FiveStar Comic Con expands into Dayton, will have cosplay contest
Attendees enjoying a previous FiveStar Comic Con in Middletown.
FiveStar Comic Con will expand to Dayton with a two-day event at the Dayton Convention Center in June. The event aims to celebrate comics, gaming, cosplay, anime and pop culture across the Southwest Ohio region. “Our goal has always been to reach neighborhoods that we feel like could use something like this, something that is community based and affordable, and for us, the opportunity to grow made sense. With the Dayton Comic Con, we’re going into a different market, a bigger space and we are able to expand,” said Tony Klapper, founder of FiveStar Comic Con.In addition to Klapper, there will be celebrity guest appearances by Katy Townsend, Duncan Brannan, William Ofoegbu and Power Rangers Justin Nimmo, Philip Andrew, Selwyn Ward, Tracy Lynn Cruz and more.Guests can also meet comic creators such as Darryl Banks, AJ Ampadu, Andrew Thomas, Michael Watson and others.“I would encourage everyone in the community to come out and have a good time. It’s affordable, and there’s plenty to do. For $15, you’re not going to find anywhere else that’s going to give you the bang for your buck,” Klapper said.On Saturday, June 20, there will be a cosplay contest, open to those ages 16 and up, with a $250 prize in cash and gift cards for the top costume. On Sunday, June 21, there will be a kid’s cosplay contest for youth ages 15 and younger with prizes for all participants. With more than 80 vendors, multiple exhibit spaces will feature everything from toys and collectibles to comics and apparel. Plus, more than 96 independent artists will participate in Artist Alley and display their work. There will be panels on popular topics throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday as well as photo opportunities.“We have made it fun, family-friendly and affordable, and we’ve cut ticket prices in half this year just because of the way the economy is right now,” Klapper said. “We have a whole slew of things that people can come to, see, and look forward to being a part of.”In the fall, the Fivestar Comic Con will return to Middletown for its third year, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, September 12 at Miami University Middletown.“We’ll always have Fivestar Comic Con in Middletown, because it’s an event we can do right there in the community, and kids that aren’t able to travel or go to bigger cities are able to come to that con,” Klapper said.Klapper published his first comic book in 2017, and he traveled to conventions to sell it. He wanted to bring a big-city comic con to his hometown of Middletown at an affordable price for local youth and families, and he launched the first comic con in 2024. If You GoThe two-day Fivestar Comic Con will be 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 21 at the Dayton Convention Center. The Dayton Convention Center is located at 22 E. 5th St. in Dayton. A single day ticket for Saturday is $15, a Sunday-only ticket is $12.50, and a two-day ticket is $25. A four-pack of weekend tickets are $90, and the tickets are good both Saturday and Sunday. A VIP weekend pass is $55. Children ages 10 and younger are free. VIP ticket holders receive early entry at 9:30 a.m., a commemorative pin and a tote bag with swag. For more details and to purchase tickets, go to fivestarcomiccon.com.
