How to go
What: Champion City Comic Con
Where: Shouvlin Center, Wittenberg University, Springfield
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $3 adults; $2 those attending in costume or with student ID; kids younger than 12 admitted free
More info:
It’s the season for costumes, colorful characters and games. And not just because it’s Halloween.
Like the heroes of the comic pages, Champion City Con has fended off bigger competitors to stake out its own place in celebrating pop culture in Springfield.
The sixth Champion City Comic Con will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Shouvlin Center on the Wittenberg University campus. It will feature comic, toy and gaming dealers, artists, gaming tournaments, contests and more.
In his secret identity of a mild-mannered communications professor at Wittenberg, Champion City co-founder Matt Smith said this con is unique.
He attends the Super Bowl of pop-culture events, the San Diego Comic Con, annually. While Smith enjoys it, it lacks the intimacy the local event has.
“This is very grass-roots here. It’s also the same time as the New York City Comic Con, the second biggest show of the year in this country, and this shows Springfield can sustain such an event.”
While the dealers’ room filled with comics, gaming and other memorabilia is always a highlight, several special events will populate the day.
The Fanboy Feud contest at noon seeks the one with ultimate comic book knowledge. At 1 p.m. is the annual costume competition.
This year will include a focus on local creative talent including comic artists Scott Bachmann, Dustin Carson, Justin Wasson, Brian Lattimer and Quentin Ross; comic writer Chad Lambert; novelists Allison M. Dickson and J. Walt Layne; game developer Andy Klosky; and the creative team from local comic label Twilight Star Studio.
Jesse Noble, founder of Dayton’s Gem City Comic Con, which has grown bigger each year, will receive this year’s Champion City Award for his contributions to advancing pop culture in the area.
Smith said look for a few surprises, as well. He encourages anybody who enjoys pop culture to check it out.
“If you’ve never been to a con, this is a user-friendly, inclusive event. Have a good time and come out to see something you haven’t seen before.”
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