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SALT LAKE CITY — If you are one of the thousands flocking to the Salt Lake Comic Con this weekend, you will discover that there is a massive amount of things to see and do. With hundreds of booths, vendors and costumes available, here are five local companies or products you should take the time to check out.
[The Green Monk
Salt Lake City artist Brandon Dayton created his original comic book, “The Green Monk”, in 2009. Dayton said it was his first venture in comic book illustration and writing, and it spurred as a “silly idea that sticks in your head.”
The Green Monk portrays a monk in medieval Russia who fights monsters with a sword made of grass. The stunning original artwork and storyline was named as one of the Top 10 Great Graphic Novels For Teens in 2011 by the Young Adult Library Services Association.
A follow-up comic book was recently released online.
The Truffle Cottage ===================
Pleasant Grove resident Jennie Hales put a new spin on custom-made, gourmet truffles when she created The Truffle Cottage in January 2013. Hales said she was inspired to make superhero-themed chocolates after being invited to the Salt Lake Comic Con in 2013 and her company has since been invited to several Comic Cons around the western United States.
Made from Swiss chocolate, her treats come in a variety of edible superhero logos and fantasy memorabilia, including white chocolate storm trooper heads and pound Game of Thrones dragon egg that is a solid pound of chocolate.
The truffles range from $5 to $45.
Tony Benich started his local company in April 2013 after having a hard time finding affordable longboards for his son’s birthday. Biche Boards officially launched July 15, 2014 and creates more affordable, customized longboards.
The Draper company debuted some speciality, superhero-themed longboards at Comic Con. Biche Boards offers a wide variety of makes and models, including 32 profiles to give options for people customizing their boards. The handcrafted longboards are sold online and at Wally’s Board Shop in Orem. The average price is $140 per board.
Prime Swords Formidable Toys ============================
Prime Swords Formidable Toys was created by cousins Tyler Richins and Mark Jarmon in 2011. The company was initially funded as a Kickstarter project where it raised over $48,000. The men decided to create the polyurethane foam swords so their children could have customizable toy swords with which to play.
Each design of the swords is different and can come apart to create interchangeable handles and blades. Richins said their dragon sword is unique and the only one of its kind.
The toy swords range from $35 to $45 and are currently only sold online.
Mad Hatter Cake Studio ======================
Jenae Meservy created the Mad Hatter Cake Studio in 2009 and has been making unique, custom cakes ever since. Each cake is made from scratch in Meservy’s Saratoga Springs home and delivered all over Utah.
Meservy said she always had an interest in art and after attending the Salt Lake City Art Institute, she decided to combine her passion with baking. The unique, themed cakes can take as long as two weeks to create the outer-layer design. Meservy makes homemade marshmallow fondant to create her 3-D icing.
The price of the cakes begins at $150 and increases based on cake size and detail.
