Whether you’re into superheroes, sci-fi, or fantasy, Heroes for Kids Comic Con is your chance to both see and be a hero. Come dressed as your favorite character and meet up with well-known novelists, comic-book authors, and actors.
By Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Calling all heroes! Suit up and step into Heroes for Kids Comic Con, a fundraising event benefiting the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center and Perry County Senior Center, to be held July 20 and 21 at the Perry Park Center in Perryville, Missouri.
Heroes for Kids Comic Con started out as a playful idea: the founding couple’s children wanted their Dad to don a Superman costume for an event in 2015. But, it quickly transformed into a mission to bring joy and support to the community.
“We decided if we were going to purchase a Superman suit, we were going to use it more than once a year,” says Kids Comic Con Founder and Director Jessica Johnson. “We started doing meet and greets, community events, school/church/hospital visits, and other fundraising events. In 2019, we started promoting our Heroes for Kids Comic Con event.”
Comic and gaming pundits will have no shortage of things to see and do at the convention. Drop by the fair where various vendors will be selling anything comic-related, be it toys, comics, dice, Dungeons & Dragons terrains, or gaming accessories. Fantasy and comic book authors will man booths selling and autographing books. Amy Hale, known for her paranormal romance Shadows trilogy, and Todd Black, a writer for IGN Entertainment who also pens comics and fan-fiction, are two such authors.
Attendees can dive into a Super Smash Bros tournament, embark on a thrilling Dungeons & Dragons campaign, or show off their creativity in Lego-building and drawing contests. Teams can compete in themed trivia, with topics like Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Marvel, and DC.
You might also see some familiar faces at the comic con at the special guest panels. Matthew Atchley, an artist and actor who has appeared on television shows Ozark, The Originals, and What Men Want will be there. Another face you might recognize (or not—he’s usually in special-effects makeup) is Marti Matulis, who has played characters in The Mandalorian, American Horror Story, Star Trek: Picard, Teen Wolf, and more.
Don’t just read about heroes, be one! Head to Heroes for Kids Comic Con this weekend and have some fun while doing good. Come dressed in your best superhero outfits, and you may just win a prize in the Cosplay and Costume Contest.
For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar.
All photos courtesy of Heroes for Kids Comic Con
