Here's your guide to the 2023 Corpus Christi Comic Con
The chances of you able to meet Chewbacca, a Power Ranger or Scarlet Witch at the American Bank Center is high.
Corpus Christi Comic Con is scheduled for a three-day festival starting Friday at the downtown venue.
Co-founder Daniel Benavides said he believes the lineup of celebrity guests is the best the convention has ever had.
"We always try and outdo ourselves from the previous year," Benavides said. "The word has gotten out about us and everyone wants to be part of it. It's a great honor and testament of the work our team puts in."
Here's everything you need to know about this year's Corpus Christi Comic Con:
How to get tickets
Friday passes are $35, Saturday $45 and Sunday $40.
Weekend passes are $60.
VIP passes are $130 and come with a VIP badge and lanyard, Corpus Christi Comic Con exclusive print, an exclusive shirt, a Corpus Christi Comic Con branded collector's mug, a Corpus Christi Comic Con collector's pin, priority access for celebrity autographs and photo-ops and free entry into the C4 after party.
Children's one-day passes, ages 6 to 10, are $13 for any day and $23 for weekend passes.
Tickets can be purchased online at corpuschristicomiccon.com/tickets.
Guest celebrities
There will be fifteen celebrities visiting this year's Comic Con. Some are only here for one day, so be sure to double-check before you miss your chance to score a selfie.
Sean Astin (Mikey Walsh in "The Goonies") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
Johnny Yong Bosch (Adam in "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Nakia Burrise (Tanya in "Power Rangers Zeo") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Steve Cardenas (Rocky in "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Judith Hoag (Gwen Piper in "Halloweentown") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Scott Innes (Scooby-Doo in "Scooby-Doo") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Carey Jones (Man-Thing in "Werewolf by Night") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
Dorian Kingi (Cad Bane in "The Book of Boba Fett") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Rachael Lillis (Misty and Jessie in "Pokémon") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Scott Patterson (Luke Danes in "Gilmore Girls") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Chandler Riggs (Carl in "The Walking Dead") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Michael Rooker (Yondu in "Guardians of the Galaxy") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con Saturday and Sunday only.
Eric Stuart (Brock and James in "Pokémon") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Emily Swallow (Amara in "Supernatural") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Yanic Truesdale (Michel Gerard in "Gilmore Girls") will be at Corpus Christi Comic Con all three days.
Featured artists
Here are the celebrity guest artists to look out for and the pro cosplayers you have to meet.
Carlo Barberi: His artwork has spanned nearly two decades covering titles for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse and other independently published works.
Mary Cagle: The Corpus Christi native created an original comic, "Sleepless Domain," which is about an isolated city in the middle of a dangerous world filled with monsters.
Mickey Clausen: He runs Mindwinder Studios and has colored comics for a wide range of companies including IDW, Boom Studios and Beta 3 Comics.
James Farr: A writer, director and animator, he has been creating animated content since 1997 and has worked for studios including Dark Horse Comics, Hasbro and Nickelodeon.
Wes Hartman: An internationally published comic book colorist, he has spent more than 15 years with the biggest publishers in the comic book industry.
Clinton Hobart: The artist and educator creates original oil paintings of a wide variety of subjects including classical subject matter and Mickey Mouse.
Brittney Jackson: A Florida-based artist, she is inspired by cartoons and animation with her illustrations.
Edward Kraatz II: This comic book artist credits include The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Transformers: Bumblebee, Transformers vs. Terminator and The Predator comics.
Vo Nguyen: He has been working professionally in the comic book industry since the mid-'90s and has provided artwork for Marvel, DC, Dynamite and IDW.
Logan Pack: Hailing from Roswell, New Mexico, the artist has his own artwork style which is a combination of realism and stylization of animation.
Sam de la Rosa: Since 1982, his artwork has included drawings for Spider-Man, Venom, Black Panther, The Avengers, Star Wars, X-Men, Superman, Batman, Star Trek and more.
