Fan Expo Canada 2025 is on now and runs through Sunday, August 24. There’s so much to see and do – check out our preview in the most recent episode of Biff Bam Pop! Presents…here. As part of our coverage, we had a chance to talk to a few artists who will be on hand throughout the weekend.
Katie Sawatsky is a Toronto-based artist and designer in the gaming industry, although she has also been known to moonlight as a character designer and pre-vis concept artist. Her additional background in fashion and children’s education helps round out both her visual talents and her measured approach to problem solving and design. She has worked with Netflix, IDW, Image comics, Little Blackstone Studios, Glu, The RAID Studio, and Bogwalker Studio. She is currently preparing to release her next graphic novel, Blackmouth, alongside writer Kyle J Smith.
Andy Burns: How psyched are you for 4 days of Fan Expo?
Katie Sawatsky: I’m pretty stoked! This will be a big one for me, with my first solo graphic novel debuting. It’s a four-day convention, so being excited about it is necessary!
Andy Burns: Have you ever attended the show as a fan? If so, what was your experience like?
Katie Sawatsky: It’s funny, but I never attended a comic convention until I forced myself to get involved as an artist. But I still felt like a fan — and acted like it!
Andy Burns: When you get a table at a con, be it Fan Expo or any others, do you set any goals or expectations in mind as to what you want to come away with?
Katie Sawatsky: I try not to set any financial goals. You’ll lose your head trying to predict what’s gonna sell like hotcakes, and what’s gonna be passed over each season. I do set “soft” goals, like meeting new people, finding new artists, new books, and just trying to have a great time myself. Everything works itself out after that.
Andy Burns: You’ve been working on a new graphic novel. What can you tell us about Blackmouth?
Katie Sawatsky: Blackmouth — which is finally out! — is a gothic horror graphic novel, in three parts. The first book, The Witch’s Mark, sets up our world, our characters, and our central mystery. Broadly, our goal was to make a book that both Kyle J Smith (the writer) would want to buy ourselves. It’s influenced by properties like the film Crimson Peak, games like Dark Souls, and the deep dark horrors hiding behind every nook and cranny in the town.
Andy Burns: If you manage to get any time away from your table, is there anything you’re hoping to check out at Fan Expo this year?
Katie Sawatsky: I just found out that Timothy Zahn is sitting across from our table! I will have to stand up and get in line for him. I’m going to bring an ooooold copy of Star Wars: Dark Empire for him to sign.
You can find Katie Sawatsky at Fan Expo Canada 2025, now through Sunday.
