Inverness comic convention aims high as it plans for 2018 outing
A BUMPER edition of the annual Inverness Comic Convention is on the cards with a star-studded line-up booked in so far – and moves are being made to try and add home-grown film star Karen Gillan.
The Inverness actress, who has starred in Hollywood films including the comic book-inspired Guardians of the Galaxy series and will be in the next Avengers movie which is likely to one of this summer’s biggest blockbusters, would be the icing on the cake.
NessCon, short for Inverness Comic Convention, is several months away, but work in organising the event started as soon as last summer’s ended.
Organiser Darrel-John Paterson, of Highland Heart Events, said: "We have quite a list. Things are coming together nicely.
"We are going to be talking to Karen Gillan’s people to see if it is possible for her to attend. She has been back home recently. If she attended it would be a huge boost."
NessCon organisers are hoping that they can attract a much bigger attendance this year with a 2250 capacity at the venue at Inverness Ice Centre, compared with 1000 at Eden Court last year.
Mr Paterson said: "We are already approaching 1000 tickets sold and there are still seven months to go, so that is looking good."
A treat is in store for Game of Thrones fans, with no fewer than three actresses from the hit series already confirmed. They are Annette Hannah (who played Frances, one of the "little birds" street children used as spies within King’s Landing), Margaret Jackman (one of the waifs who stabbed Arya Stark) and Aimee Richardson (Myrcella Baratheon).
The line-up also includes Scots actor James Mackenzie, best known for playing the original lead role in the children’s game show Raven, actress Stephanie Bennett probably best known as playing Lydia Barnwell in Shadow Hunters, plus a trio of actors who have starred in the Power Rangers franchise – Gold Ranger Stephen Skyler (played by Antonio Garcia) and Davi Santos (Sir Ivan of Zandar) and the Pink Ranger Alison MacInnis (Dana Mitchell), who is of Scots descent and plans to check out her ancestry while in Inverness.
"There should be quite a bit of interest in the Power Rangers with so many kids growing up with the TV series," Mr Paterson said. "We also have more than 50 exhibits lined up for the hall."
And he issued a plea for Inverness singers, dancers and musicians to get involved by appearing on the NessCon entertainment stage.
"If there is anyone out there who is entertaining we will try and fit you in a time slot," he said.
"We are again collaborating with Loch Ness Gin in running a NessCon themed cocktail-making competition. The guy who won last year went on to work with Loch Ness Gin."
NessCon is on August 25 and 26.
