By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Lexington Comic and Toy Convention is returning for 2025 this weekend at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington. Fans of the popular convention can expect to be immersed in the best that pop culture has to offer whether that be celebrity autographs and panels, comic creators that have defined or are redefining the comic industry, or vendors showcasing memorabilia from movies, video games, and of course the toys we grew up with – or currently enjoy. Wherever fans are on the pop culture landscape, LCTC definitely has the things you are looking for; and can help you find what you don’t know you’re looking for yet.
Jarrod Greer, owner of the Inner Geek stores in Ashland, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia, started the convention on March 24, 2012, and has committed himself and his talented team of staff and volunteers to making the convention bigger and better each year. The main reason behind this is that although Greer runs the convention, he is first and foremost a fan. And everyone on his team is also a fan of numerous ‘layers’ of the pop culture fabric.
“The goal was always to make a convention that we would want to go to,” Greer said. “We try to fill it up with all the creators, artists, wrestlers, and celebrities everyone wants to meet.”
This year’s lineup includes celebrities like David Boreanaz, known for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bones, and as Master Chief Petty Officer Jason Hayes in SEAL Team. Boreanaz will be appearing Saturday only, but will be available for photo ops and autographs. Veteran actor Danny Trejo will be in attendance this year, and fans will recognize him from everything from the Spy Kids franchise to Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, Con Air, Reindeer Games, and Grindhouse. Trejo is also well known for his voice work in video games like the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Fallout, and Call of Duty.
Friday and Saturday only, the man who defined ‘the final frontier’ and beyond, William Shatner will be available for photo ops and autographs. Shatner is well known for his many iconic roles in movies and television, and has left his indelible mark on films such as Judgement at Nuremburg, and in many television roles including Star Trek and Boston Legal, and starred in one of the most memorable episodes of The Twilight Zone. Currently William Shatner is host and executive producer of The UnXplained on the History Channel.
Comic creators will also be out in force at this year’s convention. Comic Legend Jim Shooter will be available to meet fans, and is joined by fellow comic powerhouses John Romita, Jr., and Bob Hall. Multi-talented Michael Watkins, who has 20 years of experience in comics and illustration with work for Marvel, DC, Image, Dynamite, Dark Horse, and Upper Deck will be on hand to share his experience and amazing artwork. Watkins is also the CEO and Editor in Chief of Highburn Studios. Veteran comic artist Jay Leisten, who has worked across a spectrum of characters from Tombraider and Witchblade for Top Cow to Wolverine and Spiderman for Marvel Comics will be available to fans for artwork and autographs through Sunday.
“I’ve met some of my best friends at conventions,” Greer said of his years doing LCTC, and that list includes both guests and regular attendees. “It’s sort of like this big fraternity, and people become like family. You might only see them once or twice a year, but you’re really glad when you do see them. And that’s what we want this convention to be; a big family reunion you look forward to all year long.”
The show begins tomorrow, and runs through Sunday, March 9. There is a change to ticketing this year at the convention because it has moved to an online ticket model and there will not be any tickets sold at the box office. The link for tickets is available through the LCTC website at http://www.lexingtoncomiccon.com/, with options including a single day or a weekend pass.
Visitors to the convention should also be prepared with both cash and cashless options. Most vendors at the convention prefer cash payments, and some celebrities deal exclusively in cash for autographs, photos, etc. However, the Central Bank Center Food Court and kiosks operated by the Central Bank center are cashless, and do not accept cash.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
