When it comes to conventions, and the routines that now come with them, we all have a pretty standard set of expectations in mind when it comes to a celebrity panel. They’ll come out, they’ll entertain and tell us amazing tales of their time on a particular show or movie, and someone will undoubtedly ask a question that’s not really a question, and well, while that sounds like a diatribe against such events, that’s simply not the case. After all, it is cool to meet your favorite celebrities at cons and hear their stories because we know little about them, but I make mention of such an issue because it goes back to one key thing I  just made mention of, routine. 
 
The celebrity knows the drill, we know the drill and we’re happy to accept it because for the moment, is there any other way to handle such an event differently or better? Well, after having attended DiNK Comic & Art Expo this past weekend, I’ve come to realize there is a different way to handle the celebrity panel because this convention managed to make that happen with John Leguizamo’s time on the main stage, and I have to admit, that this turned out to be the most refreshing celebrity panel I’ve been to in years, and credit goes to DiNK for making it look like business as usual at first.
 
After all, the process to get into the panel and the setup was pretty by the numbers. As was the introduction of John and everything that preceded that. But, once Steve Bessette, our awesome moderator from the Alamo Drafthouse, settled in with John on stage, that’s where everything began to change, because it quickly became evident that this particular chat was going to be far different than what we are used to and while there were plenty of moments that were of the norm; such as stories from the set, or John’s thoughts on his various roles throughout his career, I was quite frankly unprepared for how intimate his panel was about to become. 

Because John really opened up in front of the audience, speaking to the fact that success can impact an actor by making them feel as though they are special, when they are in fact, just like everyone else, they just happen to do something that they love and they’ve been able to share what they love with others, which in turn has put them into the limelight and well…hearing him speak like this was refreshing and humbling as a fan and I love the fact that he even spoke to the catharsis that comes with art, and how it can heal and artist and well, I left this panel wondering why more weren’t like this one.
 
I say that, simply because, we do often forget that celebrities are people too, who struggle with issues in life like the rest of us and this felt like an hour long chat with a friend instead of what you find at other panels like this and it was just wonderful to see John open up like that with his fans and speak with confidence about such matters and really, this truly was a reinvention of this kind of panel and well, I shouldn’t be surprised that such a change up would happen at DiNK. Because all weekend long I heard from first time attendees about how different and relaxed this con was, and I love that that mantra snuck its way into John’s panel, and I really do hope that other conventions and moderators take note of panels such as this, because was powerful and meaningful.
 
If anything, my thanks go out to John Leguizamo for his candor on stage, because it served as an inspiration. Because if John can battle his demons, and still create art that all of us can enjoy while doing so, imagine what we can accomplish if we put our minds to it? And my thanks also go out to Steve Bessette for moderating this wonderful conversation and the staff and creators of DiNK, for putting together a convention that allows for the core of art, emotion, to be put on display in every facet of the event and I look forward to checking out this incredible convention again, next year. 

When one plans or prepares to attend a convention of any kind, a particular routine immediately comes to mind. For me, it’s to hit up the Vendor Area first thing when I get there to see if there's anything I need to take home, then I get a solid lay of the land to know where everything is at before I dig into the con, and really, we’re taking the moment to talk about routine today because let’s be honest…there is a certain familiarity that comes with conventions now, to the point where we are able to game plan every last one of them.
 
This is of course, not an insult toward conventions in the slightest, because their design and setup are business models that work and they’re easy to navigate and familiarity helps every nerd and geek out there to plan. But the best part of a convention, is the sense of awe and wonder we experience when we walk through the doors and when you get into a routine, some of that goes away. But thankfully, the convention world is evolving so that it doesn’t become stagnant through and through and there is one particular event that has managed to properly reinvent the con experience; DiNK Comic & Art Expo.
 
