‘XCon’ expo connects as growing, annual tradition for science fiction, fantasy, fun
Anyone who’s told, “Have a great Con,” ought to fit right in at the “XCon World VIII,” opening Friday for three days at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
The annual XCon highlights comics, books, anime, film, television, horror, science fiction, fantasy and games, with a slew of local and national talent from the field on hand. The weekend family expo benefits the Palmetto Studios Arts Alliance of Myrtle Beach, a nonprofit benefiting local arts, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand.
Robin Roberts, who co-founded XCon with Steve Haines, said this event continues to expand in size and participation, especially since outgrowing the space from the first four XCons at Springmaid Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach.
“The rise of comic books” in pop culture has fueled the industry and the appeal of “con” shows, Roberts said, noting so many hit TV shows — outside of series such as “NCIS,” “CSI” and the like — have been based on comic book origins.
“When we started XCon,” he said, “there were a couple of one-day shows in South Carolina and one in Charlotte, Dragon Con in Atlanta, and one in Florida. Before, the term ‘nerd’ was a negative moniker. … Now, everybody’s a nerd.”
Roberts also reiterated how XCon in the long run increases the arts alliance “mission to help the local community, specifically the kids,” with summer art camps, promotion of the arts overall and children’s literacy. The arts alliance also wants to help raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club, which plans to build a new, larger club facility.
The arts alliance also buys “thousands of comic books and graphic novels” that are child friendly for giveaways at local festivals and events, Roberts said, especially to promote and widen the importance of reading — of comics and other reading material and subjects.
With comics’ influence “in TV, movies and pop culture,” the interest carries from children to the parents, Roberts said, as proven by the “the smiles on everybody’s faces” at gatherings such as XCon.
Roberts also remarked how comics intricacies have changed since the 1970s and ’80s, when times reflected a more “good guys beat the bad guys” flavor vs. the many more interwoven issues and emotions in the topics and characters today.
Touching on all fan bases
Assembling another XCon, Roberts said a team of about 80 volunteers deliver efforts to “touch on each major fan base” for youth and adults, and that this event’s “definitely well-known on the circuit,” so much that the lengthy process for booking special guests for 2016 already has begun.
Whether it’s the multi-generational appeal of “Star Wars” or “Star Trek,” or the continued popularity of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” series, XCon has plenty of themes and talent to interchange every year for something fresh and retro.
XCon also has kept its admission free for ages 12 and younger, furthering a family-friendly “standard,” Roberts said, so that cost poses no “barrier to participation.”
Even Tim Russ, known as Tuvok on the former “Star Trek: Voyager” TV series, earned “two thumbs up” from Roberts for easier access and arrangements to attend the 2015 XCon, all through learning of its nonprofit status. Similar kudos go to Ric Flair, “The Nature Boy” from WWE — visiting on Saturday only — Roberts said, because such stars realize their names help spur ticket sales.
The 2015 XCon also will hail Georgetown native Bill Oberst Jr. with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This annual honor will be named for him.
Roberts said he admires Oberst for going “out to Los Angeles to give it a shot,” resulting in roles picked up “in a lot of movies.”
“We wanted to have the hometown hero,” Roberts said, “here in front of thousands of people.”
Oberst shares update on works
Oberst said last week he looks forward to attending XCon because he’s a fan of comics and fantasy.
“The best part about the cons,” he said, “is allowing my inner geek to come out. When I was a kid, we didn’t have these kinds of gatherings, but I sure lived in books — comic and otherwise. XCon and the Palmetto Studios ArtsAlliance are doing a great thing in celebrating imagination for the next generation of young artists. I salute them, and the misfit kid in me thanks them.”
Several projects are afoot for Oberst this year. He spoke about his newest solo rendition, of a Ray Bradbury novella called “Pillar of Fire,” which opens in Los Angeles on the anniversary of Bradbury’s death in June.
“My hope is to have a successful run with this reading in Los Angeles,” Oberst said, “and then to tour it around to colleges and libraries. He was my favorite author growing up. If I could encourage young people to ignite their imaginations by getting offline and into Bradbury, I’d be a happy soul.”
Film and television work remain fun and “my bread and butter,” Oberst said, “but I’ve really missed theater.”
“My secret retirement dream is to have a little theater on the Grand Strand,” he said. “Television-wise, there’s a good chance that the second sequel to The Hallmark Channel’s ‘The Shunning’ will happen this year, and a group of ‘Criminal Minds’ fans keeps lobbying CBS-TV to bring back — and kill off — my deformed killer character on that show.”
On the film front, Oberst counted about five features lined up.
“I think I’m a killer in four of them,” he said. “I keep saying that I want to play a preacher, but the killer roles keep coming in. I guess God knows what He is doing.”
Contact STEVE PALISIN at 444-1764.
If you go
What | “XCon World VIII”
By | Palmetto Studios Arts Alliance, based at 807 Main St., Myrtle Beach, benefiting local artists and Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand, based at 1404 Carver St., Myrtle Beach (712-1977 or www.bgclubgs.org)
When | Noon-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Where | Myrtle Beach Convention Center, at Oak Street and 21st Avenue North
How much |
▪ Three-day badge, for ages 13 and older: $22.50 advance or $25 at door
▪ Free for ages 12 and younger
▪ Three-day VIP: $170 advance or $200 at door
Information | 839-4840 or www.xconworld.com
Scheduled celebrities
▪ Rochelle Aycoth, from two Nicholas Sparks films: “The Longest Ride” and “The Choice.”
▪ Nicholas Brendon, from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Criminal Minds.”
▪ Michael Copon, from The CW’s “One Tree Hill.”
▪ Ric Flair, “The Nature Boy” from WWE, on Saturday only.
