Tag Archives: virtuous con

Lion Forge Entertainment heads to Virtuous Con with an exclusive first look at ‘Iyanu’ Animated Series

Posted on by
Iyanu

Virtuous Con, the premier online convention celebrating independent Black creators, proudly announces a captivating panel discussion called “The Magic of Iyanu: The Creation of an Animated Series” centered around the highly anticipated animated series, Iyanu.

Sponsored by the Academy Award-winning production studio Lion Forge Entertainment, this exclusive event offers attendees an inside look into the transformation of this groundbreaking show from its comic book origins to its forthcoming animated adaptation currently in development for Cartoon Network. Exclusive images of the series will be shown for the first time during this panel. 

Based on the Iyanu: Child of Wonder graphic novel series created by Roye Okupe (YouNeek Studios) and Dark Horse Comics, the story is inspired by West African Yoruba culture. The discussion features Lion Forge Entertainment CEO David Steward II (Hair Love), veteran animation writer and producer Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins, Ada Twist Scientist), Iyanu lead writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy) and Okupe is an Executive Producer, a Writer and a Director on the series. The virtual discussion will be moderated by Karama Horne (theblerdgurl) for the event.

This panel will offer fans a unique opportunity to learn about the process of adapting a graphic novel to the small screen as well as revealing an exclusive first look at Iyanu.

“The Magic of Iyanu: The Creation of an Animated Series” is scheduled for Saturday February 24th, 2024 from 3:30 PM ET to 4:30 PM ET online at the Virtuous Con Website General Admission $30 | General Admission with Gift Box $75

Virtuous Con returns with “The Future Is Ours” for its 4th Annual Black History Month Virtual Event

Posted on by
Virtuous Con

Virtuous Con, the highly-anticipated annual virtual creative convention, is set to return for its 4th Annual Black History Month Event from February 23 – 25, 2024. Accessible through the official Virtuous Con website, this year’s online event will center around the theme “The Future is Ours,” celebrating and showcasing the remarkable achievements of Black creators in the independent creative space. The online show also features a new free Opening Night event providing attendees with a taste of the larger convention. 

An impressive lineup of renowned authors is scheduled to appear, including actor/writer producer Malcolm Barrett, (The Boys, Average Joe), Tananarive Due (The Reformatory), N.K. Jemisin (The Broken Earth Trilogy), Vashti Harrison (BIG), Victor Lavalle (Lone Women) and Daniel José Older (Star Wars the High Republic). Joining them are esteemed screenwriters Brandon Easton (Iyanu), Latoya Morgan (The Walking Dead), as well as Cody Ziglar (Craig of the Creek, Spider-Punk) and Rodney Barnes (Winning Time, Killadelphia), both talented screenwriters and comic book creators.

Other award-winning comic creators featured at the event are Odunze Whyte Oguguo (“Clock Striker”), David Crownson (“Harriet Tubman Demon Slayer”), Alitha Martinez (“Nubia: Queen of the Amazons”), and Roye Okupe, (“The Oloris”) , whose series “Iyanu” has been adapted into an animated series by Lion Forge Entertainment for Max and Cartoon Network.

The cornerstone of the convention are the Virtuous Con Virtual Vendor Rooms. Participants will have access to four virtual “floors,” showcasing independent artists, authors, and illustrators dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, comic books, anime, and more. Hosted on Remo.co, the vendor floor this year features expanded programming within the showroom floor, including tutorials and discussions providing yet another option for attendees.

A few vendors include: Sarah Jefferson Carter, Dream Fury Comics, ARWBooks, Jocelyn Short,KEEF CROSS (Smize and Dream/Tyra Banks), Kingwood Comics.

This years sponsors include Patron Hunt, Lion Forge Entertainment, Wacom, Adobe, Inc, Best Jacket Press and Otaku Noir

Virtuous Con is scheduled to take place from February 23 through 26, from 11am-6pmET.

Tickets are $30 general admission or $$75 with gift box: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/virtuousconllc/1061490.

Virtuous Con 2024 announces N. K. Jemisin and Mikki Kendall as Special Guests for 4th Annual Virtual Sci-Fi and Comic Convention

Posted on by

Virtuous Con, the virtual comic-book and fantasy convention that celebrates Black and BIPOC creatives, has announced N. K. Jemisin and Mikki Kendall as special guests for their 4th Annual science-fiction and comic culture convention launching February 23 – 25, 2024. 

