[ By TROY ROBINSON ]
[ SMALLVILLE COMICCON ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Smallville ComicCon is back for its 4th annual Comic Book and Pop Culture Celebration! Scheduled for June 24-25, 2017, on the historic Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, Kansas. This year’s event brings together another unique mix of celebrities, artists, writers, vendors, and fans eager to explore and share their love and devotion to all things evolving from comic books and popular culture.
Smallville ComicCon continues to grow with this year representing the largest celebrity line-up yet! Attending fans can obtain autographs and photographs and interact with:
Celebrating his very first convention appearance is actor and stunt man Alain Chanoine, who recently starred as the evil, inter-dimensional mystical being, ‘Incubus’ in “Suicide Squad,” and most notably served as the primary stunt performer and body double for Wesley Snipes in “Blade: Trinity.”
World ranked, Heavyweight Boxing Champion, and Hall of Fame Inductee, ‘Irish’ Jack O’Halloran, who is both an actor appearing in “King Kong,” “Superman I and II,” “The Baltimore Bullet,” “Hero and the Terror,” “Dragnet;” as well as the author of Family Legacy, a fictional account of his actual childhood experiences based upon O’Halloran’s explosive revelation he is the son of ruthless mob boss Albert Anastasia, founder of the American Mafia and the infamous enterprise known as Murder, Inc., and the leader of what evolved into the modern Gambino organized crime family.
Actor Noel “G” Gugliemi, most notably recognized as the ‘character Hector’ who has appeared in “The Fast and the Furious,” “The Walking Dead,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Devil’s in the Details,” “Training Day,” “Street Kings,” and more.
Stage, screen, and television actor Erick Avari, starring in films such as “The Mummy,” “Stargate,” “Independence Day,” “The Planet of the Apes,” “Daredevil;” and television series “Heroes,” “Stargate SG-1,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” and numerous others.
Stage, screen, and television actor, as well as screen writer and Hutchinson Native, Paul T. Taylor, who just completed filming on the upcoming feature, “Hellraiser: Judgment” where he portrays the iconic character ‘Pinhead.’ He has also appeared in “Sin City,” “Super,” “Soul Men,” “Wonderful World,” “Prison Break,” and “Friday Night Lights.”
Author, stage, screen, and television actor Bill Blair, the current Guinness World Record Holder for portraying the ‘most special effect makeup characters.’ He has appeared in “Alien Nation,” “Babylon 5,” “Sliders,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine/Voyager/Enterprise,” “The X-Files,” “The Invisible Man,” “Drew Carey,” “The District,” “King of Queens,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Will and Grace,” “Yes, Dear!,” “Friends,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Criminal Minds,” “Saving Grace,” “Raising Hope,” “The Defenders,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “NCIS,” “Mad Men,” “The Muppets,” “Night Crawler,” and countless others.
Bill will be appearing with Hollywood makeup artist Carl Taliaferro and together will provide a live demonstration of the special effects makeup process! Watch as Bill is transformed into Marvel’s Green Goblin before your eyes! Carl will take you step by step and guide the fans through the tips and techniques he has developed over his impressive 20-year career.
Fans can also meet and obtain original works from celebrated and award winning, top name artists like Kevin Nowlan, Ken Lashley, Art Thibert, and Ethan Beavers, just to name a few of those scheduled to appear.
John Field, recognized film and television historian, will be interacting with energetic fans as he presents his updated 2017 trivia and game show contests. John’s vast knowledge and keen interest makes his presentations a huge fan favorite.
On display will be a complete show-accurate replica of ‘Mary the Impala’ from the hit series “Supernatural.” This actual car appeared in the Season 10 DVD documentary “Fans.” The ‘Winchester’s Baby’ is filled with accurate details and prop replicas the fans can pose for pictures with. Proceeds will go to support a variety of charitable organizations based upon the fan’s choice!
The ‘Umbrella Corporation: Wichita Hive’ will be deployed on site — fully equipped and complete with vehicles. Smallville ComicCon creator Jon Robinson will be unveiling his latest creation, a full-size, fully-functioning, Superman-inspired “Hot Wheels-style” car named KRYPTO. Fan Favorite ‘Jabba the Hut’ will also be on hand for photographs.
Butch Patrick, best known as Eddie Munster, will join Smallville ComicCon this year with his Munster Koach and Dragula Tribute Cars. Check out some of the coolest hot rods to ever grace the television screen.
Throughout Saturday’s events, fans will be treated to demonstrations on prop making, costume creation, and the growing technology of 3D printing. Saturday will host the annual individual costume contest where fans can showcase their talents and hard work.
Also on Saturday, fans are cordially invited to attend a very nerdy ceremony as Smallville ComicCon proudly hosts the wedding of Comedian/Entertainer Jim “Soapy” Dixon and Paige Blunk from Triple Diamond Cosplay. A special event like no other, help us celebrate the union of this very creative couple!
Sunday, Smallville ComicCon introduces the new ‘group costume contest’ for two or more. Compete for trophies and prizes through your individual Cosplay talents on Saturday, then get your friends together and Cosplay a theme on Sunday!
Also on Sunday join us for the first ever Smallville ComicCon Car Show, judged by Noel G himself! Registration will be Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., between the Meadowlark and Sunflower South buildings. All fans attending on Sunday will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite car, truck, or motorcycle to win the “People’s Choice” award. Judging will be conducted from 3 – 4 p.m. with trophies awarded in the categories of “People’s Choice,” “Best Theme,” “Most Unusual,” and “Sweetest Ride,” with Noel G himself selecting and awarding the “Best of Show.”
Please join us for Hutchinson’s very own celebration of all things popular — comics, science fiction, anime, fantasy, steampunk, horror, gaming, movies, television, and cars! You do not want to miss this year’s Smallville ComicCon!
