PASSIONATE FANS

Boyertown Library Comic Con celebrates imagination

Costumed heroes of all sorts converged on the Boyertown Community Library for its first-ever Comic Con.

A comic con is a pop culture festival celebrating characters and stories from popular games, movies, books and television.

“Libraries are places where people can find many kinds of stories, whether novels, films, or comics. I personally love the comic con experience because it celebrates imagination and passionate fans. Many teens I know

through the library enjoy various forms of cosplay, and I wanted to make an opportunity for that type of creativity. Tickets for the larger Comic Con events can be very expensive, and I wanted to make the program more accessible,” said Boyertown Community Library’s Youth Services Coordinator Lisa Rand.

The Boyertown Library gave away uncorrected proof books, comics, tote bags, capes, and masks to Comic Con visitors.

Cosplayers from groups like the Mav Oya’la Clan of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, WeDiscoverGeeks, and Heroes for Heroes were available for fan photos.

“We love coming out for edutainment,” said Kat Mahoney, owner and creative visionary director of WeDiscoverGeeks. “Edutainment is educational entertainment. Our group is from Macungie and have been doing cosplay for the past two years. We do a lot of (character) mashups.”

Local artists Craig Schaffer and Jean Esther were on hand to explain their art.

Esther walked guests through the steps for drawing eyes and encouraged kids to try their hand at sketching.

Craig Schaffer describes how he uses a non-photo blue pencil when drawing images for his original comic “Backdraft.”

Non-photo blue pencils are used by artists because the color is not often picked up by copiers and scanners.

Deal Me In Games provided a gaming table and offered guests instructions on how to play card and board games like Munchkin.

“Jason from Deal Me In Games in Boyertown helped oversee games,” said Rand. “My goal is to introduce our circulating games collection, which includes Exploding Kittens, Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Sushi Go, Forbidden Island, Tsuro, and several other games.”

“Lady J is my cosplay name. It’s not a character; it’s my public figure name. I put on my first cosplay in 2011. I cosplay multiple characters from my love of different fandoms,” said Philadelphia Avengers’ Lady J. “I show a bunch of tips to help beginner’s cosplay. I teach hand sewing, using different materials and glues — how to do cosplays from regular clothes in your closet.”

“I tried to learn (to crochet) on my own, but had trouble following along,” said Boyertown High School’s Mia Stefchek, 15, as she practices a single crochet stitch with the guidance of Amy Seiden and Lady J of the Philadelphia Philadelphia Avengers.

“This was such a fun opportunity to see people of all ages come together and share their love of comics, the characters and the stories,” said Kristy Brown of Exeter Township.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Andrew Vasel, 9, poses with Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and Captain America from Heroes For Heroes during the Boyertown Community Library Comic Con on March 7.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Dressed as Star Wars’ Rey, Sarah Sacks, 13, poses at the Mav Oya’la clan of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club’s table at the Boyertown Library Comic Con.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Spider-Men and Spider-Women pose together at the Boyertown Community Library’s first Library Comic Con. Pictured: Miles Morales’ Spider-Man from Heroes for Heroes, Naomi Landes, 5, Gabriel Landes, 9, Isaac Landes, 11, Sophia Landes, 8, and Traditional SpiderMan from Heroes for Heroes.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP The Pennsylvania Mav Oya’la clan of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club pose at the Boyertown Community Library Comic Con.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP WeDiscoverGeeks cosplayers at the Boyertown Community Library’s first Library Comic Con.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Dressed as Catwoman, Amy Seiden from Philadelphia Avengers teaches Boyertown High School’s Mia Stefchek, 15, how to crochet.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Destinee Lopez and Amelia Perez, both age 15, pose with Deadpool from WeDiscoverGeeks, center. Lopez is wearing a Captain America shirt and Perez is dressed as the Scarlet Witch.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Matthew and Kristy Brown pose with the Mandalorian at Boyertown Community Library’s first Library Comic Con.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Asher Chavez, 7, and Shawna Coydell of Boyertown play the Munchkin card game at the Deal Me In Games’ Library Comic Con table.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Skye Sarro, 12, reads a comic book at the Boyertown Community Library’s first Library Comic Con. The Boyertown Library gave away uncorrected proof books, comics, tote bags, capes, and masks to Comic Con visitors.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP June Godfrey, 4, of Douglassville strikes her best Princess Knight Owlette superhero pose. Godfrey put her costume together herself.

JESI YOST - FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Jean Esther, founder and lead artist of Art Corner demonstrates how to draw eyes.