Local Comic Conventions To Heat Up

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File Photo from last year’s Comic Convention

Promoting literacy in a single bound, a familiar face to local comic conventioneers is at it again.

Christmas Comic Con organizer Mike Michalski’s super power may be to bring comic book fans together. After planning two successful comic book conventions in December, he’s currently organizing the annual event (C3-3) while branching out into a different season.

On Sunday, August 17th, Super Summer Comic Con will get its own origin story. Presented in partnership with St. Clair College, the event will take over their main campus’ gymnasium.

Despite targeting a different demographic than C3-3, Michalski feels this show is just as important.

“The convention is different in scope and aim to that of our Christmas Comic Con, in that it will offer free admission as part of St. Clair College’s Family Fun Day,” he said. “[It’s] an outstanding annual event that I’m very pleased to be a part of. We see this as yet another way – just as when we offer free admission to anyone 10 and under at the Christmas Comic Con – of reaching young people and trying to turn them on to reading. It’s a lifelong habit you simply don’t outgrow. If comic books can be the conduit for that, fantastic.”

Aside from free admission, highlights include guests such as Shuster Award-winning children’s comic book writer J Torres, Dynamite Comics/Xenoscope Comics artist Johnny Desjardins, GlassMonkey Studios’ creator/artist April Fawler and children’s comic book writer, cartoonist and toy maker, Sam Noir. Windsor’s own Comic Book Syndicate will be taping segments live at the show as well.

Super Summer Comic Con is raising money with several raffles too. Many prizes will be on display and a portion of all proceeds go to the W.E. Care for Kids foundation.

It wouldn’t be a Windsor comic convention without a costume contest either. With Border City Comics donating gift certificates, people can compete in homemade and purchased categories. Pre-judging takes place before the event and, along with audience feedback, Comic Book Syndicate’s Mike Poirier and Christmas Comic Con 2 winner Dave “Iron Man” Kucharski will pick the best entries.

For those just wanting to shop however, dozens of vendors will be selling everything from comic books and vintage toys to movie posters and collectables. Popular items from past conventions like manga and anime will also be brought-in.

It’s all a testament to Windsor’s growing comic convention reputation.

“Our vendors come from across Ontario for my events,” said Michalski. “This includes Toronto, Kitchener, London, Sarnia, Woodstock and all points in-between. Windsor is fast-becoming a hotbed for our comic book conventions.”

Proving that point, attendance for Super Summer Comic Con is expected to top 4,000 people. With free admission and family fun day at St. Clair College usually drawing 3,000, the final number could be much higher as well.

As far as making it an annual event however? Michalski remains coy on the subject. Besides, there’s a little something in December that he still has to worry about.

“All things are open for consideration,” said Michalski. “We’re confident it will do well – but staging a show in this market in the summer offers challenges far greater than that of our winter Christmas show, both in terms of available guests and vendors. We’re optimistic this one will do great and we’ll take it from there. We know one thing: people of Windsor love their comic books and cosplay. We’re happy this year to be bringing them a slice of that in the summer, in addition to our main Christmas Comic Con 3, coming December 7, with an exceptional talent roster already booked to appear.”

That line-up includes Marvel Comics artists Ryan Stegman (Spider-Man and Wolverine,) Batman Eternal artist Jason Fabok, new Wonder Woman creative team David and Meredith Finch and Fantastic Four artist Leonard Kirk. As usual, more guest announcements are possible before the big event itself.

More information about Super Summer Comic Con can be found on their facebook event page. For those interested in updates about other Windsor conventions, including C3-3, they can either like and get notifications from their facebook page or visit their blog.