Niagara This Week
Niagara Falls Comic Con has turned to a galaxy far, far away for a pair of celebrity guests at the 2013 event.
Star Wars actors Jeremy Bulloch and Dave Prowse were added to a lineup of celebrity guests for the third annual event, the second at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. Although the two have appeared in a wide variety of television and film, they’re both best known as portraying villains as part of the Star Wars Trilogy. Prowse was the man in the suit portraying villain and Sith Lord Darth Vader in the original trilogy (his voice was provided by James Earl Jones) while Bulloch played bounty hunter Boba Fett in the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
The American Film Institute named Darth Vader the No. 3 on-screen villain of all-time in 2003 just behind Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates. The character has gained much positive reception as a classic film villain, even though his iconic status has made the character a synonym for evil in popular culture.
Bulloch, meanwhile, was asked to play a small part in The Empire Strikes Back — the sequel to orginal Star Wars movie. As Boba Fett, Bulloch portrayed a bounty hunter who worked with Vader to capture and collect a bounty on Han Solo.
“Star Wars is an epic franchise and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome two of the movie trilogy’s most famous villains to Niagara Falls at next year’s Con,” said Chris Dabrowski, co-owner of the NFCC. “Star Wars isn’t just a movie saga, it’s a major franchise covering books, television, computer and video games, memorabilia, comic books, toys and more. It’s an absolute monster and we know Star Wars fans from across the Region and beyond will come out to meet the actors who played these two iconic characters,” he added.
Also set to make an appearance is Force United Niagara, which is made up of volunteers/individuals who are part of other Star Wars Fan Groups across Niagara and surrounding areas such as the 501st Canadian Garrison, Rebel Legion, London Rouges, and other local groups. The not-for-profit group regularly attends events and parades across the Region, costuming as Storm Troopers, Sith Lords, Droids, Robots, Bounty Hunters and Royal Guards.
“There will be something for every Star Wars fan out there,” Dabrowski said.
The pair join a list of guests announced last month which includes Sam J. Jones, best known for playing the iconic title character in the 1980 film Flash Gordon; Jason David Frank, who is best known for his role as Tommy Oliver “The Green Ranger” on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Larry Thomas, who is best known for his role as “The Soup Nazi” on Seinfeld.
Dabrowski said more celebrity announcements are expected throughout the next few months leading up to the Con, set for June 8 and 9 at the convention centre. The event will feature more than 200 comic book vendors, artists, free Q&A sessions, workshops, movie screenings, celebrities, memorabilia, movie cars, toys and more.
Tickets went on sale online Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. as well as at exclusive retail outlets across the Region, including: Pulp Comics (Queen St., Niagara Falls); Mostly Comics (St. Paul Ave., St. Catharines); Seaway Mall (Niagara St. in Welland) and Big B Comics (Upper James St. Hamilton).
Advance tickets for each day can be purchased for $20 for Saturday or $20 for Sunday. A weekend combo for Saturday/Sunday is $30. Children 10 and under are free.
For more information, visit www.NFComicCon.com.
Niagara Falls Comic Con 2013 is presented by Niagara College.
