Mana-Con comic book convention draws record costumed crowd to Manatee library

BRADENTON -- It is the event many teens look forward to each year.

Many came dressed Saturday as their favorite comic book character to the sixth annual Mana-Con Comics Convention in the Manatee County central library.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library and the Friends of the Braden River, Island, Palmetto, Rocky Bluff and South Manatee libraries, continues to draw a bigger crowd each year.

Library services manager Ava Ehde said about 300 people were standing in line when the doors opened and another 650 arrived within the hour.

The 2014 convention drew more than 1,400 people to library, and the crowd this year exceeded 2,000, she said.

"It's really nice when you see the entire family come in and they are so engaged," Ehde said.

Maximus Whitaker, 13, said

the convention was particularly cool because of the sheer number of book lovers it attracted.

"This year was infinitely better than last year, not to say that last year was bad," Maximus said.

Maximus' costume paid homage to Vinyl Scratch, the background unicorn character from My Little Pony.

The day was filled with activities and events, and did not disappoint, Maximus said.

This year's theme was Doctor Who from the long-running BBC series. Attendees had an opportunity to step inside a replica of the Doctor's time and space machine, a blue police call box referred to as a TARDIS, short for Time And Relative Dimension In Space.

"Now that we had a TARDIS you can actually get into, it's cooler," Maximus said.

The teen said one thing would have put the event over the top.

The elevator, its doors already being blue, would have made a good TARDIS, he said.

Malaki Hudec, 4, poured the contents of his goodie bag on the floor at the library as he surveyed the comic books and other trinkets he had collected.

"More, more, more," he told his mother as he picked out various pieces of candy.

His mother, Stephanie, sat on the floor with the preschooler as she tried to help him gather up everything.

"He and his brother are enjoying it," she said. "We've been here all day, and he's really enjoyed it."

Her 12-year-old son was front and center as they prepared to award prizes at a nearby game.

In addition to free comic book giveaways, the convention featured comic book vendors, face painting, gaming, DJ dance party, portrait studio, Jedi training camp, super-hero training and origami.

For teens they always have a popular exclusive room, this year called the Go! Go! Robot Lounge. For youngsters, there was a Star Wars-themed cantina.

Chris O'Hara, an organizer for the children's area, said the turnout was outstanding. The event's popularity serves a greater purpose, O'Hara said.

"It also just plain gets the kids into the library," O'Hara said.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published October 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Mana-Con comic book convention draws record costumed crowd to Manatee library ."