The St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (SLICE) has happily invited Ngozi Ukazu, Trung Le Nguyen, and Rori as special guests to headline the 2025 expo. SLICE’s special guests will participate in an opening night panel discussion, exhibit their work at the expo, and lead lectures as part of SLICE’s expo programming.
Ngozi Ukazu is a New York Times–bestselling and award-winning author and the creator of Check, Please!, an online graphic novel whose printing campaign remains the most funded webcomics Kickstarter ever. Her other works include the young adult graphic novels Bunt! with artist Mad Rupert and Barda and Orion with DC Comics. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in Computing in the Arts and received an honorary MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies. Her cartoons regularly appear in The New Yorker.
Trung Le Nguyen is an award-winning Vietnamese American cartoonist, artist, and writer from Minnesota. Trung’s first original graphic novel, The Magic Fish, was published in 2020 through Random House Graphic. He has also contributed work as an author and as an artist for a variety of comics publishers, including DC Comics, Oni Press, Boom! Studios, Image Comics, and Marvel. Trung has been nominated for an Eisner, a prize at Angoulême (France), and a GLAAD award and has won two Harvey Awards and a Romics (Italy).
Rori is a local cartoonist, designer, and illustrator whose illustration work has been the focus of two major exhibits and accompanying publications with the Missouri History Museum: Beyond The Ballot, celebrating the centenary of women’s suffrage in America, and Coloring STL, showcasing St. Louis architecture. As well as several self-published comics, her sequential art has been published by IDW, Image Comics, and Z2. She has two forthcoming graphic novels in the works, History Comics: Titanic (First Second) in summer 2026 and Wuthering Heights (Andrews McMeel) in winter 2026, both with writer Gibson Twist.
SLICE has also invited Karenza Sparks as a featured guest. Featured guests are creators who are marketing new project releases and/or will contribute to the overall community impact of SLICE. These featured guests participate in a workshop or lecture leading up to and during the expo. Karenza Sparks is a multidisciplinary designer, comics creator, animator, and fossil hunter from Cornwall. She has a particular interest in gamification, storytelling, interactive experiences, and participatory artworks. Sparks graduated from Kingston School in 2020 and is based in Cornwall. Her debut graphic novel, The Corus Wave, is releasing later this fall.
SLICE is excited to return to The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, following the building’s renovations scheduled for completion in fall 2025. The expo weekend kicks off with the Opening Night Reception on Friday, October 17, 6–10 p.m., in The Sheldon’s Ballroom. The reception will feature a panel discussion with SLICE’s special guests, the presentation of the second annual Local Best in Show Award, and a raffle prize. The reception is free to attend and open to the public.
The expo takes place the following day, October 18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., in The Sheldon’s Konneker Room. Programming throughout the day will include lectures and workshops by SLICE’s special and featured guests, as well as activities provided by local artists and organizations.
Happy summer! I write to you from the frozen pizza aisle at my local grocery store. This is where I live now. You may forward all mail to my Pizza Box. Speaking of mail: vendor applications are still open for SLICE 2025! Artists, writers, poets, cartoonists, zinesters, printmakers, and indie publishers of every slice are welcome. Apply now through July 15.
In the meantime, please join us for our July events! We've got Comics University, a Sketchcrawl at Saint Louis Zoo, and our monthly Drink & Draw at Alamo Drafthouse. We've also got a sneak peek of our first event in August: a Teen Risograph Demo at Melon Press.
All SLICE events are free and space is limited! RSVP to our Eventbrites to save your spot.
Vendor applications are open for SLICE 2025, taking place October 18 at The Sheldon. Apply now through July 15. We can't wait to see your work! Be sure to check out the Vendor Application FAQ on our website, or feel free to email us if you have any questions!
Comics University is back for its tenth year! This free summer educational series for Teen+ audiences runs June 11–July 23 at Betty's Books. Created by syndicated cartoonist Steenz, this is a program for adults who want to engage with and learn about comics from local professors, creators, scholars, and industry professionals.
Exciting tech update! SLICE is now able to offer livestreaming of our 2025 Comics University sessions! This is something we've hoped to do for many years and now you get to try it out with us. Head to our YouTube page for all livestream links and previous session recordings.
Wednesday, July 9—Comics University Session 4: Figure Drawing with Steenz
6:30–8:30 p.m. @ Webster Arts. 2 Summit Avenue.
Stretch your drawing muscles and do some figure drawing with St. Louis based cartoonist, editor, and professor Steenz! All skill levels welcome! Please note, this event takes place next door to Betty's Books.
Wednesday, July 16—Comics University Session 5: Comics Scripting with Ivy Noelle Weir
6:30–8:30 p.m. @ Betty's Books
Comics scripting is a vital skill when making comics with collaborators. Writer Ivy Noelle Weir will walk us through their process of comics writing with a Q&A afterwards! Following that, we'll do a comics scripting workshop learning the Standard Comic Script template.
Join SLICE for a sketchcrawl at the Saint Louis Zoo. We will meet inside of the south entrance at 9:00 a.m. before exploring the River's Edge trail. Bring your sketchbook, drawing tools, and comfy shoes for walking!
Wednesday, July 23—Comics University Session 6: 10 Years In - A Hot Ones-Inspired Conversation with Comics University Organizer Steenz
6:30–8:30 p.m. @ Betty's Books
Steenz started Comics University at Star Clipper Comics in 2013. Between three different venues (and a brief pandemic hiatus), Comics U has educated all ages on a variety of topics and tools. Comics University alum Mikkel Snyder will interview Comics U organizer Steenz in a Hot Ones-inspired conversation as they discuss the last 10 years and what makes Comics University such an enduring part of St. Louis summers.