The virtual event, themed “The Future is Ours,” is dedicated to celebrating independent Black and BIPOC artists and creators worldwide. Virtuous Con provides both fans and creators with a live, authentic, and interactive experience, allowing attendees to engage with, support, and purchase directly from artists in real time.

  • N. K. Jemisin – The award-winning author of the “Great Cities” duology and “The Broken Earth Trilogy,” made history by winning three consecutive Best Novel Hugo Awards  and has been heralded as “The Most Celebrated Science Fiction And Fantasy Writer of Her Generation” by the New York Times known for exploring themes of resistance and liminality, Jemisin also is known for her DC Comics graphic novel “Far Sector” has contributed significantly to the genre as an instructor for writing workshops.
  • Mikki Kendall -Author of the New York Times Best-Selling ”Hood Feminism” and historical graphic novel “Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists” and countless essays and think pieces,  Mikki Kendallis also a writer, diversity consultant, and occasional feminist. A frequent media guest, KEndall often discusses race, feminism, police violence, tech, pop culture and their intersection on various platforms. Her work has been lauded in  BBC, Bustle, and TIME Magazine andKendall’s essays have been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, Essence, Vogue, and more.

Tickets for Virtuous Con are $35. In addition to our event tickets, our exclusive Virtuous Con VIP Mystery Boxes are BACK!, created in partnership with Otaku Noir, a quarterly mystery box filled with comics, apparel & other exclusive collectibles celebrating Black nerd culture. All items are made by creators of color.  Each Mystery Box includes One All Access Pass for the weekend’s panels and activities, Two comics, Two books, One Virtuous Con t-shirt, 1 Sticker, one Key chain, and one The Future Is Ours Notepad. Pricing  for the mystery boxes is $75.

Act now to grab your tickets and mystery box.

Virtuous Con returns  February 23 – 25, 2024.

Virtuous Con announces Wacom as an Official Platinum Sponsor

Posted on by
Virtuous Con

Virtuous Con, the premier virtual comic-book and fantasy convention celebrating BIPOC creatives, proudly announces Wacom as an Official Platinum Sponsor for Virtuous Con 2024 coming February 23 to 25, 2024. This year’s virtual event themed “The Future is Ours” is dedicated to spotlighting independent artists and creators from around the globe.

Wacom, the global leader in the pen display and tablet market for creative users, is marking its fourth consecutive year supporting Virtuous Con. Their range of intuitive pen tablets and displays enables users to unleash their creativity by drawing, designing, and creating directly on high-resolution screens, transforming ideas into vibrant digital formats.

As an Official Platinum Sponsor, Wacom reaffirms their commitment to empowering the creativity of independent artists through innovative tools for expression. Additionally, Wacom is generously contributing both financial support as well as in-kind gifts of both WACOM ONE and CINTIQ brand tablets for official giveaways, offering fans and artists
access to cutting-edge creative tools. Virtuous Con, taking place from February 23 to 25, offers an array of engaging programs and interactive experiences.

Best Jackett Press returns as an official sponsor for Virtuous Con 2024

Posted on by
Best Jackett Press

Virtuous Con, the popular comic-book, sci-fi and fantasy convention dedicated to celebrating BIPOC creatives, proudly announces the return of Best Jackett Press as an official sponsor of the 4th Annual virtual event returning February 23 – 25, 2024. Themed “The Future is Ours,” this year’s convention is devoted to honoring independent artists and creators worldwide.

Best Jackett Press, is the creative studio founded by the multi-award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling comic book author, Scott Snyder. Bringing captivating stories to life, including their acclaimed titles such as ‘Clea,’ ‘Nocterra,’ and ‘Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine.’ This is the third consecutive year that Best Jackett Press has been a Virtuous Con Sponsor.

Virtuous Con, established in 2020 by Founder Cerece Rennie Murphy, emerged as a champion for independent creators amidst the challenges faced, particularly by those from BIPOC backgrounds, during the COVID-19 shutdowns. The convention returns on February 23 and 25, 2024, promising an engaging and immersive experience.

Virtuous Con announces Vashti Harrison, Rodney Barnes and Roye Okupe as guests! 

