Lexington Comic Con plays celebrity reunion show. Here’s who’s coming and reuniting.
A quick glance at the celebrity guest list for this year’s Lexington Comic & Toy Convention calls to mind one word: reunion.
It’s common for events like LexCon, which is in its 11th year, to function as a meeting place for former castmates of various television shows and movies. But this year’s smorgasbord leans particularly into de facto reunions — all of them featuring heavy-hitters.
“Before you know it you’ve booked three people from one movie, so it just makes sense to add more,” said LexCon promoter Jarrod Greer.
Here are some of the gatherings set to take place at the Lexington comic con event downtown at the Central Bank Center.
Jay and Silent Bob stars reunite
Filmmaker and professional geek Kevin Smith is the visionary behind indie phenomenon “Clerks,” its sequels and the canonically related films that make up the “View Askewniverse,” named after Smith’s production company. In addition to those contributions, Smith has made a name for himself as a comic book author and nerd-culture pundit. He’ll be on the convention floor briefly Saturday, and autograph tickets must be purchased in advance through the LexCon website.
Jason Mewes — the Jay to Smith’s “Silent Bob” across the collective filmography — will be in attendance for three days. View Askewniverse veterans Jason Lee, Jeremy London and Ethan Suplee are also scheduled to appear.
Lee, who’s new to the comic con circuit, is making his this second appearance at any convention.
“I always like getting people very early,” said LexCon promoter Jarrod Greer.
Comic Con guide: Celebrities, cosplay, vendors, photo-ops at Lexington convention
The Raimi Brothers
Sam Raimi directed one of the most iconic film franchises of all time, “Evil Dead.” He also helmed the first three “Spider-Man” movies.
OK, the first “Spider-Man” trilogy set the standard for what Hollywood superhero storytelling could be (well, the first two at least), and are probably the filmmaker’s most-watched works. But he cut his teeth on horror, and the influence of his “Evil Dead” movies resonates to this day. That franchise also has a new entry releasing in April; maybe he’ll share some behind-the-scenes gossip?
Ted Raimi, Sam’s brother, has appeared in several of Sam’s films and dozens of other movies and television shows. Both will be at the convention.
Greer went to great lengths to also book “Evil Dead” star Bruce Campbell but was unable to broker a deal. Campbell is nearby, though; he’s a guest this weekend at the HorrorHound Film Festival in Cincinnati.
‘My Name is Earl:’ Three cast members at LexCon
It hasn’t had the millennial-spurred second life that “The Office” has, but “My Name is Earl” was a much bigger ratings hit while both were airing on NBC. Its trailer-park setting couldn’t be further from the cubicles found in Scranton, Pa., but Earl Hickey is as endearingly flawed as Michael Scott — but actually trying to make amends through a karmic list of his past mistakes.
Lee plays the leading man, and he’s joined in Lexington by two other primary castmates: Suplee and Eddie Steeples (a fourth, Jaime Pressly, unfortunately had a family emergency and had to cancel her appearance). This is Steeples’ first appearance at a comic con.
Make a point to watch “Earl” if you haven’t, and then go have a laugh in person with all the folks behind your new favorite characters.
‘Blue’s Clues’ reunion
Five year-olds who grew up with the original “Blue’s Clues” TV show are now in their mid-20’s, basically the perfect time for nostalgia to set in and re-devour their attention. Blue, the titular puppy at the center of the animated-live action hybrid that ran for six seasons, was joined originally by a companion named Steve, portrayed by actor Steve Burns. He’ll be in Lexington along with Donovan Patton, who played Joe, his younger brother. The in-universe reason for Steve’s departure was that he went to college; try not to tear up while watching the “update” from 2021.
Greer met Burns at last year’s New York Comic Con, one of North America’s largest conventions.
“Steve disappeared and was off the radar for years, and there were all these rumors — that he was dead, a drug addict — and then come to find out he’s the most normal, down-to-Earth, good dude you’ve been around in your life,” Greer said. “When we announced he was coming, it received a massive response.”
In 2019, Nickelodeon revived the brand with “Blue’s Clues and You,” hosted by Josh De La Cruz (Steve and Joe’s “cousin”). He’ll round out the triumvirate of Blue’s pals who will visit this weekend, offering some fun for fans of all ages in your household.
‘Power Rangers’ once again in Lexington
It’s not a LexCon without Power Rangers: the late Jason David Frank was the only actor from the 90’s superhit who was present at the first Lexington comic con and his daughter, Jenna Frank, is making her first LexCon appearance. “If nothing else, I owe Jason a trip for his daughter to my show,” said Greer. Every Lexington convention has included multiple people who appeared on at least one season of the show.
Austin St. John, who portrayed Jason, the original Red Ranger, and Steve Cardenas, who portrayed Rocky, his successor in Mighty Morphin red spandex, both will be in attendance. Catherine Sutherland, who portrayed a character named Katherine in four different seasons of the show, also will be there along with Nakia Burrise (“Power Rangers Zeo”) and Cerina Vincent (“Power Rangers Lost Galaxy,” “Not Another Teen Movie”).
Sutherland and Cardenas are set to appear in the Netflix special “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always,” a celebration of the show’s 30th anniversary. That special premieres April 19.
Other notable celebrities at Lexington Comic Con
Anson Mount: The Dickson, Tenn., native has worked consistently since the early 2000’s but has made a star turn in his mid-life — he’s currently one of the leads in “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.”
Tom Kenny: The voice of the sponge who lives under the sea, SpongeBob SquarePants. Kenny has been voicing the character for 24 years.
The voice of ‘SpongeBob’ lives below Hollywood’s surface. See him, his band at LexCon
David Della Rocco and Sean Patrick Flanery: Both of “The Boondock Saints” and its sequel, are to be in attendance.
Warwick Davis: One of several scheduled guest who played a supporting character in the “Star Wars” universe, most notably the Ewok Wicket. He also starred “Willow” and the “Leprechaun” franchise.
Lexington Comic and Toy Convention
When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, March 23; Noon-8 p.m. Friday, March 24; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 25; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Where: Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.
Tickets: $30-$140
Online: lexingtoncomiccon.com