On the first Saturday in June at the Broomfield Library, there were 40 kids and teens huddled over a piece of paper, drawing utensils in hand, shaping stories in four square comic book panels. At the front of the room was local award-winning comic Stan Yan, who was leading a workshop on Introduction to Comic Book Writing. Yan encouraged the young artists and storytellers to be creative and push boundaries in their drawings and stories. There were no phones, tablets, computers, or erasers. It was just imagination at work.
This pursuit of imagination is what inspired the Broomfield Library to organize and host its inaugural free Mini-Con, Broom Con (a mini fan and comics convention), from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 10. The purpose and goal of this event is to bring the community together around the shared interest of fandom, art, and comics.
This event is being headlined by award-winning animator and author of Ham Helsing, Rich Moyer, and nationally renowned illustrator and founder of Tinto Press, Ted Intorcio. Their keynote conversation will highlight their artistic journeys, current projects, and an exploration of what it takes to tell the best possible story on the page.
The keynote will be followed by a cosplay panel by local cosplayers Stitched in Starlight and Wezrez Cosplay. After the panel, the two professional cosplayers will serve as judges for Broom Con’s cosplay contests for kids (5-10), teens (11-18), and adults (19+). All attendees are encouraged to come in full costume for the event and the contest.
Lastly, local artists and vendors will have merchandise on display and for sale in the auditorium and library lobby for the duration of the event. One of the local vendors, Total Escape Games, will be hosting a “Beat the Employee” MAGIC: The Gathering Contest. Anybody who defeats the employee in a game of MAGIC will receive a prize.
The library has seen incredible growth in the interest of graphic novels over the last decade. Currently, the library has approximately 6,000 adult, young adult, and children’s graphic novel titles in circulation. Approximately 90 percent of these titles have been checked out at least once in the last year, and 60 percent of them have been checked out three or more times. The collection also continues to grow by hundreds each year.
Broom Con is a celebration of this collection and the characters, worlds, and stories the Broomfield community has grown to love. The challenges in graphic novels are often galactic, and the library intends to bring the galaxy to Broomfield with our inaugural Broom Con.
Celebrate your fandom at the FREE Broomfield Library Broom Con from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Broomfield Library!
For more information, visit compass.broomfield.org/event/hold-broomcon-51728
