Illustration by Holly McCoach/The Beacon
Jessica Valeria Rodriguez/Staff Writer
With about 300 clubs at our University, it doesn’t seem like we would have room to add one more. But FIU has recently opened Comics Club, an organization where students interested in comics can join and share what they love with others.
According to advisor and creator Fernando Ottati, the process for opening the club was “extremely smooth as the Student Organization Council and its advisor, Ivy Siegel-Mack, made it very easy.”
According to Ottati, it only took five steps to create the club and as soon as the flyer was up, Ottati said he had members filling out the application eagerly.
His inspiration to open the club came from his passion and knowledge of comics. Besides being a graphic artist, he is also an illustrator. Prior to joining the Campus Life staff, Ottati held a conference titled “Comic Books on Film” that discussed the art of graphic novels, comics and their transition to Hollywood blockbusters.
In order to join the club, you need to have an interest in comics, superheroes and everything that relates to them. This includes superhero movies, graphic novel discussions and conventions.
The club’s mission is to promote “a community where the appreciation for comic books, graphic novels and superhero movies is encouraged,” according to Ottati.
In this club, members will be able to share their passion for comics and superheroes through discussions, workshops, activities, events, lectures, movie screenings and trips to conventions and comic-related locations.
Some of these events and activities are already in the works. President Jeffrey Sodusta described a few, such as taking a trip to the Florida SuperCon (an annual conference that celebrates Comic Books, Animation, Sci-Fi and Pop Culture) and hosting comic trade trivia nights.
The club will also be hosting their first on-campus event, “Superman Fan Night,” which will be “Man of Steel” themed. For future plans, the club is hoping to make trips to the best comic book store in South Florida, as well as a car museum that showcases different Batmobiles in Hollywood, Florida. Sodusta encourages students to join even if they have never been part of a club or if they have been active in others.
Even if you don’t have years of experience in the comic book world, this club welcomes you. Irvin Lira, the club’s own vice president, just started getting involved with the comic craze. “I recently got into comics. More specifically this year,” said Lira.
Being a participant in this club has shown Lira the fun and culture behind comics. Lira hopes to promote the culture and make it aware to different students around campus, as “it’s something exciting and very enjoyable.”
With all the superhero movie releases, it’s a great time to open a club like this. As for the feedback from our Panthers, Ottati mentioned it has been amazing. The club began advertising in Summer A and they already have about 20 members.
The club just held their second general meeting and the suggestions keep on coming. If you are interested in joining or learning more about “The Club where Superstudents are Born,” you can contact them at fiucomicsclub@gmail.com.
jessica.rodriguez@fiusm.com
Awesome!
Love it!