File photo.
The annual Long Beach Comic Con is back at it again this Saturday and Sunday at the Long Beach Convention Center—and alongside its perennial cosplay standouts, the convention has brought some exciting new highlights.
“Our plans for this year’s show are expansive, with a guest list that will impress both long-time fans and first time attendees,” said Martha Donato, Long Beach Comic Con’s executive director and co-founder in a statement.
In time for the recently announced Batman Day by DC Entertainment, Kevin Conroy and Loren Lester, the voices of Batman and Robin of the acclaimed 1990’s TV series, Batman: The Animated Series, are set to make an appearance for the first time together at LBCC 2016 according to a press release from organizers.
Conroy and Lester will speak and reprise their roles from the series in a panel of the same name on Saturday from 1:30PM to 2:30PM. According to the programming schedule, Conroy is also set to make an appearance at the “The Art of Voice Over (as Told By the Best!)” panel on Sunday from 1:30PM to 2:30PM alongside other prominent voiceover artists such as Troy Baker (Uncharted 4) and Tara Jayne Sands (Pokémon).
“Looking forward to the chance to reflect on my work for Batman The Animated Series, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the landmark series at the Long Beach Comic Con,” Conroy said in a statement.
“We are so excited to have Kevin Conroy and Loren Lester join this year’s Long Beach Comic Con,” Donato stated. “Not many shows can say they hosted the Dynamic Duo themselves!”
Aside from having the Dynamic Duo themselves, other interesting DC-related panels you may not want to miss are: “DC Comics: Rebirth,” “History of Teen Titans,” “The Artists of DC Comics,” and “Wonder Woman Turns 75.” The Wonder Woman panel on Sunday at 11:30AM will feature the character’s voice actor, Susan Eisenberg (Justice League), and “Wonder Woman ’77” artist Cat Staggs. You can also catch Staggs at the “Artists of DC” panel right after at 1:00PM.
Marvel Comics’ guests will include: Nick Spencer (Captain America: Steve Rogers, Morning Glories), Craig Kyle (X-23 creator, Thor & Thor: Dark World producer), Kris Anka (Uncanny X-Men), Brandon Easton (Agent Carter, Civil War II), and others. Marvel panels not to miss are: “A Marvel-ous Universe!,” “The Lawyers of Hell’s Kitchen,” and “Life Advice with Loki Hates You.”
Image Comics, possibly the biggest indie comic publisher, is making its push into LBCC 2016 in its “Celebrating Image Comics Past & Present” panel on Saturday from 2:00PM to 3:00PM. Featured writer Nick Spencer of Marvel’s Captain America: Steve Rogers fame will join Morning Glories artist Joe Eisma along with writer Kyle Higgins (C.O.W.L., Hadrian’s Wall) to discuss their experience and work for Image, according to organizers.
You may not want to miss a special guest appearance by Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Con Man, Castle), who will be joining in the LBCC 2016 fun during the “Con Man” and “Shiny: The Official Firefly Panel” only on Saturday with other Firefly guests such as Summer Glau, Sean Maher, Adam Baldwin and Jewel Staite. The “Con Man” panel will start at 2:30PM followed by Firefly at 3:30PM.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, check out the screening of popular fan film Severus Snape & The Marauders on Sunday from 3:00PM to 4:00PM. The screening will include a Q&A session with the cast members and prize giveaways.
LBCC 2016 will also host a slew of cosplay panels for cosplayers of any age to indulge themselves. In conjunction with MAD Event Entertainment, the cosplay contest will return on Saturday at 7:00PM in Room S7 and will be hosted by cosplayers Art Rhapsody and ChadHatter, according to organizers. Categories for awards will include: best hero, best villain, best youth, best group, funniest, best TV/movie, best Sci-Fi/fantasy, judges’ choice, and of course, best in show.
“Cosplay has always been one of the most celebrated parts of the show,” Donato said in the release. “Our annual cosplay contest has grown into one of the highlights of the show, and it is always exciting to see the passion that goes into all of the costumes of our participants.”
According to a release, other LBCC 2016 highlights will include:
- Doctor Who panels at the Long Beach Public Library
- #MakeComics workshops for aspiring writers and artists learning from professionals
- GeekFest Film Festival
- kids programming
- panels devoted to fan favorite comic book characters
“Long Beach Comic Con is a show that’s produced by a team who collectively have over 100 years of experience in the comics and entertainment industry,” Donato said in a statement. “We’ve worked hard over the years to create an experience that we would enjoy if we were attendees, so whether you want to meet your favorite comic artist or publisher or get a photo with Kevin Conroy and Loren Lester, or even learn to build your own R2D2 you can do it all here.”
Long Beach Comic Con will take place on Saturday, September 17 from 10:00AM to 7:00PM and Sunday, September 18 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM at the Long Beach Convention Center. The show opens to advance ticket holders both days at 9:30AM. Tickets are available now, through the website. Prices range from $30 to $55.