You could say Vernon Area Public Library’s Mini Comic Con was filled to the maximum with about 1,700 people visiting over the five hours of the free Saturday event on Nov. 15 in Lincolnshire.
“It is our biggest day for sure for the library,” said Catherine Savage of Lake Zurich, the library’s head of communications.
The library’s Mini Comic Con has a history of nearly a decade, and “We are all really excited,” Savage said. “We work really hard to make this happen.”
The Mini Comic Con began at 10 a.m. It included storytime, meet-and-greets, plus photo opportunities with professional volunteer cosplay characters, superhero training challenges, a scavenger hunt, and opportunities to meet comic artists, among other activities.
“I just see the joy in everyone’s faces, kids and adults alike,” said Anne Rasmussen of Lake Bluff, library director, who greeted attendees in the welcome area.
“It’s just festive and joyous, it’s just a really great time to just come together as a community and have fun,” Rasmussen said.
Lan Fung of Morton Grove, the parent of Evren Fung, 3, said about the comic con, “It’s a little bit of everything for everyone and for all ages.”
According to Savage, the first Mini Comic Con was in November 2014. A contactless version in 2020 and 2021. The event was not held in 2022 or 2023, and it returned in 2024.
Savage said in an email that Mini Comic Con is a celebration of fandoms of all kinds. Its main goal is honestly just “fun.” It’s an excuse to wear your Halloween costume again, play some games, meet some artists, come home with some new comics and stickers, and art.
“It’s just fun to be with people who really like things, you know?,” Savage said in the email, “It doesn’t even matter whether they’re into the same thing as you. It’s good — especially for kids — to be in a space where they see lots of people liking lots of different things and they’re all being celebrated.”
People came in costume, with one person wearing a Daft Punk helmet and gloves. Professional cosplayers made volunteer appearances, including the Star Wars fandom players from The Midwest Garrison 501st Legion.
Bob Pieroni of Carol Stream, who handles public relations for The Midwest Garrison 501st Legion, portrayed a dark shadow trooper while his father, also Bob Pieroni, was a white stormtrooper.
“It’s important to be here today because we get to bring smiles to all the kids,” son Bob Pieroni said. “The Midwest Garrison is all about that.”
Probably the busiest station at the Mini Comic Con was the uber-popular KPop Demon Hunters craft table. KPop Demon Hunters is a 2025 animated hit film. People had to wait for their turn at the KPop craft station.
About KPop Demon Hunters, “They’ve been obsessed for a few months now,” said Daniel Liu of Lincolnshire, the parent of Clara, 12, a seventh-grader, and Thea, 4.
“K-pop has definitely been increasing in popularity over our lifetimes,” Liu said about K-pop influences, which include musical groups like NewJeans who have appeared at Lollapalooza.
Making a Star Wars lightsaber craft using cut foam pool noodles was parent Anastasia Bodea of Buffalo Grove and children Angelina, 3, and Alexandra, 5, a preschooler.
To organizers and numerous volunteers, including local middle schoolers and high school students, “They did a great job,” Anastasia Bodea said with a smile.
According to the library records, the Vernon Area Public Library District was founded in 1974 and serves 44,000 residents of Lincolnshire, Prairie View, Long Grove, and parts of Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, plus unincorporated Vernon and Ela townships in Lake County.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
