They've had some big-name attractions in the past, but this year's special guests for the C4 Central Canada Comic Con will dwarf the others by comparison.

"Winnipeg is going on an unexpected journey," C4 promoter Violet Paille said Thursday, hinting of The Hobbit characters. "We have four of the actors who played the dwarfs in the movie.

"It is going to be huge for us.

"There are certain headlining guests that we can get that people will say 'Oh, yeah,' ... but with this one people will be like 'Oh my God! This is awesome!'"

The guests of honour are: Graham McTavish (Dwalin), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), Adam Brown (Ori), and Jed Brophy (Nori).

"Two are coming from New Zealand, one from the UK, and (McTavish will come from Los Angeles) where he's doing some work on the new show, Outlander," Paille said.

Comic Con goes Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at RBC Convention Centre and the "fiercest warriors of Middle-earth" are expected to be on hand all three days.

Fans will get a C4 teaser of sorts Sunday at the Winnipeg Comic and Toy Expo, which goes at the Viscount Gort (1670 Portage Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.). The event gives dealers from Manitoba a chance to showcase their collections, Paille said, adding there will be 75 tables of vendors in the Royal Room.

The show features everything from comic books and vintage toys to video games and wrestling figures. A couple of clubs with displays include Gunplay Anime and the Costume Alliance. Also on hand will be local graphic artist Greg Chomichuk, comic book designer Nico Rudolph, and Adam Kirk of Kirkatures.

Paille and her husband, Michael, own a comic and toy store at 984 St. Mary's Rd. Known as Raven Collectibles since 2007, it will have a re-opening on Sept. 13 to unveil its new name, Cobra Collectibles.

High demand items at their store include products from Monster High for girls, and Minecraft for boys and girls.

Adult collectors often come to their store in search of vintage toys from Star Wars, G1 Transformers, G.I. Joe, and He-Man. Any "super-power" action figures from the 1970s get scooped up immediately.

The Pailles recently acquired and quickly sold vintage Superman and Batman figures, in original packaging, for between $250 and $280 each.

"(Collectors) will come and say 'If you ever get (a specific vintage item), tell me,'" Paille said.

"We had a guy walk into our store a couple of months ago who had carded (still in original cardboard and bubble packaging) Star Wars pieces from the '70s. You're looking at $500 for just one of those pieces.

"A lot of people say 'I wish I hadn't opened the package or given it away.'"

ARRR YEE READY FOR THIS?

Avast ye scurvy dogs, starting Oct. 17, the Manitoba Museum will offer the unique chance to explore the first authentic pirate ship discovered in U.S. waters.

National Geographic's Real Pirates tells the story of the Whydah — a pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago. The display includes treasure chests of coins and gold, jewellery, cannons, pistols, knives, and a replica ship that visitors can board.

Underwater explorer Barry Clifford located the ship in 1984.

"There are treasures from more than 50 other ships, which the pirates robbed, providing a rare window into the mysterious world of 18th century pirates," Clifford said, in a press release.

The exhibit will run for a limited time.