Alexis DeJesus, VCU graduate in graphic design, with her work at the Richmond Indie Comic Expo.
Alexis DeJesus, VCU graduate in graphic design, with her work. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Jamie Knierim, VCU spring 2020 graduate known as \"Dodger\" works on his art.
Jamie Knierim, VCU spring 2020 graduate known as "Dodger" works on his art. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Small books produced by Jamie \"Dodger\" Knierim.
Small books produced by Jamie "Dodger" Knierim. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Ky Williams, who graduated from VCU with a degree in communication arts in May 2020, works on sketches.
Ky Williams, who graduated from VCU with a degree in communication arts in May 2020, works on sketches. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Erin Christoph, a VCU senior in graphic design, with her art at the Richmond Indie Comic Expo.
Erin Christoph, a VCU senior in graphic design, with her art. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
Free comic books at the Richmond Indie Comic Expo.
Free comic books at the expo. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)
close-up of a person holding a comic book in their hands
The expo featured work from VCU School of the Arts graduates, current students and local artists. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)