AMBER LOVE 09-OCT-2012 Stacy Korn announced on her Facebook profile that our efforts for this year’s Superhero Weekend raised somewhere around $7,000 for SAFE in Hunterdon.

Superhero Weekend would not be possible without the art donated by the talented and generous people of the comics industry. They get a lot of requests for sketch donations for causes and we appreciate that so many fit us into their schedules.  Writers, publishers, toy and collectible companies sent in a huge amount of items that went into the auctions, raffles and contest prizes.

Capes & Babes creator Chris Flick traveled several hours to be in New Jersey all weekend sketching with other artists: Jamal Igle, Jim Calafiore, Tom Schloendorn, Erica Hesse, Bill Ellis, Charles Wilson and of course Ken Haeser. Ken also acted as one of the celebrity judges in the student “design a hero” art contest. All the artists provided original sketches for the winners.

We definitely had a record-breaking number of cosplayers this year too. Batman and Batgirl traveled all the way from Virginia to join us. We had amazing participation by the Star Wars troops, fans of Marvel, DC, IDW and Doctor Who that turned out in their best spandex and armor. Our friends at Cocco’s Cafe even broke out the sound system and played some of the most iconic theme music from the classic shows like Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Imperial March. We also had a brief serenade by H2Awesome who you should catch in full concert at NYCC’s Rock Comic Con.

We had the best PR year too. Comic Fusion made the front page of the Courier News the week before Superhero Weekend. We even got mentioned on ABC News’ weather report by meteorologist Amy Freeze. We couldn’t do it without so many larger profile people spreading the word like the 501st costumers, The Mary Sue, Bleeding Cool, Comic Geek Speak, Comic News Insider, Geek Girls Network, Geek Syndicate, Pete’s Basement, the Taylor Network, Newsarama and all the individuals that retweeted the links to the art listings and announcements.

I got quite sick and I’m still recovering. All the heavy lifting, literally, this year was done by Jesse Parrino, Ashley Neuhaus, Jordan, Stacy and Bill who rearranged  furniture and cleaned, doing all my usual chores. I was in a cold medicine haze all weekend just to get through standing out in the cold Jersey air – sometimes in the rain – in not so much clothing.

We were extremely fortunate to have so much local participation as well. Cocco’s Cafe and Sage boutique gave us full access to their shops for cosplay changing areas and getting out of the cold. Main Street bagel donated a couple dozen bagels. The Mixing Bowl had mini cupcakes decorated in theme that were delicious. Superfan Jill Pantozzi made sure the volunteers were fed for which we can’t thank her enough. We had great support from the Flemington Borough Council and the Business Improvement District.

This was also the best turn out we ever had for professional photographers and filmmakers. You’ll be able to find some of the epic shots of our “Crime Alley” reenactments and regal Court House shots on Facebook for Knightmare6, Tyrus Flynn and Jason Colflesh. News on the film will come after we get editing done but that’s a much longer process being undertaken by Leroy “Ziggodent” Rivera.

Galleries:

* Jason Colflesh – Day 1

* Jason Colflesh – Day 2

* Knightmare6

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of AmberUnmasked.com and Vodka O'Clock Podcast. Author of The Farrah Wethers Mysteries, comic book short stories, prose, and non-fiction. Cosplayer and figure model.