Free Comics & Fandom Fun for All Ages
Wear your best cape and cowl (or your favorite wizard robes) and join us for an all-ages celebration of comics, gaming, fandom and pop culture! Beaches Library Comic Fest returns in 2026 for its 11th year on Saturday, May 2, from 1 – 4 p.m. This FAN-tastic free event is sponsored by Friends of the Beaches Branch Library and organized by your favorite librarians.
Open Call for Artists, Cosplayers and More
Get in on the fun! We're inviting over a dozen local artists, authors, and makers to sell their original and fandom-inspired creations at the event. If you're a creator, a cosplay group, or a nonprofit organization, please reach out via this form by March 14, 2026. There is no fee to table but space is limited.
Find All Your Local and Fandom Faves
DJ Mario Lambert will spin requests and play fandom favorite music throughout the event. Andrew Kozlowski returns for another Zine and Mini-Comic Making Activity. There will even be a Karate Demonstration with students from Asian Dragon Martial Arts, a local dojo!
Other activities and special guests include:
- Free face painting and balloons
- Special FX makeup demos with Jay Woodley
- Cosplay contests (for all ages) with fun prizes
- Wendy Warner presents Dr. Seuss in the Children's Room
- Get your cosplay photos with the Beaches Photography Club
- A performance by Fletcher High School Band
- Demos with Fletcher Middle School "Beach Bumz" Robotics Club
- Scavenger hunts, LEGO, games, craft stations, and more!
It's a truly epic team up of local cosplayers, gamers, comic creators, and fans from the Beaches community and beyond. A full schedule and confirmed guests and vendors will be available soon.
Get email reminders about this and future events!
Where Is Your Super Suit?
Make sure your fandom is represented! Come dressed in your cosplay best! Or, just wear that graphic tee you're most proud to own! It's a great way to find community and strike up a conversation with people who share your interests.
Whether you're into anime and manga, Marvel comics or the MCU, the Potterverse books and movies, Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Doctor Who, or all of it: You are sure to feel right at home and find community with fellow readers, geeks and gamers!
Annual Cosplay Contest
Get your costumes ready! Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place in each category:
- Group/Family Category
- Kids (ages birth to 12)
- Teens (ages 13 -17)
- Adults (18 and older)
Note: This year's prizes will include several popular games recommended by and purchased from Darby's Dungeon, a tabletop gaming lounge and store off Beach Blvd.
Get Your Free Comic Book
Every year on the first Saturday in May, comic shops across the country celebrate the creativity, community, and pure fun that comics bring to fans with Free Comic Book Day (FCBD). At the Library, every day is free comic book day. But when you join us at Comic Fest, you get a comic to keep!
The Friends Group works with Gotham City Limit, a local comic shop, to purchase FCBD comics to give away at Comic Fest. There will be a few titles to choose from (for all ages). Note: If you're visiting Gotham City Limit earlier in the day, they will have different comics to give away in store.
We will be announcing more community partners, special guests, and activities very soon.
More Free Comics and Manga
Can't get enough comics? In addition to our massive graphic novel and manga collection, you have instant and free access to hundreds more titles right on your phone or favorite device! Just visit hoopladigital.com or download the Hoopla app, and have your library card handy.
Don't have a library card yet? Stop by any of our 21 library locations or sign up online!
Explore a diverse universe of comics and graphic novels for new comics readers, die-hard comics fans, and everyone in between! Want a panel-by-panel guided reading experience? Check out ActionView, hoopla's comic-friendly reading technology. When using the app, double-tap a panel, then swipe and watch stories come alive! ActionView is available on their website and across mobile apps.
With titles ranging from action-packed adventures to heartwarming slice-of-life stories and everything in between, manga offers something for everyone. Plus, hoopla's constantly growing collection means you can always find something fresh and exciting to read. Catch up with popular and award-winning series from Tokyopop and Disney or re-discover classics like Neon Genesis Evangelion!
