MASSENA -- The North Country’s longest running comicbook convention returns on Sept. 22-23 at the St. Lawrence Centre mall.

"We decided this year would be a two day event with day one focusing on all things comic books and day two focusing on all things anime," said event organizer Elijah Winfrey.

Upstate Comic Con held its first event on Aug. 2, 2014 at the Massena VFW and has held an event every year since.[img_assist|nid=242269|title=Nadia Verucci will be one of the featured guests at the Massena Comicon.|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=175|height=142]

"This is our sixth event that we have done and we are so excited to have fun with the fans and raise money for a great chairty," Winfrey said.

The charity for this year’s event is the Massena Memorial Hospital Foundation whose mission is to enhance patient care at Massena Memorial Hospital through patient comfort initiatives, technology upgrades, equipment purchases, capital improvement support, and staff education, said a press release from organizers.

On day one (Sept. 22) the VIP Hour will run from 2-3 p.m. This is where VIP ticket holders can come in early browse vendors and more. When the general admission opens up at 3 p.m., attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of:

• Video game tournaments provided by Rainy Toad Gaming;

• Photo opportunities with the Ghostbuster Car from the 2016 reboot movie brought to the North Country courtesy of the McCarthy Family;

• Photo opportunities with The Montreal X-Men (cosplay group from Montreal);

• Meet celebrity Nadia Verruci who was a voice actress in the Assassins Creed video game series;

• Get a custom lightsaber made from Jim Moscatello;

• See a wide variety of goods including Funko pops from Legendary Loot from Potsdam;

• Browse through over 20 comic book, sy-fy, and anime vendors and artists from all over New York State; and

• Participate in the Elite Events by Lenny Cosplay Contest where the winner in the Adult Division (Age 16 and Up) will get a $250 cash Prize.

At the end of the night VIP ticket holders will receive entry into the Mix 96.1 Comic Con After Party where Local Musician Kris Waite will perform.

On Day Two (Sept. 23) the VIP hour will run from 11 a.m.-noon. General admission opens up at noon with:

• Anime-related video game tournaments by Rainy Toad Gaming;

• Art contest where the winner in the adult division will win a $150 cash prize;

• Cosplay karokee where people can dress as their favorite characters and sing out their favorite hits;

• A special surprise presentation from the studio , dance studio, located in the St. Lawrence Centre Mall;

Both days of the convention will feature panels where attendees can hear and learn about different things related to comic books, co-splay, and other fan favorites.

"This is going to be a sight to see and we are really excited to bring all of these wonderful people to our community. We hope to pack the place for both days so that we can continue to bring out more interesting vendors in the years to come as well as support local charities," Winfrey said.

The event itself will take place in the former TJ Max lot in the St. Lawrence Centre mall.

VIP tickets covering both days, cost $25 and include one hour early access both days, entry into Mix 96.1 After Party, five free raffle tickets, lanyard, tote bag, special deals/exclusives from vendors during VIP hours and more.

General admission is $15 per day and $3 for kids 10 and younger.

Tickets are available online at www.eventbrite.com/e/upstate-comic-con-2018-tickets-44725621538.

A portion of ticket sales goes to MMH Foundation.

There are a limited number of vending spaces available for this years event. Contact Elijah Winfrey via the Conventions Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Upstatecomiccon for more information.