By Ziba Kon
In Motion Staff Writer
For the second year, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will welcome super heroes of all kinds during the Daytona Comic Convention, which convenes at the ICI Center Sunday, Nov. 5.
The comic book and toy convention runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Center, which houses the university’s athletics and intramural sports departments. It is located on Clyde Morris Boulevard directly across from the campus main entrance.
Usually, the 50,000-square-foot facility is the centerpiece for campus recreation, athletics and University functions such as graduation ceremonies, guest speakers, and concerts. But on Nov. 5, participants can expect to see “cosplay,” or costume playing, including recreations of characters such as Deadpool, Medusa and the Black Widow, along with comic books legends Superman, Batman and Spiderman.
Star Wars and Star Trek vintage toys will be sold by vendors, who will include many from Florida and even a few from Georgia comic book store s. Special guests — such as Budd Root of “Cavewoman” fame, Star Wars artist John Nadeau and author Joe Lovece — will also be setting up tables and displays for attendees to enjoy.
Admission is $8 at the door or $5 for advanced tickets, which can be purchased at local comic stores. Interested parties can go to the Daytona Beach Comic Book Convention Facebook page for information. Or, a copy of this article may be brought to the door to get entry for $5 dollars as well.
“I truthfully like comics. I grew up, not with 200-plus channels on my TV, but instead reading comics for entertainment. I got to read and enjoy them and working this convention brings back good memories, seeing things I own or want to own on display,” says Tom Raupp.
He is the man responsible for all this being available. A former concrete mason worker — now a nationwide comic book convention enthusiast and comic book and toy collector himself — has turned into the man in charge for getting this grand event to Daytona.
“I may be the figurehead of the event, however without the support of the sponsors and attendees it could not go on,” Raupp says.
Before Raupp took the reins of the convention in Daytona, it was run for six years by local store owner Steve Meyers, owner of the World of Comics store in town. Before making its home at the ICI Center it was housed at a hotel on beachside. From its humble beginnings or 30 or 40 vendors, it has grown over the years to offer over 135 vendors and this year expanded further to include Georgia stores.
“Guys coming from Georgia tells you that our event has generated pull and draw, so that comics will be sold when they take time to travel down here for a one-day event,” Raupp says.
Among the many local businesses represented at the event will be The Daytona Arcade Museum, which will be on hand with classic arcade games available for play.
Activities kick off at 10 a.m. with various vendors available to browse over and to purchase collectibles from, but there also will be random door prizes and the cosplay contest at 1:30 pm. That contest will consist of three age groups, each vying for event cash called Daytona Bucks, First place in each category will win 50 Daytona Bucks, second place earns 30 and third gets 20 “bucks,” except for the youngest age group, all of which will receive 10 just for participation. Daytona Bucks may be used to towards the purchase of items at the event, including local food trucks such as Gotham City Pizza.
Raupp emphasized that without the help of sponsors this convention would not be able to go on. Among those sponsors is Orlando Collector Deviants, a group led by husband and wife team Steve and Trish Halsey and their family. The two formed the group three years ago and have attended all kinds of conventions, including the recent events in Florida and Georgia.
“Every weekend between Florida and Georgia there are two to three events going on,” says Steve Halsey. “Five years ago we started as just a couple of collectors and with the network of friends we made, after two years we were able to become known worldwide.”
On their social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram they also offer monthly contests and prizes from local comic retailers. Most of the pictures on the Daytona Convention’s Facebook are contributed by the Halsey family. The Halseys say they love the Daytona Beach venue more than even the bigger named events.
“Most people would save up for Megacon, but we would save up for this event in Daytona Beach,” says Steve Halsey.
The Daytona Beach Comic Book Convention website can be found at www.daytonabeachcomiccon.com or call 386-566-1708. If you miss the November conference, two upcoming dates are already confirmed at the ICI Center on April 22 and Nov. 4, 2018.