This event, which happens to take place this weekend, is unique for one particular reason…it brings back the down-home feel of a convention, where it’s all about hanging out and having a good time with your friends and it accomplishes that, in several ways. First and foremost, it removes some of the barriers between guests and fans that one normally finds at events such as these. The big names that come to DiNK are extremely accessible, and while I’m sure eyebrows are being raised over the possibility of big time celebrity guests being mobbed and harassed by legions of fans by being accessible, that brings us to the next reason why DiNK is so unique, because it focuses on a different kind of celebrity…artists.
 
After all, this is a Comic and Art Expo, and because of that, the big names in question that are going to be in attendance are some of the finest artists around. Jeff Lemire will be there this weekend for instance, as will Melanie Gillman, and what’s awesome about this con is that you’ll be able to hang out at their tables and chat and learn what makes them tick and what has influenced their incredible work and even when they do bring in a star of the silver screen like a traditional con does, they still find a way to make their appearance unique for the fans since John Leguizamo will be at this convention as well, and he will be participating in upgraded meet and greet sessions throughout the weekend. 
 
If anything, DiNK can basically be considered to be a convention that goes back to basics, since conventions sprung forth from our love of comics and art and perhaps what I truly enjoy most about this con, is the sheer fact that so many local artists will be in attendance as well so we can discover new stories to captivate our imagination and really, this is just a wonderful way to spend a weekend geeking out and if you’re interested in finding new stories, like BEARCANO from Creephouse Comics or anything Wicked Awesome Tales has to offer, head to DiNK’s website today and snag some tickets and we here at Nerds That Geek will see all of you there this weekend.  

Stephen King once said, and I paraphrase, that one of the keys to a successful writing career is in essence to diversify. Because the creative mind needs to be challenged and pushed in order to stay vibrant and hungry and truth be told, that’s advice that extends well beyond the creative sector because pushing one’s self to be more and to do more often equates to great success. But, that aside, that mantra is absolutely paramount when it comes to the creative field, and the titans and legends of that industry have taken that lesson to heart.
 
After all, writers that work outside of their comfort zone, often see longevity in their careers and oddly enough, that same rule applies to actors as well. Because the men and women that we see on screen that try new things and take on challenging roles are the ones that stick around for a good long time and it’s why you see your favorite actors pop up in a movie or a show with a role that seems out of place from what they normally do and really, if there’s one actor out there that truly lives and breathes this notion, it would have to be John Leguizamo.
 
Because John is an actor who has dared to try anything and everything when it comes to acting. There’s no genre he’s afraid to take part in and that mindset has provided him with an illustrious career that’s allowed for him to portray memorable characters throughout the years such as Toulouse-Lautre from Moulin Rouge! or Cholo DeMora in Land of the Dead and that kind of diversity acting wise has in fact made him a household name. But what separates John from the rest of the pack, is the sheer fact that he is willing to reach beyond the acting world to challenge and push himself creatively, to the point where he has adapted some of his biographical stage shows…into comic books. 
 
In fact, Freak and Ghetto Klown, are such magnificent pieces of work that the latter of those two books has been nominated for an Eisner Award and we’re celebrating John’s incredible career in print and on screen today for one reason and one reason alone, because DiNK Denver is bringing him in as a guest this weekend, and in classic DiNK style, fans of this talented actor and writer will get to spend time with John in unconventional fashion. Because often times when a celebrity comes to a convention, you stand in line and shake their hand and move on, but at DiNK, John will take the time to participate in upgraded meet and greet (and selfie) sessions, and panel discussions with the fans over the course of the weekend and by way of a private movie screening and Q&A session.
 
