QUEENS — Queens comic book lovers will now have their very own Comic Con.
The event, scheduled for this Saturday at the Rego Park Library, is the brainchild of librarian Harry Bailey.
“It’s something I always wanted to do and I know a lot of patrons don’t have the funds or the time to make the trip to the major comic cons,” said Bailey, 32, a lifelong fan of comic books, who got his first job at Comic Corner, a comic book store in Ozone Park at age 12.
Bailey, who works at the Broad Channel branch, picked the Rego Park location for the event, because it’s centrally located and is easily accessible by public transportation, he said.
“It’s nice to have something local and you don’t hear of any [comic cons] in Queens," said Bailey who currently has a show on YouTube called Hairy Lion Comics.
The library said that based on the circulation numbers for graphic novels there will be a strong audience for comic books in Queens.
And while major comic cons focus on the big players like DC Comics, Marvel and Vertigo, Bailey said, the Rego Park event will feature lesser known artists, including Barbara Ang, Saori Adams and Steiner Palomino, some of whom were found via Craigslist, the library said.
The artists range in genre from dark comics to balloon type art which exaggerates people’s facial expressions, the library said.
During the event, representatives from various New York City comic stores as well as comic book artists and illustrators will discuss and display their work.
There will also be a slideshow running throughout the day featuring various popular characters, the library said.
Participants are welcome to wear costumes, the organizers said.
The Rego Park Library is located at 91-41 63rd Dr. and the Comic Con will take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It's free but those interested need to reserve a ticket (there are only 50 openings). To register, call the branch at 718-459-5140 or go here.
