Monroe Comic Con to host Gigi Edgley, many local stars

When the Monroe Comic con was founded last year, it was a tiny show in a small room, this year the show is expanding exponentially.
In it’s first year the show had no real celebrities, other than local actors and athletes, this year the show will take place in a much larger venue and include a larger slate of celebrities from both the comic book world and television and movies.
The 1-day show will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 4. Entry into the show is just $2, and some of the proceeds will go for the The Down Syndrome Guild of Southeastern Michigan.
“It was never about making money,” show founder and promoter Gary Pillette said. “We’ll be doing auctions and other things to raise money.”
Some of the bigger names slated to appear this year include comic book industry legends, Arvell Jones, best known for his work at both Marvel and DC Comics in the 1970s and 80s; Joe Corroney, an artist on titles such as “Dr. Who,” “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “G.I Joe,” “True Blood,” and others; Tony Gray, owner of independent comic company GlassMonkey Studios.
Movie and TV actors slated to appear include “Farscape” star Gigi Edgley, who also hosted the reality show “Jim Henson’s Creature Shop,” who is the biggest name at the show. She will be joined by model and TV personality “Alloy” Ash, and “Oz the Great and Powerful” actors Martin Klebda and Tim Holmes.
“Last year we planned the show in a couple of months,” Pillette said. “People liked it, so we expanded a lot this year. Last year we had a room that held 30 tables, this year we can get about 88 tables in the room.”

It’s more than just comics and celebrities though, the show will also have a costume contest, several panels on things such as the Nain Rouge,  getting into the entertainment industry, a hypnosis show and much more.
Downriver actors Ron Baratono (Melvindale) and Ron Causey (Allen Park) are slated to be among the celebrity guests, Wyandotte artist Tony Miello will be on hand and Allen Park resident Tony Wagonsomer is expected in costume as a Clone Trooper from the Star Wars universe along with other members of the costume group, the 501st Legion.
More than a dozen other artists and actors will also be at the show.
Baratono recently completed a small role in the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” which has been filming in Detroit and River Rouge over the last few months. In addition to that he has a larger role in the upcoming “Past Due,” which stars Eric Roberts.
In addition Baratono has played roles in such films as George Clooney's “Ides Of March” (2011), Mitch Albom's “Have a Little Faith” (2011) and played the boxing trainer on ABC’s television show “Detroit 187” (2011). He is also known for featured roles in “The Last Man Standing” (2011), “Smooch” (2011) and “Oz the Great and Powerful” (2013).
In addition to acting Baratono has become a poet, with his work published both online and in books.
This year’s show will be hosted at the Monroe Knight’s of Columbus Hall, 202 W. Front Street.