Dallas Comic Con 2010: Off the Pages, Into Reality

Dallas Comic Con ripped itself from the pages of a comic book and into the Richardson Civic Center to a packed crowd on Aug. 28.

            The event, now in its eighth year, filled the Civic Center with a conglomeration of booths and tables featuring artists, writers and celebrities there to sell artwork or collectibles and sign autographs for people of all ages and interests. The convention brought in nearly 4,000 people to participate in the many activities including auctions and costume contests. Artists and comic writers such as Keith Pollard and Adam Warren were among the special guests.

            The convention dedicated an entire floor for collectors and businesses to sell their goods. Autographs, rare action figures, posters and other collectibles were hot items as people filled the showroom floor to purchase memorabilia.

            Andrew Brown, a regular attendee of the convention, brought more than 400 comic books to the convention to sell, including issues from the more rare "Silver Age" of comic books from the 1950s. The Silver Age contained the first appearances and publishing dates of many of the famous superheroes such as the "X-Men" and "Spider-Man." Brown has only been collecting them for a year, but he is very engaged in the hobby.

            "Right now it's a very fun thing to do," Brown said. "I've always been into superheroes since I was a little kid."

            Among the more anticipated guests was actor Edward James Olmos, who signed autographs, posed for pictures and conducted a Q&A session where fans could ask him questions. Among the topics he discussed were his roles and experiences as a Latino actor and how he spoke at the United Nations about racial issues in the world.

"There is only one race, the human race," Olmos said to loud cheers during the Q&A session.

Olmos is known for his work as Admiral William Adama in Syfy's "Battlestar Galactica," but before that he starred in "Miami Vice" and in movies such as "Stand and Deliver." Olmos had many fans at the convention to meet him, as he does not attend conventions often. Olmos also is active in social causes and charitable work outside of his acting career.

            "I admire what he does outside of acting – his charity work, humanitarian work," said Dawn Hickerson, a long-time Olmos fan and convention visitor who traveled to the event from Austin. "I really admire his integrity."

            Devin Crase, a film major from the University of North Texas, came to the convention dressed up with his friends as characters from the 1990s cartoon series "Captain Planet." Crase said that he and his friends wanted to go to the San Diego Comic-Con in July but were unable to get tickets. Crase considered the Dallas convention as the "next step" toward visiting the San Diego one.

 "We're all big film majors and comic book nerds," Crase said. "The environment here, I love it."

            This was the final year for the convention to be held in Richardson before it moves to a larger location in the Dallas area, which is yet to be announced.

"We've outgrown [the Richardson Civic Center], which is a pretty good problem to have," Mark Walters, event manager of the Dallas Comic Con, said. "[The new building will] be the biggest thing we've ever done."

            Dallas Comic Con has a strong history. The convention is the only comic book/science fiction expo that has featured Michael Keaton and Patricia Arquette as guests. It was also the first convention in the United States to have Carrie Fisher as a featured guest.

"We're always looking for exciting names," Walters said. "As long as I see people with smiles on their faces, I feel like we're doing a good job."

            Walters hinted about next year's big guest for the April event, but wouldn't divulge details.

"One of the greats in comics is going to be joining us," he said. "Everyone knows who he is."

For more details about the convention and future events, visit http://scifiexpo.com