Editor’s Note: Check out our preview of Planet Comicon 2018 by clicking here.
by CMN Staff
Planet Comicon returns to Kansas City this month, with more than 30 confirmed celebrity guests and nearly 100 creator guests.
Planet Comicon, founded in 1999, brings together fans of science-fiction, superheroes and fantasy for three days of celebrity guests, panels, vendor tables, cosplay events and meeting fellow pop-culture enthusiasts.
The annual three-day event had record turnout in 2016 with more than 70,000 attendees, according to a news release. While the 2017 event doesn’t have a featured name like 2016 had with Stan Lee, the list of celebrity guests can still be expected to attract thousands of fans of comic books, movies, cosplay and art from the superhero realm.
“Planet Comicon Kansas City is all about the fans, and we’re planning the biggest, most exciting show ever for 2017,” Planet Comicon CEO and Founder Chris Jackson said in a news release. “The challenge is always to top the previous year.”
Several star-studded panels are scheduled, including one slated for Saturday afternoon dedicated to all things Harley Quinn with writers Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Frank Tieri, plus artists Chad Hardin and Ant Lucia. Other panels include reminiscing with actors from “American Pie” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” nerding out with actor Wil Wheaton, hearing from “Hellboy” himself, and listening to Jim Beaver talk about his varied acting career.
In between the celebrity panels, visitors can learn about behind-the-scenes knowledge of their favorite comics and television shows, plus network with fellow writers, artists and cosplayers to improve their respective crafts.
For those attendees more interested in comics in print rather than on screen, there are more than 75 creator guests listed for Planet Comicon. That list includes Conner, Palmiott, and Hardin of “Harley Quinn;” Lucia, of “DC Bombshells;” Greg Smallwood, of “Moon Knight;” Jason Aaron, of “Marvel’s Star Wars;” Todd Aaron Smith, of “Batman: The Animated Series;” and comic legend Neal Adams, just to name a few.
The venue will also include Artists Alley, with more than 250 creators for visitors to peruse their offerings and talents.
This year’s celebrity guests include Adelaide Kane, of “Reign;” Allison Scagliotti, of “Warehouse 13;” Arryn Zech, “RWBY’s” Blake Belladonna; Anna Silk, of “Lost Girl;” Billie Piper, of “Doctor Who;” Bret Iwan, the official voice of “Mickey Mouse;” Catherine Tate, of “Doctor Who;” Clare Kramer, of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer;” Elizabeth Maxwell, “RWBY’s” Winter Schnee; Emma Caulfield, of “Once Upon a Time;” Emmanuelle Vaugier, of “Lost Girl;” Felicia Day, of “The Guild;” Jason Isaacs, of “Harry Potter;” Jerry Lawler, of “WWE;” Jim Beaver, of “Supernatural;” John Barrowman, of “Arrow;” John Dimaggio, of “Adventure Time;” Kara Eberle, “RWBY’s” Weiss Schnee; Maggie Geha, of “Gotham;” Michael Rowe, of “Arrow;” Rachel Skarsten, of “Reign;” Ric Flair, of “WWE;” Ron Perlman, of “Hellboy;” Shannon Elizabeth, of “American Pie;” Spencer Wilding, of “Star Wars: Rogue One;” Stephen Amell, of ”Arrow;” Summer Glau, of “Firefly;” Tara Reid, of “American Pie;” Teddy Sears, of “The Flash;” Tom Kane, of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens;” Wil Wheaton, of “Big Bang Theory;” Zoie Palmer, of “Lost Girl;” and Mary the Impala, a replica of the ’67 Chevrolet Impala from “Supernatural.”
Celebrity guests will spend much of their time at Planet Comicon at their booth in the celebrity area signing autographs and taking photos with fans, for a fee. Pricing can be found on the Planet Comicon website.
Planet Comicon will be hosted April 28-30 at Bartle Hall in Kansas City. For more information, including purchasing passes, visit PlanetComicon.com. Follow Planet Comicon on Facebook here.