The first-annual New Jersey Comic Expo opened Saturday at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center. Watch video
EDISON - Comic book and action-adventure fans - many dressed as their favorite superheroes or villains - are in town this weekend to shop, meet celebrities and take lots of photos.
The first-annual New Jersey Comic Expo, which promoters have labeled the first full-blown comic convention in the state, opened Saturday morning at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center.
"We go to Comic Con all the time and this is similar," said Sam Springstead of Staten Island, who came dressed as a revolutionary war soldier. "We're having a lot of fun."
Kay Victoria of Middlesex Borough said New Jersey has been lacking a true comic expo with all the trimmings - celebrities, replica cars and artistry.
"There are not a lot of cons in New Jersey," Victoria said. "It's smaller than a Comic Con, which is good because you get to meet a lot of people."
The expo is organized by MAD Event Management, which has been producing the Long Beach Comic Con in California for seven years.
The shows are popular among performance artists known as "cosplayers" who wear costumes and accessories to represent specific characters.
The weekend features a lineup of celebrity guests, legendary and top creators in the comic book industry, replica cars from classic movies and television shows, interactive exhibits and hours of seminars and panels.
Signing autographs and posing for photos Saturday were Drea de Matteo ("Sons of Anarchy" and "The Sopranos"); Amy Acker ("Angel" and "Alias"); Chase Masterson ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"); Tommy Walker and Peter Shinkoda (Netflix original series "Daredevil").
Also featured are replicas of iconic vehicles from movies and television, including the 1966 Batmobile, the Bat Tumbler from the "Dark Knight" movies, the ECTO-1 from "Ghostbusters," the "Back to the Future" DeLorean, Scooby-Doo's Mystery Machine, "The Flintstones" car, the "Jurassic Park" Jeep, Knight Rider's K.I.T.T
There are also over 150 vendors on the show floor displaying and selling new and collectible items; charity auctions, and an area called "Kids Love Comics!" for younger guests.
For more information visit the expo website.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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