Posted on by

Virtuous Con, the virtual comic-book and fantasy convention that celebrates BIPOC creatives, has announced more special guests for their 4th Annual science-fiction and comic culture convention launching February 23 – 25, 2024. The virtual event, themed “The Future is Ours,” is dedicated to celebrating independent Black artists and creators worldwide.

Preliminary special guests for the Black History Month event include:

  • Vashti Harrison: Vashti Harrison, is a New York Times best seller,  acclaimed author and award-winning children’s book illustrator,  known for the bestselling series “Little Leaders,” “Hair Love,” and “Sulwe.” written by actress Lupita N’Yongo. Honored with multiple awards including two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work for Children, Harrison’s latest work “BIG” is a 2023 National Book Awards finalist.
  • Rodney Barnes: Rodney Barnes is an Award-Winning TV Writer and Producer known for his work on The Boondocks, “Wu-Tang: An American Saga”, American Gods and “Winning Time: The Rise of the Laker’s Dynasty”. He also created the acclaimed comics “Killadelphia” and “Blacula: Return of the King”.
  • Roye Okupe: Roye Okupe an Animation Producer and founder of YouNeek Studios, the Award-Winning graphic novel publisher of Award-Winning stories such as “Malika: Warrior Queen” and “Iyanu: Child of Wonder” which is being adapted into a series on Cartoon Network for MAX.

Virtuous Con returns February 23 and 25 2024, program information is available through their website.

Virtuous Con announces its Preliminary Special Guests for February 2024: Tananarive Due, Victor Lavalle, and L.L. McKinney

Posted on by
Virtuous Con 2024 guests

Save the date! Virtuous Con, has announced its preliminary line up for their 4th Annual science-fiction and comic culture convention launching February 23 – 25, 2024. The virtual event, themed “The Future is Ours” is dedicated to celebrating independent Black artists and creators worldwide.  

Preliminary special guests for the Black HIstory Month event include: 

  • Tananarive Due, Award-Winning Author and Producer of ”The Reformatory” and “Horror Noire”
  • Victor Lavalle, Award-Winning Author and Producer of ”The Changeling” and “Lone Women”
  • L.L. McKinney, Award-Winning Author of “Nubia: Real One”, “A Blade So Black”

An ardent champion for independent creators within the realms of science fiction, fantasy, and comics, Murphy responded to the challenges faced by her creative colleagues, especially those from BIPOC backgrounds, during the COVID-19 shutdowns by establishing Virtuous Con in 2020.

Virtuous Con takes place yearly in February Celebrating Black History month. The con is a virtual floor show that celebrates Black creatives. Four virtual “floors” that feature Indie artists, authors and vendors dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, comic books, anime, and more in a live interactive virtual space. Complete with virtual “booths” where vendors interact live with attendees about their products. 

Secure your early bird tickets for Virtuous Con at the exclusive price of $18.00! Early Bird tickets are available for purchase on Friday, November 17th, starting at noon, and ends on December 15th.

Award-Winning Creators Rodney Barnes and Vashti Harrison headline Virtual “Summer Camp” for Creatives

Posted on by
Virtuous Con Summer Workshop Series

If you’re a writer or artist looking to level up their skills, the Virtuous Con Summer Workshop Series is exactly what you need. Brought to you by Virtuous Con, the popular virtual comic book, fantasy, and sci-fi convention, this exclusive virtual program, scheduled to run from July 5 to July 30, 2023, will bring together an award-winning group of creators from fiction and graphic novels to work directly with students of all ages. The workshops will provide aspiring writers and artists a unique opportunity to learn from industry-leading talent and hone their skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.

The 2023 series launches July 5, 2023 with the workshop “Horror in Comics” taught by award-winning Hollywood producer and writer Rodney Barnes (The Boondocks, Winning Time, Wu-Tang: An American Saga) author of the graphic novels “Blacula: Return of the King” and the award-winning horror comic “Killadelphia”.

Following Barnes, on July 9,, the award-winning illustrator and writer Vashti Harrison (“Little Leaders”, “Hair Love”) will lead a “Techniques for Visual Storytelling” workshop. Harrison will also give away copies of her New York Times Best Seller “BIG” to early registrants. 

