Conventional wisdom!

Dennis Louney, co-founder of the Capital City Comic Con and also a commissioner of the Lansing Board of Water & Light, is setting out on a similar mission. After observing the success of similar events locally and around the state, Louney and his group of collaborators are trying to bring the comic convention experience to Lansing, borrowing formulas that have made other conventions successful while still trying to make it a unique Lansing experience.

“We’re taking the best elements from a lot of other events and we’re applying them here,” said Louney. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. What you see here is similar to what you see at other comic cons but with a local spin on it.”

The inaugural Capital City Comic Con will be Saturday and Sunday at Haslett High School. Though Greater Lansing has seen similar events, like anime/cosplay convention Shuto Con, this will be Lansing’s first ever comic book convention. The Capital City Comic Con, also called C4 by its founders, boasts ample square footage for vendors, artists, gaming and attractions, as well as a robust lineup of activities, guest speakers and panel discussions.

What made such superhero teams as the Avengers and Justice League so attractive to fans is how their roster included characters that were interesting enough on their own before they assembled into a team. The same might be said about the various vendors and groups that make up C4, something Louney will attest to.

“There are a lot of great stories to tell" about those involved with C4, said Louney. “Local stories at that.”

One such participant is local comic enthusiast and art collector Dan Frazier. Frazier owns the nonprofit organization Dan’s Dream, which exhibits his massive collection of over 600 pieces of original comic book art. The exhibit spans several eras of publication, and features work from some of comics’ top tier talent, including works from David Finch, George Perez and even an original painting by Alex Ross. The organization’s proceeds, garnered through sales of prints made from the original art, go to several charities and fund the operation of Dan’s Dream.

“Frazier was one of our key gets,” said Louney.

Another interesting participant in the convention will be the newly opened Lansing video game development studio, Strength in Numbers. The studio, which opened in April, is headed up by Scott Reschke, who was formerly involved with East Lansing’s gaming and repair palace the Frag Center. The fledgling studio, which will initially focus on PC and mobile gaming, is developing its first title, currently named “Project: Tuebor.”

Most of the bases are covered for the event to be recognized as a legit comic convention. In addition to the comic-themed activities, there will be plenty of dedicated space for card and table gaming. Cosplay, in which attendees dress up as comic-book characters, is also highly encouraged, and a judged cosplay competition will be held Saturday. But Louney and company aren’t limiting themselves by the typical concept of the comic convention.

The award-winning Haslett Robotics Team of Haslett High School will be there to show off its mechanical creations, Impression 5 will have a giant Lego play area, and there will also be an appearance by the Lansing Derby Vixens. It’s an interesting recipe for a comic convention, but Louney puts more emphasis on the organizers’ ambitions than adhering to any strict definitions.

“The people involved (in C4) aren’t about egos or making any money, they just want this to work,” said Louney. “We want to make a fun, family event.”

It’s yet to be determined if C4 is going to find a place among the influential comic conventions that came before it. Louney says the goal is to bring 2,000 visitors across the two-day event, but early predictions suggest they could see anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000. The convention has even lined up a free shuttle service to bring attendees to the convention from surrounding businesses.

“We just keep saying we’re hopeful,” said Louney.

Regardless of this year’s turnout, plans are already underway for next year’s convention. With such a diverse lineup in its inaugural year, it’s hard to say where the C4 will go next. But Louney hints that there is already a strategy in place.

“We’d like to increase the event to maximize the facility we have now,” said Louney. The idea is to have a five-year plan of growth and turn this into something phenomenal.”

Capital City Comic Con

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 Single-day pass $15/$10 adv., two-day pass $20/$15 adv., ages 10 and under FREE Haslett High School 5450 Marsh Rd., Haslett (517) 749-5278, capcitycomiccon.com