Big Into Gaming or Cosplay? Don’t Miss Big River Comic Con!

Are you game for gaming? A Super Smash Brothers sensation? Or wanna display your cosplay skills? Maybe you have a pet that you think can win the cos-paws contest? Then you won’t want to miss this epic event coming up in Hannibal the weekend of April 14-15.

By Peg Cameron Gill Calling all gamers and cosplay compatriots: Big River Comic Con is back! This two-day extravaganza in Hannibal features the best in comic books, as well as fantasy, sci-fi, and superhero television and film.  This event will feature a game arena with open play, a sketch battle, cosplay contests for a variety of age groups, from 5 years and under, up to adult and pro, a cosplay pet contest, and more. Contestants will compete for cash and prizes.  Big River Comic Con 2023 promises wholesome family entertainment with art, superheroes, comics, toys, celebrity guests, and gaming.  Special guests at the Hannibal event include Wrestling Superstar Sgt. Slaughter, one of the most recognizable members of the WWE Hall of Fame and a former WWF World Heavyweight Champ. Other special guests include actor Spencer Wilding, known for his roles in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Batman Begins” and a host of other movies, as well as acclaimed comic book artist Sam De La Rosa. The Big River Comic Con is family-friendly – kids age 12 and under are free! Get your tickets and more info here. Come find the hero in you! The term cosplay originated in Japan in 1984 and the activity is very popular with all genders. Cosplay costumes actually stem from costuming created for the First World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) held in New York city July 2-4,1939, in conjunction with the New York World’s Fair. The Sci-Fi convention’s theme was appropriately, “The World of Tomorrow.” It was later named “Nycon I” by attendee Forrest J Ackerman (who went in a costume designed by his girlfriend). The event drew 200 participants. Ackerman was a magazine editor, science fiction writer and literary agent, a founder of science fiction fandom, and a leading expert on science fiction and fantasy films. At the time, the American was considered the world’s most avid collector of genre books and movie memorabilia. For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar.