ENTERTAINMENT

Coming soon: Tallahassee's new comic book convention

Randi Atwood
Tallahassee Democrat
Members of the 501st Legion "Star Wars" costume group greet guests at Infinity Con in Lake City.

If you've been mourning the disappearance of Tallahassee's Alt.Con, here's some good news: Infinity Con — a family-friendly comic book, scifi, fantasy, gaming and pop culture convention — is just around the corner.

The June 29 event will be the first in Tallahassee, but the organizers have been running a similar convention in Lake City for six years.

There will be panels and demonstrations featuring comic artists, writers, special effects and make-up artists, cosplay (aka dressing in costumes) experts, vendors, gaming and more.

Featured artists include Christopher Burdett and Naomi Franquiz. Burdett worked on shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," and now gets to create monsters full time from Tallahassee. Franquiz is a local freelance artist who does work for major and indie comic book companies, including Marvel's "Squirrel Girl." 

A special "Kids Con" area will have costumed characters and events to keep the little nerdlings occupied all day long.

Dex Mccullough participates in the Cosplay Contest at Infinity Con in Lake City.

And if you like to dress up, there's a Master Level Cosplay Contest with a cash prize of $500.

Here's the event schedule:

Main Stage

  • 11 a.m.: 501st Legion Costume Group "Star Wars" panel
  • Noon: Working in the Comic Book Biz
  • 1 p.m.: Tap dance theater by Noise Complaint
  • 2 p.m.: Special FX Showcase: "There will be blood..."
  • 3 p.m.: "There Be Monsters!": Drawing and creating the creatures we love to be scared of
  • 4 p.m.: A capella performance by Geekapella
  • 5 p.m.: Cosplay Contest

Panel Area

  • 11 a.m.: "Crafting Your Story": comics and novels  
  • 12 p.m.: TBA
  • 1 p.m.: Nerd Trivia
  • 2 p.m.: The Infinity Con live podcast: "Geek Debates"
  • 3 p.m.: "So You Want to Make Indie Comics?": The good, the bad and the ugly 
  • 4 p.m.: TBA
A young fan finds out which house she belongs in at a Harry Potter Sorting Hat photo event at Infinity Con in Lake City.

Kid's Con

(Demos throughout the day from Tallahassee LEGO Robotics Club)

  • 11 a.m.: Comic book making with Nathan Archer
  • 11:30 a.m.: Princess photo opp
  • 12:30 p.m.: Harry Potter photo opp
  • 1:30 p.m.: Princess photo opp
  • 2:30 p.m.: Harry Potter photo opp
  • 3 p.m.: Comic book making with Nathan Archer

All photo opps require parent/guardian to have camera/cellphone for photos. Photographer not provided.

Maid Cafe (Anime/Cosplay event)

  • Maid cafe events begin at 11 a.m. and are every 30 minutes till 3 p.m.

Cosplay Demos 

  • 10 a.m.: Foam: basic cutting, shaping and heat forming
  • 11 a.m.:  Sewing: Troubleshooting and problem solving (Bring a challenge and let's figure it out together)
  • 1 p.m.: Foam: adding details and thinking in layers
  • 3 p.m.:  Sewing: Troubleshooting and basic pattern creation

Special FX Demos 

(at Factory of FX booth throughout the day)

  • Making cuts and scars
  • Zombies

Living History

(Display and demos throughout the day)

  • Demonstrations in leather work, textile and combat from Nordrike Vikingar group
  • Demonstrations in leather crafting, calligraphy, armor and combat from  Barony of Oldenfeld group

If you go

What: Infinity Con

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 29

Where: Tucker Civic Center

Cost: $12, $8 for kids ages 6-11, kids 5 and under free. Parking at the Civic Center: $10 cash fee per car.

Visit: infinitycontally.com