The ground-breaking graphic novel Breathtaker: Love, Death, Sex, Power makes a powerful return to center stage at this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con, running October 17–19 at the Baltimore Convention Center—and fans are in for something truly special. You can purchase your tickets now!
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the original release, the Breathtaker creative team has been fully reunited for a weekend of panels, signings, and exclusives. Comic legends Mark Wheatley, Marc Hempel, Kathy Mix, Mike Gold, and Walter Simonson (writer of the stunning new introduction) will all be on hand to unveil the definitive edition of Breathtaker, newly restored and expanded for Titan Comics.
More than just a reprint, this deluxe edition includes nearly 80 pages of new content, behind-the-scenes material, and the all-new comic story Make Way for the Man — a gripping origin tale of the Breathtaker Device. This thrilling prequel will also be available in a convention-exclusive standalone comic debuting at Baltimore Comic-Con.
Fans can also look forward to a pop-up art show at the convention, showcasing a portion of Marc Hempel’s and Mark Wheatley’s original Breathtaker artwork from the Norman Rockwell Museum touring exhibition. This marks a rare opportunity to experience the ground-breaking visuals that helped define the original series, up close and in person.
The new Breathtaker collection and its companion events are just the beginning—more surprises are planned throughout the convention weekend.
Mark Wheatley is an Eisner, Inkpot, and Golden Lion award-winning creator whose credits include Frankenstein Mobster, EZ Street, Return of the Human, and Hammer of the Gods. His work spans from the Robert E. Howard Foundation book covers to TV (CBS’s The Millers, 2 Broke Girls) and even Lady Gaga’s stage design.
Marc Hempel is known for his iconic work on The Sandman with Neil Gaiman, as well as Gregory, Tug & Buster, and Naked Brain. His art has graced the pages of MAD, Heavy Metal, Disney Adventures, and The Escapist.
Mike Gold, co-founder of First Comics and longtime DC Comics editor, has helped launch fan-favorite series such as Jon Sable Freelance, The Question, American Flagg!, and GrimJack. A recipient of the Hero Initiative Humanitarian Award, Gold is a fixture in comics and broadcasting.
Kathy Mix, an original Insight Studios member, and Walter Simonson, legendary creator of Thor and Manhunter, round out this historic reunion, each contributing to the anniversary celebration in meaningful ways.
Fans of visionary comics and cutting-edge storytelling will have a rare opportunity this October to meet the legendary creators behind some of the most influential independent comics of the last four decades. The Insight Studios Group is reuniting its core team and collaborators to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Breathtaker at Baltimore Comic-Con, October 17–19, 2025, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Tickets are now on sale!
Appearing together for the first time in years, the creators of Breathtaker — Mark Wheatley, Marc Hempel, Mike Gold, Kathy Mix, as well as Jennifer Rouse, and Glenn Hauman — will be on hand for panels, signings, and the launch of a newly-restored and expanded edition of their acclaimed graphic novel, now available from Titan Comics. An exclusive convention-only comic, Make Way for the Man, will also debut at the show.
Mark Wheatley
An Eisner, Inkpot, Golden Lion, and Overstreet Hall of Fame honoree, Mark Wheatley is the multi-talented creator behind Frankenstein Mobster, EZ Street, and Radical Dreamer. He’s contributed art and storytelling to properties as wide-ranging as Tarzan, Jonny Quest, Ultraman, and Lady Gaga, and his work has appeared in print, television, film, and museum exhibitions.
Marc Hempel
Acclaimed for his art in The Sandman (notably “The Kindly Ones”), Gregory, and Tug & Buster, Marc Hempel’s stylized, emotionally resonant work has appeared in MAD, Heavy Metal, Epic Illustrated, and Nickelodeon Magazine. He brings both wit and gravity to every panel—and fans can expect plenty of both at the convention.
Mike Gold
A key architect of modern comics publishing, Mike Gold is the co-founder of First Comics and the former editorial director of DC Comics. He edited and developed titles like Jon Sable Freelance, GrimJack, The Question, and American Flagg!, and played a vital role in shaping Breathtaker for its original release. He is also the head of arrogantMGMS and a recipient of the Hero Initiative Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Kathy Mix
An original member of Insight Studios, Kathy Mix has long been a behind-the-scenes force in the creation and production of Insight’s comics and visual projects. She’s been integral to the development of Breathtaker and many other studio efforts, and fans will get a rare chance to meet her in person.
Jennifer Rouse
Composer, sound designer, and voice-over artist, Jennifer Rouse has worked on films, audio dramas, and multimedia productions. Her credits include Songs of Giants, The Death of Poe, and the Frankenstein Mobster audio drama. She brings a unique creative voice to the Insight team, where her musical and dramatic sensibilities amplify the group’s storytelling power.
