Annual Amarillo convention AMA-CON brings out the pop culture crowd

Nell Williams
·4 min read

It’s good to be a geek these days. And, even if you’re not so much, it’s a fun out-of-body experience to be out amongst them. The AMA-CON, an annual comic convention sponsored by Amarillo Friends of the Public Library, is like visiting an alternate universe, at the least. The pop culture convention was held Saturday and Sunday at the Amarillo Civic Center in the North and South Halls.

As promised, the event included five different cosplay contests for participants: Kids, Anime, Comic, Gaming, Sci-Fi/Original Characters; panels on art, literature and trivia; vendors offering everything from comic books to steampunk jewelry; special activities including the Geek Prom, an art show, and Sketch Off; as well as gaming tournaments, demonstrations, and free play.

Cy Darrow is portraying a Mollymauk Tealeaf from Critical Role at AMA-CON in Amarillo. His purple tint was beginning to run, one of the hazards of makeup.
Cy Darrow is portraying a Mollymauk Tealeaf from Critical Role at AMA-CON in Amarillo. His purple tint was beginning to run, one of the hazards of makeup.

Besides being a fun event where pop culture fans can co-mingle with others of their species, the event brings money to the Amarillo Public Library programs that are not paid for by tax dollars, according to Stacy Clopton, Coordinator of Public Relations for Amarillo Public Library.

Jason Ybarra stands in front of his custom-made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Van Saturday at AMA-CON at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Jason Ybarra stands in front of his custom-made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Van Saturday at AMA-CON at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Inside the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Van featuring custom Pizza Hut seats Saturday at AMA-CON at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Inside the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Van featuring custom Pizza Hut seats Saturday at AMA-CON at the Amarillo Civic Center.

Many AMA-CON participants had fun with “cosplay,” which is not only dressing up as a character in a sci-fi movie, anime or comic book, but also acting the part. Costumes were mainly handmade from everything including kitchen utensils to everyday items and were very creative and fun. Many of the cosplayers took place in contests, which included animated and sci-fi movie characters, comic book heroes and gaming notables.

Ethan Odell came to the 2023 AMA-CON as Marvin the Martian and had a good time making people smile at the crowded pop culture event.
Ethan Odell came to the 2023 AMA-CON as Marvin the Martian and had a good time making people smile at the crowded pop culture event.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” said Ethan Odell, who came as Marvin the Martian. “I like to make people smile, and people love Marvin, so I chose him to portray." Odell’s costume featured a kilt made of plastic foam with red spray. His green helmet actually had a real floor brush from a broom on top.

Among the 80-plus vendors on hand, Greyson Carney various plants for sale. He said he loved the variety of people coming to the event and also loved being around other collectors. Carney said he found all the costumes and people fun and interesting.

A group of competitors play the board game Gunslinger Saturday at AMA-CON at the Amarillo Civic Center.
A group of competitors play the board game Gunslinger Saturday at AMA-CON at the Amarillo Civic Center.
An AMA-CON attendee admires an amigurumi of The Child at the Amarillo Civic Center.
An AMA-CON attendee admires an amigurumi of The Child at the Amarillo Civic Center.

Carmel Barnhill, Branch Manager of North Amarillo Public Library, enjoys the event as a fan, employee of the library and vendor. She sold home-styled pens with exotic twists including pool cue pens and brightly colored one-of-a kind pens and pencils as well as accessories.

Mike Jones, who came as a “Hunter” from the Destiny game series, had an interesting costume that included a large Nerf weapon that somewhat resembled an oversized oboe that he paid more than $200 for.

Mike Jones was an imposing sight as comic book character, Stanley Snyder, who is a trouble-maker but not evil, at this weekend's AMA-CON.
Mike Jones was an imposing sight as comic book character, Stanley Snyder, who is a trouble-maker but not evil, at this weekend's AMA-CON.

Comic book character Stanley Snyder was portrayed by Mike Jones. He described Stanley as a sort of bad character, but not evil. Stanley is an ex-military officer working for Dr. Xeno.

The purple-tinted Mollymauk Tealeaf, of “Critical Role” fame, was portrayed by Cy Darrow. He said his purple tint came from water-based paint but his tint would start to run if he stood too long in one place.

Kylie Mathis nail the Black Cat character in Spiderman at the 2023 AMA-CON in Amarillo.
Kylie Mathis nail the Black Cat character in Spiderman at the 2023 AMA-CON in Amarillo.
Amanda Beck hams it up as the very pink Wednesday Addams, a supernatural sleuth studying at Nevermore Academy, at the 2023 AMA-CON in Amarillo.
Amanda Beck hams it up as the very pink Wednesday Addams, a supernatural sleuth studying at Nevermore Academy, at the 2023 AMA-CON in Amarillo.

Kylie Mathis rocked it as the Black Cat from Spiderman, and a campy, pink Amanda Beck showed off her skills as Wednesday Addams. One of the most colorful costumes came from Machelle Farrar who claimed she was a Forest Witch, made up by her imagination. She said she made her costume and had originally made the horns out of Plaster of Paris but they were too heavy. “These new ones I found were a game changer,” she laughed.

A Forest Witch, created and designed by Machelle Farrar displays her whimsical side love of nature at the 2023 AMA-CON. She said finding some lighter horns was a game changer.
A Forest Witch, created and designed by Machelle Farrar displays her whimsical side love of nature at the 2023 AMA-CON. She said finding some lighter horns was a game changer.
Jack Sparrow, a lead character of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and other sequels, was chosen by Teresa Schneider who owns a lot of costumes for the weekend's AMA-CON. She just created what she thought would be easy.
Jack Sparrow, a lead character of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and other sequels, was chosen by Teresa Schneider who owns a lot of costumes for the weekend's AMA-CON. She just created what she thought would be easy.

What comic-con event would be complete without a Jack Sparrow? Teresa Schneider dressed the part. She said she had many costumes and just put together something that would be easy. Meanwhile, cosplaying her part, she asked where the rum was.

Many of the vendors are creative people helping to pay for their education, mostly in art. Abigayle Stubby-Kurn turned out colorful cartoon-like paintings at her booth, Fritz Tooth Art, to help pay for her college fund. Like minded artist, Jennie Smith, 18, did colorful prints of animals and people, partly computerized to raise money for her college tuition.

The artist at Fritz Tooth Art booth, Abigayle Stubby-Kurn, is selling her artwork for college tuition. She was one of several vendors at the 2023 AMA-CON.
The artist at Fritz Tooth Art booth, Abigayle Stubby-Kurn, is selling her artwork for college tuition. She was one of several vendors at the 2023 AMA-CON.

Special guests for the show included Chris Jai Alex, stunt man, actor and director; J.M. Lee, author of Dark Crystal novels; Arkady Martine, a speculative fiction writer; Vivan Shaw, the author of Dr. Greta Helsing fantasy trilogy, among others; Jason Ybarra & the Turtle Van, whose love for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" led him to design and commission a working TMNT Party Wagon; and K-Pop of Dance Dallas, with David Yi, who cofounded the organization his wife Chantha Mao. They taught attendees K-Pop moves and led extended dancing at the Geek Prom.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Library AMA-CON brings out pop culture crowd to geek out at Amarillo