By Jason Harris

Jeremy London (Mallrats).






Author Stacey Longo.

Illustrator Karen Gosselin.

The Connecticut Visitors.

Gary Sohmers of Northeast Comic Con.
Altered Reality Entertainment, owners of Rhode Island Comic Con, the Biggest Show in the Smallest State, have announced a partnership with Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, Rhode Island based auction house to host a Major Toy Buying Event slated for January 16 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings in Warwick, Rhode Island.
The daylong event, featuring entertainment for the entire family, will be hosted by TV’s toy hunting phenom Travis Landry. Attendees of this free event will have the opportunity to sell toy collections consisting of Star Wars, Transformers, comic books, G.I. Joe, and Barbie, among many other toys and collectibles. Collectors can also participate in free, no-obligation appraisals of their collections.
Entertainment of this exciting inaugural event will include celebrity appearances by pro-wrestler Rikishi, Ghost Hunters’ own Joe Chin, and Rhode Island’s TAPS team. Singer VChenay will also perform live. Family events of the day include a chicken wings contest and cosplayers.
This major toy buying event runs this Saturday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking and free admission is available to all in attendance.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings is located at 801 Greenwich Avenue in Warwick, Rhode Island.
In a few days the Biggest Show in the Smallest State, Rhode Island Comic Con organizers have announced the schedule of panels, celebrity Q&A sessions, and special events.
According to the convention’s Programming Director, Michael Gianfrancesco, “The programming staff has worked hard to put together what we think is an entertaining and diverse offering of amazing panels for our guests this year. We are excited about all of our major offerings and are thrilled to have guest celebrity moderator Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bring it On) from geeknation.com working with us to make these events even more of a memorable experience for attendees.”
Saturday’s events include:
Sunday’s schedule includes:
Gianfrancesco went on to comment, “In addition, we have added a slate of informative and unique fan panels, which cover some of the more specific fandoms. We have panels on Dr. Who, Harry Potter, and comic drawing. We have even added a cosplay workshop room with hands-on demonstrations of molding, sewing, and wig styling. It’s going to be a great year for all our guests at RICC!”
For specific locations, times, and descriptions for each event, please refer to Rhode Island Comic Con’s website.
Tickets for Rhode Island Comic Con are currently on sale through Ticketmaster, or by visiting www.ricomiccon.com. Daily tickets start at only $29.00 and a three-day weekend admission is $75 in advance, $85 at the door (if available). VIP and celebrity packages are also available.
In its fourth year, the award-winning Rhode Island Comic Con, produced by Altered Reality Entertainment, expands to three days, two venues, and over 100 celebrity guests, including actors from Star Trek, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Sons of Anarchy, Agents of Shield, and Transformers, among many others. Comic book artists from Marvel, DC and the independent market all converge on downtown Providence. Gaming, cosplay, and after parties all add to an exciting schedule of events and panels.

