Bram Meehan, Atomicon 2024 workshop. Courtesy/Aimée Doiron
COUNTY News:
The fourth annual Atomicon, Los Alamos’ local comic convention, returns to Mesa Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 30. The day starts with costume contest check-in at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m. with a jam-packed schedule for all ages.
This year’s event particularly seeks to expand its sessions for adults and teens with new talks, workshops, competitions, and games.
The one-day Con offers two workshops designed to inspire both aspiring and experienced comic creators, illustrators, game makers, and other creatives. Bram Meehan will lead a hands-on tutorial, “How Do I Comic?”, guiding participants through the process of developing ideas and putting them onto the page. Later, “Only Then Studios” will present “Kickstarter: A Hero’s Journey,” a session on launching creative projects covering campaign design, prototyping, and advertising.
“Both these workshops are a fun and exciting way to build your comic or gaming projects,” Aimée Doiron said, adult program specialist at Mesa Public Library. “Our presenters have extensive knowledge in their areas and are enthusiastic about helping others grow and share their own creativity. There’s so much imagination and creative exploration in our community here in Los Alamos, and I’m excited to see how Atomicon workshop attendees take what they learn and put it out into the world.”
New this year, Atomicon will host four consecutive Lego competitions for adults and teens in the upper rotunda of Mesa Public Library. The hour-long, drop-in sessions will feature free-build challenges with comic-inspired prompts. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to new participants at each session.
Building on a year of successful campaigns at the library, Atomicon will also offer two Dungeons & Dragons one-shot campaigns for teens and adults. Both sessions will take place at Fuller Lodge and require advance registration.
Additional highlights for adult and teen participants include:
- Truth, Justice, and Freedom of Expression, a comic art exhibition in the Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library.
- Board games set up among the art in the Step Up gallery for self-led gaming. Get your group together and start a game!
- A vendor hall at Fuller Lodge featuring comic-inspired art, books, games, and other comic creations for sale.
- Free caricature drawings created by artists in comic style. Sign up in the lower-level rotunda to sit for your portrait during the 1-2:30 p.m. drawing session.
- The costume contest invites adults to compete in several categories: individual costume age 11+, group costume 11 +, and group costume mixed ages.
Con-goers can view the full event details, including costume contest categories, on the library website under the events tab, www.losalamoslibrary.org. Participants can also call the service desk at Mesa Public Library at 505.662.8265 for more information.