New World Comic Con brings ` Venom' artist, more
New World Comic Con returns for its fifth year this Saturday at the State Fair Park. The old-school, family-friendly convention offers opportunities to meet comic creators, actors and other creatives, and to dress in costume and take part in costume contests.
Organizer Brian “Buck” Berlin said this year's event is set for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
at the Oklahoma Expo Hall, 3213 Wichita Walk, at fair park. In the larger location, Berlin said fans can expect even more of the things they've enjoyed in the show's previous years.
Admission is $7 for adults, and children under 5 are admitted free with adult admission.
Artist Sam de la Rosa (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Venom”) is among the show's headliners.
“He's written, drawn, inked, lettered; you name it, he's done it in comics,” Berlin said.
He's perhaps bestknown as one of the artists on the popular “Venom: Lethal Protector” series, which was the first time Spider-Man foe Venom headlined his own comic.
Actor Sandi Sellner (“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”) is also set to be a guest this year.
Berlin said fans of Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be able to take pictures with cosplayers portraying the characters throughout the show. There also will be an area for “Pokemon” fans to earn special badges.
And as usual, the show highlights many Oklahoma writers and artists.
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. He created the T-shirt art for this year's convention and is a featured guest.
Also appearing as a guest this year is writer/ artist Natasha Alterici, whose “Heathen” comic has been released through national publisher Vault Comics and was recently optioned for film.
Oklahoma writer James Hostler will bring his “The Bobcat” series to New World Comic Con.
Comic-book artists Joe Eisma (“Morning Glories”) and Robert Wilson IV (“Heartthrob”) also are set to attend the show.
The costume contest runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and is full of surprises, Berlin said.
“It's never what I expect it to be,” Berlin said. “Whatever's going to be big the next year is what's big at the contest … it's neat that they can predict it like that.”