Rogue Comic Con returns to Medford despite rainy weather

Published 3:15 pm Saturday, May 4, 2024

Sid and Leilani Humphries couldn't find the droids they were looking for Saturday at Rogue Comic Con at Pear Blossom Park in downtown Medford. 

Rain or shine, the cosplayers, comic book fans and lovers of all things pop culture made their way Saturday morning to Medford’s Pear Blossom Park for Rogue Comic Con.

The downtown park was filled with colorful and creative costumes such as comic book character Poison Ivy, Spider-Punk and more, with the visitors checking out numerous booths filled with art, knick-knacks and other goodies.

The free event included numerous activities to get involved in from photo-ops with “Star Wars” characters to art workshops put on throughout the day.

“We have the princess dance party and we’re going to have the kids costume contest with amazing prizes … the kids will get some cookies, boba tea and other things,” said Lanessa Pierce, executive director of Rogue Comic Con. “After that, we have a Japanese laido sword demonstration and they are going to have armor and doing some fighting on the stage.”

Beyond the numerous activities set throughout the day, visitors also had the chance to try new food and drinks and check out some of the arts vendors.

While a heavy dose of rain poured throughout the Saturday event, the Rogue Valley’s avid comic book and pop culture enthusiasts couldn’t be deterred.

Dressed as a character from video game “Halo 3: ODST,” Isaiah Serrano brought the perfect water-resistant armor to counter the downpour.

“I feel a little bad for the other people, but I’m a little happy that it rained because it fits the vibe from the game and all that,” Serrano said, referencing the video game’s drizzly, dreary setting.

Serrano and a friend originally made their outfits for Halloween last year, and he was excited to partake in the Rogue Comic Con festivities.

“I get to see everyone else’s costumes and see what they came up with and see what I can spend all my wallet on and just have a good time,” Serrano said.

Considering the event lined up with Star Wars Day on May 4, many visitors were dressed in the garb from the iconic sci-fi franchise.

“We’re specifically looking for some droids, but we keep getting redirected,” said Leilani Humphries, wearing a clone trooper helmet with husband Sid Humphries, who was wearing the red stormtrooper helmet of Captain Cardinal.

“We’ve been to all of them,” Sid Humphries said of attending previous comic con events in the Rogue Valley.

“It’s been the first time in five years coming to (Rogue) Comic Con,” said Michael D. Fox, dressed as Obi-Wan Clownobi — adding a big, red clown nose to the Jedi’s signature robe.

Holed up at the Village Books booth at Pear Blossom Park, artist Jae Burlingame was painting his next work.

“I’m painting the grim reaper as Bob Ross,” Burlingame said.

While the painter was feeling frosty from the rain and chilly weather, he stayed determined.

“I’ve been painting for 10 years and I started just painting comic books and stuff,” Burlingame said. “It was comic books, video games and movies, anything that would get me distracted from the world.”

A few booths over, sculptor Ken Nash of Art Dogs Creative was not only attending Rogue Comic Con for the first time, but showcasing and selling his art in person for the first time.

“When my grandson was probably 2 (years old) and I was 71, we started playing with Play-Doh together and I found it so satisfying and so much fun that I just never stopped,” Nash said.

The sculptor’s creations involve monstrous, cartoon-like figures and eyeballs.

“I’m very influenced by ‘50s science fiction and classic monsters mostly, and Roth and DC comics from the ‘50s and ‘60s,” Nash said.

While the rain may have put a dampen on some of Rogue Comic Con’s activities and fun, Pierce was overjoyed with the turnout and dedication of the attendees, organizers, venders, artists and other involved with the event.

“Pop culture always has a fandom, and we knew that people would be here for this,” Pierce said. “The vendors have been freaking rock stars, like the positivity from the artists in the Artist’s Alley and the vendors out here in the pouring rain, they’re all positive.”

“I’m glad, I was panicking a little bit,” Pierce added, discussing her thoughts before the event kicked off.

Rogue Comic Con involved collaboration between multiple groups and organizations in the Rogue Valley such as ScienceWorks, Rogue City Comics, The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, Retro Wormhole, Southern Oregon Geocaching, Astral Games and many others.

“I think of being a freak as awesome, so letting your inner freak out, that’s what it’s here for, for you to be who you are,” Pierce said. “We’re not going to let rain stop us, and we are already rethinking things for next year.”

To learn more about Rogue Comic Con and hear updates on next year’s event, visit roguecomiccon.com.

To check out Nash’s artwork, visit etsy.com/shop/ArtDogsCreative.

To see Burlingame’s art, visit jaeburlingame.com.

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