Santa Clarita hosts its own comic and toy expo

Josh Singer shifts through a collection of comic books at the Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo at College of the Canyons on Saturday. Samie Gebers/The Signal
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Normally, Santa Clarita residents would drive down to Los Angeles to attend a comic book convention.

Now, one is being hosted right in their backyard.

Kimzar Kollectables hosted the Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo at College of the Canyons on Saturday and Sunday, a two day event where attendees met with artists, cartoon voice actors and browsed comics and toys.

“Santa Clarita is always growing, so it needs something like this,” Rudy Mariscal said.

Eric Clardy and his daughter Kristina Clardy, 4, observe a drawing of Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn at the Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo at College of the Canyons on Saturday. Samie Gebers/The Signal

Mariscal was used to driving down to Los Angeles for a day filled with superheroes and comics and was relieved that a convention is now close to home.

“I didn’t even know that Santa Clarita had a comic or toy convention,” Mariscal said. “Hopefully this will get bigger and we will have more events.”

“We’ve kept getting feedback from locals and community members that wanted to have an event like this,” Lisa Simonian, an event organizer with Kimzar Kollectables said.

Mike Sheerer Jr.,13, observes a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers booth at the Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo at College of the Canyons on Saturday. Samie Gebers/The Signal

Simonian noticed that as people browsed her comic book store, more and more visitors expressed a need for a local event.

“Sometimes larger shows intimidate people who have never been to a bigger convention,” said Simonian.

Artists, voice actors from cartoons and other professionals were at the convention, as well as vendors and costume, prop and Lego displays.

“People can see a little bit of everything,” said Simonian.

Jeffrey Ortiz and Claudia Fonseca observe a Lego display at the Santa Clarita Comic and Toy Expo at College of the Canyons on Saturday. Samie Gebers/The Signal

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