Comic Con To Debut in East Hampton

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The first-ever Comic Con Pop-Up will take place on August 7 in East Hampton, and it’s all thanks to long-time East Hampton resident Nancy Silberkleit.

Silberkleit doesn’t look like someone who would be searching the web and attending Comic Con looking for collectible comic books and original comic artwork. But comic book fans come in all ages and sizes and, as the CEO of Archie Comics, she’s a woman with a passion for comic books.

Comic books mean everything to Silberkleit, because they helped her learn to read and launched a lifelong love of reading.

Launching Comic Con Pop Up in East Hampton is her brainchild. As a former teacher, she explains: “My foundation is education, it was my job to communicate information in a classroom setting in a way that an individual could understand. I did that for 25 years, teachers are skilled in that area. That innate skill has been applied to me being a women in business, and a business women at Archie Comics. I enjoy building and growing the global population to be life-long Archie readers and fans."

Patch couldn’t help but ask the Archie expert the age-old question: Are you team Betty or team Veronica?

"I have a little of both," she said. "I like saying, I have that BS: The Betty Standard — she can do everything. I also have Veronica's CIA: confidence, intelligence and allure."

Silberkleit says she decided to launch Comic Con Pop Up in East Hampton because she lives here and loves meeting the people.

"This event will provide the opportunity for people to discover that love of reading, just as I did."

Not only does she want to foster a love of reading Silberkleit said she wants to raise awareness about illiteracy. One out of seven adults cannot read, she said.

"Its not because one lacks intelligence. It's only because reading was not presented in a manner that clicked for that individual."

The Comic Con event, she said, "will provide an opportunity to explore one of the greatest forms of reading — comic books."

As for what people can expect to see at the Pop Up, Silberkleit said, "The artists who will be there that day will provide insight into this industry, career awareness. You can see the graphic artists drawing or discuss how to utilize the speech bubble to get one's thoughts out and be able to draw a reader into what a writer wants to share."

Guests will have the chance not only to learn the art of comic books but see the various artist in action, she said.

And no Comic Con-type event is complete without a dazzling array of guests in full costume.

"It will be a day of fun. Another highlight will be if anyone comes dressed in costume — that's something that trends a comic con," Silberkleit said.

In other big news for Archie fans, Silberkleit told Patch that a Broadway musical is in the works, as well as a TV show, "Riverdale," which airs in October. And, bringing Archie fast forward into the future, the fun-loving group of high school friends will now star in their own series of graphic novels, "three inches thick, with fantastic stories."

Silberkleit said the comics are a timeless hit with legions of fans. "Archie Comics have always been an attractive read to all — no matter what age, gender or demographic."

The first East Hampton Pop-Up Comic Con take place on Sunday, August 7 at 111 Cove Hollow Road in East Hampton.

For additional information, visit the event's Facebook page by clicking here.