Hi, my name is Adian Dobyns and I am a 2023 Columbus Fellow hosted at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC). I am a recent graduate from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology. In the fall I will be continuing my education at the University of California, Irvine, where I will be part of their sociology graduate program. 

CXC is a free-to-attend arts festival taking place in the fall, with a focus on cartooning, graphic novels, animation, and other related cartoon media. CXC differs from other conventions or festivals in that it focuses on the creators of comics and related works, such as artists and writers, rather than the pop-culture surrounding their creations. CXC works closely with both acclaimed and nationally recognized artists as well as up-and-coming artists based in Columbus, OH, to create a culturally enriching environment that is accessible to all, creator and fan alike.

This week I was fortunate enough to participate in the CXC Season Announcement, where the Special Guest line-up for CXC 2023 was announced. This was a very exciting event, where prominent creators and passionate fans gathered to celebrate CXC and the continual growth CXC has experienced over the years. A total of 20 special guests were announced, but I wanted to highlight one in particular, whom I feel is emblematic of the goals and impacts of CXC. Keito Gaku is a Japanese artist and writer, and the creator of Boys Run the Riot. Keito Gaku is a transgender man, and his manga tells the story of a transgender high school boy who struggles with social acceptance, finding an outlet for self expression through street fashion. Despite being his debut work, Boys Run the Riot has found critical success, and has done much to elevate the voices and experiences of transgender people in media. His appearance at CXC this fall will be Keito Gaku’s first at a comics event in the United States.

CXC was founded on the idea of bringing together creators and fans and facilitating real, genuine connections. I find that the involvement of Keito Gaku in this year’s CXC is both representative of how the reputation of CXC as a place welcoming to artists and creatives has grown and an act of reaffirming the mission of inclusion, connection, and cultivation of creative talent. I am certain that there are countless Columbus-based talents who have been personally impacted or inspired by Keito Gaku’s work, and I am glad to be a part of the organization that is able to facilitate their future connection.