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Comicbooks 4 Kids – “The Sequel”
Schedule | Charity Info | Guest Line-Up | Programming | Sponsors
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Schedule
The event runs from Friday, January 24th – Sunday January 26th, 2025!
Friday, Jan. 24th
| Panel Name | Eastern Time | Central Time | Mountain Time | Pacific Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Remarks | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Creek Wilson Q&A | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Leah Williams Q&A | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Fanatic Forum | 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| Cosplay Cafe | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
Saturday, Jan. 25th
| Panel Name | Eastern Time | Central Time | Mountain Time | Pacific Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Domain Panel | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| X-Men and Diversity | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Indie Comic Creators | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Jerry Gaylord Q&A | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| R.J. Conte Q&A | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| Live Painting Lesson | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| Cherami Leigh Q&A | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Geeky Tattoo Artist Panel | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| John Jackson Miller Q&A | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
Sunday, Jan. 26th
| Panel Name | Eastern Time | Central Time | Mountain Time | Pacific Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning Superheroes | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| Indie Authors Panel | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Collector Panel | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Voice Actors Panel | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| B-List Boosters | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| Geeky Discoveries | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| Comic Book Spectrum | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Audio Drama: Cosplay Cinderella | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
Charity Info
We’re supporting 📚 Comicbooks For Kids 📚 a second year in a row. They’re the charity so nice, we had to raise funds for them twice!
Comicbooks For Kids (CB4K) is dedicated to putting age-appropriate comics and other comfort items in the hands of children in hospitals and cancer wards across the United States and even some international locations.
They also have a related charity, Comicbooks For Troops.
The official MVFR donation page is already live. You can find it right here. If you don’t use Facebook, you can donate directly on their website.
**All funds will go directly to CB4K. The Multiverse FunRaiser and the Phoenix Sisters who sponsor the event do not handle any money (digital or otherwise) intended for donations.**
Guest Line-Up
We are incredibly grateful for our celebrity guests this year!
Get their full bios on our celebrity guest page.
The 2025 list so far is:
- RJ Conte – Author
- John Cosper – Wrestling Historian
- Jerry Gaylord – Storyboard Artist
- Dean Hill – Wrestling Announcer
- Cherami Leigh – Voice Actress
- John Jackson Miller – Author & Comic Book Writer
- Leah Williams – Comic Book Writer
- Creek Wilson – Actor
Programming
We’ll be embedding each panel directly below as they’re scheduled!
Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Friday, Jan. 24th
Opening Remarks
Comicbooks For Kids founder Mark Weiss helps us kick off the FunRaiser by reminding us why we do what we do.
Creek Wilson Q&A
Actor Creek Wilson will do a live interview discussing his illustrious career and what this year’s charity means to him. Audience members can submit questions via the comment section!
Leah Williams Q&A
Comic writer Leah Williams will join us to talk about her work for DC and Marvel comics, and also why Comicbooks For Kids matters to her. Audience members can submit questions via the comment section!
Fanatic Forum Special Episode
Super fanatic George Buehler will air a special episode of his regular podcast, Fanatic Forum, featuring wrestling legends John Cosper and Dean Hill! Audience members can submit questions and join the conversation via the comment section!
Cosplay Cafe Special Episode
The Cosplay Cafe Baristas will air a special episode of their regular podcast, Cosplay Cafe! As always, viewers can submit photos to show off their own cosplay as well! E-mail cosplaycafepodcast@gmail.com for details
Saturday, Jan. 25th
“Stealing” Legally: Open Domain Discussion Panel
Usage rights for beloved media can be complicated to navigate! The MVFR has invited panelists to walk us through “open domain” issues for different fandom properties. You can ask questions too in the comments!
X-Men and Diversity Panel
We will be discussing the ways that X-Men is a direct allegory to the struggles of many marginalized groups, specifically touching on how it began publishing during the Civil Rights movement and was certainly an allegory for that, but has evolved to showcase the struggles of many other minorities through the lens of the fantastical elements of mutant powers and world-threatening crises. Panel hosted by: Kelly Guentner, Anthony Vernon, Hollis Thompson, and Dylan Carter of the Uncanny eXperience.
Indie Comic Creators Panel
An MVFR fan-favorite – the Indie Comic Creators Panel returns! This time, Cosplay Cafe host Andrea Starnes will be manning the helm, interviewing comic creators on topics from writing to funding indie comic titles. If you’re working on an indie title, you won’t want to miss it!
Jerry Gaylord Q&A
Designer and storyboard artist, Jerry Gaylord (a.k.a. The Franchize) has agreed to be interviewed during our event. We’ll be especially interested to talk to him about his recent work on X-Men ’97, and also to ask him what this year’s charity means to him. Audience members can ask their own questions via the comments!
