Guests

Saturday, September 22

Noon – Panel – Room 207

1:00 – Photo Ops – Room 201

2:00 – VIP Only Meet and Greet – VIP Lounge

Pam Grier, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., was discovered by director Jack Hill, who cast her in his women-in-prison films The Big Doll House (1971), and The Big Bird Cage (1972). She became a staple of early 1970s “Blaxploitation” movies, playing big, bold, assertive women, beginning with Jack Hill’s Coffy (1973), in which she plays a nurse who seeks revenge on drug dealers. Her character was advertised in the trailer as the "baddest one-chick hit-squad that ever hit town!"

Sunday, September 23

Noon – Panel, Room 207

1:00 – Photo Ops – Room 201

2:00 – VIP Only Meet and Greet – VIP Lounge

Sean Maher is well known to television and film audiences for his role as ‘Dr. Simon Tam’ in Joss Whedon's feature "Serenity”. The film was based on the critically acclaimed series "Firefly”. Additionally, he was seen recurring as Mark Scheffer¹ (aka Shrapnel) on the hit series “Arrow” for The CW. Maher won praise for his portrayal of ‘Don John’ in Joss Whedon’s feature film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing" and can be seen starring in the indie sci-fi feature "Beyond the Edge: ISRA-88." He is also the voice of 'Nightwing' for the Warner Bros / DC Comics animated universe.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM - VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 - Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 - Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

2:00 - Panel, Room 202

3:00 - Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 - Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Meet American voice actress Veronica Taylor at Spa-Con 2018. Best known as the original voice of Ash Ketchum in the English-language adaptation of Pokemon, Taylor is the voice of other notable animated characters including April O’Neil from the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and Sailor Pluto in the Viz Media dub of Sailor Moon. Taylor has also narrated audio books by authors such as Judy Blume, Danielle Steele, Mary Kay Andrews and more.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM - VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 - Panel with Q &A - Room 202

7:00 - Appearing at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 - Appearing at VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 - Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Butch Patrick, who became a worldwide TV star at the age of 7 and went on to play werewolf Eddie Munster on "The Munsters" series, will be a special celebrity guest at the Third Annual Spa-Con multi-genre comics and pop culture convention in Hot Springs September 21 - 23.

Patrick began his professional acting career at the age of 7 and is best known for his role as Eddie Munster, the child werewolf on the CBS comedy television series "The Munsters" from 1864 to 1966. He also starred in the 1966 feature film, "Munster, Go Home" and as Mark, on the ABC Saturday morning series, "Lidsville," from 1971 to 1973.

Born in 1953, he was spotted by Hollywood a talent agent at the age of 7, which led to a series of appearances in television commercials and guest appearances on TV shows.

In 1964, Patrick landed the role of child werewolf Eddie Munster, starring alongside Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster, Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster and Al Lewis as Grandpa on "The Munsters," a fantasy situation comedy loosely based on Universal Studios movie monsters.

When asked how he landed the role of Eddie, Patrick recalled "I had a lot of experience. But maybe it was because my fangs were my own teeth. My teeth were so bad, that even when I closed my mouth they stuck out. I was about a head smaller than the other kids, and they liked that because it played off Herman's height."

He appeared in 70 episodes during "The Munsters'" two-season run from 1964 to 1966.

Patrick continues the Munster's legacy by touring with the Munster Koach and Dragula Tribute Cars, and the original 1964 Barris/Von Dutch Chain Link Schwinn Stingray Bike, and other Munster props to include Munster Go-Cart, Baseball Bat, Wolf Wolf, Miniature Spot, and Street Signs.

FRIDAY, September 21

7:00 – Opening Ceremony and Froggy Fresh Concert

SATURDAY, September 22

11:00 – Panel, “How to become a YouTube Sensation” - Room 202

The internet tells a legend of a kid named Froggy Fresh who fought a great white shark and mastered Youtube. These are but a few of his vast accomplishments, which include being endorsed by John Cena and featured on Tosh.0 but also being a good best friend and recovering neighborhood kids stolen bikes.

Formerly known as Krispy Kreme, a cease and desist rendered a fan-voted name change and the name 'Froggy Fresh' was chosen over 'Jelly Bean Jack'. Enduring a naming, branding, and content change, Money Maker (Re-Loaded), still debuted and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Comedy Album chart.

After 5 years of being shrouded in mystery, Froggy Fresh has embarked on a live tour throughout the US featuring Money Maker Mike, video projections, and a live DJ. Catch the “Baddest of them All” live while you still can.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Morgan Durfee cosplay name, Nightingale Vixen. She has been cosplaying for 3 years as more than just a hobby but a passion and an outlet for creativity. She enjoys anime, Adventure time, comics, going to comic convention and playing video games, which is where most of her cosplay inspiration comes from. She has two Pugs named Cake and Bonnie. She works at a costume company called Dark Iron Productions where they make mostly iron man suits out of plastic and custom orders where they sew and do worbla builds. Morgan graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a Major in Art and a minor in Graphic Design. She’s a full time children’s and teen librarian at her local library for the past 10 years.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Illinois-based cosplayer, nipahDubs, will add his enthusiasm and charisma to Spa-Con’s cosplayer lineup. nipahDubs is an award-winning cosplayer with over seven years of experience styling wigs, sewing, making props and armor, and promoting the art of cosplay.

FRIDAY, September 21, 2018

5:30PM-6:30PM - VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22, 2018

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA - Panel with Q &A

3:00 - VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 - Appearing at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23, 2018

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 - Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 - Appearing at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Ginny Di is a web creator, cosplayer, YouTuber, singer and professional nerd!

She believes the world needs more enthusiastic people making cool things."I am a lover of extravagant plans, doing-it-yourself, and color-coded spreadsheets. When I see something I like, I want to make something with it. I'm over-excited, over-committed, and I will cross the street to pet that cat." Ginny Di is making her 3rd visit to Spa-Con.

FRIDAY, September 21, 2018

5:30PM-6:30PM - VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22, 2018

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA - Panel with Q &A

3:00 - VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 - Appearing at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23, 2018

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 - Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 - Appearing at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Thomas DePetrillo of Extreme Costumes has been making Giant Robots for 22 years. In 2009 he branded himself "Extreme Costumes" and in 2011 he started a business based on his creations. Since that point, Extreme Costumes has grown. Now with 4,200 sq feet of shop space, multiple performers and crafters he has turned his passion into a business.
Extreme Costumes has won "Best in Show" at New York Comic Con, twice, and the same honor at Anime Expo. Other honors include "Cosplayer of the year" by Stan Lee in 2015, and being the most trending thing in the world on Facebook for 3 days straight. His first commercial work was making a Bumblebee the Transformer. A suit he used with Chevy for many events and one he will be bringing to SPA Con this September.

FRIDAY, September 21, 2018

5:30PM-6:30PM - VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22, 2018

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

12:00-1:00 - Panel with Q &A

3:00 - VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 - Appearing at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23, 2018

10:00 - Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 - Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 - Appearing at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Dominique de Leon Cosplay is a 23 year old cosplayer living on the Northern coast of California. She's been fabricating cosplay armor since high school, mainly creating replica costumes of characters from video games and anime. Workshop: Armor Making with Nightingale Vixen and Dominique de Leon.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Arvell Jones has been drawing comics for a long time, his earliest work appears in Marvel Comics' Marvel Premiere #20-22 (Jan.-May 1975), drawing the martial arts superhero Iron Fist he also co-created the character MISTY KNIGHT, along with Tony Isabella for the Iron Fist series. He’s drawn for Marvel such titles as, Deathlok, Thor, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Avengers, Daredevil, Captain America, Daredevil and more. Jones began worked for DC Comics on a short 10 page stories for DC Specials and Giant Books of Legion of Super Heroes before getting his own series Super-Team Family 1976-77 which the majority of issues were reprinted as the Countdown Special in the mid 2000's. Between all of that he still finds time to teach and mentor interested artists in working in the comic field where he co-created the 20 year old running Comic Art Workshop.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Graphic Designer and Illustrator Chad Maupin joins the lineup for Spa-Con 2018. Known for his work developing the brands Fayettechill and Houndstooth Clothing Co., Maupin’s graphic work can be described as a colorful homage to retro comics, horror films, and mid-century design. Big-Bot Design is the art imprint for Maupin’s personal artwork which is primarily art prints and other ephemera reflecting his passion for comics and illustration.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

David Lasky, Comic and Visual Artist, returns to Spa-Con this September. Lasky made dozens of short comics before collaborating with Frank Young on the historical graphic novels Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song, a comics’ Eisner Award winner in 2013, and Oregon Trail: Road to Destiny. Lasky colored CeCe Bell’s graphic novel, El Deafo, a Newbery Honor Book. He has designed books and comics for 826 Seattle, Fantagraphics Books, and King County Public Health.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Yale Stewart is a cartoonist from St. Louis, Missouri, best known for creating, writing, and illustrating the award-winning webcomic, JL8. Primarily a freelancer, Stewart’s work can also be found in “The Amazing Adventures of Superman” children’s books from Capstone/DC, as well as the comic “SMOSH” from Dynamite Entertainment.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Nikki Dawes is an award-winning graphic artist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and a freelance illustrator/graphic designer. She’s worked with Amnesty International, Genera Colin Powell and Alma Powell, and Arkansas Life magazine. Primarily working digitally, Nikki enjoys using bright colors and fantasy characters in her original works, which include everything from elves to monkey gods.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Stacy Bates, Stacy Bee Art, is an artist and art teacher from Fort Smith, Arkansas. She graduated with a BA degree in Art and a minor in Education from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. Upon graduating, she returned to Fort Smith where she now lives with her husband and teaches elementary art. Her work mainly specializes in creating pen and ink illustrations, along with murals, that combine her two favorite styles – drawing and printmaking. Her work appears on a variety of projects, from gig posters for musical acts to Arkansas-themed illustrations to public murals. During the past two years, she has completed six murals in Arkansas and Oklahoma and her illustrations have been featured in five separate books. This past year alone, her work has been on exhibit at several Arkansas galleries and multiple times in Los Angeles, among others.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Kody Sandvvich, mild-mannered Library Clerk by day. Caroonist and illustrator by night. Sandwich is an Arkansas native who is constantly drawing autobio comics and fan art on Instagram. He created She Hunts Monsters Y'all and co-created Coffee Stains. Mr. Sandwich has worked for Bobby Bones, illustrating both children's albums and he's designed merchandise for Adult Swim's MC Chris.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Born and raised on a goat farm on top a mountain, Gustav Carlson spent his days naming an increasing number of goats Gruff. Partially in fear of bridge trolls that run rampant in the hills, but mostly because it adequately described most the goats he knew. Since then the trolls have gone extinct, and the goats Gruff are in his past. To fill that constant void, he now draws comics. He has created the comics, Eve of the Ozarks and Tourist Unknown.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

