Comic Con

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2020 MESA COUNTY LIBRARIES COMIC CON EVENT

Because of pandemic-related state regulations limiting large gatherings, Mesa County Libraries Comic Con has been canceled for 2020.

We at Mesa County Libraries are extremely disappointed that we won’t be able to hold MCL Comic Con this year, but the health and safety of our community is our highest priority. We are committed to creating meaningful events that bring people together to share their stories. We look forward to creating an amazing Comic Con for everyone in Mesa County and the region in 2021.

Each year Mesa County Libraries Comic Con brings together thousands of fans old and young in celebrating the importance of stories and fandoms that connect us and enrich our lives. Since our first Comic Con in spring 2015, this highly anticipated event has quickly grown to become the biggest fan event between Salt Lake City and Denver. Highlighting graphic literature, sequential art, and comics as a literary medium, Comic Con includes an Expo Hall featuring local and regional artists, authors, cosplayers, crafters, and media creators. Panel presentations give attendees an opportunity to deep-dive into topics of interest; fandom meetups provide opportunities to discuss favorite characters and meet others with similar passions; and everyone can take part in cosplay, photo ops, and cosplay contests.

We are dedicated to supporting our local artists, authors, and vendors and are developing some virtual activities for this fall that will feature local talent and bring our community of fans together. Please watch the library’s social media and website for more information. Thank you for the love and support that have made this event what it is; we look forward to when we can all celebrate together again.

Just a reminder: The Mesa County Libraries Juried Art Show is still a go, and the Call for Art is open through Aug. 3, 2020.

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A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out to enjoy Comic Con 2019--our biggest and best year yet!

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2019 Full Schedule

(Printable pdf schedule)

2019 Special Guests

501st Legion
The Junktown Comic Book Project
Justice League of Hope
Board Fox Games
R. Alan Brooks

2019 Panels and Presentations

MANGA FOR GAIJIN >> Touching on everything from its history to popular genres, this discussion of manga serves as a great introduction to the medium and an excellent way to deepen current fans’ appreciation for it. Presenter Nathan Herald is a comics historian, published author (Graphic Novels for Young Readers), and lecturer. (Kannah Room 10am)

BOARD GAME DESIGN & PUBLISHING >> Matt Simpson, a published Grand Junction game designer, will discuss designing and publishing a board game. The artist for the game Ecosystem, Lindsay Falsone, will also be present to talk about the game from the artwork perspective. (Dominguez Room 10:30am)

MCL COMIC CON LIVE PODCAST >> Join us for a live podcast recording! Members of Team Awesome will draft a strike force of superheroes to take down the Joker and his unlikely band of co-conspirators. Who will draft the best team? That's up to you to decide. Crowd interaction and banter highly encouraged. (Whitewater Room 11am)

QUIDDITCH FOR MUGGLES >> Experience a training course on the basics and a live demonstration of quidditch, the game made famous by the Harry Potter series, in a grounded format due to a lack of magic. Presenter J.G. Bonner, founder of the Fruita Middle Quidditch Club, will be joined by a squadron of current and former student athletes for the demonstration. (Kannah Room 11:30am)

MASTER THE DUNGEON >> This unique look at the benefits of Dungeons & Dragons for players and Dungeon Masters will inspire attendees to begin - or continue - pouring countless hours into the game. Presenter Destry Stutesman has been an absolute D&D nerd for the past three years, including designing adventures and hosting a podcast. (Dominguez Room 12pm)

HANDS OFF MY SUPERHERO! >> Explore modern media fan cultures and their competing values in comic book spaces, including how fan culture works, why people bond with their seminal experiences with characters, conflicting feelings about trans media changes to stories and characters, and how to appreciate others’ perspectives more. Featuring genre experts J. Richard Stevens (author of Captain America, masculinity, and violence : the evolution of a national icon) and Bryan Wade (local cartoonist). (Whitewater Room 12:30pm)

COSPLAY EMPIRE: THE 501ST LEGION >> Cosplay fanatics, rejoice! This panel of veteran cosplayers from the 501st Legion, who make movie-set-worthy costumes, will describe how they use cosplay to positively impact people’s lives and answer questions about what they do. The 501st Legion is an all-volunteer organization bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity that seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through building and wearing quality costumes and use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events and contributions to the local community. (Kannah Room 1pm)