▪ Blake Anthony Foster, a third-degree master black belt in American Tang Soo Do-style karate who played Justin Stewart, the Blue Turbo Ranger, in the fifth season of “Power Rangers, Power Rangers Turbo.”
▪ Amber Dawn Fox, from “The Vampire Diaries,” “The Originals” and “Under the Dome.”
▪ Marilyn Ghigliotti, from “Clerks.”
▪ Ciara Hanna, from “The Bold and the Beautiful” and who played Gia, the Yellow Power Ranger, in “Power Rangers Megaforce: Ultimate Team Power.”
▪ Richard Harmon , from The CW’s “The 100.”
▪ Josh McDermitt, from AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”
▪ Mike Mundy, from “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and “42.”
▪ Brian O’Halloran, from “Clerks” films.
▪ Bill Oberst Jr., Georgetown native and professional actor, receiving a lifetime achievement award from XCon’s Killuride Film Festival.
▪ Tim Russ, who played Tuvok on “Star Trek: Voyager.”
▪ Xavion Shelton, from The Shelton Boys and “The Walking Dead.”
▪ Jason “Lumberjack” Johnson, from CMT’s “Sweet Home Alabama” (Season 4) with pet raccoon, Meeka.
▪ Kent Wagner, from “The Walking Dead,” “The Originals” and “The Vampire Diaries.”
▪ Writers/artists: Tom Fleming, Sanford Greene, Dave Harlequin, Robert Midgett, Shane Moore, Dr. David Powers, Budd Root, Andy Smith, Vinnie Tartamella, Tattoo Bob and Steven Tibbs.
▪ “Cosplay” artists: Allegriana, Bewitched Raven, Carolina Ghostbusters, Cosplay Inc., The 501st Legion, Haiden Hazard, Alexis Montclaire, Frank Puricelli and Cubbie Thompson.
Schedule of events
Tournaments |
▪ Friday – Open gaming, all day; and Marvel Dice Masters, 5 p.m.
▪ Saturday – Star City Super IQ and Warmachine/Hordes Steamroller, each 11 a..m., with signup at 10 a.m.; and Heroclix Sealed Tournament, 4 p.m.
▪ Sunday – Downtown and Mortal Kombat, each noon.
▪ All weekend – Demonstrations of games such as D&D Attack Wing, X-Wing Miniatures, Imperial Assault, Pathfinder Card Game, DoomTown and Dice Masters.
Other special activities |
FRIDAY
▪ Main panel room:
2:15 p.m. – Amber Dawn Fox and Walkers – Making “The Walking Dead.”
3:15 – Rochelle Aycoth and “The Reaper.”
4:15 – Cosplay Today, with Cosplay guests.
5:15 – Renee Marie, with Japanese fashion.
6:15 – Paty Cockrum and Richard O’Hara, with Dave Cockrum’s “Futurians.”
▪ Center Stage: Nerd Trivia Game 2 p.m., Sleeping Samurai 3 p.m., Fiat Lux Demo 4 p.m., photo ops with The Character Company 5 p.m. and Geek Dating Game 6 p.m.
▪ Kill U Ride Theater: 1:20 p.m. Kill U Ride Film Fest at 1:20, 2:20, 3:20 and 6:20 p.m.; Nerd Bar Live open Casting Call 4:20 p.m.; and Improve sketch contest 5:20 p.m.
SATURDAY
▪ In main panel room:
11:15 a.m. – Power Rangers panel.
12:15 p.m. – Rob Dyke in YouTube Q&A.
1:15 p.m. – “Clerks.”
2:15 – Bob Boan, with “Extra Terrestrial Life – Truth & Probability.”
3:15 – Richard Harmon – Bates Motel, Continuum and “The 100.”
4:15 – Tim Russ, with “Star Trek” panel, “Voyager” and fan films.
5:15 – Michael Copon, with “Power Ranger” to “One Tree Hill” and beyond.
6:15 – Josh McDermitt, with “What Is It Like to ‘Know Stuff?’”
7:15 – Nicholas Brendan, with “Xander” Q&A.
▪ Center Stage: Medieval Times demo 11 a.m., Nerd trivia game noon, “Sleeping Samurai” demo 1 p.m., “Big Kids” costume contest 2 p.m., adult costume contest 3 p.m., Fiat Lux demo 4 p.m. and “Geek Dating Game” 5 p.m.
▪ Kill U Ride Theater: 11:20am Kill U Ride Film Fest 11:20 a.m. and 12:20, 5:20, 6:20 and 7:20 p.m.; “Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies” 1:40 p.m.; Bill Oberst Jr. Q&A 3:20 p.m.; and “Valley of the Sasquatch” 3:40 p.m.
SUNDAY
▪ Main panel room:
11:15 a.m. – “Geek Church.”
12:15 p.m. – Xavion Shelton and Robert Midgett, with “Getting Started Young.”
1:15 – Bob Camp and C. Martin Croker, with “How Has Animation Changed?”
2:15 – Shane Moore, with “Hang Overs for Indie Writers.”
3:15 – Brockton McKinney, with “Breaking Into Comics”
4:15 – Cosplay panel, with contest wrap-up and tips.
▪ Center stage: Nerd trivia game at noon, “Sleeping Samurai” demo 1 p.m., Geek Dating Game 2 p.m., judged costume contest 3 p.m., Fiat Lux demo 4 p.m. and raffles 5 p.m.
▪ Kill U Ride Theater: Adult judged costume contest 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Kill U Ride finalists 3:20 p.m. and “Star Trek” fan film “Mind Sifter” 4:20 p.m.
This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 4:43 AM with the headline "‘XCon’ expo connects as growing, annual tradition for science fiction, fantasy, fun."