SW-Florida ComicCon: Everything you need to know about the Fort Myers event

SW-Florida ComicCon beams back into Fort Myers this Sunday with more comic books, cosplay and pop-culture celebrities — including a Marvel Comics star who’s attracting people from as far away as New York and Tennessee.

Marvel writer and former editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco is expected to be a huge draw at the Crowne Plaza event, says comic-con organizer Carmine DeSanto.

Everyone wants his autograph, it seems.

“He’s a legend at Marvel,” DeSanto says. “He hasn’t done a show in a long time. This is long overdue.”

Another big star this weekend: Wrestler Koko B. Ware. The WWE Hall of Famer will meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos.

“Southwest Florida loves wrestling, right?” DeSanto says. “And they love Koko B. Ware.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s event, from ticket prices to celebrities to the popular cosplay contest.

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WHAT IS SW-FLORIDA COMICCON?

The pop-culture convention celebrates all things nerdy, geeky and fun in pop-culture — from comics books to anime to video games. That includes celebrities, cosplayers, vendors and more.

WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?

The comic con takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28 at Crowne Plaza hotel in Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers.

DeSanto organizes the convention twice each year in Fort Myers (March and November), plus he held an extra one in August to make up for time lost during the pandemic.

He also runs about 17 other conventions in cities across the eastern United States, including Nashville, Charleston, Tallahassee and Lexington.

TICKETS

SW-Florida ComicCon tickets are $20 for adults and older children. They’re free for ages 10 and younger (one with each paying adult, $10 for each additional child). VIP packages are also available.

Tickets are sold online or at the door (cash only).

Signings and photo ops cost extra. Prices vary.

CELEBRITIES: TOM DEFALCO, KOKO B. WARE AND MORE

This year’s celebrities include actors, wrestlers and a comic-book legend. The lineup includes:

• Tom DeFalco, Marvel’s former editor-in-chief and a writer best known for his work on the comic title “Amazing Spider-Man” and for co-creating the characters Dazzler and Spider-Girl.

• WWE wrestler KoKo B. Ware, who joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. “The Birdman” is known for his colorful costumes and his blue-and-yellow macaw, Frankie.

• Voice actor Melanie Kohn, one of the voices of animated “Peanuts” character Lucy van Pelt. She worked on the 1977 movie “Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown” and 70s TV shorts such as “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” and “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.”

• Actor Patrick David, who played the evil, violent Psycho Red (aka the Red Psycho Ranger) in the “Power Rangers" TV series (seasons six and seven, otherwise known as “Power Rangers in Space” and “Power Rangers Lost Galaxy”).

• Actor Fedor Steer, a Southwest Florida resident known for his creepy looks and scary TV and movie roles. His biggest roles include the ghost of William Hill in the Netflix horror series “The Haunting of Hill House” and the ghost of Vito the Chopper in the movie “Doctor Sleep.”

• Comic book artist Dan Fraga, who has drawn for popular Marvel titles “Black Panther” and “Wolverine,” as well as Image’s “Bloodstrike” and DC’s “The Powerpuff Girls.” He’s also a film and TV director ("The Ricky Gervais Show" and two “Ever After High” movies) and a Hollywood storyboard artist (including the TV shows “Legacies,” “Doom Patrol” and “Wu-Tang: An American Saga").

WHAT’S NEW?

The Dragon’s Lair Gaming Room makes its debut Sunday with tabletop games such as “Dungeons and Dragons,” “Super Smash Bros.,” “Magic: The Gathering” and “Flesh and Blood.” The room is organized by Fort Myers gaming store The Dragon’s Lair.

Tabletop games have become extremely popular, DeSanto says, and that's why he gave it so much space this time. “We’re getting a lot of demand.”

The comic con won’t have panel discussions this year, DeSanto says, since that space was needed for the gaming room.

In addition, the sports card vendor area — which made its debut in August— returns Sunday with sports trading cards, Pokémon cards and more.

COSPLAY

Cosplay has always been huge part of the annual event. Expect lots of people wearing costumes inspired by anime, movies and comic books.

There also are a few cosplay groups attending, such as the Star Wars-themed Mandalorian Mercs (dressed in Boba Fett-style armor) and the 501st Legion (Darth Vader and his stormtroopers).

Plus there’s the ever-popular runway costume contest, where people compete for prizes in homemade or store-bought costumes. The contest starts at 4 p.m. You can sign up all day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Entry is free. Prizes will be awarded for Best Video Game/Comic, Best TV/Movie, Best Anime/Original Character, Best Youth and Best in Show. All costumes must be PG-rated.

WHAT CAN YOU BUY?

Expect even more vendors than usual: More than 125 exhibitors selling action figures, comic books, clothing, jewelry, toys, artwork and lots more.

The vendor area will be packed with cool stuff, DeSanto says. “It’s going to be insane.”

COVID PRECAUTIONS

Temperatures will be taken at the door. Masks are optional. Hand sanitizer stations can be found throughout the convention grounds.

MORE INFO

For advance tickets and more details, visit swfloridacomiccon.com or facebook.com/swfloridacon.

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW-Florida ComicCon: The stars, ticket info and more about Fort Myers event