Motor City Comic Con to return for year’s second show

NOVI — The Motor City Comic Con will hold its second show this year at the Suburban Collection Showplace this weekend, Oct. 14-16. This is the first time that the show has been held twice annually since 2006.

“We just wanted to bring something back to the fall, because fall is so lovely in Michigan and we wanted to bring that spooky element to everyone,” said Liz Allen, Motor City Comic Con’s executive director.

The show brands itself as “Michigan’s longest and largest comic and pop-culture event.” It has been an annual and sometimes twice-annual event since 1989.

Allen said that people often inquire as to whether or not they are required to dress up in costume. She said the answer is no. Costumes are welcome, but not required.

“Overall, the purpose and the goal of Comic Con is that it is truly a place for everyone,” said Allen. “For decades it has been a place for people to go to find a sense of community and to feel accepted.”

The show features celebrity guests to allow attendees the opportunity to pay for meet and greets, autographs, selfies and professional photos with them. This fall the celebrity lineup will feature actors from television movies, and the streaming industry, along with some of the most creative artists, writers and comic book creators in the industry.

Celebrity guests will include Arthur Darville, Karen Gillan, Alex Kingston and Matt Smith, of “Dr. Who” fame; along with rocker Alice Cooper; and wrestler Booker T., along with many others.

The hottest commodity of the fall show, according to Allen, is going to be the “Dr. Who” reunion. That reunion will be a separate ticketed event to take place on Sunday after the convention.

“It’s the first time the four of them have ever appeared at a con together. So I’m very excited. I’ve been trying to get Matt Smith at the show since like 2014,” said Allen.

The show will also feature a special “Hocus Pocus” viewing and commentary event on Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m. Three members of the original cast — Vinessa Shaw, Omri Katz and Jason Marsden — will give commentary about their experiences making the film. The “Hocus Pocus” event is in addition to the cost of the regular show.

The regular show will also feature several comic artists. There will be an event that showcases three professional comic artists in an art duel. The crowd will get to vote for whose art is the best. There will be various art classes as well, such as an introduction to watercolors in comic books.

Numerous vendors will attend the event to sell crafts, memorabilia and comics. There will be face painting, a special-effects makeup demonstration, as well as a cosplay contest. Ghostbuster Detroit will have cars on display. Kids will get in free on Sunday.

“It’s great to have the Motor City Comic Con back for a second time this year. We have a great lineup of actors and comic creators this fall that we are looking forward to showcasing, all of the great panel discussions, and opportunities with our fans,” said Michael Goldman, convention promoter.

Motor City Comic Con will be held  noon-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MotorCityComicCon.com.