BPL Comic Con
Our 2017 BPL Comic Con was a huge success! We had over 2,000 people attend this free, family-friendly event that showcases and highlights the pop culture community in Barrie.
2018 BPL Comic Con
SAVE THE DATE for our 3rd annual BPL Comic Con!! It will take place on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
Convention Rules
- All Barrie Public Library policies apply to convention goers.
- All costumes/cosplay must be appropriate for viewing by all ages.
- Cosplay is not consent; no hugging or touching without consent.
- No real, functional, or realistic looking weapons may be used as props.
- We reserve the right to ask people with realistic looking weapons to leave the library.
- No projectiles that can be fired are allowed on the premises, including NERF style dart/arrows.
- No pets are allowed, even in costume.
- Behaviour which is disruptive, abusive, insulting, harassing or threatening to library users, staff or volunteers is prohibited. Anyone who is seen as a threat to the safety or enjoyment of library facilities will be asked to leave.
- If you feel unsafe at any time, speak to library staff, volunteers or security.
Special Guests
J. Torres
Torres is a Filipino-born Canadian comic book writer. He is perhaps best known for his run on DC Comics' Teen Titans Go, the Eisner nominated Alison Dare, and the Junior Library Guild/TD Summer Reading Club title Bigfoot Boy. Winner of the Shuster Award for "Outstanding Writer," Torres has worked with characters from A (Archies) to Z (The Mighty Zodiac) and many more.
He will be presenting two workshops: “Comic Book Storytime with J. Torres” and “Writing for Comics with J. Torres”
Marshall Geddes
Marshall Geddes is a freelance cartoonist and figure artist. He studied extensively under veteran Marvel and DC comic artist Ty Templeton, and Disney layout artist Scott Caple at The Toronto Cartoonist Workshop. Marshall continued figure drawing at Sheridan College and the Toronto School of Art. After which, he pursued private studies with wildlife master Geordie Millar and Disney drawing trainer Glen Vilppu. In 2015 Marshall started Drawing House – a studio and art supply store in Barrie Ontario.
Marshall will be presenting a workshop: “Drawing and Creating Cartoon Characters”
Brent Chittenden
Brent Chittenden has been involved in writing about comics, film, music and pop culture since 2009. He’s worked for such websites as Comic Book Daily, Explore Music, A Journal of Musical Things, and Geek Hard, and interviewed everyone from best selling authors Max Brooks and Andrew Vachss to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer/Guitarist Slash. He loves all things comics, sci-fi and fantasy.
Brent will be doing a workshop: “How Superheroes Changed Film”
Sam Noir
Sam Noir is a writer, cartoonist, and toymaker. His work includes the cover for Chapterhouse Comics Summer Special featuring Captain Canuck and the Pitiful Human Lizard. He is the co-creator of indie comics such as Munchsters, Victorian Four, Holmes vs Moriarty, Zip Kramer, and Major North. His web comic Sunny and Owl Girl is featured on the geek culture website Rogues Portal.
Sam will be drawing free sketches for kids upstairs throughout the day.
Christina Mancuso
Christina has a MFA in Visual Art from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a BFA from Concordia University in Montréal. As a museum educator, college art professor and art teacher (K to 12), she possesses a wide range of skills and experiences. She has led many community arts initiatives engaging participants from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Mancuso has been the head of the MacLaren Art Centre’s Education Department since 2009.
Christina will be doing a workshop: “Representation Matters: Diversity in Comics and Graphic Novels”
True North Nerds
True North Nerds is what happens when you take the discussion from comic shop and put it in a small kitchen with mics in front of everyone. Covering all corners of nerdom from comics to conventions, True North Nerds is your number one podcast north of Toronto.
True North Nerds will be doing a live podcast.
Featured Cosplayers
Snowhawk Cosplay
SnowHawk Cosplay is a Barrie area cosplayer who has been cosplaying for over 4 years. His work has been featured twice on Marvel.com for "Costoberfest" and has been involved in various events like the Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade and the Guelph Santa Claus Parade.
JJ Hudson
JJ Hudson has been a geek since birth. She loves all things nerdy and has just started cosplaying. She loves movies, comics and video games and her favorite TV shows are Supernatural, Game of Thrones and The Expanse. She can probably beat you in Call of Duty!
Aquaman (Cody King)
Cody has been cosplaying (proper) since 2011 and has attended many conventions across Ontario disguised as many characters including Barrie's Batman. Stepping out of the shadows and into the depths he returns for BPL Comic-Con!
Ancient Wingly Cosplay
Ancient Wingly Cosplay is a female cosplayer inspired by extravagant misunderstood villains, bright bold colours, and anything involving the unseen mysteries of the universe.
Pufferdoodles (Riley Ellen)
Pufferdoodles is a Canadian cosplay model and artist who has been cosplaying and attending conventions since 2011. She is excited to be back at Barrie Comic-Con to share her love of cosplay and geek culture with everyone!!