Unfortunately, that event, which will be hosted at the Alamo Drafthouse Denver is SOLD OUT, but the lucky fans that will be in attendance there can get their hands on a copy of Ghetto Klown and have it signed the following Sunday. As for the rest of the fans out there looking for an opportunity to shake hands with John, don’t waste any time and head to DiNK Denver’s website today to purchase your tickets and when all is said and done, this is just a stellar announcement for DiNK. Because John is a modern screen legend, and a ridiculously talented writer, and it’s just awesome to know he will be in Denver to celebrate his career with his fans and I have no doubt that his appearance at this event will serve to remind all of us that trying something new…can pay off in spades…  

It's springtime and you know what that means. The sun is shining, the temperature is just right and every nerd and geek in the midwest is staring to plan for Denver Comic Con 2018, and while that may sound like a bit much, it's not when it comes to this con. Because DCC is one of the largest conventions in the nation and well, it's essential to plan early for this con since they pack it in when it comes to their programming and their guests. Which means it's time to highlight the already incredible guest roster this convention is putting together so that you can decide how to best spend your time in Celebrity Summit, starting with the talented folks from Film and Television that are coming to the Mile High City. 

Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy
Every decade in cinema features actors that more or less cement themselves as icons for the generation that discovers them with the amazing stories they take part in and for children of the 1980's a pair of incredible icons from that era will be in attendance at DCC this year. For those unfamiliar with their work, Molly more or less became the girl next door on screen with memorable roles that landed her membership in the infamous 'Brat Pack' and her career has endured long beyond her early roles in John Hughes' work since she now appears on Riverdale on the CW. 

As for Andrew, he too was a member of the Brat Pack and appeared with Molly in several films in the 1980's before branching out on his own to establish himself as quite the versatile leading man with roles in Mannequin and Weekend at Bernie's and much like Molly, he has enjoyed a rich career in both film and television throughout the years, most recently appearing on the ABC Series The Family ​in 2016.

​Alanna Masterson and Ross Marquand
The Walking Dead continues to be a juggernaut for AMC, making anyone from that show a valued guest at conventions and this year, Denver Comic Con managed to land a pair of important Alexandrians. After all, if it wasn't for Ross, Rick Grimes and his friends could have perished in the wild and Alanna has been a vital member of the group after joining forces with them in season four and if anything, one can expect some long lines for these two actors at the convention because come on, it's The Walking Dead we are talking about here and these two actors are just downright awesome! 

David Harbour, Sadie Sink, Matty Cardarople, Caleb McLaughlin, Galen Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp
There are few shows out there right now that are hotter than Netflix's Stranger Things and it just so happens that DCC has managed to land a fair chunk of of the cast for this year's convention. From new faces from season two such as Sadie and Matty, to series staples in the rest, it should be a blast if scheduling allows for this dynamic cast to come together on a panel at the same time to discuss their experiences from this incredible series. 

Matt Smith, Billie Piper and John Barrowman
Doctor Who is a television show that has captivated audiences everywhere with its incredible storytelling and memorable characters and Denver Comic Con has landed quite the lineup for Whovians this year by bringing in two of the Doctor's dynamic friends in Billie and John since fans still adore everything they accomplished during the Tennant Era. 

But while it will be awesome to meet the both of them, one cannot forget that DCC is bringing in one of the most popular Doctors out there in number Eleven, since Matt Smith's turn at the role is one of the big reasons the show is so incredibly popular today and it will be utterly incredible to shake hands with this legendary Time Lord! 

Daniel Logan, Ray Park and Joonas Suotamo
What would a convention be without a Star Wars guest or three and DCC has delivered on that front as well, by bringing in a trio of important characters from this storied franchise. Fans will get to meet the man who has helped Peter Mayhew bring Chewbacca to life in recent years, Joonas Suotamo, and for fans of the prequel trilogy they'll get to meet Daniel Logan, who played the younger version of Boba Fett that we came to love in the original trilogy, and there will be a Sith Lord lurking about as well since Ray Park, who made waves with his incredible moves as Darth Maul, will be joining his interstellar cohorts in Denver this June.

Bonnie Wright and Matthew Lewis 
To call the Harry Potter franchise anything outside of a phenomenon would be an outright insult. Because the movies and the novels took the world by storm and ignited the imaginations of fans around the world and wouldn't you know it, a pair of important characters from this storied franchise are finding their way to Mile High City this summer when fans get the chance to meet both Bonnie and Matthew and well, I am fully expecting to see incredible lines for both of these actors because Potterheads will be happy to wait patiently for their chance to meet and greet both Neville and Ginny.

