In its sixth year, Cape Comic Con continues to grow as it celebrates comics and games

Brian Rhodes spends his days with businessmen and logos. He spends his nights with ninjas and speech bubbles.

Rhodes is an exhibitor at the sixth annual Cape Comic Con, which runs today through Sunday at the Osage Centre and features vendors, tournaments, special guests and a costume contest.

The Perryville, Mo., resident created and continues to write and draw the comic "Mike and the Ninja," about an unemployed guy named Mike who meets Stu, a ninja drifter, who takes Mike's life from mundane to exciting.

"His life changes forever," Rhodes said about Mike. "There's so much excitement in the ninja's life -- he's always getting in trouble and there are people chasing after him. Mike kind of gets caught up in all of that."

Though a hobby for Rhodes, who is a graphic designer by day, "Mike and the Ninja" is updated weekly on Tuesdays, and has been collected in two books. Rhodes is working on the third book now.

Brian Rhodes, creator of "Mike and the Ninja" comic, will be at Cape Comic Con today through Sunday at the Osage Centre. (Laura Simon)

"In 2008, I really dedicated myself to it and started to get one done a week," he said. "It is just a hobby, but if I get lucky and it was to get popular enough to become a career, I would be perfectly happy with that."

Rhodes will have both volumes of the book for sale, and the Cape Comic Con is the debut show for the second book.

"I'll be signing any autographs; there's not going to be many of those," Rhodes said with a laugh. "I'll also be giving away free fliers, free stickers, free bookmarks and free high-fives."

Rhodes is one of dozens of local people showing items, but they'll be joined at the show by more recognizable faces. Comic Con organizer Ken Murphy is proud of the growth of the event, as well as the caliber of special guests and vendors.

"One of the neatest things that I've seen ... is that you see a lot of parents and grandparents bringing their children for the costume events," Murphy said. "They get to really soak in the festival atmosphere."

Murphy hopes the variety of the event brings many new faces to the Osage Centre this weekend.

"My show is about a whole lot more than comic books," he said.

Murphy maintains that any successful comic con builds around the entire multimedia, art and fan-based genre.

"That's why you bring in guests like William Katt, and you bring in professional artists, writers and different genres as well," he said.

William Katt is best known to audiences as the star of "The Greatest American Hero," an '80s television series about an unlikely superhero. He will host a question-and-answer session at noon Saturday.

Alexander Rae, a Christopher Reeve impersonator, will also be at the Comic Con. Along with Rae's impersonation, fans can see seven screen-worn Superman capes autographed by the men who wore them, including George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain and Brandon Routh.

Billy Tucci, writer and illustrator for the Eisner Award-nominated "Shi" will answer questions at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Tucci started his comic out of his apartment in New York City, and has gone on to gross more than $25 million worldwide and sell more than 4 million comic books, as well as receiving awards internationally.

"I've been trying to get him to Cape Girardeau for six years," Murphy said. "Personally and professionally, I think he is a tremendous guy; the work he does for veterans around the country? He is just tireless."

Murphy said the guests can provide inspiration for the next generation of artists and writers.

"Depending on what level of success you want to achieve, it can be a hobby, it can be a career and there is certainly some superstar talent that comes out of all parts of the country," he said.

Murphy said Cape Girardeau's comic con lets those budding talents spend quality time with the pros.

"These guys will sit down and talk with you and discuss their path and their course of study and workshops they've attended. At a large show where they draw 100,000 people, you can't get that one-on-one time," he said. "At my show, the artists and writers we bring in, as proficient and successful as they are, they take time for you."

But people at the Comic Con don't have to have a career on their mind. Vendors sell current and vintage comic books, memorabilia, DVDs and toys.

Shane Wolfenkoehler, who owns Championship Games on Broadway, will set up a booth at Comic Con for the third time this year.

"Basically, I'm moving my entire store to the Comic Con," he said.

He is also organizing tournament play with several games at the Comic Con, including Pathfinder organized play and War Machine tournaments each day.

Wolfenkoehler said those interested in competing in the events should find the Cape Comic Con category at www.warhorn.com.

Murphy said organizers have partnered with a man from Poplar Bluff, Mo., who is sanctioned to run pro-qualifier Magic the Gathering tournaments. The games at this show will qualify some to play a pro tournament in Pittsburgh, this fall.

The costume contest -- a "growing component," according to Murphy -- will be Saturday, with registration starting at 2 p.m. and the contest at 4 for both children and adults.

"The costume contest is always fun," Wolfenkoehler said. "The costumes range anywhere from the 3-year-old in the store-bought costume to the entire family dressed up as 'The Incredibles.'"

Ticket sales are exceeding last year's numbers, according to Murphy. A single day pass is $5, and a weekend pass is $15. The three-day game pass is also $15. A one-day family pass is available for $15 for families bringing children that might exceed three people.

CQ

Pertinent address: Osage Center, 1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau

Official website: www.cape-con.com