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By Spencer Ellsworth Nick Roche got his start as a comics artist at IDW Publishing, illustrating and soon writing the company’s incarnation of
Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, Ghost Busters, gi joe, Joel Hodgson, MST3K, Retro Con, Sergeant Slaughter
Retro Con 2014 Preview: 2014 Is So 1984
By Jared Cornelius
With the bluster and noise of San Diego Comic Con over and New York Comic Con less than a month away I was interested in looking for a smaller con experience that could offer a little less size for more personality. Imagine my surprise when I found a link for Retro Con 2014 taking place September 27th and 28th at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oak, Pennsylvania.
Run by husband and wife duo Rosemary and Anthony Tuski, the con purports to be the home of all things retro. Classic Television shows, cartoons, video games, comic books, and toys all populate the tables of over 200 vendors selling nostalgia to the faithful. As I read up about the con, my gaze was immediately drawn to the small but notable guest list. Retro Con reaches across the spectrum of 80's and 90's television and was able to gather an eclectic but interesting mix of notable celebrities. The first guest to catch my eye was undoubtedly Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson who'd be doing signings and photos on Saturday. Hodgson besides being the originator of MST3K was a writer in the early years of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and most recently found success reviving his riffing career touring with fellow MST3K alum with the now on hiatus Cinematic Titanic.
As a wrestling fan of 80's wrestling and a G.I. Joe fan my heart also fluttered to see legendary grappler Sergeant Slaughter would be appearing all weekend. The former real life marine is legendary figure in pro-wrestling and well remembered by man babies like me for his iconic portrayal in real life on WWF/E television as well as his cartoon persona as the G.I. Joe's tough as nail drill instructor leading the charge to battle in his Warthog A.I.F.V. Slaughter didn't come alone though, as voice actors and perennial Cobra villains Zack "Zartan" Hoffman and Morgan "Baroness" Lofting will be in attendance as well.
The Joes won't be the only 80's fan favorite cartoon at Retro Con either with Saturday morning mainstays and arguably Rankin Bass's best show Thundercats well represented. Two of the show's original voice actors Larry "Lion-O" Kenny and Peter "Tigra" Newman will be appearing as well as Gerrianne "Pymyra" Raphael who was introduced later in the series. Trekkers/ies can meet Chase Masterson from Star Trek Deep Space 9 as well as Chris Doohan from the recent movies. Internet personality James Rolfe better known as the Angry Video Game Nerd will also be appearing Sunday and screening The Angry Video Game Nerd Movie at Arnold's Family Fun Center across the street from the convention center.
If you're looking for a like-minded group of people, the con is playing host to a variety of clubs and cosplayer including the Philadelphia Ghostbusters, non-profit cosplay charity group The Heroes Alliance, V super-fans CT-V: The Connecticut Mothership, G.I. Joe cosplay group The Finest, Philadelphia's oldest Star Trek club The USS Sovereign and more. Cosplayers are encouraged to put on their best outfit as Retro Con will be holding a costume contest and will also have a professional photo studio providing a photo booth.
As a retro game enthusiast I was delighted to see classic gaming was taking center stage with TooManyGames having a selection of retro games and consoles available to con goers. Classic consoles are abound with Nintendo represented across the ages from NES to N64 as well as its 90's console rival Sega with Saturn, and Dreamcast available at prior shows. Arcade fan's won't be disappointed either with entertainment group Moonbase holding a classic arcade game tournament. Retro Con will also be holding a trivia contest as well as raffles so you can balance skill and pure luck and hopefully leave with some swag.
Finally for those who want to pay attention and learn something, Retro Con has panels to educate and entertain, with an intro to prop making, an examination of cult TV and culture intersecting with Mr. Lobo, and a panel with Joel Hodgson on Saturday. Sunday features an intro to costume making, panels on both Thundercats and G.I. Joes, as well as indie film making on a budget.
I'm always excited to be at a smaller con where I don't necessarily have to fight for breathing room and with unique and dedicated crowd Retro Con should be a blast from the past. I'll be there Saturday doing coverage so if you can figure out which bald guy is me stop and say hi.
Jared Cornelius is some guy from New Jersey's coast who'll probably have donuts to give out. Say hi on Twitter @John_Laryngitis and maybe you'll get one!
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