ComiCon Returns to the Convention Center

ComiCon Returns to the Convention Center

Friday, Sept. 13

For the third time, the Bayfront Convention Center will host a 3-day ComiCon for comic lovers both old and new.

"The biggest change each year is talent," said Whitney Rambaldo, of Erie Promotions and Expo. Inc., who helped to organize the event. "We do our best to bring in new and current celebrities to make it exciting for attendees, as well as adding to our list of celebrity and local artists."

Celebrity guests include Power Rangers Catherine Sutherland and Michael Copan; Kevin Grevioux, an American actor, writer, and screenwriter best known for his role in the *Underworld series; Mike Quinn, the man behind the beloved puppets from *The Muppets, *Star Wars, and *Labyrinth; and John Russo, the creator of the original *Night of the Living Dead.

The latest addition to the guest list — which is still being updated — is Jyoti Kisange Amge, an Indian actress known for her role in *American Horror Story, and for being the world's smallest woman according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

None of the aforementioned characters would have come to life without the comic book artists. Tom Cook, best known for his work on *He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword (1985), is one of the five pre-announced celebrity artists at this year's ComiCon. With him is Emmy-winner Jeff Kline, Kurt Lehner, John Haun, and pancake artist Dr. Dan Drake.

"In addition, this year we have the Batmobile coming," Rambaldo said, "as well as the 1966 Batboat, which has never been featured at any con before, so we are super excited to be the first!"

Comic-lovers are encouraged to wear their best character garb (cosplay) for the opportunity to win some of the many contests.

"While we don't have a 'theme' for the cosplay contests, we have made some much-needed changes to both the adult and kids cosplay contests with the opportunity to be judged in different categories," Rambaldo said. "The categories allow for the contest to be fair to all the levels of costumes that enter and, of course, it means more ways to win." — Hannah McDonald

Friday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier // Weekend pass, $30; Single-day, $15-$18 // eriepromotions.com/comi-con