Legions of superhero fans, Star Wars junkies, animé lovers and hordes of other pop culture enthusiasts felt one more disturbance in the Force this week when Planet Comicon Kansas City fell to the Coronavirus Death Star.
Despite a rescheduled date for August 14-16, founder and CEO of Planet Comicon Christopher Jackson formally announced that the event would be scrapped this year.
“The health and safety of those attending Planet Comicon Kansas City is paramount,” Jackson said in a news release. “After consultation with the convention center management, as well as many exhibitors, creators, guests, and fans, we do not see a way to move forward that would allow an event that resembles Planet Comicon Kansas City to proceed.”
The event, which draws thousands of comic book and pop culture fans to Bartle Hall over a three-day period, was originally scheduled for March 20-22, but organizers rescheduled it to August when Kansas City cancelled all major gatherings at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Debbie Welch, the owner of A to Z Comics in Blue Springs said her store no longer sets up at Planet Comicon but certainly feels the loss. “It does have a bit of an impact,” she said. “Our sales increase when a particular artist, creator or writer is there.”
“It’ll be a big loss for the comic community,” she added.
Jackson noted that the 2021 date for Planet Comicon has already been set for April 16-18. He said that many of the previously scheduled March and August guests have already confirmed for next year. Participants who already bought tickets may be automatically transferred to the 2021 event and refunds will be available through April 4 of 2021 according to the press release.
Kansas City special effects artist Colleen Coffman participated in last year’s event demonstrating her craft. She lamented the cancellation but explained she understood the dilemma the event faced.
“I would be surprised if it DIDN'T cancel this year,” she said. “I'm sure sad and disappointed, but I'm also looking forward to the day when it'll be back, stronger and more fun than ever before.”