Permian Basin Comic Con grows to meet fans’ needs

Actor Ryan Hurst ("Sons of Anarchy") will appear at this year's Permian Basin Comic Con. Actor Ryan Hurst ("Sons of Anarchy") will appear at this year's Permian Basin Comic Con. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Permian Basin Comic Con grows to meet fans’ needs 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

In just its third year in the area, Permian Basin Comic Con X has shown significant growth. Even if it’s at the same venue, PBCC is no doubt bigger than before. Founder Chris Slatosch says it’s all for fans’ sake.

“We’ve taken what we learned from the previous year and added to it,” he said. “We add more content every year.”

He said feedback from fans has helped shaped the offerings found at this year’s comic con, which kicks off Friday at the Horseshoe Pavilion.

Celebrities, cosplay, wrestling and panel discussions will continue, but the programming has grown to include more workshops.

“This was a response to fans,” he said. “People wanted more of that, so we have sessions on how to make costumes or publish comic books and stuff like that.”

The life-size puzzle rooms of Get Out join this year’s comic con and the new Kidszone will mark an inaugural space for younger fans.

“This is our first year to focus on the little guys coming in,” Slatosch said.

Among this year’s celebrities attending PBCC include Steve Cardenas (Power Rangers), actor Lindsey McKeon (“Supernatural,” “One Tree Hill”) and centerpiece celebrity actor, Ryan Hurst (“Sons of Anarchy”).

Local association Old School Wrestling also returns to the convention. This is the second year OSW will be at Comic Con X.

“We gained a lot of fans last year from our Comic Con performance, and I hope we gain a lot more,” Urban said. “We just want to put smiles on kids’ faces.”

Old School Wrestling will perform matches every mid-hour Saturday and Sunday at Comic Con X, and while promoter Fred Urban said the card is a secret, several of the wrestlers will dress up as their favorite comic book characters for matches.

OSW is bringing in wrestling legend Vader for autographs and photos. Vader, real name Leon White, was a world heavyweight champion in World Championship Wrestling and worked many years in the World Wrestling Federation, now WWE. Vader was also a two-time triple crown heavyweight champion in All Japan Pro Wrestling and a three-time IWGP heavyweight champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling, among others accolades.

Cosplay guests and professionals will also be in attendance.

Projected attendance this year is 6,000, so Slatosch advises people to schedule their time wisely and bring a camera.

“There’s more programming than time in the day,” he said. “Set aside a few hours of the day to take it all in.”

Trevor Hawes contributed to this article.

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Permian Basin Comic Con X information

Location | Horseshoe Pavilion, 2514 Arena Trail.

Tickets | Saturday pass $20.

Sunday pass $20.

Two-day pass $35.

VIP Pass including Friday $100.

Select schedule

Friday (VIP only)

5 - 9 p.m. | VIP pick-up and information booth

6 p.m. | Funimation screenings

7 p.m. | Star Fall Game

9 p.m. | St. Patrick’s Day VIP Party at DoubleTree Hotel (117 W. Wall St.) with DJ Spree. 21 and older only.

Saturday

10 a.m. | Funimation screenings

11 a.m. | Gathering Place Game Zone play (with various events throughout the day)

11:30 a.m. | Art Panel: Coffee with Ken Salinas

Noon | Lindsey McKeon appearance

12:10 p.m. | Meet the OSW Wrestlers panel

12:30 p.m. | OSW Live Wrestling (matches on the half hour through 4:30 p.m.)

1:15 p.m. | ThermoPlastic 101 workshop

2 p.m. | Power Rangers VIP Panel

2 p.m. | Ryan Hurst appearance and panel

2:10 p.m. How to Make a Life Mask workshop

3 p.m. | Ryan Hurst photo opportunity

3:10 p.m. | Costuming: Taking Cosplay Skills to the World Around You panel

3:15 p.m. | “Doll Boy” screening and panel. The film is rated R and for mature audiences only.

4 p.m. | Johnny Young Bosch photo opportunity

4:30 p.m. | Steve Cardenas photo opportunity

5 p.m. | Adult Cosplay contest

10 p.m. | PBCC official after-party at DoubleTree Hotel hosted by Steve Cardenas. The event will feature cosplay lip sync battle, music by DJ Dubb and drink specials. $10. 21 and older only.

Sunday

10 a.m. | Funimation screenings

10 a.m. | Gathering Place Game Zone play (with various events throughout the day)

Noon | Billy Pon indie movie panel

Noon | Creating Comics workshop

Noon | Panel with Marvel artist Sam DeLaRosa

12:30 p.m. | OSW Live Wrestling (matches on the half hour through 4:30 p.m.)

1 p.m. | NeoGeeked: A look into the technologies and skills needed to build computers and create digital content for many platforms.

1:15 p.m. | Johnny Young Bosch voice acting panel

2:25 p.m. | Rocky Red Ranger panel with Steve Cardenas

3 p.m. | Kids Cosplay contest

For a full schedule and more information, visit pbcomicconx.com.