Introducing the Minnesota Comic Book Association MNCBA

The new MNCBA’s first SpringCon held on April 29th, 2023, at the Bloomington Armory, was a tremendous success. The show featured the return of fan-favorite panels and hourly prize drawings, brought in over 600 attendees, collected 300 pounds of food donated to the ISD191 Food Pantry, and generated a great, collaborative, and positive atmosphere. In March, Marvel Comics’ New Champions will go up against an older incarnation of the team for the right to maintain their iconic moniker.

COMMUNITY EXHIBITORS

Given the fact that the Midwest has a history of producing exceptional comic-book writers and artists, it’s no wonder that MSP ComiCon is one of the favorite comic-book conventions for many creators. But when it comes down to it, the thing that keeps them all coming back and genuinely sets MCBA’s comic cons apart is the community the organization has fostered. What all of this means for attendees is that the atmosphere at MCBA’s comic cons is palpably friendly, whether you are a seasoned convention-goer or a first-timer. The comic creators are all very happy to be there rather than just treating it like a job, and are generally happy and enthusiastic to share their passion for comics with everyone who visits their tables. “It’s a convention organized for the love of comics and fandom, rather than being a for-profit cash grab,” says Christopher Jones.

“The Armageddon Game” Nearly Destroyed the Entire TMNT Universe

On top of that, they offer $1 off admission with the donation of a non-perishable food item for local food shelves. On Saturday, the Bloomington Armory will host the Minnesota Comic Book Association’s FallCon comic convention. It’s the second convention for this new local comic fan association, whose inaugural event, SpringCon, took place at the same venue earlier this year. Browse events by programming, see event details, get social media links, and plan your next comic con with Coscove. The legacy of the MCBF goes back over thirty years, when a group of like-minded comic book fans, retailers, and professionals banded together to celebrate all things comics and share their passion with like-minded fans!

Frigon reports that MNCBA’s SpringCon 2023 was “very much a coming home kind of moment” for many volunteers who had been involved with MCBA/MCBF over the years. A lot of volunteers just fell into their usual roles, which made things very comfortable, and many local creators were guests of the convention. MNCBA had been anticipating about 300 attendees, but over 600 people came to last spring’s event. “Probably the best compliment we got was from the creators who said, ‘It felt like an old MCBA show! He notes that everyone involved is really looking forward to FallCon, where attendees can look forward to the return of the charity auction and more.

• Perhaps the most mind-blowing thing about MSP ComiCon and the MCBA is that all of this is done for charity.
• I think any crossover needs to be earned and the way we get there is by making readers care for the two properties first – Declan and Drew have already done that with ThunderCats, we just need the time to do that with SilverHawks.
• Chasing Phantoms sees the Turtles face off with the Street Phantoms, a dangerous gang on the streets of New York.
• But one Minnesota comic con is rounding its 28th year this weekend, and in its several-decade lifespan has garnered a large, loyal community of comics creators and fans alike.
• Plus, it gives Casey Jones a really great moment where he proves his worth as a warrior.

We’re going to be focussing primarily on the characters that people already know and love. There will be a few new secondary cast members introduced in the first issue – all members of the original SilverHawks task force that Stargazer and Condor were part of. Embark on a journey through the vast landscape of comic multiverses, from the iconic heroes of Marvel and DC to indie gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who loves to immerse themselves in tales of heroism and adventure, you’ll find your home here. “Given the current state of the creative industries, with the increasing prevalence of generative AI, I believe facilitating a protected space for human artists is more important than ever,” Bateman said.

(At its largest, the two-day SpringCon would plan for up to 10,000 visitors.) Costs are definitely a concern—not only the cost of renting the Grandstand space, but also the costs of flying in guests, catering, and more. Another challenge is having enough volunteers to run a larger event without anybody burning out. As any longtime fan could guess, the Leatherhead arc introduces the mutant alligator of the same name.

Invasion of the Triceratons, naturally, focuses on the dinosaur-like aliens coming to Earth. While this isn’t their first appearance in the series, it is their first time on Earth. Their unannounced arrival, however, leads to a three-way fight between the Triceratons, the Earth Protection Force, and Splinter’s Foot Clan, forcing the Turtles to choose a side. One of the coolest TMNT villains is General Krang, the Utrom general with his giant superweapon, the Technodrome. While he is certainly one of the sillier aspects of TMNT lore, he is a threatening presence in the IDW comics.

This story arc is also important for introducing Jennika, the fifth official Ninja Turtle. 2017’s “The Trial of Krang” storyline followed hot on the heels of the “Pantheon Family Reunion,” which itself was an utterly mind-bending experience replete with all manner of fantastical figures and divine beings. This made the transition from such a story to one set against the backdrop of an interstellar bureaucracy all the more jarring, though that drastic shift wasn’t necessarily for the worse, especially considering the plot at hand.

This all culminated in an ending that not only set the course for the next year of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, but also helped redefine the world they inhabit entirely. City Fall really explores Leonardo’s relationship with his brothers and the Foot Clan’s status as the Turtles’ main foes. Leonardo is the group’s leader, but that idea is often taken for granted. He doesn’t just bark orders; he keeps Microcon MCBF his brothers on track and inspires them to keep going. Plus, the Foot is one of the most dangerous threats in the world and can become a dominant threat if left unchecked.

In the wake of Nick’s passing, three longtime volunteers assumed leadership of the MCBA and did their best to continue the traditions that Nick had established so successfully. In 2019, the name of the organization was changed to the Midwest Comic Book Fans, or MCBF, and was rebranded with a new logo and website shortly before COVID-19 struck. And looking ahead to October, FallCon will be a two-day event at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand in 2024, just as the MCBA event was before the pandemic. The MNCBA is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to help support costs for the return to this venue. Following the events of “The Armageddon Game,” the heroes of the Splinter Clan found themselves struggling with how to move forward with their lives.