2018 Rhode Island Comic Con
This past weekend we visited the annual Rhode Island Comic Con back for another three day show at the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
The RICC staff once again stuffed the walls of both (connected) venues with square foot after square foot of pop culture sights, sounds and experiences.
For fans who collect autographs and crave photo-ops with their favorite celebrities, the convention had you covered. For the Star Wars fans, the two BIG names at the show this year were Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) and Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader), both of who made their first New England appearances. Other actors from the galaxy far, far away included Jerome Blake (Mas Amedda / Orn Free Taa), Jessica Henwick (Jessika Pava), Alan Tudyk (K-2SO) and Spencer Wilding (Darth Vader).
Other celebrities making appearances over the weekend included Kiefer Sutherland, Zachary Levi, Randy Quaid, Tom Welling, Danny Trejo, Cassandra Peterson, Michael Rooker, Karl Urban, Richard Dean Anderson, Billy Zane, Dee Snider, Dylan McDermott, Ice-T, Jason Patric, Jenna Elfman, Joe Pantoliano, Kevin Conroy, Lance Henriksen, Levar Burton, Meatloaf, Morena Baccarin, Ric Flair, Steven Yeun and many more. Each celebrity offered their fans plenty of opportunities to make lifetime memories with photo opportunities and autograph signings.
The artist gallery featured over 50 local and national comic book artists including Kevin Eastman, Rob Liefeld, Chris Uminga, Chrissie Zullo and dozens more.
The European ethical sneaker and shoe manufacturer PO-ZU was in attendance with not only some great show-only deals on their line of Star Wars shoes, but they also unveiled TWO new shoes at the show! The all-new Rey and Kylo Ren High-Top sneakers were on display and available for pre-order with a ship date of January 2019.
Also in attendance were a handful of fan-favorite cosplay groups. Representing the Star Wars universe were the local 501st (New England Garrison) and Rebel Legion (Alderaan Base) groups with an amazing interactive area that allowed fans to get up close to replica props and costumes and even have their picture taken in a certain Mos Eisley Cantina.
Other groups included the New Hampshire Ghostbusters and The New England Brethren of Pirates.
Overall it was another great weekend in Providence. There were vendors of all kinds with everything from Silver Age comic books, vintage toys and classic movie posters to cosplay props, Japanese anime collectibles and handmade art and crafts . It was also a very family friendly show, with lots to see and do for fans of all ages. Sunday was declared ‘Kids Day’ with tickets for children 12 and under costing only $15!
Our thanks goes out to the staff at Rhode Island Comic Con for once again hosting such a great show for the people of New England and we here at the Cantina can’t wait to see what is planned for RICC in 2019.
