Thousands of new and vintage comics, along with all the great collectibles that go along with them, will be on display Sunday in Marietta during the River City Comic Con.
Jordan Lowe, owner of Asylum Comics, one of the sponsors of the convention, said more than 15 vendors from around the region are expected for the event.
Also, several local writers and artists are expected to be on hand to share their works, including James Patrick, of Vienna, W.Va, who currently writes for DC Comics.
Article Photos
BRAD BAUER The Marietta Times
Asylum Comics owner Jordan Lowe looks over some comics this week at his Muskingum Drive business in Marietta. Lowe is sponsoring a comic convention this Sunday at the Washington County Fairgrounds, the first of its kind locally in nearly a decade.
"It has been about a decade since we've had a show like this in this area," Lowe said. "People kept asking me if anyone was ever going to do one again -they were very popular and fondly remembered - and I finally decided to put it together."
The event is set to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Junior Fair Building at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Admission is $2 for adults and children 8 and under are free.
"Unlike some of the conventions in larger cities, we're really striving to be a family friendly event," Lowe said.
Fact Box
River City Comic Con
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Junior Fair Building, Washington County Fairgrounds, Front Street, Marietta.
Cost: Adults: $2; Children under 8: free.
Special attractions to include:
More than 15 vendors with thousands of comics.
Coloring and drawing contests.
Face painting.
Costume contests.
James Patrick, a local resident who writes for DC Comics, including Batman and Green Arrow, is expected to attend and meet with fans.
For information: www.rivercitycomiccon.com
The convention includes costume contests (for children and adults) and contests for writing and drawing. Also, there will be face painting and a caricature drawings for children.
Cliff Barnes, 32, of Marietta, said his passion for comics was renewed four or five years ago when his son, now 10, started reading.
"He was really not interested in reading, so we used comics as a gateway into getting him interested," he said. "I would read things he picked out ahead of time to make sure they were appropriate and now I end up buying a couple of things every month."
Barnes said he is planning to attend the convention, although he isn't sure he'll be in costume.
"Hopefully some people will dress up. I know that's a big draw at some of the bigger conventions and I think the kids would really like that," he said.
August Mason, 16, of Marietta, has been reading and collecting comics for the past six years. He said he hopes to attend the convention.
"When I started middle school, I met some other kids who liked comics and I started reading a lot more," he said.
Six years later, Mason said he's got a room full of comics and a job mowing lawns to help support his habit.
"There's really not enough room for them all in my bedroom and my mom thinks I'm wasting all my money," he said. "But I really like them. Over a series of 10 issues you'll see something drastic happen that really changes a character's persona and it makes you keep coming back for more."
Patrick, who is slated to be a special guest at the event, has been a comic writer for 10 years. His most recent work has been included in Batman, Green Arrow and Larry Blake issues.
"I'm excited, mostly because we haven't had one of these in the area in so long," he said. "Plus, there's really a budding comic creating population that is really coming on now. There are a lot of people in this area making comics and this is a good opportunity for them to shine."
