Hosted by the Athol Public Library and Hero Shack Press. The fall event was held on Saturday, October 1st at the Athol Town Hall. There was a steady flow of guests who came to see the many amazing independent creators as well as enjoy the kid friendly super hero themed activities.

Held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, there was a creator panel and writer workshop in which you could interact with our guest artists. We also featured a hero training course, create your own hero gear, villian bowling and many more hands on activities for the young and old alike. Cosplayers and a cosplay parade were also featured along with a free raffle. Participants were given a raffle ticket upon entry to the comic book fest. Additional raffle tickets were awarded each time they visited a vendors booth. In turn, the guests were directed to put their raffle tickets into the selected can for amazing prizes.

Along with creator tables, super hero balloons and a photo booth were available to help everyone get in the comic con spirit! The Athol Library offered their used books sale located at the library. Our volunteers ranged from high schoolers to literacy volunteers from both Athol and Orange, Valuing our Children was there to help out as well.

It was a wonderful community event and with the terrific turn out we had, we hope to bring it back next year!

Saturday, June 4th arrived with the warm sun sitting against a baby blue sky, a slight breeze keeping the bugs at bay, it was a perfect day for an outdoor event. This was our first time particpating in this event and we were not sure what to expect. Our expectations were exceeded tenfold by the amazing people we met as well as the other independent comic book artists and creators who were there.

Offering a cosplay contest, games, special guests as well as hands on activities for young and old alike, Winchendon’s small town vibe turned out a big event! The family friendly environment and the fun loving attitude of all the volunteers made the day a worthwhile endeaver. All the money dontated is slated to the all new children’s room addition that is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2022.

Overall, Hero Shack Press was ecstatic to be a part of it and plan to participate the next time this event is offered.

May, 2023 – Kids Con of NE, Concord, New Hampshire… what a show! I have to admit, I wasn’t necesarrily feeling ‘up” to a convention this weekend, but it was such a breath of fresh air I’m super happy we went! I didn’t realize just how much energy comes off the kids as they swarm a convention created specifically for them!

My favorite story of this convention was the young man who came up to our table and explained that he had a poster of the Great Cycilopian hanging on his wall and he was dying to get the boks. After they left the table, we thought back to how he must’ve gotten the poster?

It was our prize wheel! At previous shows we featured a prize wheel giving away everything from cards, to comics, to poster pronts. This young man had WON the poster, and he liked the Great Cyclopian so much, it became part of his everyday world!

This is where making comics is the most rewarding. We are so grateful for our younger readers! I can’t wait to see everyone at the next show!