Gastonia Comic-Con draws crowd for 9th annual library event (original) (raw)

June 8, 2026, 9:08 a.m. ET

Five-year-old Rhydian Reitzel checks out the crochet critters during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Five-year-old Rhydian Reitzel checks out the crochet critters during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Chris Lawrence sells action figures during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Chris Lawrence sells action figures during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Elizabeth Norwood, dressed as Leetha the Ewok, checks out the items for sale during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Elizabeth Norwood, dressed as Leetha the Ewok, checks out the items for sale during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Eight-year-old Rayna Lee makes a mask during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Eight-year-old Rayna Lee makes a mask during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Six-year-old Talon Brown checks out a dinosaur during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Six-year-old Talon Brown checks out a dinosaur during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Kelly Lawniczak takes photos of people during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Kelly Lawniczak takes photos of people during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Bree Thurman Wilson hands out bags during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Bree Thurman Wilson hands out bags during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

People check out the comics for sale on the second floor during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

People check out the comics for sale on the second floor during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Megan and Smith Tuttle check out a dinosaur costume during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Megan and Smith Tuttle check out a dinosaur costume during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

People were given the opportunity to eat bugs during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

People were given the opportunity to eat bugs during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

SL Harby was on hand to talk about his novels during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

SL Harby was on hand to talk about his novels during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Becca Mionis talks about her science fiction novels during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Becca Mionis talks about her science fiction novels during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Meg Devereux and Justine Potthast check out the comics for sale during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Meg Devereux and Justine Potthast check out the comics for sale during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

A child dressed as a Pokemon during the Costume Contest during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

A child dressed as a Pokemon during the Costume Contest during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE

Many took part in the Costume Contest during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Many took part in the Costume Contest during the 9th Annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con held Saturday at the Main Branch on East Garrison Boulevard.

Mike Hensdill/GASTON GAZETTE