R.J. Conte Q&A
MVFR board member Hollis Thompson will be interviewing author R.J. Conte! Last year, Conte was kind enough to provide us with limited access to an audio reading of her book, Lucent Sylph. This year, we get to know the mind behind the art.
Live Painting Class
MVFR board member Kelly will be teaching her annual live painting class! To join along, you’ll need a canvas, paint, and brushes. Here is the supply list:
- Paint: Black, white, blue, red, orange, yellow, purple
- Paintbrushes: fat, medium, thin, and a fan brush and foam brush
- Canvas or painting paper
- Cup of water
- Pencil
- Paper plate or palette for apints
Cherami Leigh Q&A
Actress and voice actress Cherami Leigh will be joining us for a live interview to discuss her career being a part of so many beloved fandoms, and to tell us what Comicbooks For Kids means to her. You can ask questions too! Just tune in and submit your question in the comments.
Geeky Tattoo Artists Panel
What is like being a tattoo artist who focuses on geek and fandom art? You’ll find out in this panel!
John Jackson Miller Q&A
John Jackson Miller is an American science-fiction author, comic book writer, and commentator, known for his work on the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises, and most recently he’s made the foray into writing for the Batman Burtonverse franchise. This is his second year guesting with the MVFR and he’ll be talking about his volumes of work within so many wonderful fandoms, as well as what ComicBooks for Kids means to him. Tune in and be ready to submit your questions in the comments!
Sunday, Jan. 26th
Sunday Morning Superheroes Special Episode
Hollis Thompson will be performing a special, live episode of his usually pre-recorded podcast, Sunday Morning Superheroes! Sunday Morning Superheroes discusses intersections of faith and superhero culture.
Indie Authors Panel
Another fan favorite returns! MVFR board member and fiction editor Crayle will discuss writing with independent authors. They’ll discuss topics ranging from the creative process to working with cover illustrators or editors, to the actual publishing journey. You can ask questions too in the comments!
Collectors Panel
Are you somewhat of a geek merch collector? Many members of the MVFR are! Let’s talk about it on the collectors panel! Tune in and tell us what YOU collect too.
Voice Actors Discussion Panel
Yet another popular panel from previous years returns. Professional voice actors take over the air to talk about the work, the industry, and more during the MVFR.
B-List Boosters
The MVFR is once-again giving love to the B-listers! This panel discusses some of our favorite characters who didn’t get enough love on the page or the big screen, and their histories. Join in the comments to tell us who your favorite B-Listers are too.
Geeky Discoveries Special Episode
Broadcaster Willow Skylor will be doing a special episode of her regular podcast, Geeky Discoveries, which discusses issues like mental health and social movements, and how they affect pop culture.
Comic Book Spectrum Special Episode
The hosts of the show Comic Book Spectrum will be joining the MVFR for a special episode during the FunRaiser: “What Goes on Our GOAT Graphic Novel Shelf?” The discussion will center on Trades or Runs we’d put in a place of honor alongside such works as Maus, Watchmen, and The Dark Knight Returns.
Original Audio Drama: Cosplay Cinderella
Listen to this favorite fairy tale transported into modern Fandom! Ella is the hard-working costume maker for her professional cosplayer stepsisters. But, when she sneaks into a comic con and meets Samson Lee, the prince of Fandom, her life will change forever!
Sponsors
Thank you so much to our generous sponsors!
Earth Dog Studios
Earth Dog Studios is a recurring sponsor for the MVFR! This year, they’ll be advertising for us on their newly launched podcast network!
Illusive Comics & Games
Illusive Comics & Games in Santa Clara, CA will be promoting the MVFR this year with flyers and more! If you’re near Santa Clara, check out their new, huge location.
Clobberin’ Comics
Clobberin’ Comics is another returning sponsor! The shop’s two Kentucky locations (E-town and Shepherdsville) promote the MVFR each year.
Studio Moonfall
Studio Moonfall, a bookstore and more in Kenosha, WI, will be promoting the MVFR with flyers in 2025! If you’re in southern Wisconsin, check them out!
The Art of Brian Rodman
Artist Brian Rodman is another recurring sponsor! Last year he donated copies of his original title, The Nebulizer, and he will be donating more copies of issues #1 and 2 in 2025!
The Multiverse FunRaiser is hosted on the Phoenix Sisters Entertainment Podcast Network.
✨Passion, positivity, and geek culture all under one roof!✨
The event is also staffed and sponsored by Phoenix Sisters Entertainment.