Comic Con: Why to go, what to do, who to see

If you are, out of excitement, unable to sleep this week and have taken to staring at the ceiling, opting to recite the plots of each Star Trek movie in a low monotone instead of counting sheep, this post is for you.

July 27, 2015; 3:25 PM • by Ross Catrow

Update #1 — July 29, 2015; 11:47 AM

ALERT: Billy Dee Williams will NO LONGER be appearing. Et tu, Lando?

GOOD NEWS: You can get 20% off your tickets when you use the code: RVANEWS

GASP: The kickoff party, which will be held at Strangeways Brewing on Thursday, July 30th from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Jim Jackman from Spaceballs will be there, as well as some other celebrity types!

— ∮∮∮ —

Original — July 27, 2015

This weekend the Wizard World Comic Con comes to Richmond (ticket giveaway below!). What does it all mean? How do I Comic a Con? Will Nicolas Cage reprise his role from Con Air? Sadly, the answer to the last one is no–but, I guess, not completely out of the question.

Friday through Sunday you have the chance to meet a ton of artists, see a ton of famous people, and show off your most impressive costumes. There’s something for everyone, and you can totally do none of the aforementioned things and still have a great time. You can also do all of them and have a way better weekend then most people we know.

Because the full list of panels, speakers, and workshops is exhausting, we reached far and wide (our office and its extended, nerdy circle) to build the definitive list of: must-see creators, must-gawk-at actors, and must-participate-in workshops. Here’s what we’ve come up with, but there’s so many more to see: Billy Dee Williams, Billy Boyd, Sean Astin, Drea De Matteo, the original green Power Ranger…! Don’t let this list nerd you into a nerdbox. Go let your nerd flag fly and see anything or everything you can!

— ∮∮∮ —

Wizard World Gaming pavilion

4:00 – 7:00 PM, Friday; 11:0 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday; 12:00 – 4:00 PM, Sunday

Are you a board game geek? Do you live for round after round of Munchkin? How many boxes does your Magic the Gathering card collection span? Does it number in the dozens? If you answered yes to any of these questions, hit up the show floor for many, many hours of serious (and not-so-serious) table-top gaming.

Writing 101: What to think about before you start writing

12:30 – 1:15 PM, Saturday

Listen to Eisner Hall of Fame award winner Marv Wolfman talk about writing and how to get started. I’m hoping his advice is something other than “drink two cups of coffee really quickly.”

(COS)PLAY IT SAFE (ROOM E10CD)

1:30 – 2:15 PM, Saturday

Here’s an important one. From the panel description: “With the growing popularity of conventions and cosplay, it is important that we maintain a safe environment for cosplayers and fans alike. Learn how you can contribute to the well-being of others, and ensure your personal safety. Young cosplayer are especially encouraged to attend, and remember, cosplay is not consent.”

William Shatner • James T. Kirk, Star Trek

4:30 – 5:15 PM, Saturday

IT’S CAPTAIN KIRK, YOU GUYS. AUUGHHH!

Exploring Warehouse 13

4:00 – 4:45 PM, Saturday

Do you like Steampunk? Did you know there’s a whole show over on SyFy about this kind of thing? Did you also know that it shares a universe with Eureka? A show that is much-acclaimed around these parts?¹

DIY Cosplay

5:30 PM – 6:15 PM, Saturday

So you think you want to cosplay? This panel will give you some tips on where to start with stuff you probably have laying around the house. Plus some make-up tips thrown in so your Rachel Grey face markings look just right.

How to draw comics

6:30 – 7:15 PM, Saturday

See how the collaboration between penciller and inker works, in real time. Dean Haspiel will show of some of his pencils, which Mikey Babinski will then ink right in front of your very eyes!

Bob Camp • Co-creator, Ren & Stimpy

12:30 – 1:15 PM, Sunday

Co-creator of Ren & Stimpy, Bob Camp also has a serious resume that, if you have them, will pluck your child-of-the-80s heart strings. Check it: ThunderCats, The Real Ghostbusters, and Tiny Toon Advenutres.

Kristin Bauer • Vampire Pam, True Blood

2:00 – 2:45 PM, Sunday

At least Kristin Bauer still has all of her skin, unlike the Richmond Vampire…

— ∮∮∮ —

July 27, 2015 3:25 PM · in Shockoe News 0 1 update