Mana-Con: Comics Convention for Teens

On Saturday, October 1st, the Central Library will hold its 2nd Annual Mana-Con: Comics Convention for Teens, an event sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library. This “mini” comics conven­tion is a chance for teens to make art, play games, win prizes, show up in costume, and have a blast!

 

The event will feature local comic shops The Comic Shack and Anime Fix and artists with items for sale, student artwork, games, a Hero Clix tournament, and anime videos.  Teens are encouraged to get creative at the Doodle Booth or origami station. They will also learn about the history of comics and get a look at the library’s large graphic novel and manga collection, which will be on display and avail­able for check-out.  The Painted Eye will be on hand to paint faces and temporary tattoos from 11 am to 1 pm (teens will be given priority).

 

The artists participating in Mana-Con this year are all local and incredibly talented! They include Steampunk metalwork genius Barbara Page from Village of the Arts, Hihoshi, Southeast VPA Academy and Erin Kenney.
  

The first 50 teen attendees will receive awesome Shonen Jump reusable bags (made from 100% recycled materials) filled with candy, glow bracelets, stickers, pencils and other goodies. Teens will receive a free comic and/or poster (Irredeemable, Planet of the Apes, Starborn and more) and a custom "Igeek" button while supplies last.

 

Tiffany Ciper (aka Hihoshi), anime artist and graphic designer, will lead an Anime Art workshop from 1 pm to 3 pm. There are 25 seats available for this free workshop and registration is required; ages 12- 18 are eligible. All art supplies will be provided. A special prize of the fun, fun, fun book Papertoy Monsters will be given away to one lucky workshop attendee! Check out the Mana-Con display at the north entrance of the Central Library to see examples of these wild paper creations. 

 

Perhaps best of all, cool prizes will be given away every hour in the Auditorium! There is some great stuff to give away, including Naruto DVDs and toys, full-color graphic novels like Astronaut Academy, and much more.  We welcome patrons of all ages to enjoy Mana-Con (free Owly comics for attendees age 11 and under), but prizes and the workshop will be reserved for ages 12 to 18 only.

 

   

Special Thanks to: The Comic Shack, Anime Fix, Hihoshi (Tiffany Ciper), Barbara Page, Nada Meeks, Barbara Kenney, Tom Angleberger, First Second Books, VIZ Media, Top Shelf Productions, Conor McCreery, BOOM! Studio, Publix, Smugglers' Cove Adventure Golf, Dark Horse Comics

 

Questions? Please contact Ericka Dow at (941) 748-5555, ext. 6310 or e-mail her at ericka.dow@mymanatee.org