Artist Alley
- Tara Abbott
- Marshall Geddes
- Axol
- Lorena Salas
- Leo Tomasic
- Ruby Lee
- Rui Liang
- Loc Nguyen
- Mainly Comics
- Mark Slater
Vendors
- Big B Comics
- Don’t Panic
- Hawkins Corner
- The Comic Post
- OMG Games
- Justin Gowler
- Moonwalk Bouncers (Face Painting)
- Ghuleh Crafts
- True Creations
- YART
Schedule of Events
| Time | Angus Ross Room | Picture Book Area | Kids Floor | Oro Room | Roof Garden | Magazine Area | Teen Area |
|
| 9:30-10:00 | Face Painting | Sketches by Sam Noir | OMG Game Zone
VR Gaming |
|||||
| 10:00-10:30 | True North Nerds Live! Podcast | Superhero Storytime | Crafts for Kids with MacLaren Art Centre | Diversity in Comics & Graphic Novels | ||||
| 10:30-11:00 | Kids Costume Parade | |||||||
| 11:00-11:30 | Comic Book Storytime w/ J. Torres | Superhero Fan Meet Up | ||||||
| 11:30-12:00 | ||||||||
| 12:00-12:30 | ||||||||
| 12:30-1:00 | Drawing Workshop w/ Marshall Geddes | |||||||
| 1:00-1:30 | Jedi Training | Jedi Training | How Super heroes Changed Film | |||||
| 1:30-2:00 | ||||||||
| 2:00-2:30 | Writing for Comics w/ J. Torres | |||||||
| 2:30-3:00 | ||||||||
| 3:00-3:30 | Costume Contest | |||||||
| 3:30-4:00 | Closing Announcements in Flex Space | |||||||
Workshops
True North Nerds Live Podcast: Join True North Nerds for an all ages friendly live recording of their podcast. The nerds will talk about nerd stuff, answer your questions, and maybe even have a game or two to play.
Comic Book Storytime with J. Torres: This isn’t your usual story time. J. Torres with read some short comic stories with a lot of audience participation. Free but due to limited seating, tickets will be available ½ hour before the program in the library lobby. Limit of 60 people, including adults. Ages 5 - 12
Drawing & Creating Cartoon Characters: Join Marshall Geddes of The Drawing House and learn to deconstruct popular cartoon characters and then create your own using drawing and cartoon fundamentals. Free but due to limited seating, tickets will be available ½ hour before the program in the library lobby. Limit of 36 people. Ages 10 +
Writing for Comics with J. Torres: For aspiring comic creators, come and see the comic writing process. J. Torres will show you the steps from script, to art, to published, with a Q&A period at the end. Free but due to limited seating, tickets will be available ½ hour before the program in the library lobby. Limit of 60 people. Ages 10+
How Superheroes Changed Film: Editorialist and podcaster Brent Chittenden will walk you through the evolution of the superhero film. From movie serials to the blockbusters of today, how they’ve changed over the years and how they’ve changed the film industry. A primer for anyone who likes superhero films.
Representation Matters: Diversity in Comics & Graphic Novels: Join MacLaren Education Officer Christina Mancuso and learn how comics and independent graphic novels have moved beyond the archetypical superhero to embrace representations of gender, diversity and inclusion.
Jedi Training: Younglings. Train in the way of the force by building your own podracer, lead BB8 through a maze, defeat the Deathstar, develop your lightsaber skills. May the force be with you.
OMG Game Zone: Check out the OMG Game Zone, where they’ll be teaching Pokemon, Magic the Gathering and assorted board games.
Costume Contest: Show off your creativity and unique style! Judged by our featured cosplayers, this fun contest is for ages 10+
VR Gaming: Try our virtual reality gaming! Choose from 2 games to experience VR for a 5 minute demo. Participants cannot be wearing full face make-up when using VR equipment and must be at least 13 years old. Sign up between 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. in the Teen Area.
Prize Draws
- BPL Comic Con® attendees will receive a ballot upon entering
- Each person must fill out the ballot with their contact information and place it in the box corresponding to the prize they wish to win
- Ballots will be collected from 9:30am – 4:30pm on Saturday, September 23 only
- The draw for prizes will occur on Monday, September 25
- Winners of the prize draws will be notified by telephone/email and will have 24 hours to respond before another winner is drawn
- Winners are responsible for picking up their prizes
- Winners may specify which location (Downtown or Painswick) they would like to pick up their prizes.
Cake Silent Auction
- Each cake will have a bid sheet in front of it. The minimum bid is listed on the top of the bid sheet.
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older to bid on a cake.
- The bidding will start at 9:30am and close at 2:00pm on Sept 23 only.
- Winning bids will be posted at 2:10pm on Sept 23
- Winners will have between 2:30-3:30 on Sept 23 to claim their cake
- All cakes must be paid for and picked up before 4:00pm on Sept 23
- All sales are final, and all cakes are sold “As Is”
- More detailed instructions of the bidding/winning process are available at the cake display
