Timo Kähkönen, illustrator (b. 1970) is a self-taught comic artist and illustrator. Timo’s thriller-themed comic album Synkkä ja myrskyinen yö (Dark and Stormy Night) was published in 1996. He is also known for his designs of the Eurospar supermarket cartoon characters and electronic postcards for Sonera Plaza. Other clients have included Nokia Mobile Phones, Nokia Networks, Hartwall, Upofloor, OAJ, Fazer, Raisio, Ensto and Marttaliitto. His work has been published in Helsingin Sanomat, Ilta-Sanomat, the Finnish version of Mad Magazine, Opettaja magazine, and Tekniikka&Talous magazine. He has taught comic art courses and given lectures for all ages from elementary school to university-level and drawn more than 50 portraits for private individuals. Additional information in Finnish.
		Vesa Ilmaranta, writer (b. 1960) holds a Master of Arts (TaM) in art and design. He has taught comic art at the Aalto University School of Art and Design and the Kerava School of Visual Arts. At the Laajasalo Academy in Helsinki, he teaches visual communication and graphic design. Ilmaranta has also lectured at the University of Lapland and the Lahti Design Institute. Ilmaranta has scripted the following comic strips, among others: Poke (Iltasanomat 1986), Mr. Muti (Uusi Suomi 1989), Elukat (Eläinmaailma 1994-2001), Käytettyä Tavaraa (Suomen Kuvalehti 2000-2001). He has published four comic albums and designed a comic for an Alepa supermarket chain advertising campaign.
Pictures (c) 2002 Jouko Rönkkö/Maaseudun Tulevaisuus