Fan Favorite Market Celebrates 5 Years Of Comics, Action Figures, Cosplay & More

TINLEY PARK, IL — Five years after the first Comic & Cosplay Market brought comic fans, artists and collectors together at Soundgrowler Brewing Co., the event has grown into one of the Streetz Artz Alliance’s most anticipated specialty markets — while keeping the intimate, local feel that made it popular in the first place.

The 5th annual Comics, Action Figures, Cosplay & More Market returns Saturday, Aug. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. at Soundgrowler Brewing Co., 8201 183rd St., Suite P, in Tinley Park.

The free, family-friendly event will bring together more than 40 artists, comic creators, collectors, makers, authors and specialty vendors for an afternoon of comics, original artwork, collectibles, gaming, fantasy, cosplay and plenty of unexpected finds.

The event is free to attend, held both indoors and outdoors, and will take place rain or shine. There is plenty of on-site and nearby parking available for attendees.

For organizer and Streetz Artz Alliance founder John E. Streetz, reaching the fifth year is particularly exciting because the event has continued to evolve every year.

“Five years is a pretty big milestone for this one,” said Streetz. “Every year we have tried to add something different so people who have been coming back year after year still have something new to discover. This year is especially exciting because we have artists who have been with us from the beginning, some brand-new artists making their debut at Soundgrowler, and some really well-known comic illustrators joining us. I’m stoked to see where this event has gone and where we can take it over the next five years.”

Among the comic and illustration talent participating are artists and creators including Dan Dougherty, James T. Molloy, Ashley Esper and Stephanie Walker, along with Jonathan Grimm Art, whose owner John Bickness has been part of nearly every Comic & Cosplay event since the beginning.

The event also brings back several comic vendors who have been part of the market since its first year. Southside Comic Book Show, owned by Rocky Sodin, will offer comics ranging from the Silver Age through the present, along with prints and movie posters. Back Issue Bin 73, owned by Ronald Baguisa, will once again bring a collection of comics and comic-related items.Belonio Doodles will also return with original artwork, prints, comic books and cards. Artist Jon of Belonio Doodles has become a familiar face at Soundgrowler and describes himself as a local artist who loves collecting comic books and spending time with the Soundgrowler community.

While comics and illustration remain at the heart of the event, Streetz intentionally builds a much broader experience into every Streetz Artz Alliance market.

“We always have our core categories, but I like throwing things into the mix that people don't necessarily expect at a comic event,” Streetz said. “You might come looking for comics and walk out with a giant cookie, a record, a pickle jar, a piece of woodworking, a tarot reading, a handmade piece of jewelry or something from a 3D printer. That’s part of what makes these markets fun.”

This year’s lineup includes everything from comic books, graphic novels, movie posters, original art and fantasy novels to 3D-printed collectibles, gaming terrain, miniatures, cosplay accessories, trading cards, sports memorabilia, crystals, tarot, handmade jewelry, crocheted creations, plants, air plant holders, woodworking and pop culture décor.Several artists are also creating products specifically inspired by the event’s comic, fantasy and pop culture theme.

Sharon Russo of SharonAble Crafts has created new shadow boxes and car coasters with superhero and pop culture themes. Bianca Escobedo of La Rosa Escobedo will showcase fantasy and superhero artwork featuring characters inspired by Marvel, DC and more. Rebecca Moline of Sunbeam Air Plants has been creating Pokémon-themed air plant holders that combine fandom with her love of plants.

New artists are bringing even more variety to the fifth anniversary event. Blacky Cat Creations will feature hand-knit kitty ear hats, creatures and fandom-inspired jewelry. OsitoDraws, a Chicago indie cartoonist, comic artist and animator inspired by 1990s cartoons, will bring the new comic Sunbearo Cult Classic along with prints, stickers, keychains and original artwork.

Award-winning author and artist Sara A. Noë will offer signed copies of her paranormal sci-fi fantasy novels along with original fantasy and nature artwork, maps, character sketches and handmade products inspired by her fictional worlds. CK Creative will bring handmade resin accessories, including earrings made from vintage comics, along with pop culture-inspired shirts, mugs, totes and other products, as well as a new children’s book, The Caterpillar Hotel.

Sinistar Inc. will bring 3D comic wall art, gaming terrain and miniatures, while Nijma’s Art will feature character and celebrity paintings, caricatures and other original artwork. Face Painting by Jules will offer professional face painting for attendees of all ages.