Nate Jones is a freelance graphic designer with a printmaking degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He has toured conventions as an illustrator all over the nation, selling the Famous Hair Line Series of posters, depicting the hair of recognizable fiction and non-fiction characters paired with defining quotes, from the east to the west coast. He was a founding member and visual art director for the band Kentucky Knife Fight, an award-winning St. Louis Rock outfit that has toured the nation as well as a founding member and visual director for the current band Sorry, Scout. He is an avid cyclist, musician, live music enthusiast and arts patron.

FRIDAY, September 21

5:30PM-6:30PM – VIP Pass Holder reception

SATURDAY, September 22

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

7:00 – Appear at Cosplay Showcase

SUNDAY, September 23

10:00 – Appearing in the Expo Hall

3:00 – Attend VIP Ticket Holder Meet & Greet/Mix and Mingle

4:00 – Appear at Closing Ceremony/Mix and Mingle with attendees

The art of Timothy Lim (NINJAINK, LLC) has been published in a variety of media, including comic book covers for IDW (Back to the Future, Street Fighter X, GI Joe, Optimus Prime, TMNT Universe) and merchandising art for major companies such as Marvel, Lucasfilm, Hasbro, and Valve. His pinups have been featured in UDON's tribute art books and can currently be seen in Street Fighter Vs Darkstalkers #0 and #2. You can see his illustrations for the exclusive, official convention artwork for celebrities such as Stan Lee, Claudia Wells, and Dan Gilvezan. Currently, he is working on a to-be-announced project for Upper Deck. He resides between Arkansas and Texas with his wife and 5 rabbits.

SATURDAY, September 22

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

President and professor of history at Hendrix College, William Tsutsui will present a special panel at Spa-Con 2018. Tsutsui’s academic credentials include degrees from Harvard, Oxford, and Princeton Universities as well as numerous teaching positions. Tsutsui has either written or edited eight books, including Manufacturing Ideology: Scientific Management in Twentieth-Century Japan, Godzilla on My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters and Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization, as well as numerous articles on modern Japanese history. He has received Fulbright, ACLS, and Marshall fellowships, and was awarded the John Whitney Hall Prize of the Association for Asian Studies in 2000, the William Rockhill Nelson Prize for Non-Fiction in 2005, and the inaugural Bridges to Friendship Award of the Japan America Society of Greater Austin in 2015. His teaching and research focus on the business, environmental, and cultural history of twentieth-century Japan.

SATURDAY, September 22

Time TBA – Panel with Q &A

Spa-Con welcomes back award-winning game designer and author, Ross Watson. Watson has designed and written for video games, board games, card games, miniature games, and several roleplaying games. Some of his most well-known credits include Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, Torg: Eternity, Savage Rifts, Star Wars: Edge of the Empire, and the various Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay lines (Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader, Deathwatch, and more). Ross is currently the line manager for Warhammer 40,00 Roleplay: Wrath & Glory at Ulisses North America.

GUESTS

PAM GRIER

SEAN MAHER

VERONICA TAYLOR

BUTCH PATRICK

Munster Koach

Dragula

FROGGY FRESH

COSPLAYERS

NIGHTINGALE VIXEN

nipahDUBS

GINNY DI

Bumble Bee, by EXTREME COSTUMES

Dominque de Leon

Mick Grimes

Norman Reedesque

COMIC AND VISUAL ARTISTS

ARVELL JONES

CHAD MAUPIN

DAVID LASKY

YALE STEWART

Nikki Dawes

Stacy Bates

Kody Sandwich

Gustav Carlson

Nate Jones

Timothy Lim

PRESENTERS

BILL TSUTSUI

ROSS WATSON

Beastman Caravan

HowlPop

Sonny Kay

ATTRACTIONS

Artemis

Virtual Reality

Escape Pod

Laser Tag

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