Thursday, October 19, 2006 - It's official, we're taking this show on the road. Okay, the road is only a couple miles from our home and that show will be me speaking in front of a mass gathering of excited small children but we were invited, we're really excited to be taking part in the event and we're heading to the show on October 28th. While we're there, we hope to generate interest in comics among a younger generation and get them to dream, just a little, about superheroes and all that's possible in life.
 The Explorium [link] has finalized the line-up for Lexington's first "family focused" comic book convention. Explor-A-Con will be held Oct. 28th from 10 am to 6 pm and is a family-friendly, small scale version of the huge comic book conventions in Chicago and San Diego. The difference hear is the focus is a younger crowd and a kid friendly focus to the activities and entertainment.
Among a mix of convention features, there will be an amateur comic book art show for artists under the age of 21 opening up a whole avenue of creativity for young artists. Central Kentucky’s young people can sculpt an action figure, paint a super hero portrait, draw a 9-panel comic page or use their favorite graphic software to create a cover design – anything that they can imagine drawing inspiration from manga, graphic novels or comic books.
 Essential convention programming takes an interesting twist at Explor-A-Con. In addition to the art show, there will be workshops in creature illustration, a demonstration on designing a web comic and even a live action battle with super heroes vs. villains. “Every aspect of the programming ties in with literacy, art, technology and encouraging people of all ages to explore their own creativity,” said Deanna McDaniel, Marketing Director of Explorium. “Comic books are valid literary tools. Besides that, they’re fun.”
Explorium is hosting this first annual convention not only to promote young artists, but also to encourage the learning that comes with exploring new territory. “Comics are not just illustrations. Graphic Novels work with words to tell the story. Great for reluctant readers,” said Jan Isenhour, Executive Director, Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.
“Many of today’s comics rely heavily on allusion, satire, irony, and parody to make a point. Students discover they might actually need to know such terms for reasons other than analyzing a Dickinson poem. Making this connection has strengthened their understanding of terms,” Sharon F. Webster, English literacy coach at Narragansett High School in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
 And of course, there’s the fun! Children who come in costume will receive a dollar discount off regular admission. In addition to the typical programs Explor-A-Con will also feature a live action battle between Super Heroes and Villains performed by the Known World Players. The workshop that follows will be of particular interest to people who aren’t quite ready for Halloween, a costume specialist will demonstrate how to make your own costumes based on comic book characters. Clay Held of Kid Twisted Comics will lead a workshop on creating your own web comic.
“Go experience it. Comic stores and comics have evolved. Comics and graphic novels incorporate all genres for all different kinds of people," said Elissa Lynch of Diamond Comics. Fans of classic literature will even have the chance to meet the author and artist from the Frankenstein comic book offered by Dead Dog Comics, R.D. Hall and Mark Kidwell.
What part will Comic Related play at Explor-A-Con? We'll be doing a short presentation on following your dreams and how a hobby can one day become a business. I had the benefit of starting my first comic shop while still in high school and we're excited about using our story to encourage kids to follow their passion, even at a young age, doing something they love in life. We'll be speaking at 1:00 PM... just after Stevie Moore creature illustration workshop and just before an animation workshop with Tony Doolin. If you are in the area, it sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Visit the Explorium online at www.explorium.com.
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