Fans come out for first Naugy-Con

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Justine Roy, of Watertown, checks out an issue of the Batgirl comic dressed as Batgirl during Naugy-Con, the borough’s first comic book convention, at the Congregational Church Dec. 6. –LUKE MARSHALL
Justine Roy, of Watertown, checks out an issue of the Batgirl comic dressed as Batgirl during Naugy-Con, the borough’s first comic book convention, at the Congregational Church Dec. 6. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — Comic book fans young and old browsed the selections at the borough’s first comic book convention.

The event, called Naugy-Con, hosted five vendors and comic book fans, including Naugatuck resident Anthony Desantis and his son, Joshua, at the Congregational Church of Naugatuck on Division Street Dec. 6.

“We’re superhero fans and we saw the show, and we think it’s really cool,” Anthony Desantis said, as he carried around a bag of comics he and his son had already purchased. “We’re going to keep looking around and maybe buy some more stuff before we leave.”

Justine Roy, of Watertown, has been a comic book fan for three years, though she had never had the chance to go to a convention. She didn’t waste the opportunity to attend Naugy-Con and did so in the spirit of the convention — dressed as Batgirl.

“This is actually my first convention. I’ve been trying to come to one for years now and now I’m able to,” Roy said. “It’s pretty cool. I love all the nerdy stuff.”

Troy Bond, Sr., of Troy Bond Entertainment, who organized Naugy-Con, was pleased to see someone dressed in costume.

“I give this girl credit. She showed up in a Batgirl costume. Why not? Life is too short and too tough to treat seriously. It’s good to have a sense of whimsy,” Bond said.

Despite the rainy weather and the convention being in its first year, Naugy-Con saw a steady flow of visitors throughout the day.

“I’m happy crickets chirping is not what we’re hearing. We have a little bit of a flow coming through, so I’m happy,” Bond said.

Naugatuck resident Anthony Desantis and his son, Joshua, look at comic books during Naugy-Con, the borough’s first comic book convention, at the Congregational Church of Naugatuck Dec. 6. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck resident Anthony Desantis and his son, Joshua, look at comic books during Naugy-Con, the borough’s first comic book convention, at the Congregational Church of Naugatuck Dec. 6. –LUKE MARSHALL

Bob Lyons, who owns Legends of Superheroes in Middlebury and sets up at 15 conventions a year, was also pleased at how much traffic the convention attracted.

“It looks very good. I’ve been to some conventions where the turnout has been less than stellar and the sales were the same, less than stellar. So this is good. This is a good turnout,” Lyons said.

In addition to bringing a unique experience to the borough, Naugy-Con was a fundraiser for a new skateboard park and, according to Beautification Committee Chairwoman Linda Ramos, raised over $450.

Bond hopes to make Naugy-Con an annual event.

“This is brand new and the groundwork is laid and I think we could do this next year. We’ll only get bigger and better,” Bond said.