From left, Mark Helton, CEO and cofounder of 97toNow Productions, Robb Nault and Jimmie Jones, co-hosts of Pop Culture Kaboom Radio Show on KNVC 95.1 FM, at the radio station in west Carson City on Aug. 27.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
Some local dreamers and afficionados are bringing their love of pop culture to the capital city in a big way.
The inaugural Kaboom-Con! is slated for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. Tickets are $10, and admission is free for kids under 10.
“I would say this is the intro level con,” said event organizer Mark Helton. “If you’re con-curious, come check it out.”
A resident of south Reno, Helton is CEO and cofounder of 97toNow Productions, which is presenting the event. Helton met with Pop Culture Kaboom Radio Show co-hosts Robb Nault, of Gardnerville, and Jimmie Jones, of Carson, as well as KNVC 95.1 FM General Manager Steve Funk for an Aug. 27 interview at the radio station off North Minnesota Street.
The four individuals discussed the capital city’s “first-ever pop culture convention,” as stated on the website where tickets are available: https://www.kaboomcon.com/. The conversation manifested a fun-loving spirit of irreverence and reverence.
The irreverent side produced quick-witted jokes, ironic musings and the kind of banter that has made Pop Culture Kaboom Radio Show a hit. Airing 6 p.m. Sundays on KNVC, the Carson-based show has drawn guests as diverse as Gene Simmons and Dean Koontz, according to Jones, and the show’s name naturally lent itself to the convention.
The reverence in the conversation produced heightened appreciation for pop culture in all its facets, “facet” being a word Jones used to describe the varying interests represented at Kaboom-Con. The reverence disappeared quickly, however.
“What are the seven pillars of pop culture entertainment, Jimmie?” Helton asked in a low-pitched voice reminiscent of a quiz show.
“They are comic books, cons and events, toys and collectibles, games, novels, television and movies,” Jones answered promptly, as if in a drill.
The conversation also bespoke the dedication needed to get the event to Carson.
“My objective is I believe in small businesses. I believe in supporting the community,” Helton said. “And so, what is a con generally filled with? A bunch of small businesses. We have 87 different vendors, retailers, exhibiters… That’s 87 individual businesses in one place, and providing them the opportunity to share their passion with the community as well as hopefully make a few bucks.”
A quarter of event proceeds will be split between Cold Nose Rescue & Sanctuary, a nonprofit in Mound House, and to KNVC, according to Helton.
“I’m overjoyed that this community is in a place where this can happen, right?” said Funk. “I think it’s important to recognize that Carson City is on the verge of really blooming right now, and I take this as a petal on the bloom.”
Funk emphasized the event is important to the city culturally. Guests at Kaboom-Con! will include comic artist Brent Anderson, for example.
“With a career spanning several decades, Brent has left an indelible mark on the industry, particularly through his work on ‘Astro City,’ a critically acclaimed series that redefined the superhero genre,” reads a bio on the Kaboom-Con! website. “A graduate of San Jose State University, Brent began his career in the late 1970s and quickly gained recognition for his work on titles such as ‘Ka-Zar the Savage’ and ‘X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills,’ the latter of which is hailed as one of the most influential graphic novels of all time.”
Chris Marrinan will also be present at Kaboom-Con!, an artist whose “portfolio boasts contributions to legendary series such as ‘Wonder Woman,’ ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Doctor Strange.’”
“Beyond his work on mainstream comics, Chris has also ventured into indie projects, lending his unique touch to various creative endeavors,” reads Marrinan’s bio for the event.
Father-and-son duo Lawrence John and Diego Iriarte will be bringing experience on projects like “Venom 2” and “Lumpai with a Vengeance.” The duo will be presenting new work on I See Sound Comics, comic books produced by Reno-based 97toNow Productions.
“Now we’re up to eight properties, eight individual comic books that over the next 14 months… we will be releasing issue 1 on all of these,” Helton said.
JAMM the Artist, the Reno Video Game Symphony, Cosplay for Kindness and Carson Victory Roller, the capital city’s roller derby team, will be guests at the event as well. Vendors will include local authors, artisans, game shops, and food and beverage businesses.
Helton and team hope to see 500 to 1,000 people show up, and they have partnered with Hardman House Hotel and Gold Dust West on discounts for attendees and exhibitors.
Volunteers are needed and will be granted free admission, Jones said. A Kaboom-Con! crawl will follow the convention at 7 p.m. in participating restaurants and bars downtown including Fox Brewery and Pub and Bank Saloon.
The goal, the organizers explained, is to create enough momentum at Kaboom-Con! to sustain the event into the future.
“The bigger that it grows, the bigger names you can get,” said Nault.
“I always say on my radio show, literally every week … ‘If you don’t go to these events, they will stop happening, or they will not return to our area,” said Jones.