ComicCon Livermore returns to the Bankhead on Saturday, free to all

ComicCon Livermore takes over the Bankhead Theater on Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, which is the part that sets it apart from most conventions carrying the name.

The costume contest is the thing most people come for. It runs at 1 p.m. on the Bankhead stage.

Two hours earlier, at 11 a.m., the same stage holds an author panel with a Q&A aimed at people who want to write comics, fantasy, superhero and speculative fiction. Judy Wheeler of Towne Center Books moderates, with authors Trevor Dutcher, TE McArthur, Jeffrey Hallett, Michael Spencer and Betsy Streeter.

Guest appearances this year include R2D2 and AK-Rev from the Star Wars franchise, and John Morris, the voice of Andy in the Toy Story films, who is returning.

Outside, O'Hana ComicCon takes the Bankhead Plaza with anime, toy and collectibles sellers alongside the comic con vendors. Across the day there are interactive comic art stations for all ages, art demonstrations, face painting, and balloon art from JOLLI Faces.

The Bankhead is at 2400 First Street in downtown Livermore. Livermore Valley Arts has run the event for the past three summers and brought it back for this one. The organization is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit; the Bankhead and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies and more than 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors.

Dates, times and ticket prices for the rest of the Bankhead season are on the Livermore Valley Arts site.