The countdown to Melbourne’s biggest and best pop culture event has started: On July 5 and 6 Oz Comic-Con will make its way back to the garden city and tickets to the epic celebration of all things geeky-cool have just gone on sale. Having recently wrapped two hugely successful events in Perth (March 29-30) and Adelaide (April 5-6) and a sold-out Sydney Q&A with British superstar Benedict Cumberbatch (April 12-13), anticipation could not be higher for the upcoming Melbourne leg on the expo.
In 2013, the Melbourne public showed their appetite for Oz Comic-Con events, with a massive crowd of geeks, nerds, comic book lovers, cosplayers, fans and families turning up for the pop culture party. It’s all about the heroines, hunks and handymen in 2014. Headlining the event is Hollywood sci-fi royalty Veronica Cartwright (Alien, The Witches of Eastwick), Tom Skerritt (Alien, Picket Fences, Top Gun); and Richard Dean Anderson, known for bringing to life the gadget building and wielding title character on the iconic TV series Macgyver and the wisecracking Jack O’Neil on the long-running sci-fi show Stargate SG-1.
Other celebrity guests announced so far include TV heartthrob Wilson Bethel (Hart of Dixie) and talented twins Shawn and Aaron Ashmore. Shawn is well-known for his part in the TV series The Following and for playing mutant superhero Iceman in the X-Men series of films, including upcoming blockbuster X-Men: Days of Future Past, while Aaron is most recognised for roles in cult-hit TV shows such as Warehouse 13, Smallville and Veronica Mars.
Also on board for the Melbourne event is Jim Cummings, the man who gives voice to the legendary animated characters Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, heroes of many a childhood memory. Plus a huge line-up of comic book artists who have illustrated even more (super)heroes on the pages of such comic books as DC’s Earth 2 and Birds of Prey (Nicola Scott), IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters (Tristan Jones) and Marvel’s X-Factor and Thunderbolts, along with DC’s Injustice: Gods Among Us (David Yardin).
To be held at the Royal Exhibition Building on July 5 and 6, Oz Comic-Con Melbourne will not only give fans the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of their favourite stars, it will also feature two days of celebrity panels, autograph and professional photograph opportunities, special screenings, industry master classes, portfolio reviews and a huge range of vendors selling exclusive merchandise.
Oz Comic-Con Melbourne tickets are on sale now through Showclix and via the Oz Comic-Con website. Tickets purchased in advance through those portals will have a discounted price from those available at the door. Families are encouraged to attend with their little super heroes and to make it more affordable, Oz Comic-Con offers one free child’s ticket for each adult ticket purchased! As with the Perth and Adelaide events, anyone who pre-purchases tickets to Oz Comic-Con Melbourne will go into the draw to win a trip for two to New York Comic Con. With thanks to ReedPOP, the prize includes return flights for two to New York City, two VIP passes for the four days of the convention (October 9-12 2014) and six nights’ accommodation.
2014 also marks the first time that exclusive Oz Comic-Con merchandise is on sale. The merchandise, which includes hoodies, caps, t-shirts, and tote bags, is available as an option when pre-purchasing tickets, and can be collected at the show.
Visit http://www.ozcomiccon.com/ for full details