GalaxyCon Columbus to feature William Shatner, Kevin Smith and 'Clerks' cast, more

From Captain Kirk to wrestler John Brashaw Layfield to Jay and Silent Bob, there will be a little something for everyone at the upcoming GalaxyCon Columbus.

The three-day pop culture event will take place Dec. 2-4, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., celebrating multiple facets of entertainment such as comic books, sci-fi/fantasy, anime and cosplay, according to the event's website.

Several guests are already scheduled to appear at the event: William Shatner, director Kevin Smith and the cast from his "Clerks" films, and "Smallville" star Tom Welling, to name a few.

This will be the first GalaxyCon in Columbus after relocating from Louisville, Kentucky, company founder and president Mike Broder said via email. The convention was set to launch in 2020, but was canceled due to the pandemic.

The event company also hosts GalaxyCon in Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.

Here's what to know about the convention:

More:Hanif Abdurraqib wins Ohioana award for nonfiction book about Black entertainers

More:Visual arts: Latinx art more than craft and pop culture, as shown in 'Diálogos' exhibit

What are the hours?

GalaxyCon will be open from 2 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Dec. 3; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Exhibition hall hours will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 4.

How much are tickets?

Tickets are available to purchase at galaxycon.com. The Friday, Dec. 2, single day pass is $35, Saturday's single day pass is $50 and Sunday's pass is $40. For those who want to attend all three days, the pass is $90. A three-day VIP pass is also available for $275, which includes a fast pass to panels and events, admission to an after-party and a swag bag.

In addition to the convention, there will be several special events fans can attend throughout the weekend. "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" voice actor Dana Snyder is hosting a "Drunk on Disney" party for $125 and then there's the "Ultimate Kevin Smith Experience," where guests can get autographs, a photo op, merchandise and exclusive seating to the director's panel for $350.

More:Fall arts & entertainment highlights: Columbus concerts, comedy shows, theater and more

Who will be there?

More than 50 guests are scheduled to appear at GalaxyCon, ranging from TV and film actors, voice actors, comic book artists to professional wrestlers. Here are the highlights:

• William Shatner, who is best-known for playing Captain James Kirk in the original "Star Trek" series.

• Kevin Smith, who is best known as the writer/director/actor of "Clerks" and "Clerks II," as well as "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

• Jodie Whittaker, the 13th doctor in the British series, "Doctor Who."

• Tom Welling, best-known as Clark Kent, aka Superman, in the TV series, "Smallville."

• Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander William Riker in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," as well as new Paramount+ shows "Star Trek: Picard," and "Star Trek: Lower Decks."

• Patrick Warburton, best known as Joe Swanson in Fox's "Family Guy" and Kronk in the Disney movie, "The Emperor's New Groove."

• Jodi Benson, best-known as the voice actor for Ariel in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" and Barbie in "Toy Story 2" and "Toy Story 3."

• Kevin Conroy, known for voicing Batman in "Batman: The Animated Series," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited" and "Batman Beyond."

• Britt Baker, an All Elite Wrestling pro wrestler

• Tim Jacobus, the book cover artist for the "Goosebumps" series.

How much are the celebrity experiences?

For those who want to meet their favorite celebrity, guests can get an autograph and/or photo op, but it comes with an added price outside of admission.

"Clerks" fans can take a photo op with "Clerks" stars Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson for $90, and a $125 photo op with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith. The most expensive is the "Clerks" experience for $600, where folks will get photos and autographs from the cast, a fast pass and exclusive seating to the Kevin Smith panel.

For those who want to meet the "doctor," an autograph from Jodie Whittaker is $80, while a photo op is $100. "Star Trek" fans get a photo op with trio William Shatner, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner for $240.

In addition, there are celebrity experiences available for "Smallville," "The Tick," "The Flash" and more.

mwalker@dispatch.com

@micah_walker701

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: GalaxyCon to bring actors William Shatner, Tom Welling to Columbus