FAN DAYS
IRVING, TX—Hosted by Ben Stevens and Philip Wise, who also run a
similar event called the Dallas Comic-Con, Fan Days is a geeky gathering of
comic book fans, dealers, writers, artists, and anyone else interested in the
four-color adventures of men and women in tights. And, as with most of the
bigger cons, Fan Days is a place to meet and greet sci-fi celebrities.
This year’s Fan Days, which will take place at the Irving
Convention Center Oct. 19-21, is a star-studded attraction, boasting the likes
of Stan “The Man” Lee, Bruce Campbell (Army
of Darkness), Sean Astin (Lord of the
Rings), Robert Englund (A Nightmare
on Elm Street), Steven Yeun (The
Walking Dead), Lance Henriksen (Aliens),
and animator/director Ralph Bakshi (Cool
World, Wizards), among numerous
others.
And, of course, there will be the requisite dealer’s room, with
vendors selling Golden and Silver Age comic books, rare paperbacks, first-edition
hardcover books, vintage movie posters, out-of-print CD soundtracks, graphic
novels (many of which will be marked down to 50% off), old toys, and much more.
Johnny Loyd of Fort Worth, who has been going to comic book
conventions since 1985, never misses a local sci-fi celebration, and he
frequently travels out of state to go to indulge his favorite hobby. Loyd
collects super-hero action figures and Star Trek items, and he still remembers
a find he made at a Dallas Fantasy Fair during the late 1980s.
“I got a rare Cyborg Super Powers action figure in the package for
just $50,” Loyd said. “Now he goes for $350 to $400.” (Cyborg, a member of the
Teen Titans at the time, was released in relatively low numbers in the third
and final wave of Kenner’s beloved Super Powers line, which was in production
from 1984-1986).
Loyd also collects celebrity autographs and photos. At Fan Days,
he’s looking forward to meeting Casper
Van Dien and Dina Meyer, both of whom starred in the 1987 cinematic hit, Starship Troopers. Meyer also played
Oracle in the short-lived Birds of Prey
television series (2003), which was based on the DC comic book of the same
name.
“Convention organizers have gotten smarter over the years,” Loyd
said. “They emphasize celebrities more, and that brings people in.”
At the most recent Dallas Comic-Con, which was May 19-20, Ben Stevens
was hoping for around 15,000 fans. What he got instead was close to 25,000
attendees, which meant long lines, long waits, and some frustration among fans.
Anticipating a similar turnout for Fan Days, Stevens has increased the
forthcoming event to three days, rearranged various line configurations, and
added extra concession stands.
Contact:
(972) 966-0680
www.scifiexpo.com/DCC/fandays.html
Father and daughter enjoying cosplay (costume play) at last year’s
Fan Days.
1 comment:
this is too cute, father daughter tandem rarely seen usually the other way around, nice one for the upcoming halloween :)
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