Join us for an afternoon with comics superstars in conjunction with our Heroes vs. Villains exhibition! Local comic creators Jim Benton, Katie Cook, and Thorn L. Knight will be on hand to chat with fans, sign, and sell their work.
2–3 pm — A conversation led by curator Billy Wall-Winkle with Jim Benton and Katie Cook, exploring their creative journeys. Register for 2pm
3:30–4 pm — Billy returns to host a behind-the-scenes discussion with Thorn L. Knight about his new project, Critical Role: Smiley Day! Register for 3:30pm
Don’t miss this rare chance to meet creators up close!
Heroes vs. Villains: Detroit’s Comic Book Story explores how Detroit has shaped the landscape of comics — from early newspaper strips to iconic superheroes and anti-heroes. Through immersive displays and rare artifacts, the exhibit highlights Detroit-connected writers, artists, and fans who helped define the medium.
Artist Bios
Jim Benton — A Michigan-based cartoonist and illustrator, Jim is best known for creating It’s Happy Bunny, Dear Dumb Diary, and Franny K. Stein. His work spans books, greeting cards, webcomics, and even TV.
Katie Cook — Born in Saline, Michigan, and a graduate of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies, Katie is a prolific comic artist and writer. She’s worked with major publishers including IDW (My Little Pony), Marvel, Boom!, and Disney. She’s the creator of the webcomic Nothing Special (on Webtoon) and Gronk: A Monster’s Story.
Thorn L. Knight — A sequential artist and writer known for their heartfelt and often humorous storytelling. Thorn is best known for Girls Have a Blog, a Webtoon series that explores themes like anxiety, gender, and identity. His latest project is Critical Role: Smiley Day! from Darrington Press.