Motor City Comic Con comes back to Novi this weekend
Where else would you find Superman, Lex Luthor, Captain Jack, Michael Myers, Meat Loaf, Ice-T, Frodo Baggins and one of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the same place than the Motor City Comic Con?
After being canceled last year because of the pandemic, MC3 returns this coming weekend (Oct. 15-17) at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
This year’s media guests include John Barrowman, Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad,” “The Mandalorian”), Alexander Ludwig (“Vikings”), Antony Starr (“The Boys”), Ice-T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), James Jude Courtney (“Halloween Kills”), Okemos High School alumnus Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum (both of “Smallville”), Mike Colter (“Evil”), Ross Marquand (“The Walking Dead”), Gaten Matarazzo (“Stranger Things”) and Elijah Wood (“Lord of the Rings”).
Comic creators include Berkley High School alumnus Jim Starlin, who created Thanos and Shang-Chi, who’ve both become big box office draws in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; writer/artist Dan Jurgens, one of the main creators behind 1992’s “The Death of Superman” storyline; and Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, the creative team behind the critically acclaimed “Batman: The Court of Owls” graphic novel.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to the Motor City, the birthplace of Thanos the Mad Titan,” says Starlin, who created Thanos at Oakland Community College.
MC3 marks Jurgens’ first time in Michigan in more than 30 years.
“I am genuinely excited to get back and see what it has to offer!” he says. “One of the things I came to realize during the pandemic is that comic cons are truly crucial to our business. Comic cons bring fans, retailers and pros together, which really helps to build enthusiasm across the board. That’s something I always knew, but like many things in life, we tend to appreciate it more when it’s been taken away.”
This is Barrowman’s third appearance at MC3. The Scotland native is best known as Capt. Jack Harkness in “Doctor Who” and its spin-off, “Torchwood,” as well as Malcolm Merlyn, a character who debuted on “Arrow” and has since appeared on other Arrowverse series, such as “The Flash.”
“The best part about conventions is that I get to meet the people who have given me this unbelievable life that I have,” Barrowman says. “I like getting to chit-chat with
them. I like seeing their faces. Some give me letters, which I do read. For me, it’s a chance to connect and be face-to-face with the fans who have changed my life, so that’s why I do these things.”
Welling, who played Clark Kent in “Smallville,” agrees the conventions are a good time.
“You’re meeting people who are really nice and responsible for why you get to be here,” he says.
Besides getting your swag signed and taking photos, fans can sit in at panels where media guests will discussing their famous roles and answer questions from fans. There will be a cosplay contest for adults on Saturday, Oct. 16, and a cosplay contest for kids ages 12 and younger on Sunday, Oct. 17. Costumes must be all-ages appropriate.
Other festivities include “Smallville Nights” from 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, where Welling and Rosenbaum will read scenes from “Smallville.” In fact, they’ll invite audience members on stage to have them act out the scenes with the actors. Everyone in attendance will receive a keepsake gift. A select few will win prizes from the actors’ personal collections. This event is not included in the general admission price.
There also will be a Snyder/Capullo VIP event from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Guests can get a selfie and autographs from both creators, and attend the Q&A panel where complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic beverages will be served. This event also is in addition to general admission.
Miriam Kruger, MC3 executive director, is looking forward to the return of this convention.
“Since 1989, we have continued to expand on MC3, and each year have been making it bigger and better,” she said. “We are thrilled that we can bring MC3 back for 2021 and are excited with our list of guests and events planned. We look forward to returning again in a few months to our annual convention May 13-15, 2022, as well.”