By Dominique Perkins
Published in the Redlands Daily Facts and San Bernardino Sun, Feb. 7, 2011
The Inland Empire’s first comic expo rolled into town Sunday and more than 200 people milled around booths set up by vendors, artists, publishing companies, costume enthusiasts and RCPS, a Southern California paranormal research team.
In addition to the sponsored booths, the Fox Event Center expo featured live music, by local alternative rock band IDASAS, costume performances, raffles, games and a costume contest. There was definitely something for everyone.
Event coordinator and idea man A. J. Herrera was pleased with the turnout. “There’s a home here,” he said. “I think a lot of people are just happy that there’s a local thing they can go to.”
The need for an event close to home was the biggest thing that drove Hererra to put together the expo. “We got tired of traveling,” he said of himself and his team members. “We thought, we live here, why don’t we do this here?”
Herrera was excited to think there might be a few people new to the comic world at the expo. Growing up, he remembers feeling there weren’t too many people he could talk to about his interests. “The more people we introduce to comic books, the more friends we have to kick it with,” he said.
Many of the people involved in the comic expo were personal friends and contacts Herrera met attending other comic festivals. Ben Gilbert, director of publishing for Semantink, a San Diego-based publishing company, was pretty sure his company was one of the first to sign up when they found out what Herrera was planning. “There aren’t a lot of Southern California publishers. We need to stick together,” he said. “Being smaller publishers we are very concerned with making sure that independent publishers have a voice. Just because we aren’t as big doesn’t mean we are any less important, or less wonderful,” he said.
Many local artists, writers, and designers were happy to get exposure and make connections with booths at the festival. Others just came for the party. Lisa Berczel, an airbrush instructor and make-up artist, jumped at the chance to be a little silly.
“It’s great to see such a diverse crowd,” she said. “There are so many different genres and ages.” Berczel set up a face-painting table in a corner, and said it was refreshing to be in such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Nathan Gastineau, affiliated with both the International Federation of Trekkers and the Inland Empire Ghostbusters, said he was definitely in it for the fun. Glen Borst, representing the 501st Legion, said that in addition to the fun, he was in it to support the community. “We’d love to get this established,” he said.
Herrera already has plans for another expo on Sept. 4, at which he expects an even bigger crowd. When asked what he would do differently he replied, “Not have it on Super Bowl Sunday.”