Amy Jo Johnson and Jason David Frank 
Few franchises have withstood the test of time as well as the ​Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers and this saga has stuck around for good reason...it was freaking awesome and downright relatable. After all, who among us didn't want superpowers as a teenager and this show allowed for us to live vicariously through these teens and now, fans of this storied franchise will get the opportunity to say hello and thank you to a pair of beloved Rangers in Amy and Jason who played the Pink and Green/White Ranger respectively, and it's just awesome that DCC will have this dynamic duo at this year's con. 

Mark Sheppard, Cress Williams, Jason Lewis, Graham McTavish, Pom Klementieff, Alan Tudyk, Lotte Verbeek and Ron Perlman
As if this list isn't quite epic enough, Denver Comic Con has added some modern day icons to their lineup as well. After all, Mark Sheppard has made quite a name for himself by popping up on some incredibly beloved shows such as Battlestar Galactica and Supernatural and Cress Williams is quickly becoming an iconic superhero with his role as Jefferson Pierce on the CW's Black Lightning and while Jason Lewis is establishing a new role on NBC's Midnight, Texas, he is no stranger to iconic shows since he was a part of Sex and the City, and Graham McTavish is another actor who has carved out quite the niche for himself when it comes to big time franchises since he played Dwalin in The Hobbit trilogy and most recently appeared as the Saint of Killers in AMC's Preacher, ​and Lotte Verbeek is quickly making a name for herself in recent years with an appearance in the big screen adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars and she also plays Geillis Duncan on the wildly popular show, ​Outlander.

As an added bonus, they will be joined in Celebrity Summit by Ron Perlman and Alan Tudyk, a pair of actors that always bring a smile to fan's faces. After all, Tudyk is still a hero to many thanks to his turn as Wash in Joss Whedon's Firefly and let's be honest, Ron Perlman has been everywhere in film and television. From Beauty and the Beast to Star Trek, Mister Perlman has found a way to leave his mark in every single genre out there, plus we have to talk about the fact that DCC landed a Guardian of the Galaxy in Pom Klementieff, who blew all of us away in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with her incredible performance as Mantis and well...snagging someone from the MCU is a huge deal, and this entire group is a welcome addition to this magnificent roster.

Greg Cipes, Monica Rial, Eric Vale, Christopher Sabat, Charlet Chung, Lucie Pohl, Jamie Marchi, Jeremy Shada and Tara Strong
Sometimes our favorite characters are brought to life by talented voice actors and DCC is more than happy to spotlight this important part of the industry by bringing in some of those actors to meet their fans and this year, they've done an impressive job with that. After all, you can't go wrong in having the voice behind Michelangelo at your convention since Greg Cipes will be in attendance, plus Monica Rial, Eric Vale and Christopher Sabat, who were all involved in the Dragon Ball Z franchise will be in Denver this summer, as will Charlet Chung and Lucie Pohl who voice D.Va and Mercy from Overwatch respectively.

​This year's con will also feature also Jamie Marchi, who is best known for her role as Rias Gremory in High School DxD BorN, and Jeremy Shada who voices Finn on Cartoon Network's Adventure Time and as an added bonus, Tara Strong will be in attendance and much like Ron Perlman, she too has in essence done it all when it comes to her craft, taking part in iconic franchise after iconic franchise such as Rugrats and The Powerpuff Girls and let's be honest, this is just a powerhouse roster when it comes to voice actors.

But, this is merely scratching the surface for this year's con since there are more wonderful guests to discuss as we countdown to the big weekend, and we will be covering the rest of the roster in the weeks to come and for your chance to meet any of these incredible Film and T.V. stars, head over to DCC's website today to snag your tickets, and we will see you at the Colorado Convention Center on Father's Day weekend for Denver Comic Con 2018.