Comic book creators, fans meet on Chris Yambar's front yard

YOUNGSTOWN

In comic-book speak, it might have been a “wham,” a “zowie,” or at the very least, a solid, colorful “pow!” with a lightning bolt behind it.

It was comic-book artists and writers fighting back against what they say is an industry that has become frustratingly expensive and in which it’s difficult for them to compete. Like the Super Friends, they joined forces to combat “The Man” and a shrinking market for their work.

The scene was Chris Yambar’s front yard on Youngstown’s West Side, where some 250 people showed up to participate in Lawn-Con 2010, something that the comic professionals said may well have been the first of its kind.

“It’s awesome. I can’t believe we actually pulled it off,” said Levi Krause, one of the comic-book artists who took part in the event. “It’s just really exciting.”

Krause, 33, of Ypsilanti, Mich., said most comic conventions, or “cons” as they are known in comic circles, involve forking out a good deal of money, whether it’s the artist being charged a fee to set up a table to display his wares, or the fan being charged an admission fee at the door to meet and greet the creators of their favorite works.

There was none of that at Lawn-Con 2010, where fans were free to simply walk up, meet the comic professionals, get autographs and buy their wares.

For the full story, read today's Vindicator or Vindy.com.