10th Annual Beaches Library Comic Fest

Friday, April 25, 2025

10th Annual Beaches Library Comic Fest. Sponsored by the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

# A Team Up of Epic Proportions!

Wear your best cape and cowl (or that really cool bow tie and fez) and join us for an all-ages, fandom-filled celebration of reading and pop culture! Beaches Library Comic Fest returns in 2025 for its 10th year on Saturday, May 3, from 1 – 4 p.m. This FAN-tastic event is sponsored by Friends of the Beaches Branch Library and organized by your favorite librarians. It features some local cosplayers, gamers, and comic creators from the Beaches community and beyond.

 

# Celebrating Ten Years

 Find Your Fandom, Find Your Community

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! 


Family dressed as Where's Waldo characters
Photos courtesy Nancy Flynn and the Beaches Photography Club.

Want to 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.

Compete in the Cosplay Contest

This year's competition will have three age categories: Kids (ages birth to 12), Teens (ages 13 -17) and Adults (18 and older). There will also be a Group category! So, get your costumes ready! We'll award a first, second and third place in each category. Don't forget to register (from 1 to 2:45 p.m.). Judging starts at 3 p.m. with prizes awarded by 3:45 p.m. We'll have some great prizes, including comics from our friends at Gotham City Limit.

 

# Scheduled Events & Special Guests


DJ Mario Lambert will be returning to provide a super-sonic soundtrack to your epic Comic Fest adventures! Dr. Andrew Kozlowski is bringing the Risograph Printer back for another Zine-Making Demo and Hands-On Activity. Throughout the event, there will be face painters, balloon artists, LEGOs, games, fun craft activities, scavenger hunts, and more!

Don't miss: Special FX Makeup Demonstrations with special guest Jay Woodley from 1 to 2:45 p.m. in the Community Room. Local dojo Asian Dragon Martial Arts students will also perform a 15-minute Karate Demo at 1:30 p.m., outside. 

 

# Guest Spotlights


  • Amora The Enchantress aka Candy Keane aka Sew Geek Mama local cosplayer and maker

     

    Candy Keane is a Florida-based cosplayer, children’s book author, content creator, blogger and creator of GeekMamas.com, where she blends geek culture with “momlife” and everything in between.  Her cosplay and costume design can be seen in documentaries like Jedi Junkies and Comic-Con Episode IV, and the movie Fanboys.

    A former boutique owner and lifelong costume enthusiast, Candy now shares tutorials and creative content as @SewGeekMama on social media. Her former costume business has been transformed into a cosplay blog at MidnightPumpkinBlog.com, and you’ll occasionally find her at events as Midnight Pumpkin, with a table of sparkly accessories and unique cosplay items. 

  • DJ Mario Lambert

     

    DJ Mario Lambert is a seasoned DJ with over 20 years of experience in the music industry, known for his ability to entertain diverse events ranging from small gatherings to massive audiences of several thousand. Having performed at both local and international events, his open-format style allows him to seamlessly adapt to various musical tastes and cater to any occasion, whether it's a corporate event, wedding, or high-energy nightclub. With his deep knowledge of music and exceptional crowd-reading skills, DJ Mario Lambert continues to create unforgettable experiences for partygoers across the globe.  

  • Ghostbusters of Middleburg

     

    Ghostbusters will be on the scene checking the Library for any pesky poltergeists and interacting with fans! Ghostbusters of Middleburg are a Ghostbusters franchise from Middleburg, FL that cover Northeast Florida, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, and St. Augustine.

  • Jay Woodely Special FX Makeup

     

    Jay Woodley is a first coast native and a 15 year veteran of special effects as well as an actor and stunt performer known best for his work on the walking dead. Jay has also worked on many other projects including stranger things and sons of anarchy, and dozens of themed and haunted attractions around the world.

  • Last Council Saber Academy

     

    The Last Council Saber Academy is a Cosplay/ Performance group in the Northeast Region of Florida. Their mission is to educate and instruct open-minded, enthusiastic, dedicated & hardworking students in the way of saber combat and discipline.

  • Tiger Shredds Hand-crafted items

     

    Jessie Anne (Tiger Shredds) has been into crafting since a young age, taking joy in making presents for friends and family. From jewelry to pillows to adorable octo-plushies, she learned to create and sew  from online tutorials.  In 2020, she took up crocheting, broadening her crafting skills and items available to you!

  • Author and illustrator Michael Regina

     

    Michael Regina creates all-ages graphic novels with plenty of scares, and a lot of heart, that parents can feel safe with their kids reading. He has been drawing comics since the third grade, and his passion for art and storytelling has stayed with him his whole life. He studied painting and drawing at the University of North Florida and minored in literature. Michael is also the creator of the Webtoons.com featured comic Adamsville.

    When he’s not making comics, he loves fishing, begrudgingly rooting for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and spending time with his family. They all live in Jacksonville, Florida.

  • Drew Arnett The Flying Tacoz cartoonists and caricature artist

     

    Drew Arnett found his calling as a cartoonist. He says his ultimate dream is to enjoy making cartoons with friends. published in a lot of notable zines and magazines. Including Gadfly (14-20), Power Point, Mad Hatter, SpongeBob SpingeZine, Spooky and Spice, My Hero Pride Zine and Archie Mega Man (fan art column). My art has been seen at the Glema art gallery. You may have also seen his work in Folio Weekly.

  • Wendy Warner Presents Dr. Seuss

     

    Our fabulous friend, Wendy Warner is back to present Dr. Seuss at this year's Comic Fest. 


Other Confirmed Guests:

  • Droidchaser (Chuck Willis and R2D2)
  • 501st Stormtroopers
  • Beaches Photography Club
  • Fletcher Middle School "Beach Bumz" Robotics Club

Artist Alley

We'll have local authors, comic makers, cosplayers, and fandom artists set up throughout the library. All confirmed vendors: KiwiKanopi, Midnight Pumpkin, CrumzArt, Quaint and Crochet, TheFlyingTacoz, Fable Peaches, Bubble Bee, Tiger Shredds, Small Obsession, Black in Jax Anime cosplay group, Costumers with a Cause, author/illustrator Michael Regina, author Michael J.P. Whitmer,  and author BB LeClere. 

Kid dressed like Wonder Woman


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# Get Free Comics and Manga


Anime cosplayers posing in front of a superimposed background

 

At the Library, Every Day Is Free Comic Book Day!

In addition to our massive graphic novel and manga collection at the Library, you have instant and free access to hundreds more titles right on your phone or favorite device! Just visit hoopladigital.com or download the 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!

Comics on hooplaExplore 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 both on hoopladigital.com and across mobile devices. 

Find Comics on hoopla!


Explore manga like never beforeWith 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! 

Explore the Manga collection on hoopla!

 


Adult cosplayer with briefcase

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