Niki Vavar and the knight training obstacle course. — Photos by Norah Doyle

By Norah Doyle

Somerville Public Library hosted its annual ComixCon with a medieval twist on Saturday, July 26.

The library, decorated with fantasy character cardboard cutouts like Luke Skywalker, Tyrion Lanister, and even Wonder Woman, was bursting with enthusiastic attendees. To enter the building, guests would pass by knight training sessions on the front lawn and children scurrying around on hobby horses.

These are just a few of the highlights from Somerville Public Library’s 2025 Comix Con, “Ye Olde Comix Con.”

Comix Con is a space for children and adults with a childlike sense of wonder to come together and celebrate their interests. This year, the event was spread throughout the entire library with activities for children, tweens, teens, and adults.

A royal guest even came to read the children of Somerville a story, Sleeping Beauty!

Kerry O’Donnell, head of adult services at the library, was ecstatic for the library to host another Comix Con, after having to take a break for a few years due to COVID.

“We are celebrating the idea of fandom with Comix Cons. Every year we have different things, like last year, we had somebody who did a cosplay demonstration. This year, our theme is ‘Ye Olde Comix Con,’ focused more on knights and dragons and princesses, a bit of a medieval theme,” said O’Donnell.

“It’s the idea of celebrating comics, graphic novelists, graphic art, and sort of sharing that with the public. Maybe exposing others to stuff they have never heard of before while also celebrating the things that they love.”

All age-inclusive activities varied from DND miniature figurines paint stations, face paint with Arti Mari, dragon trivia, intro to stage combat, to Disney singalong karaoke style.

For older Somerville children and teens, activities such as LARP games and a Super Smash Bros tournament were offered specifically for them. Children ages 6 to 10 were encouraged to join Saber Guild Padawan training on the front lawn to learn the art of being a Jedi.

Niki Vavar, one of the librarians running the event, had the important task of training knights, old and young, outside.

“Our knight prospects come and they show their control over a hobby horse, and then they attack the three paper target enemies on the tree, and then they knock down two castles with the ancient Nerf bowling balls,” said Vavar.

If newly ordained knights were hungry after all of their training, they could grab a cheesy bite to eat from the Melt food truck, which offered a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches.

Comix Con not only provided a space for people to share their interests, but also a space for local artists and small businesses to share their creations as vendors.

Some of the vendors this year included Boston Comic Arts Foundation, CMYKennedy Designs, The Friends of the Somerville Public Library, Kestrop Studio, One More Chapter Candle Company, Pan & Scan Illustration, Scarlett Creates, Side Quest Books & Games, Seek Ultra, and PomPoison.

“I specialize in all things nostalgic, inspired by the 80s through the 2000s. I sell handmade items, upcycled items, vintage collectibles, a little bit of everything, but all of it will make you go, ‘oh, my God, I remember that,’” said Marissa Kennedy, owner of CMYKennedy.

“I love getting to interact with kids at Comix Con. 
I’m definitely a kid at heart, so it’s really fun for me to get to kind of like nerd out with all of the kids that come.”

Comix Con also held a raffle ticket contest, of which prizes included plushies, books, Legos, and more.