Arts & Entertainment

Oak Lawn Library Plans Epic Fan Fest for Free Comic Book Day

Save the date, Saturday, May 7, for the Oak Lawn Public Library's free Comic Book Day and Fan Fest.

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Hey all you nerds, geeks and comic book fans! Save the date for the Oak Lawn Public Library’s free Comic Book Day and Fan Fest: Epic Battles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

OLPL Fan Fest is an all-day event in celebration of Free Comic Book Day which is celebrated nationally each year on the first Saturday in May.

Free comic books will be available for every kid, teen and adult (while supplies last) plus a slew of activities and fun for all ages. Whether you’re a veteran collector or new to comics, Fan Fest offers the perfect venue to discover the fun and adventure of graphic novels.

Free Comic Book Day started in 2002. The first event coincided with the theatrical release of “Spider Man.” The superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of same name resulted in two sequels. This year, the cinematic event of the summer -- “Captain America: Civil War” -- is hitting theaters the day before Fan Fest.

Fans will be able to wander through OLPL’s Exhibit Hall on the library’s lower level where local artists, creators, comic retailers, vendors and social groups will showcase their latest custom wares, toys and nerdy apparel - like steam punk jewelry, embroidery, original art prints and buttons, and cartoon portraits. There will also be special guests from the Midwest Garrison, the Illinois chapter of the 501st Legion – the world’s definitive Imperial costuming organization.

Exhibitors include:

The panel line-up features two great subjects – creating/selling comics and zombies – with expert presenters.

  • 11 a.m.: "Creating Your Own Comic Book & Entering the Comic Book Market” with Donald McQuay and Michael McClain. Ever think about creating your own comic book? Donald McQuay from Epoch Comics and Michael McClain from M-Studios will cover the basics of forming a comic book, as well as how to survive as an independent comic book producer and publisher.
  • 1 p.m.: "Zombie: From Haiti to Hollywood” with Michael Paradiso-Mchau. Did you know that the flesh-eating “Walking Dead” zombies that we’re familiar with today have roots in the voodoo religion of Haiti? Michael Paradiso-Michau, liberal arts lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, will introduce the fascinating history of zombies through images and copious examples from fiction and reality.

There will be plenty of activities for kids ages 7-10, including drop-in crafts, an Angry Birds Showdown, gaming lounge, face painting provided by the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn and Quidditch.

OLPL Fan Fest will also feature great live music from Tonks and the Aurors, a Harry Potter-inspired wizard rock ban, at noon; and TIME CRASH, a Doctor Who band that is equal parts hard-rocking space band and sci-fi explosion at 4 p.m.

An all-ages costume contest in the Cosplay Showcase happens at at 3:30 p.m. with prizes. In fact, fans are encouraged to come in costume.

Props and different backgrounds will be available in the photo booth, including cardboard cutouts, so you can strike a pose with your favorite characters like Thor, Captain America, Legolas (The Hobbit), Princess Leia, Rose (Doctor Who), Chewbacca and more. Guests will be able to view their photos online on OLPL’s Flickr page.

Teens are also invited to submit printed medium artwork on the subjects of art, pop culture and comics for a Teen Art Exhibit to be on display on the second floor.

Following the Fan Fest, after-hours trivia for those 21 and over will be held at 7 p.m. at the Goal Post, 5207 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn.

The Oak Lawn Public Library is located at 9427 S. Raymond Ave. For additional information, call 708-422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org. For photos from last year’s Fan Fest, please contact Erin Foley at efoley@olpl.org

OLPL Fan Fest: Epic Battles schedule of events for May 7:

9 a.m.

  • Exhibit Hall opens
  • Teen Art Exhibit opens
  • Gaming Lounge opens
  • Drop-In Kids' Crafts opens

10 a.m.

  • Angry Birds Showdown (Ages 5+)

11 a.m.

  • Face Painting opens
  • Photo Booth opens
  • Panel: "Creating Your Own Comic Book/Entering The Comic Book Market"

Noon

  • Performance: Tonks & the Aurors

1 p.m.

  • Panel: "Zombie: From Haiti to Hollywood"

3 p.m.

  • Face Painting closes
  • Photo Booth closes
  • Quidditch for Kids (Ages 7-10)

3:30 p.m.

  • Cosplay Showcase Judging (All ages)

4 p.m.

  • Exhibit Hall closes
  • Gaming Lounge closes
  • Performance: TIME CRASH

7 p.m.

  • After-Hours Trivia (21+) at the Goal Post across the street from the library at 5207 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn.

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