Matthew Weldon: The co-creator of Antarctic Press' "Punchline," he has been nominated for two Harvey Awards and has landed in the Guinness World Records twice.
Photo ops
To purchase photo op tickets, visit corpuschristicomiccon.com/photo-ops. Each session includes one glossy 8-by-10-inch print and a free digital copy.
Photos with individual celebrities range from $40 to $100. Group photos — such as actors from "Gilmore Girls," voice actors from "Pokémon" and two cast members from "The Walking Dead" — will range from $110 to $150.
The earlier you buy photo ops with celebrity guests, the sooner you will get your experience. VIPs will also be placed in their groups according to when they purchased their photo op. However, VIP attendees will always have priority.
Photo ops with guest artists and cosplayers will be held at their respective booths.
Panels
Friday
2 p.m. - A spotlight on Eric Stuart and Rachael Lillis
3 p.m. - A spotlight on Scott Innes
4 p.m. - Live painting demo with Disney fine artist Clinton Hobart
5 p.m. - Comic Industry Panel with Last Sentry Comics
6 p.m. - Kid's Cosplay Contest
Saturday
11 a.m. - "In the Lone Star Wars State" (A Fandom documentary)
Noon - A spotlight on Judith Hoag
1 p.m. - A spotlight on Sean Astin
2 p.m. - A spotlight on Michael Rooker
3 p.m. - A spotlight on Yanic Truesdale and Scott Patterson
4 p.m. - Live painting demo with Disney fine artists Clinton Hobart
5 p.m. - Cosplay panel
6 p.m. - Adult Cosplay Contest
8 p.m. - Nerd Prom
Sunday
11 a.m. - Live podcast with Con Culture
Noon - A spotlight on Johnny Yong Bosch, Steve Cardenas and Nakia Burrise
1 p.m. - A spotlight on Chandler Riggs
2 p.m. - A spotlight on Emily Swallow, Carey Jones and Dorian Kingi
3 p.m. - Live painting demo with Disney fine artist Clinton Hobart
4 p.m. - Closing ceremonies and Anime Corpus Christi announcement
Cosplay contests
Plan on cosplaying and want to strut your outfit in front of a crowd?
The Corpus Christi Comic Con will hold two cosplay contests for children and adults. Kids under the age of 13 may participate in the kid's cosplay contest and those 13 and older may participate in the adult's.
The Kid's Cosplay Contest will start at 6 p.m. Friday and the adult's at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Pre-registration is required in advance online or at the cosplay sign-up table on the second floor near Ballroom A.
To participate, you need a valid Corpus Christi Comic Con badge or wristband. All rules must be abided by or you will be disqualified. The staff may refuse entry or participation to anyone for any reason.
The contests are rated E for everyone, so severely offensive language and overt sexual humor or behavior will not be tolerated. As well, all outfits must cover "swimsuit areas," show no nudity or have full body paint.
All costumes can be homemade or store-bought. Contestants may not throw anything off the stage or into the crowd, such as liquids, glitter or confetti. No pyrotechnics, fire, explosive devices, live animals or similar special effects may be used.
Group entries are allowed, but only up to four people. Entrants may not participate in multiple groups.
No sign-ups will be accepted one hour before each contest begins.
Nerd Prom
After its great success last year, Benavides said the Nerd Prom will return.
"We're bringing it back and it's going to be bigger and better," Benavides said. "It will be taking on-site of the American Bank Center. We will have a live DJ, giveaways and crown a prom king and queen."
It will be held at 8 p.m. in the Henry Garrett Ballroom Saturday.
Cosplay is encouraged for attendees.
Attendance is $25 for Comic Con ticket holders and $35 for those only showing up for the prom.
If you go
WHAT: Corpus Christi Comic Con
WHEN: Noon to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: American Bank Center
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi Comic Con: What celebrities, artists will visit
