Event to feature more than comics

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Chris Yambar’s fourth annual Lawn-Con, a free comic-book show and sale, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Yambar’s house, 23 S. Hartford Ave., on the West Side. Admission is free.

The event will feature national and independent comic-industry creators, live music, side shows, stand-up comedy, photo opportunities with costumed characters and lots of cheap comic books to purchase.

“Every year is completely magical,” said Yambar, himself a comic-book artist, writer and creator. “Sometimes even I don’t know what’s about to happen out on my front yard during Lawn-Con. All I know is that people keep coming back and having a lot of fun.”

Yambar has worked on many comic titles, including “The Simpsons,” “Popeye,” “SpongeBob SquarePants” and his own award-winning creation, “Mr. Beat.” After spending 15 years on the signing and lecture circuit, he decided to bring some of the excitement and energy of a comics convention to his hometown. “I became disenchanted with the high convention entry fees charged to fans and families wanting to attend most comic conventions,” he said. “That’s when I decided to hold a small convention on my own front yard. Now it’s almost out of control. I actually had to trademark the name because of interest from corporations like Warner Brothers and DC comics who wanted to appropriate it for their own similar use.”

Lawn-Con 4 guests will include artist Ron Frenz (“Superman,” “Thor” and “Spider-Girl”); “Donald Duck” art team Pat and Shelly Block; “Popeye,” “Munsters,” “Lost in Space” creator George Broderick Jr.; “Hero By Night” artist DJ Coffman; “Zombie Bob” creator Jimmy Proctor; “Lamprey Boy” artist Scott Hall, “My Demon Pony” creator Heather Kreiter and many more.

Musical acts will include Phoenix Rising, ShiSho, McCabe and Baroque Monody. There will be a special full-uniform visit by Youngstown’s official Starfleet chapter, the USS Renegade NCC-2547 for Star Trek fans. Stand-up comedy will be provided by Jason Delfosse, and Ray Beiersdorfer will cap the day with his Amazing Sideshow of Science. There will even be an appearance by Spawn and a photo opportunity with Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons.

In addition to the annual souvenir shirt designed by Frenz and art print by award-winning editorial cartoonist Randy Bish, there will be a limited-edition Lawn-Con mystery comic available with all proceeds going to benefit First Book Mahoning Valley.