Disclosure: Ollie Kaplan is on the Prism Comics board and the Q Con planning committee.
Prism Comics, the nonprofit championing LGBTQIA+ diversity and representation in comics, graphic novels, and pop culture for over 20 years, has announced that its annual celebration of queer comic books, video games, cosplay, and more will be returning to West Hollywood, California, for its fourth year.
Prism’s Q Con, which is free to the public, will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046.
As always, this year’s main event will be family-friendly, giving preteens through adults the opportunity to find various comics and graphic novels that offer affirming queer representation at one exciting, colorful event. “LGBTQIA+ people of all ages and backgrounds need to see themselves and their stories represented in the arts – to know they are okay, they are accepted, and they are powerful,” said Ted Abenheim, President, Prism Comics. “Q Con gives us the opportunity to do this – raising queer voices in comic books and graphic novels, bringing the community together and having a lot of fun at the same time!”
Creators currently scheduled to appear include David Booher (Killer Queens, Ghostbusters), Holly Chou (X-Men ’97), Sage Cotugno (The Glass Scientists), Dragpool, Rachel Dukes (Frankie Comics, The Wizerd), Jack Foster (Gun), Sina Grace (West Hollywood Monster Squad, Iceman), Sam Irvin (Elvira’s Haunted Hills, Captain Samouflage and The Frankensam Scam!), JP Karliak (Queer Vox, X-Men ’97), Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf), Jon Macy (DJUNA: The Extraordinary Life of Djuna Barnes), Sam Maggs (Critical Role, Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars), Ajuan Mance (Living While Black), Knave Murdok (Transcat); Jose Pimienta (Halfway To Somewhere, Luminous Beings), Rod O’Riley (Furry Fandom), Bradley C. Rader (Fogtown), Tim Sheridan (Alan Scott: The Green Lantern), Josh Trujillo (Blue Beetle), William O. Tyler (We Belong), Shannon Watters (Lumberjanes, Hollow), Stacked Deck Press, Kendra Wells (Tell No Tales), toddland, TOKYOPOP, Bree Williams (Critical Role, The Witch Wolf), and more to be announced.
In addition, “cosplayers of all ages can show their cosplay pride and enter the official Costume Contest for a chance to win a range of prizes!”
Q Con 2025 programming schedule
All Q Con 2025 panels will occur in Plummer Park Community Building, Room 3. Check out the schedule below:
12 – 12:45 p.m. – Mutant & Proud: X-Men ’97 Panel
The mutants are back, and so is the metaphor. X-Men ’97 reimagines the animated classic with fresh voices, deeper emotion, and the same defiant heart that’s always resonated with queer audiences. Cast members Holly Chou (Jubilee), JP Karliak (Morph), Martha Marion (Emma Frost), and director Emi/Emmett Yonemura pull back the curtain on identity, evolution, and legacy. Moderated by Chris Riley (X-Reads Podcast, The Uncanny Experience) and Kevin Winston (Digital LA).
1 – 1:45 p.m. – Queer Cosplay: Crafting Identity Through Cosplay
Join Moderator Julian Jetson (Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them) and cosplayers Avery Ball (@yourcosplaydad), Chrissy Lynn Carpenter(hair and makeup stylist), Dragpool, Jacqueline Goehner (costume designer and fabricator), and Rachael Sanderson (award-winning costumer) for an engaging discussion on the joys of dressing up and its impact on the queer community. This panel will explore how cosplay serves as a powerful form of self-expression, creativity, and identity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. These talented individuals will share their personal experiences, challenges, and the empowering nature of bringing beloved characters to life while uplifting and celebrating queer voices through cosplay. Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer or just starting out, this conversation promises inspiration, laughter, and insight into the intersection of fandom and queer culture.
2 – 2:30 p.m. – Spotlight on Sage Cotugno
Writer and Comics Courier publisher, Tiffany Babb, interviews Sage Cotugno, creator of the Glass Scientists web series and graphic novels and animation director on The Owl House, Long Story Short, Gravity Falls, and many more.
