To the Comic Book Community & The City of Compton,

My name is Ray-Anthony Height. To my peers, editors, and fans in the comic industry, you know me as an artist and a writer, the creator of Midnight Tiger, the founder of Studio Skye-Tiger, and someone who has spent nearly two decades drawing and crafting stories for Marvel, DC, Image, and other indie publishers.

But to the people of Compton, Hub City is where my story began. This show is for the kid that I used to be growing up in Compton, a total comic book nerd who had never seen anyone from his own city actually doing this job.

I am being completely transparent with you because we are in a pressing situation. I really wish I didn't have to put out an emergency appeal like this. It is a heavy thing to admit, but we are short exactly $8,000 to totally fund this convention, and we have run out of time.

The baseline vision for this expo is real, it is verified, and it is deeply rooted in our city's leadership.

When I met Compton Mayor Emma Sharif and as she looked over my industry credits, she looked at me in total surprise and asked, "Why haven't you been recognized by the city of Compton for all of your accomplishments in the comic book industry?" She was incredibly excited to meet a hometown creator doing this work on a global scale. When we brought her the idea of launching a comic convention right here in Compton, she and 1st District Councilmember Deidre Duhart were absolutely ecstatic.

Because of that shared vision, myself, Marcus D. Newsome, and Jamal Anansi were formally awarded an official City Proclamation for our work and commitment to our community. We built this with the city's highest blessing, alongside the incredible team at the Compton 125th Historical Society, who stepped up to facilitate our vital connection to Compton College.

Beyond my work on the page, my most important role is serving as a mentor to every single creator at Studio Skye-Tiger and to countless rising talents beyond it. Recently, Studio Skye-Tiger went to visit Compton High School several times. The outpouring of love and the raw excitement from those kids was absolutely fantastic. They are huge fans, just like I was at that age. Because of that incredible energy, my friends and colleagues across the comic industry, pros who have grown to know my work, my reputation, and my heart as a mentor, all reached out because they wanted to be a part of this expo. They are coming to Compton specifically to show these kids exactly how far they can climb in this industry, no matter their background.

From day one, our mission was to make the Compton Comics Expo a completely free event for the general public. We refused to let the astronomical costs of other major comic conventions keep our community locked out. The only things that carry a cost are artist table fees and a few select VIP tickets, otherwise, any family or kid in Compton can walk right in for free. We believe in this so deeply that we were completely willing to pay out of pocket and request sponsorship from willing and able companies to make it happen.

But a convention cannot run without the structural floor staff to support it.

To be upfront about where this money goes: Our largest expenses are the on-site staff, safety security, parking passes, and equipment provided directly by Compton College. We desperately need the security and operational team the college provides to keep this event safe, professional, and accessible.

The administration at Compton College has been truly fantastic! They have done everything in their power to reduce and discount these costs for us, but the remaining balance is still outstanding, and the school must be paid.

We have been blessed with incredible backing. Fantastic partners like Illuminous and Ignition Press have jumped on board our one-day mega event to sponsor us. Having these two powerhouse entities in comics stand beside us is a massive sign of solidarity between our creative communities, and we are profoundly grateful. But despite their amazing generosity, it just wasn't enough to get us to the point where we are financially safe.

We completely understand that there is a widespread financial crisis happening right now. Times are tough for everyone, and that is precisely why we are at a point where every single little bit helps us. It'll be just a bit of fun and sunshine we could all use right now.

That said, it's come to this vexing crossroads. Our expo is locked in for Saturday, October 24th. ,but due to strict institutional deadlines, we must have these remaining funds ready by Friday, October 23rd to pay Compton College and secure our contract. If we cannot close this gap in the next seven days, the venue may not allow us move forward with setup, and the entire convention will be canceled.

This means everything to everybody at Studio Skye-Tiger, to Marcus, to Jamal, to the Compton 125th Historical Society, to every artist connected to the event, and most importantly, to the kids, fans, and potential next generation creators who are counting down the days. We desperately need your assistance to make this dream a reality, not just for us, but for the community looking forward to it.

To my Comic Book Family: You know my reputation and you know my heart. We have a generation of kids at Compton High and across the Compton Unified School District waiting for us to open this gateway to adventure for them. I am asking my fellow pros, studios, publishers, and fans to rally behind us so we can show up for them.

To the City of Compton: This is a platform built to elevate our youth and show them a world without limits. We refuse to let a corporate funding hurdle shut down a day of pride, mentorship, and boundless creativity for our kids.

Every single dollar raised goes directly to satisfying the Compton College contract and the remaining elements needed to create a full experience and so the doors can open on October 24th.

How you can join the rescue mission right now:

1. Donate: No amount is too small. In a financial crisis, a $5 or $10 donation is just as powerful as a large corporate check. Every bit builds the bridge.

2. Share with Urgency: Time is ticking down to Friday the 23rd. Share this link on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, and with your creative networks.

3. Studio & Civic Sponsorships: If you are a publisher, studio, or business leader who wants to join Illuminous, Ignition Press, and the Compton 125th Historical Society in protecting a safe, free space for Compton's youth, please reach out to me immediately.

I’ve spent my career drawing heroes who save the day when everything looks impossible. Right now, I need the comic book community, the City of Compton, and everyone who believes in the power of stories to be those heroes! Let’s hit this goal by Friday the 23rd and make this dream a reality.

With respect and gratitude,

Ray-Anthony Height

Artist, Writer, Mentor & Director of Compton Comics Expo