Hall of Heroes Comic Con returns to Northern Indiana Event Center

Mar. 3—ELKHART — Although the scheduled star attraction, Dean Cain, was unable to attend, Hall of Heroes Comic Con 2024 was nevertheless off and running Saturday at the Northern Indiana Event Center.

The event returned to the center through Sunday, with science fiction, superhero and other adventure series fans attending, many in costume, or "cosplay" as it is also well known. Ghostbusters, Svengoolie, Thor, Superman, Spiderman assorted Star Wars characters and others were represented.

There were also several mock ups of the Batmobile and at least one other vehicle, and a Warehouse Gaming area was in full operation.

"I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty cool," said Mike Davis, Bremen, after sitting in the driver's seat of a mockup version of the time-traveling DeLorean from "Back to the Future" film series from the 1980s.

Cain, star of the 1990s Superhero Series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," had been originally scheduled to attend but notified event staff late in the week that he would be unable to do so. However, other members of "Superman" lore did take part.

Actors Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran, known respectively as Ursa and Non from "Superman" and "Superman II," opposite the late Christopher Reeve, were on hand for photo opportunities and to talk to fans. Along with actor Terrance Stamp, who played General Zod in the films, they made up the Kryptonian trio of villains who ultimately battle Superman in the second film.

"It's an absolute pleasure," said Douglas, who has also had roles in Magnum, P.I., Falcon Crest and other TV shows and films. "This is a great event. I was pleased to choose to come here this week."

Douglas, a native of Strattford-on-Avon in the United Kingdom, said she typically attends two or three Comic Con events each year. She said that while most such events are "enormous," she prefers smaller ones such as Hall of Heroes, which allow her to have greater interaction with attendees.

"For me, it's all about the fans," she added.

O'Halloran, who has also had roles in the 1976 film version of "King Kong," "Dragnet" and others, described this year's Hall of Heroes event as "excellent."

"We're having a good time," he said. "I think it's a great building."

One section of the center was devoted almost entirely to vendors with books, old comics, games, action figures, swords and other items. Girl Scout cookies were for sale, and organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters also took part by hosting information booths.

Indiana author P.S. Wells, Roanoke (near Fort Wayne), who coauthors books with Max Garwood, was on hand.

"It's nice to chat with people as they stop by and ask if they like to read," she noted. "They either do of they don't."

Arguably, no Comic Con event would be complete without "Star Trek," and this year, members of the southwest Michigan chapter of Star Fleet International, with most in full Star Fleet uniform.

"So far it's been really, really fun," said Lt. Commander Jessi Fletcher, an officer on the "USS Rhapsody."

Each year, Fletcher said that the chapter supports a new charity for which it raises funds. This year, they hosted "Adopt a Tribble" on behalf of the Michigan Epilepsy Foundation.

"We let our members vote for which charity they would like to support," she added.

To learn more, visit hohcomiccon.org.