By ROBERT DUGUAY
In other parts of the country, when the first weekend after Halloween hits, the mood can be a bit somber with a touch of added stress. People are thinking about what they’re going to do for Thanksgiving while preparing for holiday shopping and dreading the Christmas music that’s blaring either on the radio or through the loudspeaker in various establishments. In Rhode Island, when this particular weekend arrives, the fun gets kicked up numerous notches. That’s because of the Rhode Island Comic Con, which is returning to the Rhode Island Convention Center and the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence for its 11th edition from November 1-3. There’s going to be a lot taking place with panels featuring celebrity guests and comic book artists, autograph and photo opportunities, creative vendors and inventive cosplayers.
The main attraction of the celebrity guest portion is a “Back To The Future” film trilogy reunion with Michael J. Fox, who played the role of the main character Marty McFly, Christopher Lloyd, who was the eccentric time traveling scientist Emmett “Doc” Brown, Lea Thompson, who was McFly’s mother Lorraine, and Tom Wilson, who folks know as the infamous bully Biff Tannen. The DeLorean time machine is going to be on the premises as well, which will be one of the many things attendees will be taking photos with. Other actors and actresses who will be hanging out include Giancarlo Esposito, Helen Hunt, John Bernthal, Matthew Lillard, Mena Suvari, Rose McGowan, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Brian Austin Green, Charisma Carpenter, Chris Parnell, Jennifer Morrison and Mario Lopez. Pro Wrestling fans will get the chance to meet their heroes with Darby Allin and Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D from All Elite Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Tag Team Champions Matt and Jeff Hardy, tag team legends Bully Ray and D-Von Dudley and Hall of Famers Diamond Dallas Page, Mick Foley and Ric Flair available for meet and greets, autograph signings and photo opportunities. These are only a few of the famous people who will be hanging out and taking part in the festivities.
For the folks who want to meet the ones who drew some of their favorite comics, there are plenty of those artists who will be in attendance. This includes Ben Bishop, Jeremy Clark and Eric Henson, who were part of the acclaimed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic “The Last Ronin”. There’s also the legendary John Romita Jr., who was part of the creation of the “Kick-Ass” comic series along with having his work be a part of “The Amazing Spider-Man”, “Iron Man” and “Uncanny X-Men” just to name a few. Other comic illustrators who will be at this year’s Rhode Island Comic Con include Ariel Diaz, Bill Anderson, Jae Lee, Mike DeCarlo and Sam Velluto. Like the celebrity guests I previously mentioned, these are only a few of the talented comic book artists and illustrators who will be showing up.
On a personal level, I enjoy checking out the creative part of the convention to gaze at the art installations while being wowed and entertained by what the cosplayers come up with for their costumes. With everything I just described, attending this year’s convention will definitely be worth the price of admission. To get all the information on tickets, panel times and everything else, log on to ricomiccon.com. If this is your first time going, be prepared for an event that’s going to be a memorable experience. If you’ve been before, then you already know the awesomeness you’re going to witness when you arrive.