Exhibitor Highlight: ComicBooks for Kids: C2E2 2025
Mark Weiss, President and Founder of ComicBooks for Kids talked about the mission of his organization and what the organization did during C2E2 2025.
The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) has no shortage of things to explore. The convention invades McCormick Place on the edge of Lake Michigan in the city of Chicago yearly. For three days every spring, the convention takes over the north building of the convention center and fans are able to interact with celebrities, attend meet-ups, panels, and explore the large exhibitor space. Vendors come in different forms, ranging from gaming, memorabilia, and comic dealers to organizations making a difference in the community. ComicBooks for Kids is one exhibitor that makes a difference for those it serves.
ComicBooks for Kids: C2E2 2025
Mark Weiss, the President and Founder of the organization, as well as Michelle Weiss had a busy weekend at C2E2. ComicBooks for Kids partnered with eBay and the Certified Guarantee Company (CGC) to help spread the word of the organization over the weekend.
The organization aims to provide child-friendly comic books to children who are staying in hospitals or cancer treatment centers. They also work with comic artists such as Matthew Waite, Chrissie Zullo, Art Baltazar, and others to create licensed comics variants with characters from the DC, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Archie Comics, and other franchises. The organization also has a new original comic that was created by Baltazar and printed by Avenue 4 Comic Printing.
In addition to working with children in need, the sibling charity ComicBooks for Troops delivers comics to military members serving the United States.
Some of the creators spent time autographing comics at the ComicBooks for Kids exhibitor table to raise funds and awareness for ComicBooks for Kids.
Other activities the organization worked on throughout the weekend included teaming up with CGC to take part in the egg hunt for children across the show floor. Some of the artists also headed over to eBay’s exhibitor table to take part in a livestreamed auction on behalf of ComicBooks for Kids.
Arguably, the most impactful moment of the weekend for the organization was the panel that Mark and Michelle hosted on Friday night. The panel gave recognition to those who have supported the organization in a variety of ways.
Giving Thanks
Mark and Michelle hosted the panel and awarded many people and businesses that have supported ComicBooks for Kids. Thirteen awards were given out to those who have supported the organization, such as CGC, DC Comics, Krav’n Comics, JC Trolls, Graham Cracker Comics, Lunar Distribution, Multiverse Funraiser, and more. Waite, Zullo, and Baltazar were also recognized for their contributions to the organization
The most moving part of the panel was when Mark and Michelle awarded comic retailer Hooked on Comics an award for their support over the last five years. This portion of the panel was especially emotional as John Enck, the owner of Hooked on Comics, was recognized for his work with the charity posthumously. John lost his battle with cancer in the fall of 2024. Mark presented the award to John’s wife, Mary, to thank them both for their contributions to the organization.
Keep Up With ComicBooks for Kids and More From C2E2
They may not have had the biggest table display at the convention, but ComicBooks for Kids may just have the biggest impact of any vendor on the exhibit floor that weekend.
To get more information on how you can support as a retailer, publisher, artist, or comic reader, click here. Be sure to keep up with them on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
More HeartAsArt content from C2E2 2025 can be found here!
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