What an action (hero)-packed weekend!

While in these past few days Madison played host to many events, including Frozen Assets and a Badgers basketball game, I’m glad I attended Wizard World Comic Con. The national event is spreading, this year now in an all-time high of 25 cities, including Madison.

Some highlights from Thursday-Sunday (note: all photos courtesy of Revelation, LLC. Also, although I got into these events for free, I was not paid to write this review):

Kick Off the Con Party

Entercom held three concurrent parties, one each at the Brass Ring (trivia), Brink Lounge (costume contest) and High Noon (interviews with the celebrities) Thursday night. Regarding the latter, Scott Miller from WOLX interview Lou Ferrigno, then Jason David Frank (Power Rangers) and William Kircher (a dwarf from the “Hobbit” movies) one-by-one on stage. Then each of the actors went upstairs to the loft to be interviewed by a horde of media.

The highlight for me was when Kircher sang a song from the “Hobbit” movie. He’s got a great voice, and it was no surprise when he told me he’s also in a 60s/70s retro band called “The California Dreamers.”

Madison Capitols/Drink and Draw

I was too tired to attend the Drink and Draw event, which paired fans with comic book artists, at Pitcher’s Pub Friday night. However, earlier in the evening I did catch Ferrigno drop the puck at the Madison Capitols game. It happened to be $1 beer night, so I think many fans were still in the beer garden instead of in their seats.

Official After Party

This event took place Saturday night at Badger Bowl. I was worried none of the actors would actually come, but sure enough, Bruce Campbell and Kircher stopped by and actually bowled. What a sight to see, Campbell bowling in a suit, and Kircher bowling for the first time.

(In case you’re curious, many of the celebs, including Ferrigno, Campbell and Kircher, ate dinner at Johnny Delmonico’s prior to the after-party.)

Wizard World Comic Con

First, I loved all of the cosplay. I saw video game characters (e.g. Link, Mega Man), movie characters (e.g. Groot) and many, many Harleys (the Joker’s sidekick).

There was plenty of shopping to do, with vendors hawking comics, posters, action figures (including lots of Legos), weapons, clothing, jewelry and other collector’s items. It was neat to see the old Batmobile, and I paid to take a photo inside the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.”

Prices varied to get photos and autographs with the various celebrities, which included Michael Rooker, Ernie Hudson, Jason Mewes, George Wendt and the Bella Twins. After Ferrigno, I’d have to say Hudson was the most muscular actor there. Rooker was really personable, and the Bella Twins are even more beautiful in person.

Most of the actors also held 30-minute programming sessions. I attended William Shatner’s session, which included a hilarious tale of how he had made up seeing a UFO following a motorcycle accident.

Wizard World Comic Con reps told me it’s all but certain the event will return to Madison next year, though April is a more likely possibility than chilly and snowy February. Either way, I look forward to attending again in 2016.