Third annual FanFare kicks off Friday

   DEARBORN  — Pending a last-minute deal, the Hyatt Regency could shutter its doors at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31, but that won’t stop the Detroit FanFare from rocking out there this weekend. Starting Friday and running through Sunday the hotel will host a convention that is open to all ages that will celebrate the comic book industry and pop culture as a whole.

   The third annual FanFare is a throwback to the Detroit Triple Fan Fair which was the nation’s first ever annual comic convention beginning in 1965 running through 1978.

   “We are the resurrection of the original Detroit Triple Fan Fair, which was held in downtown Detroit in 1965 at the Book Cadillac Hotel,” Tony Miello, co-promoter the Fare said.

   The festivities will kick-off with a 5 p.m. Zombie Walk outside of the convention entrance. Anyone dressed in zombie attire will get into the opening night of the convention free. Undead of all ages are welcome to participate.

Michael Jai White

A re-issue of Black Dynamite #1 will
be available.

   The convention will also feature more than 100 comic creators, panels, discussions, seminars, auctions and a costume contest among other things. Michael Jai White, who starred in the 2009 film “Black Dynamite” and 1997’s “Spawn” as well for doing several voice acting roles in animated superhero TV series and Sam Jones, from 1980’s “Flash Gordon” will be the two big movie draws along with David Prowse who was the man inside the Darth Vader costume during the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

   Among the weekend's featured activities are Blood 4 Comics and Sci-Fi Speed Dating. Stop by the Detroit chapter of the Red Cross on the convention floor to donate blood and get a stack of comics free. For those attending the convention stag, stars of the TLC show Geek Love will be at Detroit FanFare for some rapid fire love connections. Preregistration is required for the speed dating event.

Black Dynamite

   “Our aim is to pay tribute to all those in the comic book industry who came before us,” Miello said. “And to acknowledge the importance that Metro Detroit played in the industry's history.”
   A weekend pass for the convention is $15, children 12 and under are $5 on Saturday or free on Sunday for kids day. Tickets include admission into Friday night's preview party from midnight to 2 a.m. in the Marquee Ballroom, featuring music by the Buddy Black Band. The official convention party takes place Saturday, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Marquee Ballroom. The party will feature a Best Costume Contest. The parties are only for ticket holders over 21-years old.

   The hotel is located at 600 Town Center Drive.

   For more information, visit detroitfanfare.com. Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/detroit.fanfare.

   Contact Video Coordinator Dave Herndon at 1-734-246-0867 or dherndon@heritage.com. Follow him on Facebook and @NHDaveH on Twitter.