Garden City Community College pulled out their capes and spandex this past Saturday, February 24th, hosting their first-ever Buster Con. As the showrunner of this year’s Buster Con, William Schlichter has always had a special love for everything nerdy and has always been inspired to put on a ComiCon himself. When asking Schlichter why it is important to put on an event like Buster Con he states,

 “We have seriously been underserving our nerds,” Schlichter adds “When we think about diversity, skinned color is the first thing we think of or language, but we forget this certain group.” Schlichter was able to bring together people who all share a love for anything nerdy. Garden City Community College students Nancy Torres and Felicity Miller are both members of the Book Buster Club at GCCC and had a club table at Buster Con to spread awareness about their upcoming project 1919 Magazine of the Arts. Project 1919 is open to all students where you can submit your own art and literature. When asked what her favorite part of Buster Con was, Torres said,

 “I enjoy seeing everybody in their costumes, everyone dressed up!” 

With over 400 people attending, Buster Con was an instant success. There were multiple Authors there to promote their work including Schlichter with his own Fantasy novel series. Author Kristian Stoval, Fantasy and Romance Novelist made her debut here at GCCC Buster Con. Stoval has been attending ComiCon for 6 years but has been partaking as an author for 2-3 years. Stoval states that her favorite thing about Buster Con and similar events. 

“Growing up we were the outcasts. But coming here everyone has a place, and there are so many talented creators that you get to meet and talk to.” Stoval said. Buster Con was able to create a place that is safe enough to be yourself and maybe a little weirder. Buster Con brought GCCC next year, and Schlichter already has gameplay on how to bring more success to this event. 

“Next year, we are looking to host Buster Con still in the Dennis Perryman Athletic Complex back gym but are looking to bring in bigger creators,” Schlichter said. In the future, it will be interesting to see how much this event evolves and what will be added to it over time. It is important to continue putting on events that different types of people can enjoy.