Fans of popular Marvel Comics antihero Deadpool will have the opportunity to meet the character’s co-creator, Fabian Nicieza, this weekend in Phillipsburg.
Nicieza is scheduled to be in attendance Saturday during the fifth annual Phillipsburg Comic Con at Phillipsburg High School. The event will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Deadpool, who Nicieza created with artist/writer Rob Liefeld, first appeared in the pages of Marvel Comics’ “New Mutants,” No. 98. In recent years, the character has seen a surge in mainstream popularity beyond the comics, thanks in large part to the success of the film Deadpool and its follow-up, Deadpool 2. Both of those films starred Ryan Reynolds in the titular role. (Reynolds previously portrayed Wade Wilson/Deadpool in the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine.)
In addition to his work on “New Mutants,” Nicieza’s writing credits include “The New Warriors,” “Cable & Deadpool,” “X-Force,” “Thunderbolts,” “X-Men,” “Gambit,” and “Cable.”
New Mutants co-creator Bob McLeod is also slated to appear at the convention. The veteran artist and inker has lent his talents to such titles “Action Comics,” “Uncanny X-Men,” “Wonder Woman,” “Spider-Woman”, and “Crazy” magazine. During his tenure working on “Action Comics,” McLeod penciled the issue (No. 662) in which Superman reveals to Lois Lane that he and Clark Kent are one and the same.
The guest list includes influential writer Louise Simonson and artist/writer Walt Simonson. The Simonsons have collectively worked on such Marvel and DC titles as "Thor," "Fantastic Four," "X-Factor,” “Batman,” and "Superman: The Man of Steel." Louise Simonson co-created fan-favorite Marvel Comics characters Cable and Apocalypse, and was one of the architects of the famous "Death of Superman" storyline. Walt Simonson created fan-favorite “Thor” character Beta Ray Bill.
Other guest list highlights include inker Scott Hanna (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Detective Comics”); fashion designer and former Project Runway cast member Pamela Ptak; writer/artist and Ben 10 co-creator Joe Kelly (“I kill Giants,” “Action Comics”); artist Lee Weeks (“Batman”, “Gambit,” “Daredevil”); Gwenpool co-creator Heather Antos; and writer Tee Franklin (“Bingo Love,” “Jook Joint”).
Admission to Phillipsburg Comic Con costs $5; free admission for children ages 10 and younger if accompanied by a paid adult. Proceeds from the convention will benefit the organization RAINN, which provides help to victims of rape and sexual abuse. (Last year's event also benefitted RAINN.)