Every year, thousands of fans don their superhero garb for Comic-Con, one of the world’s largest comic book conventions.
And for the first time, Athens will host a mini Comic-Con of its own.
In conjunction with the Ohio Arts Council, Athens County Public Library, Athens Community Center and The Wizard’s Guild, ARTS/West is putting on the May 26 event, called Ratha Con.
Sam Berlin, who has worked at The Wizard’s Guild for five years, volunteered to recruit artists and vendors to attend and promote the convention.
“Promotion is the big cost, that’s what I’ve been finding out,” Berlin said. “We’re going to print flyers, T-shirts and maybe some full-size posters to hang in (The Wizard’s Guild).”
The Wizard’s Guild’s customers are enthusiastic about Ratha Con, said Berlin. The closest convention to Athens is the one in Marietta, which started last year. The next closest is the Mid-Ohio Comic Con convention in Columbus.
With conventions usually once a year in their respective cities, many fans find themselves travelling great distances for a chance to enjoy their interests and engage with others, said Berlin.
“We’re hoping to get a lot of comic fans from around the state and the Midwest,” Berlin said. “Probably some gaming people too. We’re looking at the possibility of holding a gaming event.”
Aside from organized artists and game areas, general collectors will be allowed to rent space to showcase their collections and share what they have.
Jeffery Chang, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, is considering attending Ratha Con next month. He brought some of his own work to the Mid-Ohio Comic Con convention last year to show artists and get feedback.
“They offer better feedback than (online commentators),” said Chang.
Other students have considered attending the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, such as Ashley Labaki, a sophomore studying sociology, but between travel costs and the high demand for tickets for that event, she has never made the trip.
Labaki and Berlin encourage everyone to check out Ratha Con, no matter their level of interest in comics.
“They’re great stories and so much more than just picture books,” Labaki said. “And (a convention) is a great place to learn about things.”
Information about the artists attending and news about the event are available on its website, rathacon.blogspot.com.
mt360307@ohiou.edu