You know the drill. Join your pals from SLICE for a casual evening of drawing. Pop in for a few drawing games or stick around to chat about the craft of comics. SLICE will be hosting monthly Drink & Draws on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7–9 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse STL, April through September. Mark your calendars!
Teens! Plot twist, this event is in August. Join us to learn about the unique mechanics of Risograph printing with Melon Press! Printmaster Sophia will teach us about the history of zines, how to fold one, and will run a demo of Melon Press's machine. Attendees will then create a one-page zine to print on the Risograph.
It is twelve past pepperoni. Windspeed, ten garlic knots. Weather conditions, balmy with a chance of cheddar. This can only mean one thing...
Vendor applications are now open for SLICE 2025! Artists, writers, poets, cartoonists, zinesters, printmakers, and indie publishers of every slice are welcome. Apply now through July 15.
St. Louis to me is more than just a city. It's a salty sweet, cardboard crust, square cut, burn-the-top-of-your-mouth-if-you're-not-careful, brick-oven slice of home.
I've loved many places, but nowhere's stuck with me quite like STL. I've searched all my comics and all my cookbooks to try to understand it. And while I can't say for certain what makes St. Louis, St. Louis, I do know its not-so-secret ingredient: a generous helping of supportive community.
They say the best recipes are made with love. Well, so are the best cities.
St. Louis, let's hang out. Below is a preview of some of the upcoming events this June. Comics University returns for its 10th year, running from June 11–July 23 at Betty's Books. We're also hosting a Teen Open Draw with Proud Art STL and a Photography Zine Program. And of course, there's our monthly Drink & Draw. Last, but not least, vendor applications open June 1!
All SLICE events are free and space is limited! RSVP to our Eventbrites to save your spot.
Teens—join us for a casual evening of doodling with your artistic peers at Girl Louie x GemU Vintage. Pop in for a few drawing games or stick around to chat about the craft of comics. Learn about other arts opportunities for teens in St. Louis from SLICE and Proud Art STL. Please bring your own sketchbook and drawing supplies.
Wednesday, June 11—Comics University Session 1: Comics Editorial with Amanda Meadows
6:30–8:30 p.m. @ Betty's Books
We're kicking off Comics University season with a conversation with comics editor Amanda Meadows! Learn what it takes to be an editor and why comic artists benefit from having them. From navigating censorship to rising material costs, Amanda will walk us through the always-changing editorial landscape.
Saturday, June 14—Seeing Other People: A Photography Zine Program
2–4 p.m. @ Swan Meadow. 3334 Louisiana Ave.
What does it mean to be seen? To allow others to be seen? What kind of reflections can we make about that dialogue between strangers? Join muralist and photographer Fatou Kabir at Swan Meadow to create your own photography zines based on these talking points. We'll be interacting with each other to facilitate a conversation about communication, collaboration, and affirming our own existence. Each attendee will leave with a photograph and their own handmade zine!
Wednesday, June 18—Comics University Session 2: Webcomics to Print! Author Spotlight: buttercup
6:30–8:30 p.m. @ Betty's Books
Webcomics are a great way to get your comic out there. But what about printing after the fact? Join us as comic creator buttercup walks us through the process of making their series UM from Radiator Comics. A Q&A will follow to discuss UM and Afrofuturism!
Wednesday, June 25—Comics University Session 3: Self-Publishing with Jim Ousley
6:30–8:30 p.m. @ Betty's Books
Self-publishing is a great way to step into the comics industry. Comics writer Jim Ousley will walk us through the ups and downs of self-publishing. Joining local comics collectives, crowdfunding, and pitching to publishers are all steps towards making your mark in the comics industry!
You know the drill. Join your pals from SLICE for a casual evening of drawing. Pop in for a few drawing games or stick around to chat about the craft of comics. SLICE will be hosting monthly Drink & Draws on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7–9 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse STL, April through September. Mark your calendars!
I just couldn't wait until May to tell you about these awesome events we have planned for you next month! Back by popular demand, we're partnering with Melon Press to offer another Risograph Workshop—this time making one-page zines. We're also hosting two outdoor events—one with Bad Drawing Club and another Feathered Friends Sketchcrawl with Dan Zettwoch. And don't forget about Free Comic Book Day on May 3 and our monthly Drink & Draw!
All SLICE events are free and space is limited! RSVP to our Eventbrites to save your spot.
SLICE is celebrating Free Comic Book Day at Betty's Books! We're making comics and zines with you at our table from 3–5 p.m. You can also chat with local creators from 1–4 p.m., pick up your copy of their free Community Zine Vol. 4, and nab free single-issue comics all day.
Create and Riso print your own one-page folding zine at Melon Press! Using provided collage and drawing materials (or you can bring your own), printmaster Sophia will guide you through using a risograph printer to put the entire zine together.
Saturday, May 10—Sculpture Drawing with Bad Drawing Club
1–3 p.m. @ Saint Louis Art Museum Sculpture Garden
Join Bad Drawing Club and SLICE for an afternoon of hanging out with and drawing sculptures at the sculpture garden in Saint Louis Art Museum! Bring your drawing materials, pose with the sculptures, draw the garden, relax in the outdoors.
Bad Drawing Club is an informal group for people of marginalized genders who like to draw. Children are welcome if their adult is also present with them.
Join us for some sketchy fun around Forest Park with professional cartoonist/extremely amateur birder Dan Zettwoch. We'll meet in front of the Saint Louis Art Museum bright and early at 8 a.m. Bring a sketchbook, drawing tools, and binoculars if you have a pair.
Join your pals from SLICE for a casual evening of drawing. Pop in for a few drawing games or stick around to chat about the craft of comics. SLICE will be hosting monthly Drink & Draws on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7–9 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse STL, April through September. Mark your calendars!
