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I was GEEKED to add to my sports autograph collection Sam J Jones' signature on a New York Jets' Flash Gordon football card at this year's Great Lakes Comic Con that is running from February 21 through the 23rd. Jones portrayed an NFL quarterback turned spacefaring superhero in the 1980 cult classic sci-fi movie FLASH GORDON which features a rocking soundtrack by Queen. Flash! A-ah! He'll save every one of us!
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Great Lakes Comic Con takes place at the Sports & Expo Center located within Macomb County Community College's Warren, Michigan campus. The event features more than sixty exhibitors ranging from artists and crafters with a pop culture focus to vendors selling comic books, toys and a variety of items classified as collectibles. Throughout the show a number of panel discussions are scheduled ranging from the co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, discussing his history with these heroes in a half shell to photographer Kim D.M. Simmons providing insider details about his years serving as the official photographer for Kenner's marketing of their Star Wars toys. Additionally, a number of authors and illustrators who have worked in the comic book industry are on hand to talk about their work, sign autographs, be in selfies or be retained to draw up a special piece of commissioned artwork for you.
All of the activities, exhibitors and special guests are listed in a program handed out at the entrance that features art on the cover by one of this year's special guest artists, Bill Morrison, that plays on the family-friendly atmosphere of this event taking place in the Great Lakes state. Morrison co-founded BONGO COMICS with Simpsons' creator Matt Groening and did a stint as editor of MAD Magazine. You can also purchase limited edition programs with alternate cover art penciled by Kevin Eastman and inked by TMNT comic book artist Jason Moore. Get that autographed by those two while they are at the event for a totally rad unique TMNT fan keepsake!
In addition to meeting Sam J Jones, some of the other highlights of my walk around the show floor of the 2025 Great Lakes Comic Con included:
On display was a life-size replica of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made from balloons crafted by Tim "The Balloon Sculptor" Thurmond in honor of Kevin Eastman's appearance at the con. Cowabunga! That was something truly out of the ordinary to check out! Plus, Thurmond will be on site throughout the event twisting together creations hand-held sized creations for people at his stand. He told me the average cost for someone to have him craft up something for them on the spot is $5 to $10 depending on the number of balloons and effort involved. That sounds like a very affordable, and fun, souvenir to take home with you from Great Lakes Comic Con!
There were a lot of self-published writers on scene hoping to get their comic books and novels some attention and sales. Nick Gibson was on hand hyping his SCREECHER comic book series and I was impressed by his entrepreneur spirit. He recently successfully funded a Kickstarter to cover the publishing costs of the series' third issue. You can purchase the first two issues in print form from him at the Great Lakes Comic Con or buy digital versions of the first and second issue of these comics via Amazon.
In SCREECHER, when her father is jailed for a crime he did not commit, Avery Fletcher is whisked away from New York back to her hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Having been gone for 7 years, Avery must come to terms with the fact that not only has her home changed, but so has she.
In order to secure her father's freedom, Avery can't just run around as herself. No, to free her dad, she must become something else entirely.
I also enjoyed speaking with author Lisa Trusiani. She wrote scripts for Marvel's BARBIE comic books that ran from 1991 - 1996. Trusiani is very engaging with people who stop by to speak with her and provided some interesting insider details about her career in the comic book industry. I thought it was neat that she brought some of her original story boards for working on the BARBIE comics to show attendees about the comic book creative process. Hey girl dads, if you want to get daughters to share your interest in comic books having them speak with Lisa Trusiani would be truly inspiring. Definitely stop by and see Lisa if you go to the show!
The great thing about comic cons are there are so many different things to experience that normally there also is something for everyone to make memorable memories and enjoy themselves. Getting your picture with a movie or tv show actor, enjoying cosplay merriment, checking out eye catching artwork ... what is your favorite aspect of attending a comic con?