2:30 – 3 p.m. – Spotlight on Tim Sheridan
Writer and Comics Courier publisher, Tiffany Babb, interviews Tim Sheridan, writer of the GLAAD-Award-nominated Alan Shepard: The Green Lantern and writer on many animated features and series, including Masters of the Universe: Revolution and Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
3 – 3:45 p.m. – Comics and Resistance: Drawing The Lines
Cartoonists have been taking on current affairs since the dawn of comics, and in difficult times, LGBTQ+ comics creators continue to tackle the issues that affect them and their community. How can comics and culture fight back against homophobia and transphobia? Can poking fun at political figures influence their opinions? Can comics change the way people think about the queer community? For a lively discussion of these and other topics join Tim Sheridan (Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, Teen Titans Academy), Ajuan Mance (Living While Black, 1001 Black Men), Tilly Bridges (Begin Transmission, The Color of Always), Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men, Mind the Gap), Sina Grace (Superman: The Harvests of Youth, Rockstar and Softboy), and moderator Tara Madison Avery (Prism Comics, Stacked Deck Press) for a lively discussion of these and other topics!
4 – 4:45 p.m. – Trans Representation in Arts & Entertainment
Join Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here), Avi Roque (Disney’s The Owl House), Kasper (A Transparent Musical), Simon Howe (Netflix’s Big Mouth), and Donato Fatuesi (Silence = Death) for a conversation on trans visibility in the arts—hosted by Yas Modares Ghasiri (Danny Pudi’s Babysplitters). From voice acting and publishing to theater and film, these creators share the unique challenges trans artists face in telling authentic stories and carving space in the industry.
4 – 4:30 p.m. – Costume Contest in Fiesta Hall
Join us for a fun costume contest, and get ready to show off your creativity and win amazing prizes! The top 3 winners will receive a backpack full of fun goodies, including pins from What’s Your Passion Jewelry, scents from Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs, and fabulous trophies handcrafted by Artisan Studios! Our esteemed judges will be: Racheal Sanderson, Chrissy Lynn Carpenter, and Jacqueline Goehner! This exciting event will be hosted by Julian Jetson and Puma Does Cosplay. Don’t miss out on the fun—come in your best costume and you might just take home one of these amazing prizes!
5 – 5:45 p.m. – Queer Gayming: LGBTQ+ in Video Games
Level up for our lively discussion where game industry speakers will discuss their career path into games, LGBTQ+ representation in gaming, favorite queer game characters, and building inclusive online and offline communities. Connect with fellow LGBTQ+ gamers! Moderated by Kevin Winston (Digital LA) with panelists Torian Brackett (voice actor on indie to AAA games), Irving Green (voice actor in Blizzard’s Hearthstone, Capcom’s Exoprimal and Garena’s Free Fire), Ray Lancione (Qwerty Gamers, CEO), Darion Lowenstein (Secret Code, game consultant. Previously at Scopely, EA, Activision Blizzard), and Jeffrey Yohalem (Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed, WGA award-winning writer).
6 – 6:45 p.m. – Geek Pop Crossfire
What’s the state of geek pop culture today? Will the X-Men save the MCU? Will the streaming crunch kill Star Trek? Will toxic fandom ever get reigned in? Join Moderator, David Reddish (author, commentator for Occupy Democrats, entertainment host of the Left of Str8 Show) and a panel of industry experts and insiders for a high-energy, hard-talking and humorous debate about the present and future of all things geeky in Hollywood. Panelists include Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here, Publisher, Stacked Deck Press), Sonya Saturday ( JK Rowling and the Ungrateful Fans), William O. Tyler (We Belong, Theatre of Terror and podcaster), Michael Varratti (screenwriter Tales of Poe, host of Dead for Filth Podcast), and Stacey Yvonne (Journalist at Pride & Black Girl Nerds).
The City of West Hollywood Arts Division and Los Angeles Film School are generous sponsors of Q Con 2025.
Tickets for Q Con will be free at the door, or you can secure your spot by visiting qconprism.org!
