Reiko Murakami was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1982. She studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. She works as a concept artist and illustrator specializing in surreal fantasy and horror characters. Her website is www.reikomurakami.com.

Euclase, also known by her real name Elicia Donze, was born in 1980 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. Euclase is a self-taught artist who has been drawing her favorite characters from films and television shows for over twenty-five years. As a child, she would drive her parents crazy by watching the same movies over and over again way too early on Saturday mornings, sometimes hitting pause on the VCR so she could sketch the characters right off the screen.

Some of the most innovative and talented queer creators are represented here. The field of speculative fiction is richer because of their contributions. Wait until you see C. Bedford’s clean design and evocative imagery; Paige Braddock’s powerful visual storytelling; Isabel Collier’s compelling, futuristic style; Odera Igbokwe’s potent and fluid expressions; Steen’s superb line and composition awareness; and Orion Zangara’s lush, lush ink work.

Li Shuxing was born in 1983 in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, China. He graduated from East China Normal University. He works as a videogame concept artist and illustrator. He currently lives and works in Shanghai, China. Visit blog.sina.com.cn/u/1771750633 to view more of his works.

Elena Bespalova was born in 1986 in Moscow, Russia. She graduated from the 1905 Memorial Moscow College of Art. She has worked as a lead character artist for the fantasy MMORPG Allods Online. She is currently working on various freelance projects and a graphic novel. She lives and works in Moscow, Russia. Visit hellstern.deviantart.com to learn more.

Chance plays a major role in my compositions — sometimes it’s the only thing to fall back on when my imagination fails me and all my ideas start to look the same. Studying natural, randomized elements like tree bark or smoke helps remind me that shapes don’t need to be precise or carefully planned to be beautiful — borrowing from these sketches and snapshots provides a wealth of new ideas.

When given the choice, I definitely prefer to do something more hopeful overall. There is enough cynicism in the world as it is, and I want to try to make sure that I’m putting positive things out into the world instead of adding to the cynicism. When I do draw something darker or sadder or violent, I try to have a thematic or narrative purpose, and not make something dark just for the sake of being dark.