Pocket Con 2014Pocket Con 2014. Source: Sterling Gilmore
Superhero HuffYorli Huff’s Superhero Huff character. Source: Sterling Gilmore
Geek out at Chicago's comic book convention for teens and kids! This year's Pocket Con is 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, December 5 at the Chicago Art Department gallery, 1932 S. Halsted Street.
Pocket Con features the works of artists and writers of color, as well as work by women, LGBTQ and other minorities, plus small press and indie comics. The free event is presented by Chicago Public Library, Chicago Art Department and Free Write Jail Arts.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
This year's event features:
- 16 artist tables with artists such as Ashley Woods, Turtel Onli, Justin Castaneda, Brad and Wesley Sun and Anthony Piper.
- Additional gallery displays of original art by local and teen artists.
- Meetups, round tables and workshops.
- A manga/anime meetup where you can make a metal anime-style headband, play a manga trivia game and eat snacks fit for an otaku.
- A gaming space where you can try out classic and modern video games.
- Robot races and a chance to make your own glowing robot pin.
- Chicago Public Library's Maker Lab, so you can try out 3D printing and vinyl sticker making.
- Free artist sketches for teens and kids.
- A "pop-up" library where you can get a replacement library card, check out a diverse collection of graphic novels and manga, and learn about downloading movies, music, audiobooks and eBooks using your library card.
Check out photos from Pocket Con 2014 and hear an interview with a young attendee, courtesy of writer Ced Pharoah.
