Unmasking the Inner Geek
Huntington Comic Con & Toy Convention Preview
Charles Romans
The Ashland Beacon
Comic Conventions, commonly known as Comic Cons, are vibrant and multifaceted events that celebrate the diverse worlds of comics, movies, television, gaming, and beyond. These conventions, which have evolved significantly since their inception, are much more than just gatherings of fans; they are immersive experiences that bring together an array of cultural and entertainment elements under one roof.
The first Comic Con took place in 1970 in San Diego, California. Originally intended as a modest gathering of comic book enthusiasts, it has since grown into a sprawling, multiday extravaganza that attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees from around the world. Today, Comic Cons can be found in many cities globally, each offering a unique blend of panels, exhibits, and interactive experiences.
If you are a fan of Comic Cons, then you will be thrilled that the Huntington Comic Con and Toy Convention is a few days away. Scheduled for Aug. 10-11 at the Marshall Health Network Arena in Huntington West Virginia, this convention promises to be a thrilling celebration of comics, movies, TV shows, gaming, and more. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, Huntington Comic Con offers something for everyone.
What many may not realize is that this highly anticipated event as well as the Lexington Comic Con and Toy Convention are both owned by the owners of The Inner Geek stores that are in Ashland Kentucky and Huntington West Virginia. Jarrod and Jaime Greer started The Inner Geek in the Ashland Town Center Mall back in 2014 but is now conveniently located at 104 16th Street, Ashland Ky. The Inner Geek is your one-stop shop for anything geek. They anything from the latest and greatest geek gear, comic books, toys from the 50s on up, gaming cards, autographed memorabilia, and so much more. They also have a second location in Huntington West Virginia located at 30 Pullman Square.
This year will mark The Inner Geek’s 10-year anniversary as well as the fourth year of the convention that showcases talent from across the pop culture spectrum including celebrities from movies and television, comic creators, and everything else under the sun.
Convention regulars know what to expect, and for those who have never gone to a convention before, Huntington Comic and Toy Convention is a great place to get your feet wet, figuratively.
Convention Runner, Catrina Hencye shared, “I have three different voice actors from Helluva Boss, and I have three voice actors from Spy Family.” Helluva Boss is an American adult animated musical web series created by Vivienne "VivziePop" Medrano. Spy Family is a Japanese animé television series based on the manga series of the same name by Tatsuya Endo.
Actor Lou Diamond Phillips, known for a host of movie and television credits such as La Bamba, Young Guns, and Longmire will be at the Huntington Comic and Toy Convention this year. Kevin Sorbo, known for television series Hercules and Andromeda will be in attendance as will Ray Park, known for his work in the X-Men movies and as Darth Maul in the Star Wars franchise. Fan favorite James Marsters, known for his role as Spike in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will also be returning to Huntington this year. And wresting icon Jake the Snake will be returning as well.
Fans of comics and their creators can see Javier Saltares, known for his run on Ghost Rider in the ‘90s, Frank Fosco known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Kyle Starks, known for Marvel Unleashed and Where Monsters Lie will all be set up in Huntington to autograph their work for the public.
Other comic creators lined up are Shawn Lamb, Ron Marz, Bob Hall, and Robert Lamb. West Virginia native Beau Smith, whose career in comics spans decades, will be in Huntington this year to talk about comics past and future, and of course his creation Wynonna Earp that ran straight out successful comics and onto the television screen.
Check the convention website or Facebook page for an updated roster of celebrities and creators. Hencye said that there is always more to a convention than the convention itself. For her it is all about making friends and realizing that everyone has more in common than they might think. “I think one of the greatest things about these conventions is that people have a place where they can just relax and be themselves. They can meet celebrities and creators and just have a great time in a place where everyone is interested in something we all enjoy.
Now, it’s cool to be nerdy. But for the longest time it had its own stigma. Comic Cons were the places you could go where people enjoyed the same things, and now it’s the place where everyone can enjoy something.” Admitted Hencye.
The Huntington Comic and Toy Convention is a place to go to find something you enjoy. Whether it is the live music in Pullman Square, celebrity autographs or photo ops, comic creators, the faces behind the voices of your favorite animation, vendors booths filled with comics, toys, and other collectibles, artists showcasing original works, Cosplay, or a combination of all that and more. Tickets can be purchased at www.huntingtoncomiccon.com and at the gate.
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