Some of the more well known comics were present as well as others.
Photo taken by Becca Roberts.
Heroes and villains were hanging out together with plenty of other people from the Cullowhee area for the second annual WheeCon
The WCU Comic Book Club hosted the event on Saturday, March 28 in the Forsyth building from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., bringing in between 300 and 350 guests throughout the day.
“We were hoping for, and happy with the number that we got,” said Deion Woods, a comic book club member.
The event was free for WCU students that presented their Cat card; for all other students with a valid student ID it was a $2 entry fee and for all other guests the entry fee was $5.
“The committee to plan this event formed last fall, but we got together just last week to adjust some ideas,” said Aaron Bowen, a comic book club member.
Different events occurred throughout the day including a magic tournament and a costume contest.
A Magic Tournament took place on the main floor of Forsyth at 1 p.m., which was different from the Whee Con Comic Convention.
“Part of the proceeds from the Magic Tournament will go towards the total for the [Whee] Con,” said Aaron Bowen, a member of the WCU Comic Book Club.
A costume contest took place in room 214 of Forsyth at 2 p.m. It was noted that perhaps it should have been held in a bigger room to accommodate the 60 or 70 people in attendance.
“Wow…there are a lot of people in this room,” said Aaron Ashburn before the contest started, who was a judge for the event.
“The Con was originally supposed to be in the HHS building, but we had to settle with Forsyth at the last minute,” said Nathan Parr, who volunteered for the event.
The contest was open to anyone who wanted to enter and included 13 participants who ranged from a Hobbit, to the Joker from the Batman comics and Sherlock Holmes.
One by one, each contestant came to the front of the room and explained who they were, what comic they were from, and if they made their costume or not.
The third place went to Jazz from the Pokémon series. The character of Accermazer, took seven hours to make and won second place.
From left to right, 3rd place winner, Jazz; 1st place winner, the hobbit; 2nd place winner, staff.
Photo taken by Becca Roberts.
First place went to a female Hobbit character who went all out for the event including placing hair on her feet, carrying a basket with a magical ring inside, and quoting a line from the Hobbit comics as she was leaving the room saying, “Eat, drink, and be merry, Pippin!”
Although one guest was heard saying, “I wish that there were more activities…” the event was a success overall.
Five rooms were utilized for the event on the third floor alone which were separated into rooms where guests could buy plastic collectible figurines, comic books, stuffed animal characters, glass etched drinking glasses, posters, crocheted items, trading cards and video games among other things.
“As a guest it was pretty cool, they had all types of cool stuff…I enjoyed myself, my friends enjoyed themselves, the people were really nice and if I had to come back again, I would,” said Walter Rice, who attended the convention.
While some went all out and embraced their inner comic and others simply strolled through the different rooms looking for special collectibles, it’s clear that this comic book story was a success.
