Wildcat Comic Con

Wildcat Comic Con was a comic book convention held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States, at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The conventions name came from the mascot of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.[1] Wildcat Comic Con placed extra value with educators and librarians and how comic books and graphic novels can be used in the educational fields.[2]

Wildcat Comic Con
StatusInactive
GenreComic
VenuePennsylvania College of Technology
Location(s)Williamsport, Pennsylvania
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2012
Most recent2014
Organized byPennsylvania College of Technology[1]

Programming

Wildcat Comic Con typically featured an animation film festival, artist alley, author book-signings, author luncheons, cosplay competition, exhibitors, drawing sessions, fan presentations, LAN party, masquerade ball, portfolio reviews, professional presentations, Star Wars impersonators, vendors, video game contests and demonstrations, and workshops.[1][3][4]

History

The convention was the first large scale Comic Con to be held in Central Pennsylvania and the first to be held by a college.[1] The idea for the convention came from John Weaver, a high school teacher. It was primarily organized by Lisette Ormsbee (director of the Madigan Library) and John Shableski (former comics distributor), neither of which had previous experience hosting an comic convention.[4][5][6] The convention evolved from lectures hosted with the local high school to promote Penn College's video game program.[4] Early in the planning of the convention, discussions were held about naming the convention Millionaire Comic-Con (the high schools mascots name), and holding it at Williamsport High School.[7] Several comic book nights "ComiXnite" were held during the fall at Penn College on Wednesday nights to build interest in the convention.[7] In the first year the convention provided eighty hours of content.[4] In 2014, the convention held post event programming that included game shows and gaming.[8]

The convention received financial support from the community in 2013 including a $9,000 grant from the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau (Lycoming County Travel and Tourism Initiative) and $2,250 from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (Heroes 4 Higher group).[9] The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau raised its funding from $5,000 in 2012. In 2013 the convention had 38 vendors, an increase from 10 in 2012.[10] The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau granted $10,000 to Wildcat Comic Con in 2014 for advertising.[11]

Event history
DatesLocationAtten.Guests
April 13–14, 2012 Pennsylvania College of Technology - Madigan Library and others.[12]
Williamsport, Pennsylvania		About 600[13]501st Legion "Garrison Carida", Frank Beddor, Robert Berry, Dave Elliot, John Gallagher, Dean Haspiel, Walter Koenig, Mark McKenna, Joan Hilty, Josh Neufeld, The Rebel Legion "Echo Base", MK Reed, Tania del Rio, Alex Simmons, David Small, Tracy White, Tom Woodruff Jr., 'yuumei.[1][4][5][7][14][15]
September 28, 2013 Pennsylvania College of Technology[16]
Williamsport, Pennsylvania		501st Legion "Garrison Carida", Tonya Adolfson, Nancy Basile, Robert Berry, Michael Bitz, John Buckland, Jerry Craft, Dave Elliot, Heroes 4 Higher, Gene Kannenberg, April Line, Mark McKenna, Jamar Nicholas, Mike Pawuk, Kambrea Pratt, The Rebel Legion, Chris Ring, Tim Russ, John Shableski, Alex Simmons, and John Weaver.[13][16][17]
September 27, 2014 Pennsylvania College of Technology - Bush Campus Center,
College Avenue Labs, Field House, Klump Academic Center,
and others.[8]
Williamsport, Pennsylvania		John Gallogly, Scott Hanna, Mark McKenna, Pamela Ptak, Chad Renn, Alexander Simmons, Barbara Slate, and Eric Stuart.[8][18][19][20]

See also

References
  1. Bush, Brian (2012-02-09). "Wildcat Comic Con to take over Penn College". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  2. "Wildcat Comic Con is More than a Fan Convention". The Williamsport Guardian. 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  3. "Registration open for April's 'Comic Con' at Penn College". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  4. White, Matt (2012-04-10). "Comics and Education Meet at First Ever Wildcat Comic Con". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  5. Zimbler, Harry (2012-04-12). "Penn College's Wildcat Comic Con celebrates comics, anime mediums". Center Daily Times.
  6. Hamill, Jim (2012-04-13). "Comic Convention Comes to Billtown". WNEP. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  7. "Taming the Wildcat: How to Wrangle a Comic Book Convention in Two Short Years". Graphic Novel Reporter. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  8. "What to expect at Wildcat". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. 2014-09-25. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  9. "Returning Co-Sponsors Raise Bar in Support of Wildcat Comic Con". Pennsylvania College of Technology. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  10. Hewitt, Lyndsey (2013-09-29). "Characters come to life at Wildcat Comic Con". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  11. Reuther, Mike (2014-03-19). "Tourism funds shared among 19 local groups". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  12. "Penn College sets date for 2012 'Wildcat Comic Con'". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  13. Hewitt, Lyndsey (2013-09-12). "Wildcat Comic Con returning to Penn College". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
  14. Line, April (2012-04-12). "Comic Con is here! - Comic convention comes to Penn College". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  15. "'The Force' Is With Wildcat Comic Con". Pennsylvania College of Technology. 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  16. "Lineup Taking Shape for Second Annual 'Wildcat Comic Con' Sept. 28". Pennsylvania College of Technology. 2013-03-06. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  17. "'Star Trek Voyager' Actor to Close This Year's Wildcat Comic Con". Pennsylvania College of Technology. 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  18. "Industry Trailblazer Aptly Chosen as 'Wildcat Comic Con' Keynoter". PAHomePage/Nexstar Broadcasting. 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  19. "Couture, Cosplay to Blend at Sept. 27 Wildcat Comic Con". Pennsylvania College of Technology. 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
  20. Ellison, Kathleen (September 24, 2014). "Wildcat Comic Con back with a cosplay catch". The Eagle Eye. Retrieved 25 October 2014.

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