Second annual Cape Girardeau Comic Con to be held this weekend

For fans of classic comic books, fantasy gaming and collectibles, the second annual Cape Girardeau Comic Con is a must-attend event.

Three legends from the "silver age" of comic books with strong ties to Southeast Missouri will be in town to answer questions, share stories and sign autographs.

The two-day convention will take place at the Student Rec Center-South at 926 Broadway. The first events begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The main event of the convention is expected to be a panel discussion between three legendary comic creators. Gary Friedrich, who played a large role in creating the comic book Ghost Rider; Roy Thomas, who wrote comics including Conan the Barbarian, Avengers and Fantastic Four; and Denny O'Neil, who wrote and edited many of the classic Batman comic books from the early 1970s until the 1990s, will all speak.

O'Neil, a St. Louis native, worked as a reporter and wrote occasional columns for the Southeast Missourian in the 1960s. Friedrich and Thomas are both Jackson natives. The panel discussion will be at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Event organizer Ken Murphy, who owns Marvels and Legends comic book shop at 1030 Broadway, is overjoyed to have the three creators in town.

"In the industry of publishing comic books, these three guys rank as three of the most influential creators of the '60s, '70s and '80s. No question Stan Lee [creator of Spiderman, X-Men and the Hulk] would be one of the only names larger and then these three guys underneath," Murphy said.

Murphy said O'Neil brought Batman away from the "campy" television show and into being a more serious character. "Biff, bam, boom had to go away after the TV show, and Denny O'Neil did that," he said.

Murphy can't quite explain why Southeast Missouri was such a hotbed for creative talent in the early days of comic books.

"This community supports this hobby and this industry tremendously. I wouldn't want to even guess why these guys accomplished everything they did, we're just fortunate they did," he said.

But not everything will be rose petals and reminiscing. Friedrich is suing Marvel Comics and claims to be the sole creator of the Ghost Rider comic in 1972. The comic was made into a major motion picture this year starring Nicolas Cage.

Thomas, who served as editor-in-chief for Marvel and worked alongside Friedrich at the time Ghost Rider was created, tells a slightly different story.

He said in a February interview with the Southeast Missourian that although Friedrich was the driving force behind Ghost Rider, both he and an artist, Michael Ploog, contributed elements to the character at the time of its creation.

Fans will have the chance to ask about this and other issues during Saturday's panel discussion.

Other events include tutorials on how to pitch a comic book idea to publishers and how to self-publish a comic book.

Murphy said more than 400 people attended last year's event at Buckner Brewing Co., and he's expecting larger crowds this year. He has 20 vendors selling merchandise ranging from figurines to artwork, games and rare comics on about 100 tables.

Tournaments of strategic cards and miniature games will be held both days. The Star Wars 501st Storm Trooper club will be there both days and available for photos.

"It is my goal to build this show to a regional show. We're between St. Louis and Memphis, and I'd like to bring this show in a few years from now 1,500 or more people," Murphy said.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245