Dark History Con Is Coming to Champaign

Many months ago, Brian Ward contacted me and asked for a little help with a convention he was running in Champaign, IL later in the year. After listening to all he had to say about Dark History Con, I was so intrigued that I promised to help in any way I could.

Dark History Con is Champaign-Urbana’s first True Crime & History Convention. In a world of comic cons, entertainment cons, wrestling cons and other such fun, light events, one might wonder about such a thing as a Dark History Con. According to Ward, “The purpose of the Dark History Con is not to glorify the crimes and tragedies, but to educate spectators about the darker history of our nation.”

While Dark History Con is the first such convention, many of the celebrity guests have appeared at other cons. Dark History Con simply grouped those like-focused individual together as part of their celebrity guest line-up.

Filmmaker John Borowski’s works include three documentaries based on serial killers. “H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer“, “Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation“ and “Carl Panzram: The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance” have earned Borowski acclaim.

Horror and comic book artist Terence Muncy has been a staple of horror cons for a few years. He will be bringing his unique sense of art to Dark History Con.

Paranormal investigator and host of Paranormal Geeks Radio Jim Heater is another interesting guest. One of Jim’s stated goals it to “prove that Paranormal Geeks outnumber the normal people!” At Dark History Con, it is a good bet that Jim will prove his case.

Freelance crime writer Kelly Banaski brings her 20 years of experience to the con. Her many interviews with investigators, lawyers, victims, families and criminals gives her a wealth of knowledge from all angles.

Other fascinating guests include Gary Jenkins (author), Jeff Gaither (artist), Maureen Hughes (author) Corvis Nocturnum aka Eric Vernor (author), Seth Ferranti (journalist), Minda Powers-Douglas (author), Bill Douglas (caricature artist), Jim Sorfleet (photographer), Robbin Terry (paranormal enthusiast), Andrew Dodge (true crime memorabilia collector), Philo Barnhart (artist), Bruce Scivally (author), Charles D. Moisant (publisher), Gary Jenkins (documentary producer), Stephen J. Giannangelo (special agent supervisor for the Illinois Department of Revenue’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation), Linda Lee King (news reporter and newspaper publisher), James Jeffrey Paul (author), Daniel Waugh (author), Jake Aurelian (author), Ruthie Shelton (author), Judith A. Yates (author) and Z.O.D. (zombie cosplay group).

This is like the proverbial “meat and potatoes” of dark history. Ward did not seek out some major star who appeared in a crime movie. Instead he brought in the true grit. This collection of featured guests has made a living, a lifetime and a passion for true crime history.

The convention will also host art dealers, local vendors, authors, historians and others with intimate knowledge of these events. There will be speakers, raffles, and photo opportunities with the guests. Event hours will be announced in the near future.

Dark History Con is being held on Saturday September 19 and Sunday, September 20 at the Fluid Event Center in Champaign, IL. If you are near the area or are just looking for a couple days of fun, you should check out the convention. I’ll be driving in from Skokie and I can’t wait.