Texas’ Largest Pop Culture Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary
of Comics, Heroes and More!
HOUSTON (May 23, 2018) — Comicpalooza will take over the George R. Brown
Convention Center (GRB) on Friday, May 25 – Sunday, May 27, celebrating its tenth
anniversary. Attendees will be able to explore more than 1,000 hours of action-packed
programming and entertainment across the 1.2 million square-feet of convention space.
Comicpalooza is a three-day, multi-format show comprised of interactive panel sessions,
an expansive exhibition hall and special events. Notable highlights for Comicpalooza
2018 include:
• A premier guest lineup, featuring leading actors Tom Holland, John Cusack,
Krysten Ritter, Charlie Cox, Michael Chiklis, Jeri Ryan, Brent Spiner, Ruth E.
Carter, Edward James Olmos, Walton Goggins, Orlando Jones, Tricia Helfer,
Ray Park and Ross Marquand. The roster also includes famed comic book
creators Scottie Young, Mark Waid, Michael Golden, Paul Pope and more.
• The Comicpalooza Cosplay Contest presented by BBVA Compass invites
attendees to display their unique, hand-crafted costumes and props of popular
characters found in movies, TV shows, comic books, cartoons, as well as video
and card games. The Crossplay Contest, drag cosplay, is an adult-only show
on Friday, May 25 while kids can showcase their alter egos in the Kid’s Cosplay
Contest on Sunday, May 27.
• A distinguished literature lineup that includes authors Joe R. Lansdale,
Seanan McGuire, Mat Johnson, Martha Wells, among others. Attendees will
have the chance to participate in panels, fan roundtables, read and critique
sessions, as well as writing workshops.

• The Comicpalooza Film Festival showcases original works submitted by
filmmakers from around the world and reviewed by a panel of judges. Attendees
will have a chance to view the selected finalists throughout the three-day event
as part of their admission. This year, the festival will also feature the drive-in
classic, Night of the Living Dead, on Saturday night.
• The Maker’s Space presented by BBVA Compass is driven by STEM,
presenting new technology like robotics and 3D printing for the creative and
curious to explore.
• New programming additions include from the Overwatch League, the Official
Houston Outlaws Watch Party on Friday night, as well as live entertainment
that spans ice sculpting, magicians, dancers and music throughout the weekend.
“This year’s tenth anniversary event is the best in Comicpalooza’s history. The
extraordinary lineup, diverse programming, and support from community partners makes
it fun for anyone who enjoys pop culture. I knew when I sold my remaining shares of
Comicpalooza that it would be in good hands, with a long and bright future,” said John
Simons, founder of Comicpalooza.
This year, Comicpalooza will partner with Adult Swim, the number one-rated network
among young adults on basic cable for the past decade, as part of its ongoing efforts to
bring fresh, pop culture content to viewers. During Comicpalooza, Adult Swim will be
screening trailers for the new season of its hit anime series, “FLCL,” which tells the story
of a guitar-swinging heroine battling against a massively powerful industrial corporation
and the 12-year-old boy caught in the middle. Now, more than 15 years since its original
launch in Japan, Adult Swim and Production IG will premiere two seasons on Toonami,
Adult Swim’s popular anime block, beginning Saturday, June 2 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
The new seasons will bring together members of the original anime team, as well as a
new generation of creators.
In the spirit of Comicpalooza, downtown Houston will also host free, public events that
include a Friday night screening of The Dark Knight at Discovery Green and Saturday
night’s Comicpalooza’s After Party on the Avenida presented by Saint Arnold that will
feature a live performance by Austin’s Ghostland Observatory.
For the most-up-to-date information, including special guests, admission prices and
schedules, visit www.comicpalooza.com.