By Jenna Pelletier Jenna Pelletier Providence Journal
Journal Staff Writer
[email protected]
Published: October 31 2013
01:00
It’s a nerd’s paradise. That’s how Rhode Island Comic Con media coordinator
Jackie Stark describes the gathering coming to the Rhode Island Convention
Center this Saturday and Sunday.
Now in its second year, the event is also something of a pop culture grab
bag. It includes everything from the chance to meet actor Danny Glover to photo
ops with WWE wrestlers to an ’80s party with tribute band Kiss Nation.
Approximately 80 other “celebrity guests” from movies and television programs
from the ’60s through today will be on hand to meet fans, take photos and sign
autographs, typically for a fee. They include several “Power Rangers” actors,
Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and
Anthony Michael Hall of ’80s cult movies “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast
Club.”
“Back in the ’80s and ’90s, many of these people weren’t necessarily as
accessible as they are now,” Stark said.
Some stars — including Billy Dee Williams, “Weekend at Bernie’s” cast members
and “Star Wars” bounty hunters — will also sit down for question-and-answer
sessions with fans.
True to its name, Rhode Island Comic Con is big on comic-related festivities
as well. More than 100 comic artists will be on hand to sign autographs and draw
commissioned pieces; vendors will set up shop with comic books, vintage toys and
other collectibles; and there will be a panel discussion with Adam West and
other cast members of the ’60s television series “Batman.”
There’s also a large gaming component. Yu-Gi-Oh, HeroClix and video game
tournaments (“Call of Duty: Black Ops 2,” “Super Street Fighter IV”) are among
those on the schedule.
Last year nearly 20,000 people attended the inaugural Rhode Island Comic Con.
Organizers had been expecting between 5,000 and 10,000; this year they are
planning for 30,000, Stark said. Expect programming on every floor of the R.I.
Convention Center, she added.
Biggest Names
Here’s a cheat sheet on some of the celebs coming to the Con.
Danny Glover
Possibly the biggest star coming to the Con, Glover’s career includes roles
in “Lethal Weapon,” “Predator 2” and “The Color Purple.” He will appear on
Saturday only.
Adam West
West has done voiceover work — often playing himself — on a number of
animated series including “Family Guy” (as Mayor Adam West), “The Simpsons” and
“Futurama.” But he’s best known for playing Batman in the ’60s television show
and feature film of the same name.
Burt Ward
Ward played Robin on the “Batman” television series and film spinoff.
Julie Newmar
Newmar, aka Catwoman, will join West and Ward for an appearance as part of
the event’s “Batman Reunion.”
Nichelle Nichols
One of the first black women cast in a non-servant role in a major television
series, Nichols is best known for playing Lt. Nyota Uhura on “Star Trek” in the
1960s. She also appeared in the 2002 comedy “Snow Dogs” and on the second season
of the NBC drama “Heroes.”
Billy Dee Williams
You may remember Williams as Lando Calrissian in the movies “Star Wars
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the
Jedi.” Soap fans might also recognize him from “Guiding Light” or “General
Hospital.”
Anthony Michael Hall
His three-decade career includes everything from leading roles in the John
Hughes’ films “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club” to a one-year stint on
“Saturday Night Live” to a part in 2008’s “The Dark Knight.”
Ernie Hudson
Hudson gained fame for playing Winston Zeddemore in the “Ghostbusters” film
series. More recently, he was on the HBO prison drama “Oz.”
Andrew McCarthy
This ’80s heartthrob — he acted in “Weekend at Bernie’s,” “St. Elmo’s Fire”
and “Pretty in Pink” — will appear Saturday only. His more recent projects
include working as a television series director for “Orange is the New Black”
and “Gossip Girl.”
Jonathan Silverman
Silverman, who also acted in “Caddyshack 2” and the TV series “Gimme a
Break,” appears at Comic Con as part of a “Weekend at Bernie’s” reunion.
Gil Gerard
He played Capt. William “Buck” Rogers in the late ’70s-early ’80s TV series
“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.”
Richard Hatch
The Rhode Islander is known for winning — and taking all of his clothes off
in — the first season of the CBS reality series “Survivor.” Hatch later served
prison time for tax evasion.
Tawny Kitaen
Kitaen’s claim to fame? Throwing her hair around and dancing on cars in the
’80s in Whitesnake’s music videos “Here I Go Again” and “Is this Love.”
Marky Ramone
Ramone is best known for the 15 years he spent drumming for punk rock band
The Ramones.
Larry Storch
He’s done voiceover work for characters in animated series including “The
Batman/Superman Hour,” “The Pink Panther Show” and “Scooby Doo,” and played the
bumbling Corporal Randolph Agarn on ’60s satirical sitcom “F Troop.”
For kids
This year, Comic Con has added a KidsCon with activities for children 12
years old and younger. Kids will be able to draw their own comics with members
of the Providence Comics Consortium, make capes and masks, watch magic shows and
listen to local children’s book authors read from their work.
KidsCon takes place in the West Lobby of the Rhode Island Convention
Center.
Tips
“My first tip is take a deep breath, because there’s going to be a lot of
people there and it can be overwhelming,” Stark said.
Here are some of her other suggestions:
If you want to catch one of the 10 panel discussions, arrive at the room at
least 30 minutes early to avoid getting shut out.
The lines for autographs are likely to be shorter on Sunday. “Everyone is so
excited on day one that they often run right for autographs,” she said.
Autograph tickets, which guarantee access, are also available for advance
purchase online.
Make a plan. If there are certain things to you want to make sure not to
miss, it’s smart to sketch out your day in advance. The full schedule is
available at ricomiccon.com.
Love connection
Organizers have added two romantic components to this year’s Con.
Sci-Fi Speed Dating, for singles 18 and older, gives participants the chance
to find love on a series of 3-minute dates. It is offered in 2-hour sessions on
Saturday and Sunday. “This is a great place for like-minded people to come and
meet,” Stark said.
You can say “I do” in front of the Batmobile. So far, 15 couples are
scheduled to get married at this year’s Comic Con. Organizers are boasting that
the service, performed by ordained minister and comic book artist Reverend Rusty
Maurice Gilligan, is “100 percent legal.” Those tying the knot are encouraged to
do so in costume.
Look the part
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking around in public in a Wookiee costume,
here’s your chance. About half of Comic Con attendees dress in costumes of some
sort, Stark said. Superhero outfits are always popular, but anything goes.
“People come up with some bizarre things,” she said.
Creativity is rewarded in the form of thumbs-up from fellow attendees, as
well as in two costume contests. An adult costume contest will be judged at 4:30
p.m. on Saturday and a kids’ version will be judged at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Details
Rhode Island Comic Con takes place Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3, at
the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence.
Hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets are available online at ricomiccon.com.
Single-day passes for either Saturday or Sunday cost $25 for adults and $15 for
children. A weekend pass for both days costs $35 for adults and $20 for
children. Tickets for the ’80s after party, Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Rhode
Island Convention Center, cost $30.
Autographs and photos typically cost extra; special packages range up to $345
for the “Power Rangers Super Pack,” which includes a weekend admission pass, VIP
lounge access and an autograph from each Power
Ranger.
Source: www.providencejournal.com