Glenn Hauman
A long-time Insight ally and the publisher behind ComicMix, Glenn Hauman is a writer, editor, technologist, and activist. His work in comics and digital publishing has helped bring independent creators to the forefront while supporting transformative industry shifts. At Baltimore Comic-Con, he’ll be celebrating both the past and future of creator-owned comics.
This year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Arthur Adams (Longshot), Kaare Andrews (Spider-Man: REIGN 2), Eddy Barrows (Superman), Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), Marty Baumann ((Pixar artist), John Beatty (Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Wars), Josh Blaylock (Mercy Sparx, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Russ Braun (The Boys), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Jacen Burrows (Crossed), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Richard Case (Doom Patrol), Keith Champagne (Stranger Things), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Jo Chen (Runaways), Sean Chen (Evermind), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Mark Chiarello (Wednesday Comics), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Amy Chu (Emma Frost: The White Queen), Chris Claremont (X-Men), Matthew Clark (Adventures of Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Becky Cloonan (Somna), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Michael W. Conrad (Manowar: Invictus), Dani (Sensational Wonder Woman), Alan Davis (Excalibur), Deans Family Productions (Crass Fed), Jeff Dekal (Something is Killing the Children), Kevin Delgado (Tuff Stuff, courtesy of Comics and Collectibles R Us), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Garth Ennis (The Boys, Saturday and Sunday only), David Finch (Moon Knight), Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs), Trish Forstner (Feral), Franco (Deadman Tells the Spooky Tales), Barbara Friedlander (Swing with Scooter), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Ron Garney (BRZRKR), Chris Giarrusso (Mini Marvels), Dan Goldman (Unfinished Business), Randy Green (Witchblade). Mike Grell (Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters), Torunn Grønbekk (Catwoman), Gavin Guidry (Action Comics), Brian Haberlin (Spawn, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle), Scott Hanna (Amazing Spider-Man), Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook), Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool), Marc Hempel (Sandman), Jamal Igle (Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Chris Kemple (Artist Alley Comics), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk), J.G. Jones (Wanted), Derek Kirk Kim (The Last Mermaid), Dan Krall (House of Night), Adam Kubert (Wolverine), Jae Lee (Inhumans), Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween), Tula Lotay (Barnstormers), Nate Lovett (Dungeons & Dragons), Kevin Maguire (Justice League), Alex Maleev (Star Wars: Boba Fett – Black White and Red), Laura Martin (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Shawn Martinbrough (Red Hood: The Hill), Ron Marz (Green Lantern), Jose Marzan Jr. (Y: The Last Man), Charlie McElvy (Spider-Squirrel), Mike McKone (Red Goblin), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Adriana Melo (Action Comics), Josh Middleton (Aquaman), Al Milgrom (Spectacular Spider-Man), Mark Morales (Thor), Trevor Mueller (Albert the Alien), Sarah Myers (TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures), Tom Nguyen (The Switch), Mike Norton (Battlepug, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Kevin Nowlan (Batman: Sword of Azrael), Patrick Olliffe (Untold Tales of Spider-Man), Dan Parent (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), John J. Pearson (In Bloom), Andrew Pepoy (Simone & Ajax), Barbara Perez Marquez (The Cardboard Kingdom), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Khoi Pham (Star Wars: Darth Vader), Paul Pope (THB), Tom Raney (Green Lantern), Amy Reeder (Power Girl), Esad Ribic (Conan the Barbarian), Afua Richardson (Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds), James Robinson (Starman), Don Rosa (Uncle $crooge), Craig Rousseau (Herculoids), Stephane Roux (Void Rivals), Jim Rugg (Street Angel), Andy Runton (Owly), Stuart Sayger (Conan the Barbarian), Joseph Schmalke (Seven Years in Darkness, courtesy of Groundbreaking Comics), Bart Sears (Deathstroke), Declan Shalvey (Old Dog), Louise Simonson (The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special), Walter Simonson (Thor), Don Simpson (Megaton Man), Jeff Smith (Bone), John K. Snyder III (Suicide Squad), Mark Sparacio (Chelsea Dagger and the Women of Excalibur), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), Paul D. Storrie (Storm Kids: Stanley’s Ghost), Karl Story (The Mandalorian), Zoe Thorogood (It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Universe), Peter Tomasi (The Rocketfellers), Billy Tucci (Shi), Brian K. Vaughan (Spectators, Friday and Saturday only), Gus Vazquez (Sunfire and Big Hero Six), Charles Vess (Stardust), Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited), Dan Watters (Nightwing), Mark Wheatley (Breathtaker), Matt Wieringo (Stargate Atlantis: Gateways), Keith Williams (Web of Spider-Man), Maria Wolf (Phoenix), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), John Workman (Wild Things), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
