Captain's Comic Expo Opens Saturday

Get your cape ready, is hosting its fourth annual Captain's Comic Expo Satruday.

"It's been very steady growth," Captain's Comics owner Mike Campbell said. "We had to move to bigger halls each year after the first and second Expo."

Campbell said if the Expo continues to grow he may have to look for a larger venue again next year, but this year it returns to the Charleston County Masonic Association hall at 1285 Orange Grove Road. The mini-con will run 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday. A $5 cover charge will get you in the door.

Inside dozens of vendors will be selling everything from back issues of comics, toys and collectibles, artwork and even pop-culture themed jewelry, Campbell said. The Expo will also include adult and chidren's costume contests, a jump castle for kids, a live grafitti demonstration by Charleston area artist Crosby Jack and a basic how-to draw comics class with Chris Hanchey.

"The $5 ticket gets you in and there's no additional cost for any of the activities," Campbell said.

In addition to Crosby Jack and Hanchey, several other local artists will have spots at the Expo, and all of the work they are bringing has comic book, video game or other "geek chic" themes. Participating artists include Chuck Pixel Art, Popcycled Jewelry, Jeremy Hedges, Steve Stegelin, Chris Gould, Viet Huynh, Alex Smith, Drew Black, James Hill, Janelle Wilfong, Chris Yount, Dylan Marquis and Tim Showers.

"This is a locally organized and very community based event," Campbell said. "The artists we have are generally people trying to break into the industry, but this year we have artists who are doing more pop-culture stuff."

D.C. Comics is also providing some exclusive convention give aways, Campbell said.

A full schedule of events is available at Captains's Comics' website.