Cheers, whistles and yells erupt from the crowd as Tony Stark steps onto the red carpet.

Flashbulbs light up as he waves to FAU students. Then, Batman silently strides into the Grand Palm Room. An army of clone troopers parts as Darth Vader himself steps menacingly forward.

Students will see this and more at Florida Geek Fest, FAU’s first comic convention, taking place on the Boca campus Nov. 18. Richard “Gonzo” Soligny, self-proclaimed king of the geeks, is a nonstudent bringing the convention to FAU. Geek Fest is free to any students with a valid student ID from their university, and $6 for nonstudents. The event will feature 35 vendors, including artists, actors, comic book shop owners, card game tournaments for Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, and a costume contest with over $1,000 in cash and prizes.

“I want to bring what everyone else brings but bring it harder, bring it better, bring it more entertaining,” Gonzo said. He’s referring to other comic conventions, such as the well-known San Diego Comic-Con and Florida Supercon. “I’ve seen what they bring to the table. And I know that I can do better.”

Geek Fest is the first time a convention like this has come to a Florida university.

“This is the most lucrative costume contest short of Comic-Con,” Gonzo said. He added that the top three winners will also receive custom-made Iron Man helmets courtesy of Hangar 18 Props, a replica designer studio.

The idea for Geek Fest Florida originated after Gonzo’s second visit to Florida Supercon, a four day comic convention held in Miami, where he realized the convention had mostly college students. He noticed that the age demographic was around 16 to 26, and because of how much it cost, many other college students didn’t have the opportunity to go.

“It is an opportunity for students to experience this type of convention without having to travel or spend money on admission,” said Student Union Director Larry Faerman. According to Faerman, the projected attendance is between 200 to 300 FAU students, plus outside guests. Gonzo expects approximately 1,000 people will attend.

“FAU is the starting point,” Gonzo said. “My goal is to bring Geek Fest to colleges all over Florida.”

Although the event starts at 10 a.m., Gonzo says Tony Stark and Lord Vader will make their red carpet entrance at noon.

“I believe it will be popular both to students who have attended similar events and have enjoyed them,” Faerman said, “as well as students who are curious as to what this type of event is.”

“The goal with Geek Fest is always going to be the unexpected,” Gonzo said. “There is always surprise.”