Along with hosting the usual post-Thanksgiving mob, Easton will become a holy ground for comic book fans as it hosts the 23rd annual Mid-Ohio-Con.
An estimated five to eight thousand fans from the United States, Canada and Europe are expected to make the Columbus pilgrimage in order to meet more than 145 of their favorite comic book artists, illustrators and writers.
“Comics are the original American art form,” said Mid-Ohio-Con executive producer Rodger Price. “They are classic entertainment and a medium that as kids, many of us learned to read by.”
Although comics are the main attraction, anime and role playing rooms will also be featured.
Special celebrity guests include stars from the hit movies “Spider-Man” and “Star Wars: Episode 2” along with TV characters from “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel.”
“The Mid-Ohio-Con is very well-known and one of the oldest conventions in the nation but the reason it is so well-loved is because it’s not as big as some of the other yearly comic events,” said Gib Bickel, owner of comic book store, The Laughing Ogre. “At some of the other conventions, there might be a thousand people in line for an artist, in which case your contact with them is limited to them signing your book and you being on your way, but fans get a lot more personal interaction at Mid-Ohio-Con.”
Price is very proud of that reputation.
“We pride Mid-Ohio-Con on being fun and friendly with accessible guests,” Price said.
Fans long for the chance to meet and speak with their favorite artists, which is one reason The Laughing Ogre hosts its pre-party the night before the show opens.
“Our pre-party is a celebration of comics,” Bickel said. “It’s a place where retailers, professionals and fans come together to socialize about something that they are very passionate about.”
Bickel said he hopes this year’s convention will spark new interests in the comic scene.
“Readership is low right now, as with any media that relies on audience participation,” Bickel said. “The mentality that exists today is ‘why read newspapers, magazines or comic books when you can look at the TV or play video games,’ but comic readers are looking for something that’s different and something that not everyone is into.”
Easton Comic Town manager Rob Patton finds that most people who are interested in comics are also interested in the world of fantasy.
“With comic books, you read and follow life in a fantasy world,” Patton said. “And usually the people who are interested in the different characters and story lines in comics find themselves also interested in gaming.”
Role playing games will be another attraction at the convention. Tournaments will be held where fans can play and try to outsmart each other. The newest game, “Hero Clix,” is anticipated to draw a big crowd. “Hero Clix,” which is comparable to chess but only with Marvel and DC comic characters, has looped together the gaming and comic worlds.
“The Mid-Ohio-Con is an awesome opportunity to cross promote the two hobbies,” Patton said.
The Mid-Ohio-Con opens at 10 a.m. this Saturday and Sunday at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. The convention costs $15 per day and is open to the general public.