The market also includes plenty of unusual crossover finds. Gridiron Vault, owned by Tom Hutto and Maddi Liapis, will bring sports cards and authentic sports memorabilia. Jeff’s Twisted Metal will feature handcrafted wire-wrapped stone jewelry including rings, pendants, earrings, ear cuffs and bookmarks. Attendees can also find gourmet cookies and nuts, pickles and peppers, coffee, plants, candles, crystals, apparel and countless other handmade creations.

The fifth anniversary celebration will also feature a cosplay contest beginning at 4 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be available at the event, with participants providing their name or handle, character or cosplay information and anything else they would like to share with the judges.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants, with an additional “Brewery Favorite” selected by Soundgrowler Brewing. The contest will be judged by Jen Watson of Jen Watson Art, Scott Eckelberry, known as darthscotti on Instagram, a representative from Soundgrowler Brewing and a member of the Streetz Artz Alliance.

Cosplayers are welcome throughout the entire event, whether or not they participate in the contest.

And, of course, the event wouldn’t be at Soundgrowler Brewing without one of its biggest attractions: the food and beer.

Soundgrowler will have its craft beer available throughout the event along with tacos and a modified food menu, as well as non-alcoholic beverage options. For Streetz, the combination is part of what makes the event work so well.

“This event has always stood its ground against the huge convention experience because it’s more intimate, it’s curated and you can actually take your time looking at everything,” Streetz said. “You don't have to walk 20 miles to see everything the event has to offer. You can come in, talk to the artists, find something really cool, grab some tacos, have a craft beer or a non-alcoholic drink and hang out. Honestly, the tacos and beer at Soundgrowler are the icing on the cake.”

List of Vendors (Subject to Change)

• 13th Moon Games
• Back Issue Bin 73
• Beardo Comics
• Belonio Doodles
• Blacky Cat Creations
• CK Creative
• Crow & Moon Enchantments
• Cubed Dimensions Printing
• Face Painting by Jules
• FeFe’s pickles and peppers
• Gigawatt Coffee Roasters
• Gridiron Vault
• I Just Wet My Plants
• Jeannine’s Jems
• Jeff's Twisted Metal
• Jen Watson Art
• Jetibles Treats
• Jonathan Grimm Art
• La Rosa Escobedo
• Luna's Loops
• Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods
• Melanie Klegerman Fersko - Author and Artist
• Nijma's Art
• OsitoDraws
• Penguino Productions
• Primtentions
• PunkNComix
• Rogue Relics
• Sara A. Noë - Author, Photographer, Artist
• SharonAble Crafts
• Sinistar Inc.
• Skulls & Sketches
• South Side Comic Book Show
• Sunbeam Air Plants
• Ten Cups Tarot
• The Crooked Workbench
• Video Voe
• Wylde Mountain Thyme
• +more to be announced

The event is designed to offer an alternative to the crowded Artist Alleys and long lines often associated with large pop culture conventions. Many of the artists participating are creators and vendors that fans may recognize from larger events such as Fan Expo, but the smaller setting gives attendees more opportunity to interact with the artists and explore the market at their own pace.

“We love the big conventions, but this is a different experience,” Streetz said. “You don't have to spend the entire day standing in lines or trying to get through a packed Artist Alley. We have some of the same types of illustrators and vendors people are looking for at those shows, but here you have room to breathe and actually talk to them.”

The event also continues the Streetz Artz Alliance’s commitment to supporting charitable organizations through its markets. Charities supported through the participating artists and community include the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, League of Enchantment Chicago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Delta Gamma, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Cancer Society and the American Liver Foundation.

The Streetz Artz Alliance is a collective of more than 350 artists and crafters from across the Chicago suburbs, Northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin. Founded and curated by John E. Streetz and his team, the alliance produces curated artisan markets primarily at breweries throughout the region, with an emphasis on bringing local artists together with their communities.

Event Information:

Comics, Action Figures, Cosplay & More Market

• Saturday, Aug. 22
• 12 to 5 p.m., Cosplay Contest: 4 p.m.
• Soundgrowler Brewing Co., 8201 183rd St., Suite P, Tinley Park,

Free admission. Family friendly. Indoor and outdoor. Rain or shine. Craft beer, tacos and non-alcoholic beverages available from Soundgrowler Brewing Co.