Latest chapter of Comic Con Revolution nears

Comic Con Revolution returns to the Ontario Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday with a host of TV, movie and voice actors, comic book writers and artists, and cosplayers galore.

Oh, and a bunch of pro wrestlers, too. Because why not?

Comic Con Revolution didn't happen in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it almost didn't happen in 2021, either, before it managed to catch a weekend at the convention center in December before the year was done.

While San Diego Comic-Con recently announced it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test, and masks indoors, no such requirements are in place for Comic Con Revolution, which dropped those requirements when the state ended mandates in April. Masks are recommended but not required.

So what's on offer at Comic Con Revolution this year? Let's start with a couple of TV and moviethemed panels.

Actor Ryan Hurst will appear Saturday for a conversation titled Walking Anarchy after his two best-known roles: Opie, the hulking, brooding biker on “Sons of Anarchy,” and Beta, the hulking, brooding bad dude on “The Walking Dead.”

“Star Trek” actors Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar from “The Next Generation”) and Robert Picardo (the doctor from “Voyager”) talk about the phenomenon of that franchise's fandom May 22. And actress Claudia Wells, who played Jennifer, Marty McFly's girlfriend, in “Back to the Future,” will be making appearances.

Comic books and their creators get the spotlight in other programs over the weekend.

James O'Barr, creator of “The Crow” comic book series, will talk about his life and career Saturday. Gerry Conway, creator of Frank Castle, the antihero in Marvel's “The Punisher” series, will talk May 22 about what people get wrong about that character.

There is, of course, tons of cosplay, with the annual Cosplay Revolution contest Saturday, the highlight of the weekend for many attendees.

And there are wrestlers. Billy Gunn and the “Road Dogg” Jesse James will tag-team a wrestling retrospective panel titled Outlaws of the New Age on Saturday.

Gunn will return May 22 with fellow wrestlers Anna Jay, Tay Conti and Sammy Guevarra for a panel titled Being Elite, a reference to All Elite Wrestling, or AEW, the second biggest wrestling circuit after WWE.

For all the details, including tickets, programs, guests and exhibitors, go to comicconrevolution. com.

CINDY YAMANAKA — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Cosplayers by the score are expected this weekend at Comic Con Revolution in Ontario, like these attendees at the 2018edition: Angelyn Bugawan, Tess Vargha, Taylor Pruitt and Zilvia Barrows, from left. The event also promises discussion panels with actors and comics creators and more.