One of the most popular guests in the 28-year history of the Virginia Comicon returns for our two-day show, Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2014, just in time to celebrate the anniversary (and seemingly the demise) of one of the most popular characters he ever created.
Veteran artist Herb Trimpe, known for his work on G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Captain Britain, Marvel Team-Up, The Defenders, Godzilla, and Shogun Warriors, among others, is noted for his almost seven-year run on Marvel’s Incredible Hulk #106-142, a stint which continued for #145-193.
It was during his tenure on the Jade Giant that he, along with writer Len Wein, crafted the first appearance of Wolverine. Beginning with a brief first appearance on the final story page of Incredible Hulk #180 and then with his first full appearance in Incredible Hulk #181, the character would carve his way into the hearts of fans in the pages of The X-Men. Once Wolverine was translated first into cartoons and then onto the silver screen, his place as one of Marvel’s most popular icons was secured.
“We’re so excited to have Herb Trimpe back at the Virginia Comicon,” said show promoter Brett Carreras. “This year as Marvel celebrates its 75th anniversary and Wolverine’s 40th, it’s a particularly fitting time to have him return. He remains a superstar with our fans, and it’s little wonder that his Page 32 of Incredible Hulk #180, with the first panel of Wolverine original art, sold for $657,250 at Heritage Auctions.”
Trimpe tops a roster with fellow headliners Jae Lee (Batman/Superman), Larry Hama (G.I. Joe), and Steve Rude (Nexus). Among the other top creators already scheduled to attend the show are, in alphabetical order, Steve Bird (Pacific Rim), Brian Clevinger (Atomic Robo), Gary Cohn (Blue Devil), Paris Cullins (Blue Devil), Sam Ellis (Archer), Dan Fogel (Fogel’s Underground Price Guide and Grading Guide), Danielle Frazetta (Frazetta books and prints), Randy Green (Witchblade), Rick Ketcham (Amazing Spider-Man), Tom King (Grayson), Greg LaRocque (The Flash: The Return of Barry Allen), Dan Nokes (Impossible Space Tales of The Last Pit Stop), Dan Parent (Archie), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man), Brian Shearer (G.I. Joe), Matt Slay (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Louis Small, Jr. (Vampirella), Rick Spears (The Auteur), Billy Tucci (Shi), Neil Vokes (Robotech), and John “Waki” Wycough (Vitriol). Additional guests will be added soon.
The Virginia Comicon’s two-day show is Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2014 at the Richmond International Raceway, 602 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222. VIP and MegaVIP tickets are available online.
The cosplay component of the weekend will be the biggest in the show’s storied history. In addition to the presence of top cosplayers such as Ivy Doomkitty, Abby Normal and Patrick Ian Moore, and cosplay groups like Mad Love, cosplayer Eddie Newsome will kick off the brand new book project he’s co-authoring, The Overstreet Guide To Cosplay, with the amazing opportunity to be featured in a photo shoot for this new book. There’s also $1,000 in cash prizes across a variety of costume categories for Sunday’s costume contest, and White Tiger Filmz will be on hand to document cosplay at the show for Viva La Cosplay, their new web series about the ins and outs, ups and downs of cosplaying. The locally-based crew will be following a number of cosplayers, including last year’s Virginia Comicon Grand Prize winner, as they prepare for the show and participate in it. The third episode has just posted.
The show has a full slate of independent comic book creators, horror TV legend Count Gore DeVol, film and TV replica cars, media guests, and much more. There will be panel discussions and more.
The show’s first exclusives, special red foil logo (1,000 copies) and gold foil logo (only 250 copies) show exclusive variants of IDW Publishing’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters #1, were announced recently. Please check the show’s site and Facebook page for regular updates.
