The fourth-annual El Paso Comic Con, featuring AZ Powergirl as host, will be held at the El Paso County Coliseum on Sept. 27 – 29.
“It’s the biggest pop-culture convention in the history of El Paso,” said Julian Lawler, founder of EPCON. “We’re in the process of signing a long-time deal with the coliseum.”
Just four years ago, Lawler held the first EPCON at the Wyndham hotel with guests such as Joe Benitez, Martin Montiel and Eric Basaldua.
The event will also feature Famous Monsters of Film Land and Cards & Collectables giving away gifts, and several actors from the television series “The Walking Dead.”
“I met Anthony Guajardo (Miguel in ‘Walking Dead’) and Norman Reedus (Darrell in ‘Walking Dead’) in Albuquerque,” said Lawler. “We decided to bring the ‘vatos’ of the ‘Walking Dead’ down here.”
Guests from the hit AMC show also include Noel G., IronE Singleton and Lew Temple.
“Michael Rooker cancelled. He regrets not coming, but unfortunately it’s impossible to be going back and forth to make it while filming for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’” Lawler explained.
Other guests include Crispin Freeman. “He has a great personality. He is big in the anime scene,” Lawler said.
In addition to famous guests, EPCON will have performances by belly dancers and from the Dancers Studio, a costume contest with a $500 prize for best in show as well as an anime DVD giveaway every hour.
“You have to revert to a 14-year-old again,” Lawler said. “It amazes me how embedded our culture is in comics, and what we do is bring it out.”
“I encourage people to dress up,” said Denise Nuñez, an EPCON organizer. “Let loose!”
According to Lawler, the convention brings many different genres together such as gamers, cosplay, anime, music, horror and, “then there’s the regular comic book guys.”
Both UTEP alumni, Nuñez and Lawler said that getting an education is important.
“One of the reasons I started EPCON was because I learned how to edit and publish,” said Lawler who studied anthropology and English literature.
According to Nuñez, EPCON first started when a professor at UTEP created the El Paso in Comics, (EPIC) and allowed Lawler to continue it.
Moreover, Lawler said EPCON is an opportunity to showcase local talent such as local bands and kid movies.
“I can’t wait for the day that we don’t have to explain what happens at a Comic Con,” Lawler said. “We’ve had a lot more buzz this year.”
For a schedule of events and more information about EPCon, call (915) 317 9455 or visit http://ep-con.blogspot.com/.
Nadia Garcia may be reached at [email protected]
