Phoenix Comicon 2014 must-see stars: Fillion, Amell...
Grab your cosplay cape and your autograph book, Phoenix Comicon 2014 is just weeks away and the stars are coming into alignment.
This year's roster includes Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee, Black Power Ranger Walter Emanuel Jones, TV Batman Adam West, Bruce "Boomstick" Campbell and "Buffy" alumna Eliza Dushku.
Many of the stars will be available for autographs and pictures, but it might cost you. Comic-book authors and artists usually won't charge you for the honor, but most TV and film actors will. Prices range from $25 to $40, unless you're Stan Lee and you can charge $60 for a John Hancock and a 8x10 photo.
The 12th iteration of Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw more than 65,000 fans to the Phoenix Convention Center and other downtown locales Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8.
Organizers haven't yet released a full schedule of Q&A's, panel discussions and signing sessions, but here's our celebrity shortlist, when to see them and how much an autograph will set you back:
6/8: Stan Lee
You may remember him from cameos in such films as "Spider-Man," "Daredevil," "The Hulk" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," but did you know he wrote some comics, too? And by "some" we mean a bunch. At 91, Lee still is signing autographs.
Visit Comicon on Sunday for a chance to meet the man behind Spider-Man, X-men, the Hulk, Thor and Iron Man. Autographs will cost $60.
6/5-8:Adam West
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $80 autograph; $65 photo op.
What you know him from: The 1960s TV series "Batman"; television voice work on such shows as "Family Guy," "The Fairly OddParents" and "Futurama."
Why he's essential: He's Batman. Come on. And if you're a Batman superfan, West will also be appearing with "Batman" costars Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman), who will be doing photo ops as a group for higher fees.
6/6-8: John Ratzenberger
Ratzenberger's career took off when he became the lovable know-it-all Cliff Calvin on "Cheers," but it wasn't long before he made the jump to the silver screen as Major Derlin in "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back." The "Cheers" mail carrier has since starred in all 11 Pixar films and currently is on TV in "Legit," "Franklin and Bash" and "Drop Dead Diva."
Ratzenberger will be at Comicon Friday through Sunday. Autographs will cost $40.
6/5-6/8: John Rhys-Davies
When: Thursday-Sunday.
Cost: $40 autograph; $45 photo op.
What you know him from: "Raiders of the Lost Ark"; "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy; that crazy '90s sci-fi TV series "Sliders."
Why he's essential: The Welsh actor played major characters in two of the most beloved geek film franchises of all time — Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and the dwarf Gimli in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. So chances are, he was an instrumental part of why your childhood rocked so hard. If nothing else, just go to marvel at the fact that in real life, he's over six-feet tall.
6/7-8: Bruce Campbell
"This is my boomstick" Campbell launched his career with "The Evil Dead" and went on to make it into a trilogy. He has done horror and comedy and just about everything in between with roles on the "X-Files," "Cars 2," "Bubba Ho-tep" and Showtime's "Beggars and Choosers."
Campbell will be at Comicon Saturday and Sunday. Autographs will cost $40.
6/5-8: Eliza Dushku
Dushku rose to cult notoriety with her role as Faith on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its spinoff "Angel." She has starred in such Hollywood films as "Bring It On," "This Boy's Life" and "True Lies," and she recently teamed up with "Buffy" creator Joss Whedon for a role on Fox's "Dollhouse."
Dushku will be at Comicon all four days. Autographs will cost $45.
5/6-8: Danny Glover
When: Friday-Sunday.
Cost: $40 autograph; $50 photo op.
What you know him from: "Lethal Weapon" series; "Predator 2."
Why he's essential: Besides playing Murtaugh in one of the best Action movie series' ever, Glover's career has spanned more than 30 years as an actor and producer with films including "The Color Purple" and "Places in the Heart." But at the end of the day, he's Murtaugh. 'nuff said.
5/6-8: Cary Elwes
When:Friday-Sunday.
Cost: $40 autograph; $50 photo op; $20 photo at table.
What you know him from: "The Princess Bride"; "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"; "Saw."
Why he's essential: Because if you're a child of the '80s, you've been quoting him your whole life, ready to pounce on any situation that allows you to throw out a "Rodents Of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist." Elwes, of course, played the Man in Black, aka Westley, in the eminently quotable adventure-romance "The Princess Bride." You say you want a picture with him? "As you wish."
6/7-8:Nathan Fillion
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $80 autograph; $80 photo ops.
What you know him from:The ABC series "Castle"; the short-lived but much-loved Fox series "Firefly"; "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog."
Why he's essential: Because he's awesome. And charismatic. And super funny. And up for anything, whether it's playing a best-selling mystery novelist on "Castle," battling an alien plague in gross-out horror-comedy "Slither" or playing a goober named Captain Hammer in the musical Internet miniseries "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog." But this one's mostly for the Browncoats. He played "Mal" Reynolds, the wisecracking leader of a lovable pack of antiauthoritarian outlaws on the sci-fi western series "Firefly" and it's excellent film companion "Serenity." Shiny!
6/7: Stephen Amell
When: Saturday.
Cost: $50 autograph; $50 photo op.
What you know him from: "Arrow" TV series.
Why he's essential: Bullseye, Hawkye, they never had anything on the Green Arrow. Finally there's an actor to givethe DC comic superhero the credit deserves as the best archer to ever grace the illustrated page. Share your gratitude.
For the full list of celebrities or to purchase tickets visit phoenixcomicon.com.