Pop culture fans flock to Motor City Comic Con

Fans dressed as Gambit, Wonder Woman and Rogue.

NOVI — Superheroes were out in full force thwarting evildoers, but managing to stop and pose for photos with fans along the way at the 27th annual Motor City Comic Con.
Costumed heroes and villains were just part of the fun as people flocked to the convention at the Suburban Collection Showplace. Some were there to see a few of the major comic book writers and artists; others were there to look for up-and-comers who are with smaller publishers; and others were there to buy comics, DVDs, toys or other items. And some  were there to see stars from other walks of pop culture such as Peter Tork of The Monkees or Sam Witwer of “Being Human,” to name a few.
“These things are great ways to see that people are just people — we’re all alike,” said James Duval, who is best known for playing Frank in the movie “Donnie Darko.”

Patricia Quinn, who still looks amazing, dancing
 with fans during the convention.

Many of the celebrities also took part in panels where fans could get together in groups and hear them talk about their lives in the industry and to ask questions. The panels included Dwight Shultz talking about his roles in “The A-Team” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation”; Howard Hesseman and Loni Anderson talking about life on the set of “WKRP in Cincinnati”; and a hodgepodge of young and old Hollywood stars, including David Della Rocco and Sean Patrick Flanery, “The Boondock Saints”; Sherilyn Fenn,  “Twin Peaks”; Duval; and Patricia Quinn,“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” talking about what it was like to be in a cult classic movie or TV show.
“A cult movie is wonderful,” Flanery said. “It’s such a small group that gets each other involved. Like you have five friends, and you pick two or three to share it with, but then say, ‘You, you’re not right for this.’
“It’s wonderful being able to say you were involved in a movie or show like that.”
 Billy Dee Williams was joined by two character actors from the “Star Wars” trilogy for a panel on Sunday that was one of the highlights of the show for many.
“I’m only here to see Billy,” said Saline resident John Givens, 55. “He’s one of the few principal (actors) that I haven’t gotten an autograph from yet.”
The costume contest, which had separate entries for children, teens, adults and teams, was one of the most popular events of the weekend. More than four dozen people entered in all, with costumes ranging from  Ang (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) to “X-Men.”

“It’s always a fun time out here at Comic Con,” Joseph Timmons said. “It’s different every year.”
Seemingly the only complaint people had was the long line to get into the show Saturday.
“I drove all the way in from Cincinnati, and then had to wait almost an hour to get in the door,” George Fine said. “On top of that, I had to wait another 30 minutes for a hamburger. I’ve been coming here for 20 years, but this may be my last time.”
Contact Staff Writer Dave Herndon at 1-734-246-0867 or dherndon@heritage.com. Follow him on Facebook and @NHDaveH on Twitter.