Grand Valley will host the first-ever Laker Con, a three-day comics celebration, from Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1. The event, which is free and open to the public, will bring together GVSU students, faculty, alumni, community members and industry professionals for a celebration of the popular art form.
“We want people to connect in a shared love of the comic arts and entertainment arts,” said Briana Skerpan, president of the Student Interest Group for Illustrators. “We also have some incredible faculty who will present and speak to the academic side, which will complement the entertainment element.”
A celebration of comics literacy, the entertainment arts and the scholarly merits of sequential storytelling, Laker Con has been an effort years in the making after initial efforts were squashed by COVID-19.
Laker Con activities include
- Panels and Presentations celebrating and exploring comics
- Artist Market with creations from 50 student, alumni and professional artists
- Activities and programs to make zines and comics for kids and adults
- Comics-inspired/themed movies and animation
- Portfolio reviews and the business of comics
- A cosplay contest with prizes
“It's a chance to finally connect current students, the community, alumni and professionals all in one space,” Skerpan noted.
Attendees will have the chance to hear from GVSU faculty members, as well as award-winning experts like Scott Hampton, who has illustrated such iconic properties as Batman, Sandman and Black Widow; Christopher Moeller, who has worked on Justice League, Wonder Woman for DC Comics and Magic the Gathering, and more.
Event information can be found at gvsu.edu/lakercon.
