Pop culture geeks of all ages descended on the Austin Convention Center the weekend of November 22 - 24 as the Wizard World Comic Con Tour landed in Central Texas for its final stop of 2013.
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| A group of costumed fans at Austin Wizard World Comic Con 2013 at the Austin Convention Center |
While the nomenclature "Comic Con" might bring to mind an event in which participants gather together to buy and sell the proverbial comic books popular in our youth, this event was far more than just a gigantic sale. This event was a salute to all things fun, and weird, and scary, and entertaining in our culture today. Since Austin, Texas loves all things weird and out of the ordinary, it's no wonder that the Wizard World Austin Comic Con was a popular place to be.
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| Looks like the Zombie Hunters were busy at the Austin Comic Con |
Now don't get me wrong; there were plenty of good old super heroes to be found in Austin for the weekend. Even our very own local super hero, Austin Police Department Detective Jarrett Crippen, aka The Defuser, was on hand for this event.
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| Jarrett Crippen MC's the costume contest at the 2013 Austin Comic Con |
Comic Con is a tribute to pop culture in all of its weird splendor.
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| Bob Camp participates in the Austin Comic Con |
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| Spiderman made an appearance at this year's Austin Comic Con |
There were television and movie personalities present to talk to excited fans about their roles in such popular programs such as
Star Trek,
The Power Rangers,
The Walking Dead,
The Karate Kid, and
Skarknado.
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| William Shatner answers questions about Star Trek during a panel with Scott Bakula |
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| Scott Bakula answers question from fans during his panel with William Shatner |
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| Jason David Frank, aka The Green Power Ranger, answers questions during a panel |
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| Actor Michael Rooker of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy greets fans |
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| Actor Ralph Macchio of The Karate Kid series answers questions from fans |
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| Actor Ian Ziering participates inWizard World Austin Comic Con 2013 |
There were wrestlers, and movie directors, and ghost sorcerers, and even some ghost hunters (both real and fictional) in the building.
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| WWE superstar John Cena answers fans questions during a panel at Comic Con |
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| Director Robert Rodriguez is joined by Harry Knowles during a panel |
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| Actor James Hong discusses his 50 plus years as an actor during Comic Con |
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| Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni tells fans about some of her adventures during a panel |
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| Fans dress as the team from Ghostbusters |
And there were plenty of attendees celebrating their favorite characters by dressing up in costumes.
But above all of that, there was an icon in the world of comics present for this event. The American Comic book writer, editor, publisher, media producer, television host, actor, voice actor and former president and chairman of the board of Marvel Comics, Mr. Stan Lee. Stan spoke to an enthusiastic audience of fans about his incredible career.
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| Stan Lee and Jarrett Crippen discuss Mr. Lee's remarkable career during a Comic Con panel |
As a very special surprise, panel host Jarrett Crippen and his non-profit agency, Scare for a Cure, presented Mr Lee with a special birthday cake in honor of Stan's upcoming 91st birthday on December 28.
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| A fitting birthday cake for a man synonymous with many iconic comic super heroes. |
Here is just a glimpse of some more of the participants in this year's Austin Comic Con.
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| Actor Bruce Campbell of Burn Notice answers questions from audience members |
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| Erica Durance talks about her role as Lois Lane on Smallville |
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| James Marsters talks about his roles on Buffy of Vampire Slayer and Angel |
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| Giancarlo Esposito answers questions about his roles on Breaking Bad and Revolution |
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| Actress Jewel Staite talks to fans about some of her incredible roles |
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| A young Comic Con attendee leans how to apply makeup |
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The Green Power Hour is a time for potential super heroes both young and old to receive instructions
from The Green Power Ranger, Jason David Frank. |