Michael and Diego Mongue, the creators of Awesome Robot.
Vermont Comic Con held it’s second annual convention this past weekend. It was bigger and better than it’s first convention in 2014.
This year marks the 12th ConnectiCon, which was founded in 2002 and the first one was held in 2003. You can find out about it’s history here.
NORTHEAST COMIC CON ZOOMS BACK TO SHRINER’S AUDITORIUM FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND – FAMILY FUN FOR POP CULTURE FANS OF ALL AGES
Kapow! Northeast Comic Con & Collectibles Extravaganza is back at the Shriner’s Auditorium for a pop culture expo for fans of comics, movies, TV and nerd culture. Featuring Adam West, the original Batman celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first TV episode, this Father’s Day weekend event takes place Saturday June 20 and Sunday June 21, 2015 at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass. (99 Fordham Road). General show hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; VIP experiences are at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday night, June 19th and 20th and early bird admission is available online.
This year’s event features a 40,000 sq. ft. entertainment experience for all nerds and the people who love them. Highlights include cosplay for all ages with “Create-A-Hero/Villain/Character” contests and Cosplay Death Match and Cosplay Dating Game, free-play video game arcade and tournaments, workshops forK!DZ, and celebrity autograph signings and panel sessions. Guests can shop at 150 vendors of vintage and modern toys, comic books, collectibles, art, jewelry, fashion and pop cultural artifacts. In between Father’s Day shopping, guests of all ages will enjoy music, contests and entertainment to marvel at between sessions and booths.
On Saturday, June 20, fans of the legendary Adam West, the original Batman (and now on Family Guy), can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the star’s first episode with a VIP event at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20th at the Shriner’s Auditorium Fez room. The $100 VIP ticket provides fans with a chance to get their photo with West and then screen the first episode of the 1966 Batman TV program, introduced by West himself. This VIP experience includes free gaming play on the exclusive Starship Horizon bridge simulator as well as live entertainment, free soft drinks and snacks and a cash bar.
Visit the Northeast Comic Con Cosplay Stage, featuring puppetry, mask presentations, a Cosplay Dating Game, Create-A-Hero and Villain contests, a Cosplay Death Match, and “pose-off” contests for kids and those costumed as specifically as characters from Marvel Universe, DC Comics, Anime, Disney, Doctor Who, and even Video Game Characters.
NECC KIDZ can participate in a variety of activities hosted by comic book artist Emily Drouin, featuring imaginative facepainting with Sheri Sharkey of Chamillion Colors, get cartoonized with our caricature artist, participate in coloring contests and mask making, make your own monster, and listen a story, and even learn how to make your own comic book.
On the Fez Room stage, adults and kids will enjoy a host of performances and interactive games. Test your TV knowledge with TV Trivia with Morgan White Jr., with topics ranging from Star Wars and Movies to comics and cartoons, including Disney. Listen to musical performances by Emmarie and The World is Square, and laugh along with 20 stand up comics throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday.
Other stars expected: Jim Steranko, Gigi Edgley, Julie McCullough, Vivek Tiwary, Jeff Kline, Philo Barnhart, Chalet Lizette Brannan, Noel MacNeal, and dozens of talented artists and illustrators; see website for full details on all convention special guests.
With free parking, regular Northeast Comic Con admission ticket prices are among the lowest in the industry. Advanced tickets are now available for purchase online; tickets are available at the door as well at a slightly higher price. Children are free when accompanied by an adult.
For schedules, VIP packages and advance tickets, visit NortheastComicCon.net. For show inquiries, email garysohmers@gmail.com or call 508-788-5474. The Shriner’s Auditorium is wheelchair accessible.
Once more, I got to travel to another world or a lot of them, by attending Granite State ComiCon, organized by Double Midnight Comics. I was one of two authors at the Books & Boos table. The other author at the table being Stacey Longo. We were signing books for fans, new and old.
It was an amazing time at a well-run con, with thousands of fun people enjoying themselves and sharing their special likes of comics, TV shows, books, films, graphic novels, games, and cultural icons of all sorts.
You get to see people like The New England Brethren of Pirates.
The Ghostbusters of New Hampshire 
The New England garrison of the 501st Legion.
All three groups make appearances to help raise money for charities. These people put a lot of time and effort into their outfits and shows, and they deserve a big hand for what they do.
You get to see celebrities, like Sam Jones (of Flash Gordon and Ted fame) and tough-guy actor William Forsythe, both of whom were
extremely gracious and kind to the fans. You also see the people behind the voices of your favorite animated characters such as Richard Horvitz, who voices Zim in Invader Zim, .
You get to meet writers such as Gordon Bean, Rob Watts, Katherine Silva, and Scott Goudsward, who are all members of the New England Horror Writers.
Author Matthew Bartlett, another NEHW member, was also signing books at the organization’s table.
Besides the NEHW and Longo, Chris Philbrook, another author, had his own table at the convention.

Author Chris Philbrook.
During my time at the convention, I also met author John Murphy, who was recently heard on the Sci-fi Saturday Night podcast. I can’t wait to hear their interviews with the cast members of Game of Thrones.
Speaking of which, lots of folks were Game of Thrones cosplaying to honor the cast members who were there.

Arya of Game of Thrones.

Arya of Game of Thrones.
Miltos Yeramelou (Syrio on GoT) hosted a Water Dancing class to teach beginning fencers. I watched some of it, and thought it superb– and I’ve been a fencer for over 35 years.
You get to see about every superhero and supervillain you can think of.
And many other costumes. A guy who plays Mr T. emceed the huge costume contest. I sure wouldn’t want to judge that one, because there are so many
cool costumes, it would be too hard to choose a winner!
Two days of fun, and we just saw a small part of it. It’s a total experience, with panels, parties, and participation.
Haunted Acres is New England’s most exciting haunted attraction, with Maniac’s Midway, live bands, a beer garden, and lots of food and ride vendors.

Mr. T with author Stacey Longo, holding her book Secret Things.

Me with author Rob Watts.

Disney Princesses.

Performers from Fright Kingdom.