Famed celebrities, talented cosplayers and all things nerd culture will be present at American Bank Center for three days starting Friday.
The annual Corpus Christi Comic Con returns to the Coastal Bend, and here's everything you need to know before attending:
How, where to get tickets
- Friday passes are $30, Saturday $40 and Sunday $35 — cheaper than last year's.
- Weekend passes are $50.
- VIP passes are $130 and come with a VIP badge and lanyard, Corpus Christi Comic Con exclusive print, an exclusive shirt, priority access for celebrity autographs and photo-ops and free entry into the Y2K Nerd Prom.
- Children's one-day passes, ages 6 to 10, are $15 for any day and $20 for weekend passes. Kids 5 and under enter for free.
- Active duty military members, veterans, educators and first responders get 50% off their ticket at the door only.
- Tickets can be purchased online at corpuschristicomiccon.com or at the door for an additional price.
Guest celebrities
There will be 17 celebrities visiting this year's Comic Con, and some will only be present Saturday and Sunday so be sure to get the corresponding tickets to meet your icon.
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- Adam Baldwin (Jayne Cobb in "Firefly") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Susanne Blakeslee (Wanda in "The Fairly OddParents") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Rachael Leigh Cook (Josie McCoy in "Josie and the Pussycats") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
- Amy "Lita" Dumas (WWE Hall of Fame inductee) will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
- Joey Fatone (Member of boy band NSYNC) will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
- Lou Ferrigno (Hulk in "The Incredible Hulk") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Mick Foley (WWE Hall of Fame inductee) will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Summer Glau (River Tam in "Firefly") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Paola Lázaro (Juanita "Princess" Sanchez in "The Walking Dead") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Sean Maher (Dr. Simon Tam in "Firefly") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Ross Marquand (Aaron in "The Walking Dead") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Chuck Norris (Cordell Walker in "Walker, Texas Ranger") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
- Daran Norris (Cosmo in "The Fairly OddParents") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Lou Diamond Phillips (Ritchie Valens in "La Bamba") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Christian Serratos (Selena in "Selena: The Series") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- Matthew Waterson (Magneto in "X-Men '97") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
- David Yost (Billy in "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Featured artists, cosplayers
Here are the celebrity guest artists to look out for and the pro cosplayers you have to meet.
- Alias: She has been cosplaying since 2011 and has founded and organized several charity-based cosplay groups, including the Cosplay Care Project. She has cosplayed as X-23 from the "X-Men" franchise, Starlight from "The Boys" and Scarlet Witch from the "Marvel" franchise.
- Matt Frank: Since 2011, this artist has been known in both Japan and America as the "Kaiju King" due to his artwork of all things giant and monstrous. Hr has worked for the Godzilla franchise and headlined the 25-issue series "Godzilla: Rulers of Earth" in 2013.
- Guy Gilchrist: Best known as Jim Henson's cartoonist, this world-renowned illustrator, author, comic strip artist and songwriter created the “Muppets” comic strip and was instrumental in Henson's "Fraggle Rock" and the creation of “The Muppet Babies.”
- Todd W. Langen: He is a screenwriter who worked on the film adaptation of 1990's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and its sequel "The Secret of the Ooze."
- Sean Kelley McKeever: This comic writer has worked on "Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane," "Sentinel," "Teen Titans," "The Incredible Hulk" and more. He also wrote for the award-winning video game "Star Wars: The Old Republic."
- MxJellyfish: This award-winning cosplayer lives in South Texas and is an expert cosplayer as she sews and crafts her own work. She has cosplayed as Ahsoka from the "Star Wars" franchise, Anna from "Frozen" and Sophie from "Howl's Moving Castle."
- Pastel Panda: This Texas-based cosplayer, streamer, content creator and seamstress has been cosplaying since 2013 and taught herself how to sew and craft. She has cosplayed as Ruby Hoshino from "Oshi no Ko.," Lucy Heartfilia from "Fairy Tail" and Ninetales from the "Pokémon" franchise.
- Rodney Ramos: He has worked on just about every major character for DC and Marvel comics including "Thundercats," "Punisher War Journal," "Iron Man" and more.
- Roberto Rivera: This writer, illustrator and comic book artists created an original comic with his brother called "Carlos the Kaiju Killer." The story merges eastern and Caribbean cultures with ties to native Taíno folklore.
- Dexter Vines: He is a prolific comic artist who has worked in the business for more than 25 years and worked with Marvel, DC and Dark Horse Comics.
- Timothy Zahn: This author started dabbling in writing science fiction in 1975 and has published 65 novels, more than 100 short stories and five collections of short fiction including 16 "Star Wars" novels.
Photo ops
To purchase photo op tickets, visit corpuschristicomiccon.com/photo-ops. Each session includes one glossy 8-by-10-inch print and a free digital copy.
Photos with individual celebrities range from $60 to $130. Group photos — such as actors from "Firefly," voice actors from "The Fairly OddParents" and two cast members from "The Walking Dead" — will range from $110 to $190.
The earlier you buy photo ops with celebrity guests, the sooner you will get your experience. VIPs will also be placed in their groups according to when they purchased their photo op. However, VIP attendees will always have priority.
Photo ops with guest artists and cosplayers will be held at their respective booths.
Cosplay contests
Want bragging rights and some cool prizes? Sign up for the cosplay contest at Corpus Christi Comic Con.
The three-day event will hold two cosplay contests for children and adults. Kids under the age of 13 may participate in the kid's cosplay contest and those 13 and older may participate in the adult's.
The Kid's Cosplay Contest will start at 4 p.m. Sunday and the adult's at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Pre-registration is required in advance online or at the cosplay sign-up table on the second floor near Ballroom A.
To participate, you need a valid Corpus Christi Comic Con badge or wristband. All rules must be abided by or you will be disqualified. The staff may refuse entry or participation to anyone for any reason.
The contests are rated E for everyone, so severely offensive language and overt sexual humor or behavior will not be tolerated. As well, all outfits must cover "swimsuit areas," show no nudity or have full body paint.
All costumes can be homemade or store-bought. Contestants may not throw anything off the stage or into the crowd, such as liquids, glitter or confetti. No pyrotechnics, fire, explosive devices, live animals or similar special effects may be used.
Group entries are allowed, but only up to four people. Entrants may not participate in multiple groups.
No sign-ups will be accepted one hour before each contest begins.
Y2K Nerd Prom
With Y2K fashion making a (questionable) return, Corpus Christi Comic Con will celebrate this year's Nerd Prom with the fun throwback theme.
The first 100 attendees will receive a free gift.
Tickets cost $15 online and $20 at the door. Patrons will need a Nerd Prom ticket to enter, not just the Comic Con ticket.
The dance will take place from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Henry Garrett Ballroom Friday.
'Star Wars' documentary
Alejandro Cabrera, a San Antonio producer and director, will take attendees on a journey delving deep into the "Star Wars" fandom in Texas and exploring its unique connection to the western genre with "In The Lone Star Wars State."
The documentary will introduce viewers to several Texans sharing their personal experiences and intimate stories of the fandom.
After the film, a live Q&A will happen with Cabrera and the cast.
It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Henry Garrett Ballroom Saturday. The screening is free to all attendees.
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva.
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