The leading comic book convention in the Inland Empire is back with star-studded panels that will welcome comic lovers and TV enthusiasts alike.
Comic Con Revolution, the annual event that hosts pop culture panels, artists, cosplayers, and more, returns to the Ontario Convention Center for its ninth year on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17.
“We wanted to outdo what we have before and to touch on all aspects of pop culture, comics, and media,” said co-founder Drew Seldin in a phone interview. “We’re really hitting pop culture this year by bringing in some cast members from ‘Beverly Hills 90210,’ a panel on the celebration of the 35th anniversary of ‘Sonic the Hedgehog,’ and the ‘Rick and Morty’ voice cast.”
The convention began as a response to the need to serve the Inland Empire’s comic book fans, who previously had to travel to Los Angeles or San Diego for comic-focused events. Comic Con Revolution now draws thousands of fans each May, along with local residents”]. The event is family-friendly, with several activities for kids, cosplayers, and artists of all levels looking to break into the world of comic creation.
Here’s a look at some of this year’s most exciting programming and what to expect if you plan on attending.
Marvel vs. DC
It wouldn’t be a comic con without Marvel and DC Comics, and one of this year’s programming pairs the two major publishers to reflect on their legacies. The “Marvel vs. DC” panel will be hosted by Christian Bladt and feature Dan Jurgens (Superman, “The Death of Superman”) and Chris Claremont (X-Men, “Dark Phoenix Saga”). Fans will listen as the two creators come together for a conversation about creative decisions, industry shifts, and storytelling philosophies behind some of the most influential comics of the ’80s and ’90s.
“It’s going to be exciting because much like the East Coast vs. West Coast rap wars, if you’re loyal to one side, the other side is your arch-enemy, even though they’re doing great stuff,” Seldin said. “Having guests from both sides, people are going to get interesting perspectives. Again, it’s not so much who’s better, because it’s all conjecture, but it’s going to be a good debate as to the merits of both and why people pick their side.”
“The Death of Superman” will also get its own panel, as it’s widely referenced as a turning point for how comics were written after its release. Jurgens will join host Jonathan London for a behind-the-scenes look at how the release redefined how superhero stories could be told, the development of Doomsday, and the massive crossover that shook the DC Universe.
“Dan is somebody who hasn’t been to Comic Con Revolution, so getting him on was a great,” he said. “He can really lend a perspective on what was really a moment that took DC and the entire brand in a different direction. It let the villains, who had been trying to kill Superman for the better part of 70 years, win, which was huge at that time.”
With the anticipated upcoming second season of “X-Men ’97,” Comic Con Revolution will also host “X-Men: The Animated Legacy – Behind the Scenes with the Creators,” a panel featuring three of the creative forces behind the original “X-Men: The Animated Series.” Showrunner Eric Lewald, writer Julia Lewald, and director and producer Larry Houston will take fans behind the scenes of the series and discuss what it took to continue it as “X-Men ’97” nearly 30 years later. They’ll discuss adapting iconic comic storylines to shape characters, animation style, and moments from both series that still resonate today.
“They’re promising us maybe some very special stuff, which I can’t fully talk about yet, so who knows what this panel is going to lead to,” Seldin said.
Iconic television
One of the more star-studded panels on the TV side at this year’s event is “Into the Speed Force: Celebrating The Flash.” The panel will feature a special cast reunion of the hit CW series “The Flash,” including Grant Gustin (Barry Allen/The Flash), Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow/Killer Frost), Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon/Vibe), Tom Cavanagh (Harrison Wells/Reverse-Flash), David Ramsey (John Diggle/Spartan), and John Wesley Shipp (Henry Allen/Jay Garrick). The cast will share stories from the show’s nine-season run, revisit moments from the Arrowverse, and join the audience for a fan Q&A.
Calling all Trekkies: “Star Trek Behind the Scenes Stories & Stunts” will welcome hosts of broadcast television’s exclusive Star Trek talk show, Bryan Kreutz and Lili-Fox Lim (A Captain’s Log), and Mark Riccardi, the man who stunt-doubled Jonathan Frakes Commander Riker in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the film “Star Trek: Generations.” They, along with other panelists, will share their favorite stories, photos, and rare behind-the-scenes moments from their Trek journey.
Something not listed on the event’s website is this year’s wrestling guests. Seldin said most of them prefer to do photo ops with fans rather than sit on a panel. WWE guests will include Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, and Tessa and Tully Blanchard for a father-daughter appearance.
“A lot of wrestling fans love comics, and a lot of comic fans love wrestling,” Seldin said. “Wrestling has heroes, villains, and dramatic storylines. I see a lot of similarities in the stories told in the rings of the WWE and AEW, as well as in the pages of comic books. There’s that really unique crossover, and the heroes are muscular, and they can lift other humans and throw them out of the rings. They’re superheroes in their own right.”
Family-friendly activities
Comic Con Revolution offers free admission to children ages 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. In addition, there are panels and activities exclusively for kids, including voice acting for kids and a kid cosplayers and social media safety panel. There are also scheduled play breaks and costume revolution parade, where cosplayers of all-ages can showcase their designs.
“We have always promoted the show as family-friendly, and times are crazy and tough right now, so if you could find something to do with the family, for the weekend, for free and affordable, that’s a win,” Seldin said. “If mom and dad want to be there to go to some good panels, there will also be kid programming that can entertain them. The kids will have a great weekend, and it’s not just a matter of coming here to buy stuff; it’s really just a fun weekend.”
DIY panels and Artist Alley
Alongside kid-friendly spaces that introduce children to the world of comics, there will also be adult panels on how to break into the market professionally. Some of the panels include “Revolution Academy: How To Draw Your Own Comics,” “What Makes a Comic Sell? Covers, Characters & First Impressions,” Cosplay & SFX Makeup,” “Breaking Into Comics: The Real-World Roadmap,” “From Pencils to Ink to Color: The Art Pipeline,” and more.
Plus don’t miss Artist Alley, where artists spotlight their talent in drawing, design, and original comics.
“If you’ve never been to a con, the first thing you need to do is go to Artist Alley because it’s the true backbone where all the creatives really hang out,” Seldin said. “The way we set up our show floor is that the big-time names are right next to the up-and-comers who people want to break out. Artist Alley is representative of everybody.”
Diversity
Seldin said that representation at Comic Con Revolution is integral to the convention’s mission. The weekend will feature panels such as “Middle Eastern/North African Representation in Media,” “Everyone Can Be a Hero – Diversity and Inclusion in Cosplay,” and “Representation in Comics: Creating Characters & Stories That Matter.”
“Our industry as a whole is open and welcoming, and I think that’s important,” Seldin said. “All of these heroes in the beginning are outcasts and feel different. They think there is something wrong with them, and they’re ostracized. More characters over the recent years of whether they’ve come out, or been part of the trans community, or battled drug addiction, put a real-life spin on the fantastical world. We know that a lot of people identify with these heroes that they read about, and when you can read a book or go to a panel to hear a healthy discussion, people feel good about it, and that’s an important thing to share.”
Comic Con Revolution
Where: The Ontario Convention Center, 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario,
When: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 17.
Tickets: Advance adult weekend passes are $50-$60; single-day adult tickets are $35-$45; teen weekend passes (ages 13-17) are $40-$50; single-day teen tickets are $30-$45; children under 12 are free with an adult admission. All tickets can be purchased at comicconrevolution.com. Tickets will also be available at the door each day of the event, but will be sold at a higher price than advanced tickets.