April 23, 2018 – The Nerds of Color, Black Heroes Matter, New Release Wednesday, and theblerdgurl, in association with André Robinson of Carbon-Fibre Media and Elijah Kelley of the Be A Boss App, are pleased to announce the opening of WICOMICON 2018, a one-day pop-up convention featuring comics creators, cosplayers, artists, music, and more!
The name “Wicomico” is derived from the Algonquin words meaning “a place where homes are built.” Housed in a historic building at 1100 Wicomico Street in Baltimore, Maryland, WICOMICON 2018 will be a home for fans and artists left homeless due to the unexpected postponement of Universal FanCon.
Featuring some of the most acclaimed names in the comic book, arts, and entertainment industries, WICOMICON 2018 will open its doors starting at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 28 and run until 7:00 pm. In addition to dozens of exhibitors, this unique pop-up convention will also feature panels, cosplay contests, special guests, and a wide variety of food options. Admission at the door will be only $10 for everyone ($5 for FanCon ticket holders) and free for children under 12 years old.
“We knew there were a lot of people in and out of Baltimore hurting when FanCon was postponed, and we wanted to provide some relief,” said Keith Chow, founder of Hard NOC Media and The Nerds of Color. “Fortunately, we were able to come together as a community and find a place to celebrate the things we love in the city we love.”
“If we are to say that we are a community, then we must truly operate as a community. That means picking each other up when we stumble and fall, and elevating each other to the best of our abilities,” said Uraeus, creator of Black Heroes Matter. “We saw a problem that needed solving, and mobilized our collective resources and skills to solve it.”
“WICOMICON is what the geek community needs right now,” said Karama Horne, a.k.a theblerdgurl. “It’s going to allow us to uplift artists, fans, and the city of Baltimore.”
“My WICOMICON organizing partners have risen to the occasion and like Peter Parker: ‘with great power comes great responsibility,’” said Patrick Michael Strange, host of The New Release Wednesday Show. “So, like pop culture and the comics that we are fond of, it is in times of tragedy and adversity that real heroes emerge and people come together. This is that time.”
“I am so pleased to be working with some of the brightest minds in the region on an event that celebrates the best of us when things can look their worst,” said André Robinson, executive producer of Carbon-Fibre Media who also serves as executive director of Innovation Villages: Baltimore. “My partners and I welcome the opportunity to showcase how together we rise when facing adversity.” Said Be A Boss CEO Elijah Kelley: “You don’t have to be a success to become a success.”
PERSONAL NOTE:
My initial plans were to travel to Baltimore to cover Universal FanCon. Due to the less than a week postponement, I am ecstatic to see vendors, artist, exhibitors (that were not able to cancel their airline tickets and hotel reservations) will have an option to display their works and hopefully recoup some of their investment on the non-refundable trip. Thank you WICOMICON crew for stepping up and creating a one day of hope and fun that will be my pleasure to cover and share with our followers this extraordinary commitment. And produced over a weekend! You guys are definitely superheroes. Be sure to FOLLOW us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and/or INSTAGRAM for coverage of WICOMICON 2018.
