By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

This Saturday, some homegrown talent will be among the dozens of artists, creators, and vendors at the Camden Comic Con, an annual comic convention that celebrates the artistry and cultural phenomenon of comic books and associated media.

Pennsauken native Ryan Brady of Camden’s Comics is the creator of two superheroes: “The Bolt,” which centers on a lightning-powered hero trying to improve the city of Camden; and “The Anomaly,” a robot designed for war that dreams of being a hero. Ryan is a frequent fixture at a variety of local conventions, such as Camden Comic Con and Wizard World Philadelphia; as well as area events including Free Comic Book Day.

Brady also gives back to the community; along with professional comics illustrator and animator Phillip McNulty, Ryan recently taught a series of classes to fifth and sixth graders at Henry L. Bonsall Family School in Camden, helping them create their own superheroes, villains, and comic book adventures. Brady and McNulty will be hosting a panel during the Camden Comic Con called “Making Comics,” which is a shortened version of the classes.

One of the vendors at this Saturday’s Camden Comic Con will be 816 Custom Creations. Pennsauken resident Dominic Abbatelli, along with Eliade Herrera, create pop-culture themed designs using perler beads, acrylic paints, and stretch canvases. They also feature custom-made Pop! Vinyl figures, and clay statuettes.

The goal of Camden Comic Con is to provide a free, all ages event that links and introduces the community of Camden and South Jersey to comic creators, writers, artists, dealers, and fellow enthusiasts. In addition to this, the event aims to explore and promote the concepts of education, literacy, and artistry through the medium.

The event will take place on the campus of Rutgers University-Camden in the Athletics and Fitness Center on Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the Camden Comic Con’s web site by clicking here.