Comic Researcher, Maker and Senior Lecturer of Game Design
Ray (he/him/any) did a truly odd thing and became a Doctor of Comic-Making and Studies after receiving his PhD. on the topic at Wits University in 2025. Prior to that, he has worked in the comic and animation industry for 20 years on top of being a lecturer of Digital Arts and Game Design for 18 years. His portfolio includes clients ranging from Star Wars to Corey Taylor and his research has spanned everything from why Spider-Man should only ever be in animated films through to Warhammer 40k as a space of flow states. His PhD. looked into his own practice as a comic maker and how being born and raised in Johannesburg became pivotal to everything from the way he writes and draws through to how the Daily Sun headlines (which he 'borrowed' from lampposts) helped him create his narratives.
Currently employed as a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University in Sweden, Ray continues teaching the making process of comics, as well as collaborating with pan-African creators on a variety of projects. Ray worked with Moray and many others to build and grow SA's comic community from its earliest days and served as an advisor on the inaugural Comic Con Africa. The other hat (of many) he wears is assisting with the Artist Alley Curation alongside the Comic Con Team for both CCCT and CCA, as well as emceeing panel and guest talks at the events.
Meet your MC duo for the Artist Alley stage! Ray Whitcher and Moray Rhoda are two of South Africa's most respected voices in comics and sequential art. Between them, they bring decades of experience as creators, educators, and community builders — from co-founding SA's earliest comic collectives to representing the country on the international stage at San Diego Comic Con. Ray holds a PhD in Comic-Making and Studies from Wits University and currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University in Sweden, while Moray continues to champion independent comics through his Creating Comics Workshop and a career spanning landmark publications and major cultural events. Join them for a fan briefing that sets the scene for everything the Artist Alley has to offer this weekend.
Meet your MC duo for the Artist Alley stage! Ray Whitcher and Moray Rhoda are two of South Africa's most respected voices in comics and sequential art. Between them, they bring decades of experience as creators, educators, and community builders — from co-founding SA's earliest comic collectives to representing the country on the international stage at San Diego Comic Con. Ray holds a PhD in Comic-Making and Studies from Wits University and currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University in Sweden, while Moray continues to champion independent comics through his Creating Comics Workshop and a career spanning landmark publications and major cultural events. Join them for a fan briefing that sets the scene for everything the Artist Alley has to offer this weekend.
Meet your MC duo for the Artist Alley stage! Ray Whitcher and Moray Rhoda are two of South Africa's most respected voices in comics and sequential art. Between them, they bring decades of experience as creators, educators, and community builders — from co-founding SA's earliest comic collectives to representing the country on the international stage at San Diego Comic Con. Ray holds a PhD in Comic-Making and Studies from Wits University and currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University in Sweden, while Moray continues to champion independent comics through his Creating Comics Workshop and a career spanning landmark publications and major cultural events. Join them for a fan briefing that sets the scene for everything the Artist Alley has to offer this weekend.
Meet your MC duo for the Artist Alley stage! Ray Whitcher and Moray Rhoda are two of South Africa's most respected voices in comics and sequential art. Between them, they bring decades of experience as creators, educators, and community builders — from co-founding SA's earliest comic collectives to representing the country on the international stage at San Diego Comic Con. Ray holds a PhD in Comic-Making and Studies from Wits University and currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University in Sweden, while Moray continues to champion independent comics through his Creating Comics Workshop and a career spanning landmark publications and major cultural events. Join them for a fan briefing that sets the scene for everything the Artist Alley has to offer this weekend.
Verteran South African comic makers, Moray Rhoda and Dr Ray Whitcher invite you to attend a special crash course in comic making. Over a two hour workshop, you'll be shown everything you need to know to write and make a comic and then work with the team to draw your own story. The comics will be collected into a special Zine (a mini comic) that will be printed and available at the show! Most importantly, no artistic or writing experience is needed, just a passion for comics. We recommend that the minimum age of participation is 10 (with a guardian). Spaces are limited to 20 participants, so make sure to register before joining us! RSVP HERE
