The Night Darling Cosplay at Maui Comic Con will feature individual competitions on Oct. 27 and group and keiki competitions on Oct. 28.

KAHULUI – Thousands are expected to participate in a weekend-long event of cosplay, comic book artist exhibitions and vendors, special guests, food, video games, collectors’ items and all things creative at the third Maui Comic Con at the University of Hawaii Maui College Student Lounge and Pa’ina Building on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-28, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Headliners this year include David Michelinie, comic writer and creator of “Venom” and “Ant-Man;” Trina Robbins, the first woman to draw Wonder Woman for DC Comics; Steve Leialoha, inker and artist from Marvel Comics and Vertigo’s “Fables;” Steve Lavigne, early contributor to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles;” Bob Camp, co-creator and director of “The Ren and Stimpy Show;” and Keith Tucker, Emmy Award-winning artist and former Maui resident who storyboarded most of the greatest Saturday morning cartoons of the 1980s and ’90s.

The event features amazing local artists, including many from the Hawaiian Comic Book Alliance, who will display, sell and demonstrate their work. Proceeds from food sales will support various community clubs. In addition, special vendors are invited to a Preview Day on Friday, Oct. 26, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The third annual Night Darling Cosplay will have individual competitions on Oct. 27 and group and keiki competitions on Oct. 28. Both contests will begin at noon in the Pa’ina Building. Pre-registration is recommended online.

The Maui Comic Con is free to the public. Visit mauicomiccon.com for more information about participating artists, booths, sponsors, cosplay rules and registration details.

For the first time, Maui Comic Con special guests are participating in mini educational workshops for the event’s Preview Day on Friday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to noon at UH Maui College. The workshops are exclusive to Maui County high school students who are interested in pursuing a future in the creative field.

Some of Maui Comic Con’s headliners will personally share experiences about their careers, while some will have hands-on workshops on watercolor, graphic design, character and story development, and creative storytelling.

The workshops aim to educate and inspire students to consider furthering their education and help them develop a network in the industry.

These high-value sessions are free; limited slots are available.

Interested students should contact their counselors to sign up or call UH Maui College Student Life at 984-3434.

Maui Comic Con festivities kick off at UHMC with an “Open Mic” hosted by its Music Club on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Student Lounge.

The event will feature performances by the UHMC Chorus, hip-hop groups Maui Dance Klub and Beyond Extra, and musicians from the Institute of Hawaiian Music.

It is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.

Call Kaylani at (808) 727-0218 for information.