In partnership with ARPress, Kevin E. Allison, author of “Gladiator Bots,” held a successful book signing event during the 2025 Los Angeles Festival of Books (LATFOB) at the University of Southern California.
The 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (LATFOB), held on April 26–27 at the University of Southern California (USC), was a significant cultural event that brought together a diverse array of participants and marked its 30th anniversary with a vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and community. The festival is known for attracting a large crowd each year. For instance, the 2024 festival drew over 150,000 attendees, and the 2025 event featured more than 550 writers, experts, and storytellers, along with hundreds of exhibitors.
The festival featured over 100 ticketed author events, children’s storytelling sessions, poetry readings, book signings, and more than 400 exhibitor booths. Notable participants in the 2025 festival included authors such as Stacey Abrams, Jon M. Chu, Amanda Gorman, Chelsea Handler, Ibram X. Kendi, and Rebecca Yarros, among many others. The festival’s success was also attributed to the generous involvement of volunteers who assisted with various aspects of the event, including welcoming attendees, staffing author events, and supervising book signings.
LATFOB 2025 emphasized accessibility and community involvement. General admission was free, with select programming requiring tickets. The festival’s partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs ensured that a wide range of activities were available to attendees of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a welcoming environment for literary enthusiasts and families alike.
Kevin E. Allison is a multi-talented artist whose creative pursuits span across literature, film, and visual storytelling. A storyteller at heart, Allison brings a unique voice and fresh perspective to topics often mired in divisive rhetoric. He is also the author of other works, such as the graphic novel trilogy Gladiator Bots and the upcoming historical fiction Allensworth.
A man who hates technology is forced to fight Gladiator Bots. But the more he wins, the less human he becomes. Jericho must face off against his nemesis, Dommick Everbleed, in order to save the kingdom-and the beautiful and vivacious Princess Halation-from his tyrannical takeover. But as his human parts continuously become replaced with machines, will Jericho become a hero or a mind-controlled villain?
Kevin E. Allison’s “Gladiator Bots” is a gripping and imaginative graphic novel that seamlessly fuses high-octane action, sci-fi worldbuilding, and a profound examination of what it means to be human in a dystopian future. At its heart is Jericho, a solitary warrior thrust into brutal battles against robotic foes, confronting questions of identity and transformation as each triumph pulls him further from his humanity.
Allison’s background in film production shines through in the novel’s cinematic detail and pacing. His exploration of the human condition amid technological domination elevates “Gladiator Bots” beyond a typical sci-fi adventure, offering a timely reflection on our evolving relationship with machines.
For readers who crave visually striking art, complex storytelling, and intellectually engaging themes, “Gladiator Bots” is a standout. Available in both print and digital editions, it’s a must-read for anyone seeking a bold and unforgettable sci-fi experience.
Watch the book trailer and be captivated by this exciting graphic novel:
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