‘This is your tribe so come along’

“There’s a saying that some boys never grow up, but I would say all boys never grow up,” quips Dave Gernon.

It’s just as well for Dave they don’t, as he organises Comicons in towns around the Midlands for people of all ages - and not just males - to indulge their playful side.

Since its inception in March 2023 Dave has run 13 events, and Ballinagh Community Centre will host the fourteenth next Sunday, February 23.

“Whatever you were interested in as a kid, it rears its head again whenever you’re older,” he continues. “I suppose the events send a signal out to other people who are interested in say, collecting vintage action figures or collecting comics, that they can still do it and there’s going to be hundreds of other people there who do the same.”

The vintage action figure example was on the tip of Dave’s tongue as that’s what he collects, along with comics and animation cels - the original artworks on celophane used to create cartoons.

“I have Simpsons animation cels, Star Wars: Ewoks cartoons, BraveStarr, Smurfs, Flintstones, He-Man, ThunderCats - a bit of everything.

“Some of the animation cel stuff isn’t overly expensive. You can pick some of it up for maybe €20-30 in eBay and start building a collection. I think it’s pretty cool to have a little bit of history.”

Having grown up in Louth village outside Dundalk, Dave has lived in various Irish towns and has noticed a recurring theme: “There seems to be not much going on unless you are into Gaelic football or drinking. The youth clubs seem to be getting better with animation and music technology classes and stuff - that’s good, but I think we might have missed out on a couple of generations.

“We’re sending the signal out: this is your tribe so come along and join in.”

Amongst the guests Dave is bringing along to Ballinagh is Connor Flanagan, whose Breffni roots extend from grandparents in Tullyvin and Crosserlough.

Tyrone native Connor says his father is “very quick to remind me of my roots”.

Connor told the Celt he traces the trajectory of his current work back to his childhood interests.

“Doctor Who, Stingray, Terrahawks, Captain Scarlet and all the shows from that era were childhood favourites of mine. I read the comics bought from my local newsagents in Coalisland. I dreamed of making comics or working on Gerry Anderson productions back then,” he recalls, adding that he even made puppets for his exam coursework, such was his passion.

“Now nearly 30 years on as well as being a self employed comic artist, I’m working for companies that made those shows, and I’m fulfilling all those childhood dreams and more!

“Over the last number of years I have drawn graphic novels based on Gerry Anderson TV creations such as Space Precinct, New Captain Scarlet and Terrahawks and have just had a Stingray strip published in a new anthology from Anderson Entertainment called Battle Lines.

“It was a lot of work over three months last year. It all culminated in the release of the book just last week. I couldn’t be prouder.”

This has all come hot on the heels of having a poster he produced for a classic Doctor Who episode. It was included as a free gift with SFX magazine in December, which he describes as “surreal and so amazing.”

“It’s very hard to believe,” he adds.

Dave believes the stories of people like Connor who have made a career in this field are worth sharing with younger generations.

“There’s a lot of people working in the movie, animation, and comic industries who mightn’t be well known, but they have great stories to tell and a lot of them are very inspiring as well.

“For people who have an interest in film or comics or animation, they might think it is unachievable, but what we’re doing with the event is putting people in front of you who you can talk to, get advice from and listen to them talk about how they did what they did. I think it’s an inspiring thing that can gain the interests of all ages of people,” he suggests.

The special guest at Cavan Comic Con is American actor Isaac Charles Singleton Jr.

“Isaac has a very impressive CV of movies and games that he’s worked on ranging back to the ‘90s. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in film - he was a named actor in Pirates of the Caribbean, and he was in Planet of the Apes as a creature performer, he was in The Mandalorian and he voiced Thanos in everything from The Marvel Avengers Assemble cartoon to Marvel video games to the Lego Marvel shorts.

“Also he featured as the voice of Thanos in Fortnite which may interest a lot of kids out there - I know my son loves Fortnite and is excited about it.”

Of those who attend the event, Dave estimates about a third arrive in costumes.

“Obviously there’s the serious cos players who have spent thousands on their costumes down to kids coming in their Hallowe’en costumes if they still fit them. If you do enjoy that bit of craic of wearing a costume, definitely do wear it because you won’t be alone,” he assures.

“Some of the costumes we see at the events are absolutely unbelievable they look so real,” he says noting they’ve had all manor of Wookies, Mandalorians and Stormtroopers, Anime characters and superheroes.

It all adds to the sense of occasion and atmosphere.

“We have found there are a lot of friendships forming and a community has evolved around our events - it’s an unexpected side effect, but it’s a very welcome one. We see lots of happy faces, lots of friendly faces - it adds to the welcoming nature of the show.

“It’s going to be lots of fun for all ages. This is the one event all of the family can go to and all of them enjoy.”