DIE LIFE: ROLE-PLAYING GAMES >> Discover new and different tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) in this introduction to role-playing that will cover Dungeons & Dragons and more! Your guides on this adventure are RPG veteran Rachel Davis and tabletop gaming expert and game designer Matt Simpson. (Dominguez Room 1:30pm)

DROPKICK FEAR: FINISH YOUR ART >> What would you create if you weren't afraid? Would you finish that book, host that event, publish your poetry, or set up that art show? Come prepared to be honest and vulnerable, and expect to leave with practical ways to tackle your creative fears! Presenter R. Alan Brooks teaches graphic novel writing at Regis University, and is the writer/creator of The Burning Metronome graphic novel. He also hosts a popular comics podcast, which focuses on marginalized members of the geek world, and he writes The Colorado Sun’s weekly comic, “What’d I Miss?” (Whitewater Room 2pm)

COSPLAY AS ARTFORM & LIFESTYLE >> Come hear from a panel of cosplay experts as they share their experiences about getting into cosplay, how they honed their skills over time, and what they do to grab the attention of fans and judges at Comic Con events. This all-star panel includes award-winning cosplayers Morgan Hinz and Trinity Renee, and Houston Erekson and Jacinda DuPont, Ambassadors for the Colorado Academy of Cosplay. (Kannah Room 2:30pm)

COMICS ARE FOR EVERYONE >> A panel of bona fide comic book nerds including published author Nathan Herald will discuss all things comics, from comics creation to the comic book industry to being a fan. If you love comics - or don’t even know where to begin - this is for you. (Dominguez Room 3pm)

LGBTQ+ IN POP CULTURE: NOW WITH HASHTAGS >> Three here-and-queer LGBTQ members discuss how far representation has come. What does pop culture get right? What does pop culture get wrong? How will it change in the future? Panelists Elaine Venter, Jorgan Bean, Soren Ferrieri, and Mary Carman are all contributing queer artists who have presented on this topic in the past and look forward to more! (Whitewater Room 3:30pm)

Just for Kids

SUPERHERO YOGA STORY TIME! Take a break and join super-yogi Nicole during this very special yoga Story Time where everyone is a superhero! (Kids - Adobe Room 11am & 2 pm)

Activities, building blocks, and art supplies are available for kids to enjoy all day in this quiet space just for kids. (Kids - Adobe Room, All Day)

Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Expo Hall

Exhibitors displaying and selling products and services related to comic books, comic art, pop culture, science fiction, fantasy, anime, books, graphic novels and movies will be in the Expo Hall.

2019 EXHIBITOR LIST: (click the +/- to expand/collapse)

Expo Hall Map

Authors/Writers

The Burning Metronome
David Munson Books
FaeForge
Lucinda Stein
Out in Colorado Fiction Writers

Richard E. Friesen

Cosplay/Crafters

501st Legion
Baylee Rae Crochet
Cutiehats
Destiny Cosplay
Funkmaster Lovecraft Studios
Grandmas Glitter Tattoos
Justice League of Hope
obstreperous ostrich
The Pearled Rose
RazorSharp
ShadowFall Workshop LLC
Smaug’s Hoard
The Starving Nerdists
Two Fish and a Lion

Media & Non-Profit

Comic TALK616
Geek Parties of the Grand Valley
KKCO
MCL Comic Con Official Merchandise

Shops

Board Fox Games
Eternity RPG
Local Hero Press
Top 5 Comics

Featuring The Junktown Comic Book Project - a collaboration of Grand Valley local cartoonists and illustrators. Since 2017, this annual anthology of short comics is released to coincide with the Mesa County Libraries Comic Con. Meet the Junktown Comic Project artists in the Expo Hall, where they will be selling their latest anthology and signing autographs.

2019 Cosplay Contests

Cosplay contests will take place on the Cosplay Stage at the west end of the Expo Hall. Contestants may wear costumes of any kind as long as they conform to the Rules for Cosplayers.

