Larger than life: Cape Comic Con is in its ninth year

Who couldn't use a super hero to come to the rescue? Superman, Batgirl, Wonder Woman -- take your pick. Hey, when times are tough, people will even take Venom, Spider-Man's nemesis. Imagine having all of them under one roof, ready to come to the rescue. This is not as far-fetched a scenario as it may appear to the casual observer, as those who have attended any Cape Comic Con event could say.

Comic Con 2014 is the place to be from March 21 to 23. Held at the Arena Building, it is sure to be another "larger than life" gathering of superheroes. But it isn't limited to those with out-of-this world powers. The success of this annual event over the previous eight years is its appeal to people of all different backgrounds, interests, ages -- and super powers.

Ken Murphy, the event director, boasts of the show's wide-ranging appeal.

"There's something for everyone," he said -- comic book artists, publishers and more than 100 tables of comics and merchandise for fans of all genres.

Parents and grandparents love to bring children because it has a "family feel to it," he added. With more than 20 vendors and exhibitors, there will be enough gaming, role-playing, costume-flaunting and talent-demonstrating for everyone. The attendance at this year's ninth annual event is expected to surpass last year's, which itself was record-setting at more than 1,000. In 2014, Murphy expects to have more than 1,200 joining in the fun with cartoonists, writers, action figure creators and even a theater group. People are encouraged to bring their portfolios, too, to share original work. And each attendee will get the red-carpet treatment -- literally: Much like the Oscars, Cape's stars will get to walk a local version of the red carpet, taking a photograph in front of the media wall.

James Deves, 7, takes the stage dressed as The Doctor from the long-running BBC science fiction series “Doctor Who” for the costume contest at the 2013 Cape Comic Con on April 20 at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

Why organize such an event here, the kind which most often is found in bigger cities, such as San Diego, which hosts the largest comic show in the world? Love of the art and love of the community are reasons enough, according to Murphy. When he reached his 10th year in the retail comic book business, having traveled to big shows in cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, and St. Louis, Murphy decided to celebrate the landmark by bringing a show to his own neck of the woods. As he took the flying leap, he received "great support from families, businesses, fans and children" the first year. By the second year, it "started to grow and become a movement."

Not everyone thought it a logical decision at the time. A few promoters in St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., couldn't imagine someone would "waste his time" with a city such as Cape Girardeau. They made it clear they didn't think it was "a smart endeavor." But Murphy knew superheroes could fly -- even in Cape.

"This is my community," he said, "and this is where I intend to put on events … to better this community. Doing it here is exactly what I want to do." And so he does.

Of the featured guests this year, professional wrestling manager Jim Cornette may be the one who most stands out. After all, wrestling has little to do with a comic show. Murphy is proud to have Cornette's participation because, like superheroes, he is a "larger-than-life personality" who represents pop culture, and the comic business is pop culture. Cornette also will grace the event with his Spoken Word, a live mic act, which he recently performed in the United Kingdom on a six-city tour. Attendees can witness this at 8 p.m. March 22 at Cup 'N' Cork. The $20 tickets may be purchased via the website, cape-con.com or Facebook at facebook.com/CapeComicCon and tickets to the Cup 'N' Cork show include admission to the arena's events.

While last year's newly introduced costume party and contest will be held again this year at 4 p.m. March 22, Murphy is especially excited about the addition of the "artist for a day" opportunity. They already are distributing 5,000 11-by-17 art boards throughout the community -- places such as elementary school art departments, the Wehrenberg Theatre and Cape Arts Council -- on which children 15 and younger may demonstrate their artistic ability. Whether they create something using paint, Sharpies, pencils, crayons, markers, ink or anything else, they have the opportunity to "bring it in and show it off" to vendors, amateur artists and professionals. That art board will even serve as a free pass into the show. The up-and-coming artists will have pictures taken as they display their art.

Cape Comic Con is sure to live up to its reputation as family friendly and entertaining hometown fun. What started nine years ago as one man's vision to share his passion with his community has ignited and spread with each passing year. It illustrates that greatness cannot be confined to a box or a phone booth, but eventually has to emerge and fly. Superman would be proud.

A one-day pass is $5, and a weekend pass is $15. Children 7 years old and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Gaming passes are available at various prices and include admission to the rest of Cape Comic Con.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit cape-con.com.

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau