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Well known figures from the comic book industry will gather at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel April 12-13 for the Fourth Annual Asbury Park Comicon,  New Jersey’s pre-eminent comic-book convention.

Thousands of fans are expected to descend on the event as well, this year held at the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. The con features an all-star line-up of comic-book writers and artists, more than 180 exhibitors and memorabilia dealers, and two days of activities that will appeal to everyone from indie fans to parents and their kids, according to an event release.

“This is a family-friendly suburban con where you actually get to meet the comic-book creators, get autographs, buy comics and collectibles in an accessible, intimate and hassle-free environment,” Cliff Galbraith, organizer of Asbury Park Comicon, long time comics artist, and Red Bank resident said in the release. “To top it all off, you don’t have the aggravation of heading into the city and you’ll be home in time for dinner. What’s a better way to spend the day for people who want to share their passions?”

Major guests include Jim Steranko, the first “rock star” of comics who is the artist/writer responsible for popularizing Nick Fury [played by actor Samuel L. Jackson in the Marvel movies]; Chris Claremont, who turned Marvel’s X-Men and Wolverine into two of comics’ most popular franchises; artist J.H. Williams III, who is collaborating with writer Neil Gaiman on the incredibly popular Sandman series from DC/Vertigo; Cliff Chiang, the artist currently drawing DC’s Wonder Woman; Ren & Stimpy co-creator Bob Camp, three time Eisner Award winner Evan Dorkin; and popular illustrator Stephanie Buscema, who comes from one of comics’ most important families.

Comicon patrons will have access to dozens of dealers to purchase old comics, new comics, sketches, autographs, toys, action figures and collectibles.

“There’s a wide spectrum of comics from dollar-bin bargains all the way up to super-rare comics for $10,000 to $20,000 dollars,” Galbraith said.

“Popculturalist” Robert Bruce reiterated that the show offers more than just comics.

“Don’t forget there will be an incredible variety of toys and collectibles at Asbury Comicon too,” Bruce said in the release. “Not just for today’s kids, but those of us who were kids decades ago — the emotional connection to those childhood treasures is a powerful force.”

Bruce is a noted collectibles expert and event co-promoter.

There will also be a broad range of events, from panels spotlighting writers and artists to the ever-popular Sunday Cosplay Contest — judged by Mike and Ming from AMC’s hit TV show “Comic Book Men.” Prizes will be given cosplayers of multiple categories, including adults, children, couples and groups.

This is like a modern-day circus coming to town and Halloween all-in-one,” Galbraith said. “Kids are super stoked to see the fans dressed up as their favorite comic book character and we encourage everyone to participate. The costumes and contestants are really diverse; last year, we even had a guide dog dressed as Captain America [shown at right].”

Motor enthusiast and fans of retro TV shows are also in luck: The Batmobile, Batcycle and Green Hornet’s Black Beauty from the 1960s TV shows will be on display.

Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.asburyparkcomicon.com/tickets. Saturday tickets are $18.50 each and Sunday tickets are $17.00 each; two-day passes are $30. Day-of tickets purchased at the convention are $20.50 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Children 8 and under attend free with an adult. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days.  On street hourly parking is available.

For more information on the convention, visit: www.asburyparkcomicon.com.

[Images provided courtesy of Liz Wellinghorst.]

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