This is the story of how a few informal conversations turned into a full-blown comic book convention in the unassuming town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It took the hard work and imagination of dozens of teachers, librarians, college administrators, business people, and professionals in the comic book industry, as well as hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of meetings. It will require two of us to bring you this tale: John Weaver, an English teacher at Williamsport Area High School, and John Shableski, who has worked at the distribution end of comics publishing for many years.

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By John C. Weaver, Ph.D., English teacher at Williamsport Area High School in Pennsylvania

I stood in the middle of a dizzying steady-cam spin, a swirl of bodies and primary colors assaulting my senses. Two Deadpools raced through my sightline, followed by a tall, skinny Superman. I had to leave, to get out of the heaving mass of humanity before it consumed me. Flailing and lurching toward the exit, I pushed past a member of the Borg Collective and burst into the lobby, only to find Catwoman posing for photographers.

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By John C. Weaver, Ph.D., English teacher at Williamsport Area High School in Pennsylvania

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When I was growing up, my dad was very fond of the Robert Service poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee," and in particular, he liked quoting the lines, " A promise made is a debt unpaid." About two months ago, I wrote an article on Graphic Novel Reporter entitled "Who Teaches the Watchmen." At the end of that article, I promised that I would let you know how the unit went. I hereby wish to discharge that debt.

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When I was a kid, I had no interest in comics at all. Before we’d go on family vacations, mom would take us to a newsstand and suggest that we choose some comic books to read in the car, and though I did pick some out, they really didn’t capture my attention.

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