TOLEDO, Ohio — Comic books, collectibles, vintage toys and more. That’s what Fantasticon Toledo has to offer on the surface. However, Joshua Kalbfliesh, an attendee, says that underneath the pop culture veneer - it’s a place for people to come together.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to be able to express yourself and other artists. I think it’s cool because there are artists who could be self-conscious about their work, but through here, you can express it and it’s not going to be judged. This is a really really open-minded environment and that’s what I like about it," said Kalbfliesh.
By dressing up as their favorite pop culture characters, attendees say that Fantasticon allows them to inhabit the shoes of the characters they admire and indulge in nostalgia of their childhood.
“It’s a great way to escape. You can escape from your problems, and you can also relate to some of the heroes. Some of the heroes, like Spider-Man, have problems just like we do and you can see that good always triumphs over evil," said Bill Teichert, a comic-book vendor.
Teichert says that his comics bring people happiness.
“They’re really excited. They’re like, ‘oh, I used to have these as a kid’ or, ‘I want to buy this because mine got washed away in a flood.'"
This year's event was also a way to mourn the passing of iconic artist Akira Toriyama, who died earlier this week.
Toriyama was a Japanese artist who created the popular comic (manga) and anime series, Dragon Ball. His work left fans inspired.
Chad Schoettle, a vendor and artist, says that he was only a kid when he first saw Dragon Ball, but it inspired him to make his art a career.
“I collected all of his manga all throughout (my life) and all of the DVDs just to actually see how he actually did it (his art) and how I can try to implement it into the stuff I do," said Schoettle.
Schoettle says news of Toriyama's death of was hard.
“Really, it took a heavy toll on me and my brothers as well... and the fan community itself. It’s impactful. Like, I felt like I lost a really good friend. Like a mentor, like a father figure," said Schoettle.
However, Schoettle and other artists say that they hope to inspire others, just like Toriyama did, and that when guests leave they will feel inspired to follow their dreams, whatever they may be.
Fantasticon continues on Sunday until 5 p.m. at the Glass City Center.
RELATED: Tom Smothers, half of legendary comedic duo the Smothers Brothers, dies after cancer battle
MORE FROM WTOL 11: