New World Comic Con returns for third year
The third year of New World Comic Con is set for this Saturday at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.
Brian “Buck” Berlin’s plans to create a homegrown comic-book convention for Oklahoma seem to be coming to fruition, as Berlin says this is the largest space and largest number of vendors the con has had yet.
“It’s a massive undertaking this year,” Berlin told The Oklahoman. The event will have more than 100 vendors on hand with a variety of comics, collectibles, and pop culture-related items.
The event is set for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Centennial Building, 609 Kiamichi Place, at State Fair Park.
Admission is $6 and children under 5 are admitted free with adult admission.
Berlin said the convention is highlighting three successful Oklahoma talents with this year’s show.
Artist Jerry Bennett is the artist of the “Nadir’s Zenith” comic and has created licensed work for LucasFilm, Marvel and the Stan Lee Foundation.
“I’ll be a guest of honor and taking part in a ‘How Well Do You Know THE Jerry Bennett?’ panel, and they promise it will be a ton of fun,” Bennett told The Oklahoman. “I’m in the dark as to the questions, which is part of the fun — I hope.”
Bennett’s latest projects include creating original licensed Star Wars and Marvel art on sketchcards to be released in random packs of trading cards.
“It’s very humbling to be appreciated in one’s own state for my art,” Bennett said. “I think people also appreciate me as a person, too, which is great. They also love my laugh, too, which I particularly enjoy, because I love spreading joy with everyone.”
Also appearing as a guest of honor this year is writer/artist Natasha Alterici, whose “Heathen” comic has been rereleased through national publisher Vault Comics.
In the comic book, Aydis is a viking, a warrior, an outcast, and a self-proclaimed heathen. Aydis, a woman born into a time of warfare, suffering, and subjugation of women, is on a mission to end the oppressive reign of the god-king Odin.
The graphic novel collection of “Heathen” 1-4 is set for national release on Aug. 8.
The final guest of honor for New World Con in 2017 is horror host John Ferguson, aka Count Gregore.
Count Gregore first appeared as a local horror host for “Shock Theatre” in 1958 on Oklahoma City’s WKY-TV. For more than 50 years, he has hosted shows such as “Creature Features,” “Horror Theatre,” “Sleepwalker’s Matinee,” “Thriller” and “Nightmare.”
The convention will feature panels, artists and vendors all day. A “Superhero School” for youngsters with a focus on Superman is set for 10:30 a.m. and costume contests for adults and for kids is set for 4 p.m.
“It’s definitely fam- ily friendly,” Berlin said. “Anyone and everyone can come and enjoy.”
A silent auction throughout the conven- tion is set to benefit the Britton Elementary PTA. Berlin appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community; and he says he feels grateful that the convention has seen the success that is has.
“I hope everyone has a good time,” Berlin said. “Just the fact that I get to do this is the coolest thing ever.”