10am - Kids Cosplay Contest (Ages 11 and under)
1pm - Teen Cosplay Contest (Ages 12-18)
4pm - Adult Cosplay Contest (Ages 19 and up) & NEW Group Cosplay Contest (All-ages groups of 2-10 cosplayers with the same theme or fandom)
Cosplayers may only compete in one competition.

Registration will take place in the northwest corner of the Expo Hall by the Cosplay Stage 30 minutes before each contest. The first 100 cosplayers to arrive for registration in each age group will be entered in their respective contests. The first 20 groups to arrive for registration at 3:30pm for the Group Cosplay Contest will be entered. Pre-registration is not available.

Contestants will line up during registration and then wait to be called to the stage. Contestants will provide a brief description for the emcee to read as they cross the stage. On stage, characters will exhibit several poses and exhibit all-ages-appropriate character cosplay for 45 seconds each or 90 seconds per group.

Judging by library staff, costume professionals, and community artists will evaluate contestants on the following criteria: creativity/originality, craftsmanship/technique, and stage presence/personality.

Prizes for Most Creative, Best Craftsmanship, and Best Stage Presence in each age category will be awarded shortly after each contest. There will be one winning group in the Group Contest based on all three criteria. Prizes will include gift cards to Downtown Grand Junction and Top Five Comics.

Fandom Meetups Schedule

By the Cosplay Stage, 30-minute fandom meetups allow fans to indulge in their shared interests at the following times!

9:30am - Star Wars

10:30am - Harry Potter

11:30am - My Hero Academia

2pm - Stranger Things

3pm - Modern Musicals

Comic Con FAQs

What is Comic Con?

Mesa County Libraries Comic Con is a fun, free, family-friendly event that brings together fans and creators, old and young in celebrating the importance of stories and fandoms that connect us and enrich our lives. Since our first Comic Con in spring 2015, this highly anticipated event has quickly grown to attract more than 5,000 attendees from across the Western Slope. Highlighting graphic literature, sequential art, and comics as a literary medium, Comic Con includes an Expo Hall featuring local and regional artists, authors, cosplayers, crafters, and media creators. Panel presentations give attendees an opportunity to deep dive into topics of interest; fandom meetups provide opportunities to discuss favorite characters and meet others with similar passions; and everyone can take part in cosplay, photo ops, and cosplay contests.

What is cosplay?

Literally "Costume Play"-- dressing up and pretending to be a fictional character (usually a sci-fi, comic book, fantasy, or anime character).

Cosplay Etiquette - View Rules for Cosplayers

Cosplay events can be exciting and fun, whether you're a participant or guest. Sometimes all the excitement can be a little overwhelming, causing us to forget our manners and basic social behavior lessons. Here are a few reminders:

Personal Hygiene - Please wear plenty of deodorant. This may seem like a no-brainer but it gets hot in packed convention halls and rooms especially, if you are wearing a heavy or thick material costume.

Photos and Videos - Ask first. Most cosplayers are proud of their costumes and will pose for you but ask first. It’s polite!

Don't touch - Don’t run up and just grab someone. There are real people underneath the character and costume. If you want a hug or a pose with your arm around them, politely ask their permission first.

Don't get stupid - If you are a cosplayer, remember, you are representing a character that is cherished by fans. Don’t do or say anything stupid that will tarnish the representation of the character.

Props - Don’t pick up a fellow cosplayer’s prop without their permission. People put a lot of work into their costumes and props, so respect them.

Don’t monopolize guests’ time - Others want to have a meaningful experience, too. Have yours and then move on! Also, remember, don’t touch!

Weapons - If your cosplay character carries a prop, make sure it doesn’t violate convention rules; also, be aware of where you are in relation to other people when you brandish it or swing it around.

How much does it cost?

Admission is free with a Mesa County Libraries library card or $5.00 donation at the door. No tickets will be sold in advance. Also, there will be lots of awesome things for sale by local and regional artists, authors, crafters, and collectors in the Exhibit Hall.

No outside food or drink is allowed in the convention center, however, the concession stand will be selling themed food and snacks. There are also many great restaurants within walking distance.

Are there any activities for kids?

Yes, there will be fun activities for kids throughout the day.