Barnes and Harrison aren’t the only instructors sharing their creative knowledge. The workshop has a fantastic lineup of instructors including award-winning writers Leslye Penelope, (“Song of blood and Stone”, “The Monsters We Defy”), and Zig Zag Claybourne (“Afropuffs Are the Antennae of the Universe”). Attendees can also learn the creative ins and outs of graphic novels and comic books from creators Karla “Moon” Medrano (“Luna: Queen of the Mahru”), Tim Fielder (“Infinitum: An Afrofuturist’s Tale”), T.J. Sterling (“Joystick Angels”) and the Eisner-Award winning comic-book artist Alitha Martinez (“Black Panther: World of Wakanda”, “Nubia: Queen of the Amazons”). 

The Virtuous Con Summer Writing Workshop Series will take place through virtual sessions every Wednesday throughout July. Secure your spot today by registering at the link below. 

Virtuous Con Workshop Registration Here 

Virtuous Con 2023 returns online this weekend with an all-star lineup for Black History Month

Posted on by

Virtuous Con, the annual virtual creative convention founded by Award-Winning author Cerece Rennie Murphy, is back for its 3rd Annual Black History Month event, February 25 – 26, 2023 from 11am ET – 7pm ET . Accessible through the Virtuous Con website, the online event’s theme this year is “A New Narrative,” highlighting Black creators moving forward in the independent creative space. Indie comics publisher Best Jackett Press and pen display and tablet company Wacom are featured sponsors of the event.

Scheduled to appear is a stellar lineup of creatives. Including award-winning actress Yetide Badaki (American Gods), ground-breaking, award-winning film director Wanuri Kahiu (Rafiki, Look Both Ways, PUMZI), writer, producer and actress Ihuoma Ofordire (Snowfall, Lovecraft Country), horror film writer and producer Akela Cooper (M3GAN, Malignant) and Award-Winning animator and storyboard artist Everett Downing, Jr. and creator of the Netflix hit series My Dad the Bounty Hunter.

In addition, Award-winning comic book artist Alitha Martinez (“Nubia: Queen of the Amazons”, “Marvel’s Voices: Wakanda Forever”), Award-Winning comic book scribe Vita Ayala (New Mutants, Static Year One), New York Times Bestselling Author Frederick L. Joseph (“The Black Friend”, “Patriarchy Blues”), and Award-Winning Science Fiction author Shereé Renee Thomas (“Nine Bar Blues”, “Dark Matter Anthology”)will appear in this year’s event.

Virtuous Con: Black History Month’s virtual floor show celebrates Black creatives. Four virtual “floors” will feature Indie artists, authors and vendors dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, comic books, anime, and more in a live interactive virtual space. Complete with virtual “booths” where vendors interact live with attendees about their products.

As a Black woman-owned convention, Virtuous Con: Black History Month has a special meaning for its founder. “For our third Black History Month convention, we really wanted to push the boundaries of our panel topics beyond what you’d typically expect from a sci-fi convention.” Cerece Rennie Murphy explained.

Virtuous Con returns February 25 and 26, and tickets and program information is available through their website.

Virtuous Con

Virtuous Con launches a Summer Writing Workshop Series in partnership with Amazon KDP

Posted on by

Virtuous Con have announced they have partnered with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing on a special project for writers called The Virtuous Con Summer Writing Workshop Series. This unique virtual program expands on the success of the Virtuous Con 2021 Juneteenth Master Class Series and their 2022 virtual convention in February. For this summer program, founder and award-winning writer Cerece Rennie Murphy assembled nine prominent African-American writers in fiction, comics, screenwriting, and film to offer aspiring writers an intimate learning experience to challenge creators to create with courage.

The virtual series will feature eight live weekly 2-hour workshops featuring award-winning and best-selling authors, Beverly Jenkins, L. Penelope, Ines Johnson, and Minister Faust, ground-breaking comic creators Greg Burnham, Regine Sawyer, and Micheline Hess, and pioneer novelists and screenwriters Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes.

Jenkins, both a Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award winner and an NAACP Image Award in Literature nominee, will launch the series on July 6th with “Plot Characters and Setting for Fiction Writers.”

The Virtuous Con Summer Writing Workshop Series runs from July 6, 2022, to August 3rd, 2022, and tickets are available through their website. A special discount is available for Virtuous Con Patreon subscribers.

« Older Entries