So much to enjoy at Bakersfield Comic-Con

Nov. 15—After 15 years, Bakersfield Comic-Con organizer Steve Wyatt has a lot to look forward to in terms of the popular annual event. This year is special though because he was worried he wouldn't be able to attend.

"Personally, what I'm looking forward to most is being there," he said. "About a month ago, my kidneys decided to fail. I spent nine days in the hospital. My kidney function was down to 10%.

"I didn't know if I would make it to the show."

Even though he had to miss his daughter's wedding while he was still in the hospital, he has since bounced back with improved kidney function that allowed him to get off of dialysis and continue planning the event, which returns this weekend to the Kern County Fairgrounds.

The show this year features a number of guests from the comic book world as well as TV and film actors, musicians, wrestlers and more.

The Renaissance Faire held between Buildings 1 and 2 each year has doubled its vendors to 20 with performer George the Giant, aka George McArthur, curating a lineup of acts for Wyatt.

"We have the Renaissance stage outside and I go to him and say, 'Can you fill it up?' He does sword swallowing, and has jugglers. He asked, 'Can we do fire?' I said, 'Yes, we can.'"

Wyatt credits a number of people in town with helping put together a good show. He named McArthur, the teams behind Bakersfield eSports Center and Campus Gamers as well as the couple who met at the show, were married by Wyatt at the 2019 event and now run one of the buildings for the show.

The showrunner also said he is excited to host among the special guests bassist Kathy Valentine and drummer Gina Schock of The Go-Go's. Wyatt is friends with Jane Wiedlin, another Go-Go's member who appeared at the local con in 2011.

"I'm a Go-Go's fanatic. ...Gina, I've met a few times but Kathy I only met once. I'm looking forward to hanging out, being a fan."

That's part of the draw of a smaller event like this, which drew about 4,000 last year. Past guests like John Noble ("Fringe," "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) and John Wesley Shipp (The Flash in the 1990-91 series and many other projects) both told Wyatt that they enjoyed being able to chat longer with fans, which is difficult at large conventions with bigger crowds.

Other guests set to take part include:

Lori Petty, who played the title character in the comic book movie "Tank Girl," also starring in "A League of Their Own" and "Point Break"

Nadji Jeter, actor who provided the voice of Miles Morales in the animated series "Spider-Man" (2017) and the "Marvel's Spider-Man" video game series

Jerry Mathers, best known for playing Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver on "Leave It to Beaver"

Kevin Thompson and Tracey M. Thompson, husband and wife acting duo; Kevin had roles in "Return Of The Jedi," "Weird Science," "Blade Runner" and more while Tracey has appeared in "Austin Powers," "Neighbors" and other films

Lonnie Milsap, award-winning New Yorker cartoonist, writer and artist

Tony Fleecs, artist for "My Little Pony" and creator of the comic "Stray Dogs" (Sunday only)

Scott "Fuzzy" Joseph, creator of the apocalyptic comic book series "The Warren Hope"

Rob Ryder, performer and stuntman known for playing the purple Fury in "The Warriors"

Johnny TV (formerly John Morrison) and Taya Valkyrie, husband and wife who are both currently wrestlers for AEW (All Elite Wrestling)

Gigi Edgley, star of "Farscape and host of "Jim Henson's Creature Shop"

Spencer Wilding, who wore the Darth Vader suit in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and had roles in "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Men in Black: International" and "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw"

Andrey Ivchenko, who played the fearsome Gregori in Season 3 of Netflix's "Stranger Things"

Roberto Sanchez, actor in "2 Fast 2 Furious" as well as a big comic book collector

Len Smith, artist who has worked for Hanna-Barbera Studio, Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney TV Animation, Mattel and more

Evan Whitten, last seen on the Disney+ series "Ahsoka as well as the film "Chupa" on Netflix

Team behind "Doc Sauvage," which will debut at the event on Sunday, including actors Adam James, Americus Abesamis and Juan Rodriguez and show creator Chris Mackey

The convention will also feature a freeplay arcade section from The Office Arcade, with machines on loan from a private collector that will be set to freeplay unless being used for one of the planned tournaments.

Gamers can take part in the third annual Smash the Valley Tournament, playing "Smash Bros Ultimate," organized by Bakersfield eSports Center. Visit bakersfieldesports.com to learn more and to sign up in advance, which is required. Cost to join the tournament is $20.

There will also be three Street Fighter arcade tournaments and a Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate tournament.

For the full guest list and more details, visit bakersfieldcomiccon.com.

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.