It is hard not to be out as a geek these days as they have truly inherited the earth, often by creating their own version of it. And this is all part of the charm of the world of visual stories and the comic book in American history.
Appearing at this year’s Grand Rapids Comic-Con are Anthony Carrigan (
Gotham, The Flash), Caroll Spinney (Sesame Street’s Big Bird), comic book artist Neal Adams, Katrina Law (
Arrow, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Starling City), comic character creator Joel Adams (
King Of The Hill), Marina Sirtis (
Star Trek: The Next Generation), Katie Cook (
My Little Pony), voice actor Trina Nishimura, and too many others to list here.
A lot of folks are really excited to see
Sleepy Hollow’s Jeremy Owens but my money is on the appearance of veteran illustrator Allen Bellman, 90, in Grand Rapids. Bellman, an illustrator at Timely Comics (later renamed Marvel Comics) worked as a teenager with another famous comic legend (and his then 19-year-old editor/boss) Stan Lee.
Also appearing is author Johnathan Rand (
Michigan Chillers, American Chillers, Freddie Fernortner, Fearless First Grader, The Adventure Club). Rand writes adult fiction under his alter ego, Christopher Knight, and has sold more than 5 million books. He even opened a store, Chillermania, that only sells his books. (25,000+ make the trek each year since it opened to visit this unique retail shop.)
In addition to this weekend of speakers, Q&As led by local media personalities, and a convention showroom full of goodies to purchase, this year’s event will also boast a costume contests for adults and kids plus a shorts film program within the event, including a steampunk-inspired flick by Star Trek veteran John de Lancie (Q) and voice actors Tara Platt and Yuri Lowenthal. Click here to view a trailer of this new film. The complete list of films can be viewed
here.
Admission: $22 - 50.