FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shane Gerlach – director@siouxpercon.com
Sioux Falls, SD – Every child, 10 and under, will receive a free graphic novel, Poiko: Quests and Stuff, by Brian Middleton, at Dakota News Now’s Siouxper Family Fun Day at SiouxperCon from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the generosity of Vault Comics. Over 800 copies of the book will be distributed to youth during the 9th annual comic and fandom event at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Arena.
Author Middleton will be available all day to sign books and interact with fans in the Envive Chiropractic Kidzone, Shane Gerlach, SiouxperCon director, said. He will make a presentation at noon in Panel Room 1, as well. “We chose Brian’s book because it fits so well with SiouxperCon’s goal of promoting literacy, STEAM education and valuable life skills in a safe, inclusive and friendly environment,” he said. “Family Day on Sunday is the perfect way to showcase his work.”
Poiko: Quests and Stuff’ is the story of a young courier and his friend Kensie whose journeys to deliver important packages are often delayed by a dragon with allergies, a school of space fish and many other foibles. Together, as friends, they complete their missions despite their wild adventures.
Brian Middleton has been telling stories in one form or another for his whole life. After dipping his toe in the water with a handful of self-published and work-for-hire comics he decided to take the deep dive and create his first series, Wulfborne. The three issue mini-series, published by Scout Comics, released in February 2019 to rave reviews. With the creation of Wulfborne complete Brian has turned his creative attention toward his next project, Poiko: Quests and Stuff.
Middleton said, “When I heard that Siouxpercon wanted to have me out as a guest, I was through the roof. I’ve never been to the Midwest, and I’ve heard lovely things about the show. When they told me that they wanted to put a copy of Poiko: Quests and Stuff into so many young hands on Sunday, I was over the moon! I’m so excited to make new friends in South Dakota, and for the young attendees to be introduced to a few of my favorite characters ever: Poiko, Kensie and Eve!”
SiouxperCon, is a three-day extravaganza that celebrates pop culture, art, film, comic books, cosplay, anime, board games, video games, science fiction and fantasy. Gerlach said, “No matter what forms of popular culture you enjoy, you’re sure to find something to remember for years to come.”
SiouxperCon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is run entirely by a volunteer staff and board. Local charities, including REACH Literacy, the JY6 Foundation and this year Make-A-Wish of South Dakota and Montana, receive profits from the convention, totaling over $30,000 in recent years. In 2023, 10,500 people attended the event. Gerlach said, “Featured guests this year include actor Walter Koenig. Koenig’s appearance is the ‘OG’ of our Star Trek actors who will be in Sioux Falls this fall. The others from that fandom include Star Trek Discovery actors, Elias Toufexis who played L’AK; David Ajala who played Cleveland “Book” Booker; and Doug Jones, Captain Seru.” Also appearing are Jasmine and Jafar from Disney’s Aladdin, Linda Larkin and Jonathan Freeman, comic book creators, Cosplay professionals, All Pro-Wrestling legends and more surprise guests yet to be announced.
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SiouxperCon is a nonprofit educational event dedicated to promoting literacy, STEAM education and valuable life skills in a safe, inclusive and friendly environment. The vision of SiouxperCon is to engage all individuals, cultivating their interest in all fandoms and popular art forms through workshops, panels, seminars, exhibitions and hosting conventions.
For more information on SiouxperCon visit https://siouxpercon.com.