Geeks unite!

Your guide to Tulsa’s Comic Con blowout

Wizard World Comic Con returns to Tulsa Oct. 23-25. The multi-city pop culture convention will once again transform the Cox Business Center into a geek mecca with an overwhelming number of guests, from marquee stars like Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings”) and Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”) to ‘90s childhood favorites like Green Power Ranger Jason David Frank and voice actor Kevin Conroy (“Batman: The Animated Series”). 

The sheer number of guests and events can easily bring you to the point of pre-show fatigue. Luckily, we’re here to help, sorta, with a brief and incomplete guide to Wizard World highlights. This is what we’ll be doing. Feel free to follow our lead. 

Friday, October 23

PANEL: Are Fanboys too mean? 2.0
Hall B, 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Why does fandom so often breed such merciless criticism, entitlement and vitriol? This conversation will pick up where last year’s ended. Perhaps as a warning, Wizard World has noted that “this panel is intended as a fun, light-hearted discussion of the current state and expectations of fandom.” In other words, keep it civil, nerds.

PANEL: Writing for Comics
Hall B, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Three successful comic book writers will share tricks of the trade and offer advice to aspiring writers. Jai Nitz (Green Hornet, Amazing Spider-Man) will moderate the conversation with R.A. Jones (Captain America, Wolverine) and former Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter.

PANEL: The Female Superhero and Her Secret Weapon
Hall C, 6-6:45 p.m.
Authors Genese Davis and Susanne Lambdin and artist Stephanie Hans will discuss their favorite female superheroes, sexism in the industry and breaking through in a male-dominated medium.

Of Muppets and Men: Lessons I learned from Jim Henson as the Muppets cartoonist
Hall B, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Guy Gilchrist, Muppet cartoonist and co-creator of “Muppet Babies,” will draw characters as he tells stories about working with Jim Henson at the height of the Muppet craze.

Vampires: The Original Nightmare
Hall C, 7-7:45 p.m.
Because no Comic Con is complete without vampires. Author Jason M. Petty will dive deep into the mythology of the pale, blood-drinking immortal, trace its origin and discuss the particulars of what makes a true, proper vampire.

Creator Pro Am: Drink & Draw Inner Circle Vodka Bar,
410 N. Main St., 9-11 p.m.
This after-party will double as a live writing/illustrating contest in which writers and artists will take prompts for scenes and spend an hour creating a comic book panel on the spot. Winners will be showered in cash and prizes and, presumably, vodka. 

Saturday, October 24

Evolution of Horror
Hall C, 11:30-12:15 p.m.
Start your Saturday morning with a panel discussion on the evolution of the horror genre and its impact on society.

The Doctor and the Master: When Your Best Friend Becomes Your Best Enemy
Hall B, Noon-12:45 p.m.
The Tulsa Doctor Who Viewing Society hosts this dissection of “Doctor Who” over the years, specifically the pros and cons of the various incarnations of the Doctor and Master.

Scream Queen: Bex Taylor-Klaus
Hall A, 2-2:45 p.m.
Up-and-coming actress Bex Taylor-Klaus (“Scream: The TV series,” “iZombie,” “Arrow”) will meet fans and share stories from her career as she promotes her latest project, Vin Diesel horror action fantasy “The Last Witch Hunter.”

Out of the Shire with Sean Astin
Assembly Hall, 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Hobbit/Goony/Rudy will attempt to tell stories between the orgasmic cries of so many nerds. 

CONtv Presents the Green Power Ranger: Jason David Frank
Hall A, 3-3:45 p.m.
After a popular appearance at last year’s Comic Con, the Green Ranger is back. Jason David Frank will take questions from the audience and talk about his new reality show, “My Morphin Life.”

On Parole with Taryn Manning
Hall A, 4-4:45 p.m.
You know her as the endearingly batshit-crazy Pennsatucky on Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black.” But Taryn Manning has also carved out a career as a DJ and performer with electronic duo Boomkat. During her panel, Manning will also field questions and marriage proposals from smitten fans.

Voices in Your Head: Justice League Edition with Kevin Conroy and Phil Lamarr
Assembly Hall, 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Batman and Hermes Conrad get together to discuss their voice-over careers.

The One and Only Bruce Campbell
5:30-6:15 p.m. Sat., Oct. 24
Assembly Hall

Bruce Campbell’s chin will be in Tulsa promoting his new Starz series, “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” which premieres Halloween night. Ash in the flesh. Bubba Hotep resurrected. For many, this is the highlight of the weekend, so we wrangled the man himself (via email) for a lightning round. 

The Tulsa Voice: For at least a decade, I’ve read that you and Sam Raimi wanted to revive the Ash character. How did you decide on a series over another movie?

Bruce Campbell: TV made more sense economically. We couldn’t get the money for another movie. TV has also caught up to the needs of Evil Dead, whereby, you can get away with a lot more now than before. On Starz, we can do it all. 

TTV: Is a future Ash movie still in the cards? 

BC: Never say never. A successful series could easily jumpstart another movie. 

TTV: I really enjoyed the “Evil Dead” remake, but I was a little bummed that it took such a straight, serious approach to the material. At the same time, I’m glad they didn’t try to write another Ash. How did you feel about it?

BC: I really liked the remake. I was a producer. That movie is its own beast. The new series will be the real deal and back to horror/comedy. 

TTV: Do you still enjoy conventions, or has it become more of a grind?

BC: It hasn’t gotten old for me. I hope it never does. 

TTV: You play Ronald Reagan in season 2 of “Fargo,” which just started. Is it a prominent role or more of a cameo? 

BC: It’s one episode, but a really cool one and a great role. If I told you more, the secret service would have to arrest you. 

TTV: I read that you’re an ordained minister and you’ve married couples in the past. 

BC: True! I hope the zombie bride and groom are still very happy. 

Marvel Movies: Countdown to Crash and Burn
Hall A, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
A discussion of the Marvel movie franchise will explore growing competition from DC and the current crop of Marvel films in development.

Wizard World Costume Contest
Assembly Hall, 7-9 p.m.
A very serious cosplay contest. Register at the information desk.

Sunday, October 25

Behind the Voice with Nintendo’s Charles Martinet
Assembly Hall, noon-12:30 p.m.
The voice of Mario, Luigi and countless other Nintendo characters pays Wizard World a visit to discuss his decades-long career in video game voice-over.

Save the Cheerleader, Save the World: Milo Ventimiglia
Assembly Hall, 1-1:45 p.m.
Jess from “Gilmore Girls” will discuss his roles on “Gotham” and “Heroes” and likely won’t spend nearly enough time reminiscing about life in Stars Hollow.

Not Just Number 6: Tricia Helfer
Assembly Hall, 2-2:45 p.m.
Sci-fi pinup queen Tricia Helfer will explain to a bunch of “Battlestar Galactica” fans that she has, in fact, starred in things besides “Battlestar Galactica.”

Official Wizard World WWE Hell in a Cell Viewing Party
IDL Ballroom, 230 E. 1st St., 7-10 p.m.
A wild night of pro wrestling cage fights, booze and prizes for “predicting” the matches will cap off the weekend of unbridled nerdery.

For more from Joshua, read his conversation with Joe O'Shansky on October horror movie viewing rituals.