SarasotaCon showcases comics and local community of enthusiasts

Sarasota resident Tatum Britt and his friend Kevin Whitlock had the chance to share in one another’s enthusiasm on Aug. 12 at SarasotaCon.

The two looked indistinguishable, dressed as the "muscle mice" from the anime series "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba."

The mice enjoyed about “30 seconds of combined fame” in the anime, Britt said. However, he also said delving deep into the world of pop culture is part of the experience at SarasotaCon.

“Somebody didn’t know what this was, and now they know,” he said, describing a major aspect of the event, which he said sees attendees quizzing their friends on video game characters and comic book heroes.

The one-day convention also featured memorabilia including vintage comics for sale and the car “Baby” from the television series "Supernatural." It also hosted two special guests, comic book artists Pat Broderick and Greg LaRocque.

Britt said, engagement with the local community is another part of the event's attraction.

“The amount of talent in Sarasota is phenomenal, kids in college and older generations,” he said. “It’s a cool, very eclectic community.”

A showcase for the community

Comics artist Pat Broderick said the small size of the venue brought to mind shows he attended early in his career, when he first started illustrating comic books in 1974. He's worked on books such as "Legion of Super-Heroes," "Captain Atom" and "Green Lantern."

“You don't have the noise level that you do with the big mega shows, and you don't have the crowds that you do with big mega shows; it's just much more intimate,” he said.

Vendors called the event a pleasant change of pace from the larger comic conventions and an opportunity to gain exposure. 

Event promoter David Hess said the convention, like the many others his group hosts throughout the country, is targeted at a location where larger comic conventions are not found.  

“We're not going to try to go up against the (Tampa Bay Comic Convention), or Motor City Comic Con, or even San Diego,” he said.

For Sarasota's Aleta Karpan of Aleta's Alchemy, a gourmet cookie business featuring uncommon flavors, SarasotaCon was a unique opportunity.

“I’ve lived in Sarasota a long, long time, so it’s interesting to see conventions actually happening in Sarasota,” said Karpan, who moved to her home in The Meadows in 1988. She said for the event, she specially created the Sakura cookie featuring strawberry, lychee, rose butter.

Katrina Gwinn of Louisville, Kentucky, who owns the knitting and crocheting business Sugar Wyrm, said she has long been following the company’s conventions.

“Honestly, they're pretty affordable in terms of prices for booths, and I've always just had a really good time at them. I feel like the community they draw is super friendly and everybody’s really nice to each other. It’s just a lot of fun.”

A place for fans

One aspect of the convention didn’t seem reduced in size, however, was pop culture knowledge. Broderick said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet comic book fans.

“Fans are great. Comic fans, they're loyal. When you get out to meet them, it's nice to hear that your work is entertaining people, because that's what it's all about,” he said. “It's like 10 minutes of suspended reality when you can get into a book.”

Greg LaRocque, an artist for comic books including "Legion of Super-Heroes" and "The Flash," said he was also enjoying meeting fans.

“Everybody has been real friendly,” he said. “I’ve noticed how it is a very creative crowd down here, with the cosplay. ... When people come and start talking about work I did 43 years ago, it’s quite awesome."

“I just like being here,” said 9-year-old Jack Page of Sarasota. “I just like that vibe. And I am excited to do the costume contest.”

“We love seeing all the up-and-coming artists and book authors, and seeing everyone dressed up, and taking pictures of people,” said his mother Tiffany Page.

Britt said he hopes the event continues to grow. He’s attended each of the three events so far since SarasotaCon debuted in 2022.

“I’ve supported it from day one," he said.