From local artists to Superman, show offers variety
TULSA — From Superman to Buck Rogers to Ponyboy, the Tulsa Pop Culture Expo is bringing a wide variety of guests with a strong background in genre and other entertainment. But artists and creators with local ties also are featured.
Brandon Routh, who was able to leap tall buildings in a single bound in 2006’s “Superman Returns” and currently stars as the Atom on “Legends of Tomorrow,” is the show’s headliner.
Guest Gil Gerard soared through space as William “Buck” Rogers in the 1979-81 TV series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” And C. Thomas Howell was Ponyboy in the noted “Outsiders” motion picture filmed in Tulsa.
Katie Cassidy, Adam Baldwin, Zach Callison, John Schneider, Sean Gunn and several more TV and film personalities are scheduled to attend.
From the world of comic books, writer Christopher James Priest is scheduled to appear at the show. He’s the current writer of DC Comics’ title “Deathstroke,” featuring the frequent Teen Titans villain and deadly assassin, and spoke to 2016 about the character.
“Deathstroke is the dark mirror version of Batman, basically. He is every bit as resourceful, every bit as ruthless, every bit as powerful as Batman,” Priest said. “So when the two of them face off ... it’s more intellectual than it is even physical, because the two of them almost cancel each other out.”
Also known for his work on an earlier “Deathstroke” title is Oklahoma native Steve Erwin, also set to appear at the show.
Born in Tulsa, Erwin studied commercial art at Oklahoma State University's Okmulgee campus. He currently lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Artist Michael Garrett, of Oklahoma City, will appear at the show in artist’s alley.
“I am excited for Tulsa Pop and looking forward to a great family-friendly weekend in which I can share my talents, inspire all ages and meet people with similar interests,” said Garrett, who creates commissioned original art and high-quality prints.
Garrett said he’s been helped along in his artistic pursuits via a Facebook group he runs called Artists Anonymous for Oklahoma artists.
“Local artists gather weekly to hang out, draw and give tips and instruction,” Garrett said. “The collaboration is extremely helpful, especially for those who are looking to improve their skillset or desire to start up doing conventions, and/or find ways to share and sell their work.”
The group, which began about three years ago, now has more than 50 members.
“The group is focused on encouraging one another and helping each other to develop our talents to the fullest.”
Interested artists can search for “Artists Anonymous” on Facebook and look for the Oklahoma City group.
To see more art from Michael Garrett, visit his page at www.facebook.com/ArtbyMG.
For more about the Tulsa Pop Culture Expo, go to www. tulsapopcultureexpo.com.