From Thursday through Sunday, fans of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in comic books, film, and television swarmed downtown Pensacola for the second annual Pensacon. Manda Manning, Pensacon’s director of marketing, said, “Our estimated attendance was 22,000 over the weekend. We did have to turn away an additional 2,000 people at the door when we sold out Saturday around 3 p.m.. Our attendance doubled this year from last year.”
Mike Ensley, chairman and co-founder of the comic convention, said the concept for the event was two to three guests at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This year, Pensacon filled the Bay Center’s convention floor and meeting rooms, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and other local venues such as The Fish House, Beef O’ Brady’s, Play, Hopjacks, Tin Cow, Atlas Landing, and the Saenger Theatre. Even the Pensacola International Airport temporarily took on the nickname Pensacola Intergalactic Airport. Ensley said, "In our second year, we have already outgrown the Pensacola Bay Center,” said Mike Ensley, Pensacon Chairman. "We are continuing to look for ways to expand so that Pensacon can continue growing. That's why we've begun and are at the center of the dialogue for a convention center to be built downtown."
Though Pensacon guests spanned media from movies to television, it still followed the tradition of the comic book convention. Circling the third floor around the convention seating, several comic artists spoke with guests, demonstrated their art, and sold their work. Jen Broomall was one such artist who has created artwork with clients such as Big Dog Ink, Blue Rainbow Online, Zenescope, Aspen and has a cover project in the works for Boundless Comic’s Lady Death series.
An artist who influenced Broomall readers may recognize the most is Todd McFarlane, Spider-Man and Spawn illustrator. However, Broomall said she didn’t lean too heavily on other’s work when developing her own. She said it turned out a “Frankenstein of styles.” She said she originally had trouble with tougher elements like hands, but eventually decided to muscle through learning. “This is how I draw an eye. It stinks now; let’s make it better,” she said.
While many large conventions and gatherings draw interest for the event’s express purpose, such as video games at E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, comic book conventions (or comicons), create a unique atmosphere where attendees can feel like guests through costuming, aka “cosplay.” It was not unusual to see attendees take pictures with others who themselves spent the same money to get into the convention but also perhaps a year in designing and building a costume or prop.
Kenny Zaborny constructed a working, remote controlled K9, a robot based on the Dr. Who character. Zaborny’s creation stood almost knee-high and rolled, lit up, and even spoke. Multiple costume contests happened during Pensacon, but Zaborny said he had no plans to enter K9 in any contests. “He’s just for fun, to entertain people.”
Pensacon’s Facebook page already announced two guests for next year, Peter Mayhew and David Prowse. Both known for iconic work in the Star Wars series, Mayhew played Han Solo’s sidekick, Chewbacca, and Prowse played the dark lord, Darth Vader. “Pensacon has not only brought a world class event to Pensacola, but also a boon to local businesses and the community,” said Ensley. “We look forward to bringing an even bigger economic imprint on the area next year and in years to come.”
While event organizers make plans for next year’s Pensacon, many attendees are making plans to attend time permitting, like Navarre resident K.J Maben.
In addition to visiting the special guests, Maben was browsing the Bay Center floor where the vendors were located.
“Since this was my first, I didn’t know how much everything would cost, but next year I know what I can go for next year,” Maben said.
Maben, who dressed as Connor from the popular video game ‘Assassin’s Creed III,’ said he was enjoying his first comic con event.
“I’m enjoying this so much,” Maben said. “Honestly this is more than I imagined it to be.”
While the event offered fans the opportunity to meet those who bring their favorite characters to life, Pensacon also offered an opportunity for area businesses.
Robbie Kirkpatrick was selling gem stones, jewelry, healing crystals, etc. from the Sunshine Gems & Minerals, which is based in Navarre.
“We have been having a lot of good responses,” Kirkpatrick said. “This is definitely a good place to sell.”
Kirkpatrick brought the business to the comic con, after volunteering in last year’s Pensacon.
“It made perfect sense, you have so many people in one area,” he said.
After this year’s success, Kirkpatrick said the business is interested in taking part in next year’s Pensacon.
“We are definitely coming back next year,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: All dressed up for Pensacon