Up, up and away: Comic book convention debuts at Lansing Center

Posted

Lansing has seen the fans of Japanese comic entertainment take over the city’s riverfront, but what about the western classics? Where’s Superman and Spider-Man?

Enter Get Geek’d Entertainment Expo.

Lansing’s Get Geek’d Entertainment is debuting its first comic convention at the Lansing Center, boasting industry celebrities and a $250 prize in its costume contest.

“It’s something everyone deserves to experience,” said Get Geek’d Entertainment president Alex Westcot. “Grand Rapids and Detroit have their conventions, but the capital city didn’t. People were stuck driving hours to go to the conventions. We wanted to change that.”

The convention is meant to showcase Michigan-based talent, with 90 percent of the vendors being from within the state, said Westcot, adding it’s an attempt to bring more tourism to Lansing.

Attendees can compete in the costume, or cosplay, contest. The adult competition will be hosted Saturday, while the children’s contest, for those 15 and younger, will be Sunday; with its own $100 reward.

“The greatest thing about cosplay and pop culture references is you get to live out your favorite character,” Westcot said. “You get the whole weekend to be who you want to be. It is living out your pseudo-fantasy.”

The familiar faces won’t just be from the character cosplayers wandering around, but from celebrities themselves.

Guests include Martin Klebba, actor and stuntman in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” Samara Lee, Annabelle in “Annabelle 3,” Tim Holmes, the Strong Man in “Oz,” and Dan Mishkin, a writer who’s worked on Wonder Woman, Batman and many more.

Artist Scott Rosema, whose illustrations have been featured by Marvel, Archie and DC Comics, will also be at the event. Rosema will discuss his insider knowledge of the comic book industry, where he has worked for over three decades.

“Being a geek is anything that gets you excited,” Westcot said. “It used to be the outcast black sheep of the crowd. Now with the way pop culture is, it’s redefined the genre of people. Now they’re able to practice their geekdom and fandom out in the open and not be ashamed.”


Get Geek’d Entertainment

Expo Saturday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults, $15 for single day, $25 for weekend Children, $10 Lansing Center 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing www.getgeekdexpo.com alex@getgeekdexpo.com

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here




Connect with us