Guests of Honor
Writer Guest of Honor: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
Ursula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher is the author and illustrator of far more projects than is probably healthy. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called “Digger” and various short stories and other odds and ends.
The daughter of an artist, she spent her youth attempting to rebel, but eventually succumbed to the siren song of paint (although not before getting a degree in anthropology.) Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, went to college at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in New Mexico, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her website is: https://redwombatstudio.com/
Digger webcomic link: https://diggercomic.com/
Artist: Benton Jew
Benton Jew is a professional illustrator / storyboard artist / comic artist living in Los Angeles, CA. His interest in drawing started early on. As youngsters, he and his twin brother Anson drew comics and made their own films. Benton began working professionally as an illustrator by the time he was 16; and had a multi-award winning run as an editorial cartoonist for his junior college paper.
He then went to The Academy of Art / USF in San Francisco; and in 1988, after art school, started working at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) where he became a Visual Effects Art Director. Benton stayed at ILM for 13 years, providing art and design for commercials, attractions and feature films including: Ghostbusters 2, The Mask, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Men In Black 1 & 2. In 2000, he directed an award winning short horror film titled The Collector.
He and his fiancée Deana left the Bay Area on Sept. 11, 2001 and relocated to Los Angeles, where he decided to go freelance. After joining the local storyboard union, he worked on such high profile films as: Terminator 3, The Incredible Hulk, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Logan and Wonder Woman.
In his spare time, he has created his own self-published comics; as well as having worked on comics for independent publishers including “Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology,” “Komikswerks: Chills & Thrills,” “The Adventures of Unemployed Man” and “Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave #3.” He has also done work for Marvel Comics contributing comic art on both the “Agents of Atlas” and the “She-Hulk” series.His website is: https://www.bentonjew.com/
Music Guest of Honor: Lynn Gold
Tech Writer, Broadcast Reporter, Musician, Comedian, Geek.
A Bay Area fan and filker who has worked on numerous events. She is a member of BASFA and president of Fanfare Music, the parent organization of Consonance, a Filk Music convention. She was also the Loscon 28 Fan Guest of Honor.
Here is a fun video to share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukVAP6A4Pmc
Fan: Tadao Tomomatsu
Parts Made in Japan-Assembly in the USA
A work of Science Fiction/Fantasy/etc.?
Long ago…no no not that far away. An Origin Story?
Tadao was manufactured with parts from Japan and assembled in the U.S.A.. The confusing part was the Apple OS in a PC system…or was that the other way around?
Not so typically: Father – Renaissance Scientist of the ages
Mother – Professor of Japanese/Culture/Professional Translator.
And that all blew up when the family in Japan took pity and sent Japanese toys before they became worldwide wonders.
Fascinated by giant robots, science ninja’s super equipment fighting the aliens. And growing up a bit of a TV head; Watching PBS, Dr.Who, Danny Kaye and John Wayne didn’t help. May have confused people more in schools when the southern accent would pop out. Or British…followed by Scottish…(don’t ask).
And theater was a downfall…or was it being a Radio DJ in Chicago that no one knew about? “A great face for radio..”
Then California bound: Actor, singer, dancer (sometimes) stunts – various. Entertainer, MC, impersonator, props, sets, even a period of Director, Writer, Producer even a comedian with weekly times at The Laugh Factory and The Comedy store back in the day.
With some of the strangest stories – ask sometime about:
How he was not Japanese enough for the movie Pearl Harbor. ONE of MANY… le sigh.
Some of the highlights in Hollyweird;
- Mr.Shake-Hands Man – USA/2: For the British/American TV Show “BANZAI”. A game show of various segments. Mr. Shake-Hands Man would shake hands with celebs on the Red Carpet and how long would he shake hands…you had to guess.
- Maybe even a Baby Septuplet on the Tonight Show.
- A bewildered tourist in Inspector Gadget.
- NYPD Translator in “HEROES” and yes, oddly with the Speaking roles. Makes him BOTH a DC And Marvel Character and you can find his profile in the HEROES graphic novel.
- And the least recognized. Was on CyberRadioTV.com – the world’s first 24hr. internet “radio” station. Groundbreaking and innovation provided and Ideas from Tadao, which was kind of a base for all other internet shows to eventually things like YouTube and other online productions. Alas not much credit.
On the Fannish side;
- Was a Con-Chair for Loscon in LA. Even Relaxacons for LASFS.
- MC, Toastmaster, Auctioneer. Host or even Booth babe (it’s for Worldcon in Anaheim in 2026).
- Working at Gallifrey One (yarp Dr.Who). and a “Guardian of the TARDIS”. They were never clear tho if it was the White or Black Guardian. Wait? Wrong show?? Um…
- Or even working Labyrinth of Jarreth Masquerade (LOJ). Either, onstage with the vaudeville stylings of the Goblins. To small crafty service for the rest of the actors, er I mean elves, sypher royals, mermaids, elementals or even a dragon or three…or am I patching up the knights? The attendees?? Er, never mind.
Mostly retired from acting. He has taken over his father’s works. As Dr. Hideo Tomomatsu and Prof. Yuko Tomomatsu had many scientific works since their passings. So now very science adjacent.
Happily finds Loscon to be one of his home conventions and happy to have some chosen family time.
And Thanks everyone for their time, efforts, support for putting up with me or at least keeping science fiction and fantasy alive and well… 😊