Afro-centric Comics Fan Fest Convenes In Norfolk

By Glen Mason
New Journal and Guide
Arts and Culture Correspondent

NORFOLK

The superheroes that descended upon downtown town Norfolk’s Sheraton Waterside Hotel last Saturday and Sunday were not the superheroes of our fathers.

No Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Invisible Woman or Cyborg. There was an appearance by an intriguing Thor from a Marvel Comics multi-verse. He had bronze skin and long golden tresses. Perched on his shoulder was his battleaxe, Stormbringer.

Highlighting the comic book fan fest were African-American creatives: writers, artists, and publishers. Blacks in Technology: The Foundation had a popular booth there.

The first Atlantic Comic Con was created and developed by Derron Flood, a local business man and entrepreneur lauded by vendors and fans alike for hosting a family event that “filled a void” according to one attendee. There are few comic book conventions sponsored by African-American event producers. The one in Hampton Roads mirrors the popular conventions that bring thousands to convention centers throughout the country that celebrates the comic book industry and its properties.

“The Atlantic Comic Con will continue to grow. It fills a need for representation for the many Afro-centric literary creations, characters, and genres it promotes,” said John Craft, a vendor who, with his business partner, owns a comic book shop in New Jersey.

“We knew the organizers, and they were nice enough to invite us to partner with them to put on a fantastic new comic book convention, a comic con,” said an excited Rossi Brown, whose  popular stand with Craft greeted patrons center ballroom. “We will definitely be coming back!”

Olympic gold medalist quarter-miler Wadeline Venlogh was asked why she invested in the Atlantic Comicon.

“The great Derron invited me, and I’m more than happy to be here,” said Venlogh,  while signing copies of her science fiction novel. She drove up from South Carolina.

“I’ve always had a crazy imagination in a good way. It would be difficult to do a movie out there, so I decided a book would live forever. Even after I’m long gone. And maybe one day my books will be on the big screen. Because my mind wants me to be great!” said the aspiring novelist.

“I enjoy being able to attend a comic book convention that’s targeted at African-American people so we have representation for areas that don’t always have us presented. It’s a great way to meet like-minded kin folk,” said Antoniah Brown of Virginia Beach, a writer who attended with a family friend and her parents. “They got drafted because of me.”

“I started cosplay in 2023 at my daughter’s request. The first con was GalaxyCon in Raleigh NC. And I still love to dress as a Dora Milaji,” said her mother, Valerie.

The cosplay contest at the first Atlantic Comic Con last weekend at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk was a cornucopia comic book and science fiction characters re-imagined.