Born in 1939, Michael Moorcock is an award-winning English writer of science fiction, literary fiction and fantasy as well as an editor and accomplished musician, having recorded with, among others, Hawkwind, Deep Fix and Blue Oyster Cult. Over his career Moorcock has created a literal pantheon of legendary characters, including Jerry Cornelius, Corum, and Erekosë while his most famous creation remains Elric of Melniboné, who first appeared in the novella The Dreaming City published in 1961. Elric has gone on to appear in at least 12 books, as well as scores of comics & roleplaying games and has also been the inspiration of several albums and songs. Moorcock’s editorial career began at the age of 17 editing Tarzan Adventures, and in 1964 he became the editor of New Worlds magazine where he spearheaded a ‘New Wave’ in science fiction. Although Moorcock did not coin the word ‘multiverse’, he was, however, the  first sf author to adopt it as a concept, coincidentally at the same time as David Deutsch. The Many-Worlds theory was first described in fiction by H.G.Wells. Moorcock first described his more complex Multiverse in his 1963 novel, The Sundered Worlds.  His version of the Multiverse has become the standard adopted in science fiction and fantasy as well as by certain physicists and mathematicians.

Born in 1946, Walt Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist best known for his four-year run on Marvel Comics’ Thor, where he created fan favourite character Beta Ray Bill and for his creator owned series Star Slamers. He also worked on Marvel’s X-Factor, The Fantastic Four as well as DC Comics’ Detective Comics, Manhunter, Metal Men. During his long career, Walter has worked for every major comic book publisher from Dark Horse to Image and IDW. He also drew the legendary Alien comic adaptation. And since winning the 1973 Outstanding New Talent has gone on to win numerous awards culminating in the 2022 Inkwell Award.