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Dressed to thrill: Costumed fans flock to Black Comix Expo

Dressed to thrill: Costumed fans flock to Black Comix Expo
Photo by Caroline Ourso

These fans came for color outside the lines!

Blades of glory: Davaughn Thomas, dressed as Marvel comic character Blade, poses during the Expo.
Photo by Caroline Ourso

Comic-book lovers of all ages flocked to the Black Comix Expo at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Feb. 10. The celebration of comics creators of color featured about two dozen writers and artists showing off their work, but the fans who arrived decked out in their creative home-made costumes provided the best entertainment of the day, according to one attendee who trekked to the event from the distant isle of Manhattan.

Sister, sister: Talia Bennett, 12, and her sister, Aja, 9, pose in cosplay during the Black Comix Expo.
Photo by Caroline Ourso

“My favorite memory was the costume showcase — even the little kids get involved, and that’s what cosplay is all about,” said Alex Blue, who came dressed as “Agent J,” the character played by Will Smith in the movie “Men in Black.”

Reading room: Comics creators Jean-Paul Deshong, left, Jose Rivera, middle, and Shonniec Holland, right, enjoy the Black Comix Expo.
Photo by Caroline Ourso

The Expo, which also featured programming inspired by Afrofuturism — including a virtual-reality experience that put visitors in the body of a black woman, and a panel discussion on black women in science fiction and fantasy — offered a great opportunity to show off individuality and reunite with friends, said Blue.

Going somewhere: Bay Ridgite Jerome Walford, who wrote and drew the comic “Nowhere Man,” at his booth during the Black Comix Expo.
Photo by Caroline Ourso

“You have a chance to create cosplay that is original, and one that no one has ever heard of before,” he said. “It’s a fun, free event and everyone should attend.”

— With Natallie Rocha

Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 260–4577 or by e-mail at jcuba@schnepsmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @julcuba.