The weekend after Halloween always hits differently in The Ocean State. For three days, the Amica Mutual Pavilion and Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence both become a hub for fandom of comics, graphic novels, movies, TV shows and even professional wrestling. This is what happens when the Rhode Island Comic Con comes to town, and it’ll be ringing in its 11th year of existence from November 3-5. If you’re a fan of at least one of the things I just mentioned, then attending this event is an absolute must if you haven’t purchased a ticket already. If you’re just looking for something to do on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, then you should be giving the Rhode Island Comic Con some heavy consideration.

Advertising itself as “The Biggest Show in the Smallest State”, this upcoming edition of the extravaganza promises to stay true to that claim once again. Tattoo artists Kelly Rogers, Cale Turpen, Eric Z., Kerwin Chong and Marc Draven from the Ink Fusion Empire will be on the premises. Exclusively licensed by George Lucas’ production company Lucasfilm and endorsed by the late Marvel Comics figure Stan Lee, this collective of individuals will be available for appointments at the Comic Con so folks can get some art done on themselves. There’s going to be some social media celebrities hanging out as well, including paranormal explorer Chris Sanders, Stevie Oaks who cosplays as Peter Griffin from Family Guy and comedian, actor and content creator Jacoby Ray among others. If you’re just looking to get a cool piece of art for yourself, just peruse around the Pavilion and Convention center
and you’re bound to find something that catches your eye.

Enthusiasts of comics and graphic novels are always looking to meet the artists who draw them and there’s going to be plenty of these creative types making themselves available. Ben Bishop, who did some of the art for the recently released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novel “The Last Ronin”, is going to be at this year’s Rhode Island Comic Con. The same can be said for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, fantasy artist and illustrator Darryl Petrucci, Disney artist James C. Mulligan and Christopher Priest, who became the first black writer/editor in mainstream comics when he started out in the early ‘80s. There will also be a bunch of cartoonists who’ll be making an appearance including Don Mathias, Emily Drouin, David Milgrim, Chuck Dillon, Bill Walko and Dave London from the National Cartoonists Society. These are just a few of the entire lineup of artists who will be present, so be prepared to see a ton of colorful pieces with an abundance of detail.

The highlight of Rhode Island Comic Con is always the celebrities and this year is absolutely stacked with them. Brat Pack members Andrew McCarthy, Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy, Brandon Routh from the superhero flick “Superman Returns” and Brent Spiner, who played Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard, are going to be making their presence felt. Carl Weathers, Cary Elwes, Carrie-Anne Moss, Charlie Hunnam, Christina Ricci, Edward Furlong, Edward James Olmos, Evangeline Lilly and Famke Janssen will also be there. For the pro wrestling fans, Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D, Darby Allin and “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes from All Elite Wrestling are going to be hanging out as well. Just like the lineup of artists, these are only a few of the celebrities who will be at the Pavilion and Convention Center this weekend.

As you can tell, there’s going to be a lot to take in at this year’s Rhode Island Comic Con. If you end up attending, make sure to enjoy yourself and also make sure to get some soda from the Wild Bill’s Beverage Co. stand because that stuff makes the experience even better. For all the details on directions, tickets and
everything else, log on to ricomiccon.com.