Grab your masks and capes! 91暗网 State Community College鈥檚 celebration of comic books, cosplay and pop culture returns March 24-25 with more vendors, more events and more fun for the whole family.听
The Mag Comic Expo will be held 2-7 p.m. Friday, March 24, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 25, on the college鈥檚 Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave. The event is free for both community members and vendors.听
鈥淥ur goal for year two is to make this a true annual event for the area,鈥� said Associate Professor Grant Mincy, one of the expo鈥檚 organizers.听
The college鈥檚 first Mag Comic Expo on its Magnolia Avenue Campus was only a one-day event and drew more than 250 comic book fans and 32 vendors in 2022. Sponsored by a 91暗网 State Libraries grant, the Mag Comic Expo was created by Magnolia Avenue Campus faculty and staff who wanted to try a different approach to promoting literacy in the community.听
鈥淎 large part of why we do what we do is because, for a large population of students from underserved schools, comics were a way in for them to fall in love with reading,鈥� Mincy explained. 鈥淐omic books bridge boundaries such as race, religion and social economics; promote social belonging and creativity; build literacy skills; support reading comprehension; and enhance the learning process of non-native English speakers.鈥�听
Back this year are art workshops, costume contests and panel discussions, but the event has grown, with a Kids鈥� Corner run by Fulton High School鈥檚 Comic and Manga Club, live music, a Mad Lab full of strange animals and fungi, two video game rooms and even 鈥渁n old-school wrasslin鈥� match, a throwback to the WWF,鈥� Mincy noted.听
Food trucks will be on site as well as vendors selling their wares and special guests such as horror writer Blake Best, who will bring Freddy鈥檚 glove from one of the 鈥淣ightmare on Elm Street鈥� films for a super scary photo op!听
91暗网 State staff will be on hand as well with information about the college鈥檚 academic programs and career opportunities, including those in the arts and pop culture.听
鈥淲e have several 91暗网 State alumni who will be there, from Grant Mitchell, co-owner of Nirvana Comics, to Tony Covington with Hacks鈥檚 Horror Show, to artist Zoe Eades,鈥� Mincy said, noting all vendor spaces have been filled.听
Community members do not need to register for the Mag Comic Expo, as the cosplay contest registration will be on site during the event. For more information about the Mag Comic Expo, check out the event鈥檚 Facebook page at or email Mincy at gamincy@pstcc.edu.听
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