Special Guests Stars of the Great Lakes

  • Ivy MagicianGirl

    Is a Michigan cosplayer celebrated for her vibrant designs and her standout Dark Magician Girl cosplay. With skills in sewing, foam crafting, and content creation, she brings anime, Yu-Gi-Oh!, DC, and One Piece characters to life with energetic color, precision, and personality. Her social presence continues to grow rapidly thanks to her fun, fan-focused approach.

  • J.R. Harris & Artsmith Press

    An independent artist & publisher delivering original stories, comics, and art. Known throughout the Midwest convention circuit, J.R. Harris is a creator of the highest tier and champions independent creativity.

  • Lifeas.Storm.Cos

    Making her convention & festival debut, Lifeas.Storm.Cos is known for bold transformations, expressive character work, and high-energy social content across Instagram and TikTok. She brings both passion and creativity to every build, connecting deeply with fans through style, humor, and dedication to the craft.

Kitty Lizzie Cosplay

Is an award-winning Michigan horror and fantasy cosplayer with over a decade of costume crafting and character design experience. Known for her detailed builds, expressive makeup work, and love of darker genres, she brings monsters, myths, and legends to life with cinematic quality.

Bryan Donihue

The One-Legged GM, is the creator of the Hidden Worlds Refined Core and the HW20 Game System. A published author, tabletop designer, graphic artist, consultant, and multi-business owner, Bryan brings decades of diverse experience; security, ministry, retail, and more. All of which he pores into his storytelling. Known for his humor, creativity, and relentless work ethic, he continues to write, design, and build worlds that fans love exploring.

Belle Bunni Designs

Michigan-based cosplayer, designer, and artisan with over 25 years of sewing experience and two decades in the cosplay community. A fashion product development student at Academy of Art University, Randi is celebrated for her craftsmanship, charity involvement, and dedication to kindness within fandom spaces. She appears at conventions as a cosplay guest, panelist, and contest judge, and creates costumes not only for herself but for her whole family, including her dogs.

Julio A. Guerra

Is an award-winning illustrator whose bold, high-energy style has appeared with companies such as Printed In Blood, Upper Deck, AfterShock Comics, AEW, Pro Wrestling Tees, and more. His work has been showcased nationwide—including on TBS, TNT, and major pay-per-view broadcasts. With over a decade of professional experience, Julio brings expressive storytelling and striking visual impact to both original creations and licensed worlds.

Rimura Love

A lifelong lover of anime and cosplay, Rimua set out to create a place where “underachievers and A-class” fans could celebrate side by side. Her vision of a judgment-free, high-energy space for creatives led to the launch of Anime FreakNik in 2024, a fast-growing event focused on culture, community, and radical inclusivity.

Matt Feazell

A Michigan cartoonist best known for The Amazing Cynicalman, a character he first introduced in 1980 and has developed across comics, books, and even a feature film. His minimalist “iconic” style was highlighted in Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud as a perfect example of cartooning fundamentals. Matt’s work has been featured in Disney Adventures, Nickelodeon Magazine, and numerous publishers throughout his long career.

Raven Disdain

Making her first ever debut, Rave Is a gothic performance icon born from the shadows of a forgotten theater. Equal parts elegance and rebellion, she blends Victorian aesthetic, punk attitude, and alt-rock sound into a persona that feels both timeless and electric. A curator of all things eerie and theatrical, Raven commands stages with hypnotic vocals and a presence fans revere. She is a living embodiment of legacy, style, and creative darkness.

T.S. Luther

The comic writer behind The Digger (Invader Comics) and Tokyo Fire (Professional Entropy). Known for storytelling that blends action, tension, and heart, T.S. appears at conventions across the region selling his comics, scripts, original art prints, and series merch.

Force Against Hunger

A long-running, Star Wars–themed charity initiative that began in 2010 with the mission of teaching community responsibility and helping local families in need. Created by Master Weir and fueled by volunteer passion, the event transforms their dojang into a fully immersive galactic adventure each year. Their fundraising efforts have provided hundreds of Thanksgiving meals and thousands of Toys for Tots donations, making it one of the region’s most impactful fan-driven charity traditions.

CCW

CCW (City Championship Wrestling) is one of Michigan’s most exciting independent wrestling promotions, known for high-energy live events, charismatic performers, and a passionate fanbase rooted right in New Baltimore. Led by promoter Paul Bowser (aka the Cat Daddy), CCW blends old-school storytelling with modern showmanship, creating family-friendly spectacles that engage both longtime wrestling fans and brand-new audiences.

CCW regularly partners with local community organizations, small businesses, and fan conventions to bring wrestling entertainment into new spaces; including their special Heroes vs. Villains Cosplay Matches exclusively for the Great Lakes Comic & Anime Fest.