Pocket Con, Chicago's only comics convention for youth featuring the works of artists and writers of color, women and LGBTQ creators, is 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 8 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street.
Pocket Con provides a space for creators and young fans to meet, and for teens, kids and adults to read comics, attend workshops and panels, create or play video games, and try out costuming and art in a space that celebrates and welcomes diversity, with a special focus on characters and creators of color.
Pocket Con 2016, our fifth annual convention, is our biggest yet! We welcome creators Gene Ha, Leo Perez, Ashley Woods, Turtel Onli, Justin Castaneda, Yorli Huff and over 35 other artists. Highlights of the convention include:
- Play and Discovery Space featuring Sphero robots, Strawbees and our ever-popular giant LEGOs.
- Chicago Public Library YOUmedia and Maker Lab, with Wacom tablet drawing, vinyl sticker creation and more.
- Free gaming tournament with Terry Dee and The Colosseum, featuring Super Smash Brothers 4 and Street Fighter V. Pokémon Go! lures will be in place.
- Pop-Up Library stocked with drawing books, manga and graphic novels.
- Performances by the Microphone Misfitz and L|O|Kari.
- Cosplay costume contest and photoshoot, with special guests Papa Bear and The Age of the Geeks.
- A screening of the documentary White Scripts and Black Supermen, followed by a panel discussion of the changing depictions of black men in comics.
- Otaku Meetup with trivia, snacks and crafts—make your own orb of power, such as a pokéball, dragonball or palantir.
Follow Pocket Con on Facebook, and see a video of Pocket Con 2015.
Pocket Con is a collaboration between Chicago Public Library and Free Write Arts and Literacy.
